Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Muslim youth warned of Valentine's Day trap
- Selangor DAP leader may quit party to join BN
- Pak Lah denies any role in Sabah's Projek IC
- ‘Probe Mahathir’s citizenship’
- DAP has not accepted PAS stand on 'Allah': Karpal
- High chance PAS may field ex-BN leaders in Election 2013, says Hadi
- ‘Truth will prevail, immunity or not’
- Mirzan: I've no share in Petron Malaysia
- ‘Amalilio a nephew of Sabah minister’
- Don’t haggle with PAS over Islam, DAP and PKR told
- Joe the orphaned baby elephant 'wasting away' after mother was poisoned
| Muslim youth warned of Valentine's Day trap Posted: 01 Feb 2013 10:39 PM PST
(Bernama) - More than 300 volunteers between 19 to 25 years-old today joined a programme to make Muslims aware of the importance of not celebrating Valentine's Day. The programme called "Jerat Hari Valentine" (Valentine's Day Trap) targets several locations in Kuala Lumpur, said director-general of Islamic Development Department (Jakim) Datuk Othman Mustapha. "The young volunteers can advise and explain Valentine's Day to the Muslim community. This is the first time that Jakim is involving young people in addressing the Valentine's Day issue. "They will target Muslim youths, parents and the community to create awareness about the importance of not celebrating Valentine's Day," he told reporters after launching the programme at Masjid As-Syakirin, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) here. The programme involves locations around KLCC and Bukit Bintang, Masjid India, KL Sentral, Pudu Sentral and Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC). Jakim director of Family, Social and Community Division, Saimah Mokhtar hopes parents take the ban on Valentine's Day celebration seriously as it has elements of Christianity and mixed with vices forbidden by Islam. The ban was issued at the 71st meeting of the National Fatwa Council Committee for Islamic Affairs in 2005. Participant Siti Balqis Samsudin, 23, said the programme could help build confidence and courage to combat social ills among young people. "The programme is also able to educate myself with knowledge to help other young people," said the university student. Siti Wan Norain Mohammad Azman, 19, said despite feeling scared of advising others, she remained positive by lending support and aid to the programme. Her goal was to educate young people who still do not know why Valentine's Day celebration is in conflict with Islamic teachings.
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| Selangor DAP leader may quit party to join BN Posted: 01 Feb 2013 10:30 PM PST
Bernama) - A Selangor DAP leader is said to have expressed a desire to quit and join Barisan Nasional (BN) due to dissatisfaction with internal problems plaguing the party. This was revealed by Kapar BN chairman Datuk Abdul Rahman Palil (picture) today who claimed receiving an SMS from the DAP leader few days ago. He claimed that the DAP leader had lost faith in the DAP top leadership which appeared to be unrealistic in its political cooperation and struggle. "I cannot reveal more details. This matter is being discussed seriously," he told reporters here today. Commenting on reports that some Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) members are trying to topple Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Abdul Rahman said this is no surprise. | ||||
| Pak Lah denies any role in Sabah's Projek IC Posted: 01 Feb 2013 06:52 PM PST
The former PM says the accusation by Anwar Ibrahim was to cover-up Anwar's own wrongdoing. (Bernama) -- Former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has denied opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's claim that he was involved in the 'Projek IC' in Sabah. He said Anwar implicated him in the issue to cover his own wrongdoing. "He (Anwar) is constantly blaming others. He will accuse other people and then he'll wash his hands off it. I know him too well," he told reporters after the presentation of 1Malaysia People's Assistance (BR1M) 2.0 to 262 Kepala Batas Chinese residents at the Tau Boin Temple Keong Hall here today. Abdullah - who is the area's MP - was commenting on a press report which quoted Anwar as saying that the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) should investigate Abdullah and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for their alleged involvement in the project. Anwar who is also Permatang Pauh MP was also reported to have denied his involvement in the issue but said he was prepared to give his statement to the RCI. Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had earlier claimed that Anwar was directly involved in the project to issue citizenship and identity cards to ineligible foreigners in Sabah in the 90s. He claimed that although Anwar did not give orders directly, he was always taking the initiative, sometimes more than was necessary. Meanwhile, Abdullah said 12,060 people in his constituency were eligible for the first phase of the BR1M 2.0 and the distribution would be carried out throughout February.
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| ‘Probe Mahathir’s citizenship’ Posted: 01 Feb 2013 05:24 PM PST
A PKR leader said Mahathir was half Indian, so he and his ancestors might have obtained their citizenship through illegal means. Leven Woon, FMT Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad should have his citizenship probed by the authorities, if he thinks that the granting of citizenship to Chinese and Indian prior to independence was wrong , said a PKR leader. R. Suresh Kumar, the special assistant to Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, said this was because Mahathir was also a half Indian whose ancestors were given citizenship to become Malayan at that time. "The full name of Mahathir is Mahathir Mohd Iskandar Kutty. The word Kutty suggests that his dad was an Indian Muslim. "If he is questioning the granting to citizenship to Indians and Chinese before independence, then his ancestors must be investigated too. And also his own citizenship," he said at a protest rally against Mahathir in Brickfields today. Last month, the former premier said the granting of citizenship to Sabah immigrants during his tenure could be equated to the same policy by Malaysia's first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman to Indian and Chinese immigrants prior to Independence. He claimed that Tunku has awarded citizenship even though it was not provided in the law at that time. "This situation came about because the Malays are generous and prepared to dilute their power, and this is very different from what happened in Sabah because they had the right to have citizenships," he added when asked to comment on the criticisms against him regarding the granting of citizenship to immigrants in Sabah. Various opposition leaders have since condemned Mahathir's statements and labelled it as inappropriate and misleading, while MCA chief Chua Soi Lek said he was unsure whether Mahathir was saying that in jest or not Today, a group of 60 people from various NGO and political parties staged a 30-minute protest at the elephant fountain in Brickfields against Mahathir. Holding up banners bearing Mahathir's portraits with the captions "The nation's traitor", "The biggest liar", "the most insulting individual", they demanded an apology from the former premier within a week. The group later lodged a police report against the Mahathir for uttering seditious statements. Jus soli is a right by which nationality or citizenship can be recognized to any individual born in the territory of the related state.
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| DAP has not accepted PAS stand on 'Allah': Karpal Posted: 01 Feb 2013 05:01 PM PST
(The Star) - It is wrong to say the PAS' Syura Council's decision regarding the Allah issue is well received by non-Muslims, including DAP's leadership, said DAP national chairman Karpal Singh. Karpal told a press conference here that he was disappointed with PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang's statement to this effect. He was commenting on a news report quoting Hadi as saying the prohibition on non-Muslims from using the "Allah" word in their holy books was settled and that the DAP's top leadership had also accepted the explanation on the matter given by PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat during a brief meeting with him (Karpal Singh) in Penang last Monday. Karpal stressed that nothing was discussed regarding the Allah issue when he met with Nik Aziz at the informal meeting. He said the Syura Council should not stick firmly to its stand as it conflicted with the stand taken by Pakatan Rakyat which is made up of the DAP, PAS and PKR. Karpal added that the DAP was not meddling in the internal affairs of PAS but instead was upholding a stand which had already been taken by PR.
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| High chance PAS may field ex-BN leaders in Election 2013, says Hadi Posted: 01 Feb 2013 03:58 PM PST
PAS may list former rivals from the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) bloc to run for both federal and state seats on the PAS ticket in Election 2013, its president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang has said. But Hadi (picture) insisted the opposition party does not lack candidates to replace its maverick lawmaker Nasharudin Mat Isa and those who have left the Islamist party since Election 2008. "It is not the time yet for me to make the announcement but there is a high probability that former BN leaders, who were ministers and deputy ministers, will be listed as candidates to contest parliamentary and state seats," the Marang MP was reported as saying by the New Straits Times (NST) today. Nasharudin, who was once the party's deputy president, was booted out of the powerful syura council last month just ahead of the 13th general election due to be called by April and which PAS, a senior partner in the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) opposition pact, is hoping will form the new federal government. Hadi said Nasharudin was still a member of the party but whether he will be fielded as a candidate in the polls will be decided by Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, who is Kelantan mentri besar and the state's PAS commissioner. "Whether Nasharudin will remain as a candidate will be decided by Allah, even I do not know what is in store for me. That is why I would like to advise him to pray that Allah softens up Nik Aziz's heart to list him as a candidate. "Don't ask me why he was dropped from the syura council, but if you ask me on whether he will be a candidate, that is my answer. Pray to Allah. The power to list the candidates (in Kelantan) is in Nik Aziz's hands," Hadi was reported as saying by NST.
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| ‘Truth will prevail, immunity or not’ Posted: 01 Feb 2013 03:42 PM PST
But the carpet dealer says he expects "some sort of immunity" after his Feb 6 meeting with Mahfuz Omar. Anisah Shukry, FMT Controversial businessman Deepak Jaikishan said he would not remain silent even if Pakatan Rakyat was unable to guarantee him immunity from prosecution. "I will do whatever is necessary to come out with the truth. Truth will prevail. It cannot go away," Deepak told FMT. Deepak said this when asked to comment on PAS vice-president Mahfuz Omar's announcement that he must "convince" the Pokok Sena MP as well as several legal advisors during their Feb 6 meeting that the immunity was necessary. Deepak is banking on Pakatan Rakyat to provide him protection should the opposition coalition come to power this year. The immunity is in exchange for incriminating evidence Deepak allegedly has which implicates Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor in the 2006 murder of Mongolian translater Altantuya Shaariibuu. But Deepak said that regardless of the outcome of the meeting, he would still carry on with his slew of press conferences revealing the details of Najib's alleged hand in Altantuyaa's murder. "If I were to remain silent, I will be guilty of complicity," said Deepak, quoting Albert Einstein. "I cannot remain silent, so my press conferences will start immediately after my meeting with Mahfuz." But Deepak said that he expected "some sort of immunity" from Pakatan which "would work within the legal system". "I wish to thank Dato' Mahfuz, vice president of PAS, for granting me the opportunity to discuss my immunity request with Pakatan," he added. "I am very very greatful [sic] for his vision for truth and justice and readily accept the invitation and will be at PAS headquarters on Feb 6 2013 at 11am." 'No promises of immunity for Deepak' However, when contacted, PKR vice-president Tian Chua reiterated his stance that Pakatan could not directly promise Deepak immunity from prosecution. "We promise a a legal and transparent process that will guarantee justice for people who wish to come up with the truth," said the Batu MP. He said that Pakatan would try to explain this to Deepak during the Feb 6 meeting – a meeting that Tian Chua approved of.
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| Mirzan: I've no share in Petron Malaysia Posted: 01 Feb 2013 03:23 PM PST
(Business Times) - Mirzan Mahathir, who is the second son of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, has reiterated that he does not own shares in Petron Malaysia. "As one of the directors at San Miguel Corp, I admit that I have 1,000 shares in Petron Corp but only because I sit on the board. I have no interest in Petron Malaysia whatsoever," Mirzan told reporters here on Thursday on the sidelines of the Malaysia Strategic Outlook. | ||||
| ‘Amalilio a nephew of Sabah minister’ Posted: 01 Feb 2013 10:58 AM PST
(Philippine Star) - Manuel Amalilio is a nephew of the chief minister of Sabah, who blocked last week his repatriation to Manila where he is wanted for a P12-billion pyramiding scam. This is according to Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who called on his country's police to "act in accordance with law and not be seen taking orders from political masters." "Yes, his mother is Musa's first cousin," Anwar told The STAR when asked for details about Amalilio's ties to Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman. "Amalilio's real name is Kamal bin Said, born in Beaufort, Sabah," Anwar said. "The mother is Zubaidah Omar, cousin of Chief Minister Musa Aman. Haji Aman (Musa's father) and Haji Omar (Zubaidah's father) are brothers." One reason given by Sabah airport police in stopping National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents, at the last minute, from flying Amalilio to Manila is that he is a protected Malaysian citizen. "Amalilio is married to a Filipina, and holds a Philippine passport," Anwar said. Amalilio is facing court cases for duping last year more than 15,000 Visayans and Mindanaoans in a get-rich-quick scheme of his Aman Futures. He is hot news in predominantly Muslim Malaysia because most of Amalilio's victims reportedly are from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. When President Aquino ordered his arrest last November, Amalilio fled to Sabah, where he reportedly was often seen in public. Last week the Interpol branch in Malaysia arrested Amalilio, and promptly informed Manila. The NBI dispatched a team to pick up Amalilio the other Friday. But the agents came home empty-handed. Sabah police retook Amalilio at the airport minutes before the flight, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said. Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, who had helped the thousands of victims sue Amalilio, revealed that no less than Chief Minister Musa intervened for the fugitive. Read more at: http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/02/02/903893/amalilio-nephew-sabah-minister
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| Don’t haggle with PAS over Islam, DAP and PKR told Posted: 01 Feb 2013 10:53 AM PST
(The Star) - DAP and PKR should not "haggle" with PAS over the Islamist party's decision on the issue of the word "Allah" or any matter concerning Islam, says PAS ulama chief Datuk Harun Taib. "We are sticking by the (PAS) Syura Council's decision that the word Allah should not be used by other religious faiths," he said. The party's information chief Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the party's decision on the matter was final. He added that PAS would not entertain Pakatan Rakyat's recent decision that indirectly allows the word "Allah" to be used in Bibles in the Malay language. "We will abide by the Syura Council decision. We will not change our stand on matters concerning the religion," he said, adding that PAS is not a flip-flop party that changes its stand for the sake of political expediency. They said this in response to reports that DAP chairman Karpal Singhhad allegedly asked PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang to ensure that the Syura Council abided by the Pakatan Rakyat leadership council's recent decision to allow non-Muslims to use the word "Allah". The Syura Council is the highest decision-making body in PAS that decides on the party's policies and direction. On Jan 14, the council decided that the word "Allah" cannot be used to describe God in any non-Muslim publications. However, Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Pakatan's stand remained the same despite the council's decision. Abdul Hadi had said earlier this year that Islam did not forbid people from other faiths from using the word "Allah" – provided it was not misused. | ||||
| Joe the orphaned baby elephant 'wasting away' after mother was poisoned Posted: 01 Feb 2013 10:49 AM PST
(The Telegraph) - A baby pygmy elephant that was pictured nuzzling the body of its dead mother in a heartbreaking attempt to wake her up is said to be losing weight fast amid fears he may not survive. The three-month-old calf, named Joe by wildlife officials, made headlines earlier in the week when the poignant photograph was published. His mother was one of 14 rare Borneo pygmy elephants that have been found dead of suspected poisoning in recent days in a series of fatalities that has shaken conservation efforts. The decomposed remains of the latest known victim were located on Wednesday, said Laurentius Ambu, director of the wildlife department in the Malaysian state of Sabah on Borneo island. Officials believe the animals may have been poisoned, possibly by substances left out by workers at nearby oil palm plantations to deter the animals from eating their palm fruit.
A wildlife official tends to Joe. Picture: SABAH WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT/AFP/Getty Images They fear more dead pygmy elephants - an endangered species - could be found because they usually roam Borneo's jungles in herds of 50 to 60 animals. Masidi Manjun, Sabah's tourism, culture and environment minister, warned it would be a "challenging task" to keep Joe alive as he was consuming only half his normal 30 litres (7.9 gallons) of milk daily. "(Joe) is surviving, but it is going to be a challenging task," he told AFP news agency by phone from Sabah. Joe is being kept in quarantine at a wildlife park and has lost 22 pounds after being traumatised by an 800 kilometre (497 mile) road journey to the park, the Star newspaper said Thursday.
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