Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Anti-Wan Azizah letter writer fears for his safety
- Ask, don’t threaten and jostle for seats, says Anwar
- Pakatan says will revamp media system under its rule
- For UIA students, ‘invite only’ screening of ‘Tanda Putera’
- ‘Lim is not a Chinese champion’
- Family puzzled over arrest of SB officer
- Malaysia Detains 79 in Fight Against Filipinos
- Rumblings of discontent in Manila over handling of Sabah row
- 'Royal army' learned combat by watching movies
| Anti-Wan Azizah letter writer fears for his safety Posted: 09 Mar 2013 05:22 PM PST
Mohd Fareez Kamal Intidzam has lodged a police report at the Dang Wangi police station yesterday, asking for police protection for himself and his family against those who are looking for him. (FMT) - A former aide of PKR women chief Zuraida Kamaruddin is claiming that he is being "hunted down" by the party and its leaders after details of his letter which had called for the removal of PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail had become public. Mohd Fareez Kamal Intidzam, 24, now wants the police to provide him with security as he feels his safety is at stake. "I am being hunted down by certain people who I think are either supporters or people acting on behalf of Wan Azizah. "Since the details of my letter became public, they had even managed to track me down to the hotel in which I was staying," he said in a statement today. Fareez has lodged a police report at the Dang Wangi police station yesterday, asking for police protection for himself and his family against those who are looking for him. Last Thursday popular blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin posted in his website Malaysia-Today a handwritten letter purportedly by Fareez urging PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang to save the opposition pact from PKR president Wan Azizah and its vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar. Fareez alleged in his letter that Wan Azizah and Nurul wanted to destroy his career as he was "close" to Anwar. He also claimed to be working for Anwar as his private secretary for international affairs since 2008. "The duo wants to eliminate anyone close to Anwar as they are jealous. As PAS president, only you (Hadi) can pressure Wan Azizah to quit her post before the 13th general election," he said in his letter. He also said that Wan Azizah's departure would not make much difference because the former Permatang Pauh MP cannot contest for a parliamentary seat in the coming election anyway. The letter was also copied to DAP chairman Karpal Singh.
|
| Ask, don’t threaten and jostle for seats, says Anwar Posted: 09 Mar 2013 01:50 PM PST
(The Star) - Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahimslammed those threatening and jostling for seats within Pakatan Rakyat as "having shallow minds". Admitting that there were threats and lobbying for seats within the coalition, he said it occurred mostly at the grassroots level. "One should not threaten for seats but one can request for it," Anwar said at the Penang Pakatan convention at Komtar here yesterday. Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng announced that the theme for the state Pakatan manifesto was "Safer, Cleaner, Greener and Healthier Penang" but much of the focus at the event was the surprisingly dismal turnout. Although about 1,000 members of the DAP, PKR and PAS were expected to attend, there were at most only about 500 attending the event in the morning. The crowd dwindled progressively after Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng spoke. After Anwar's speech, there were only about 200 people left. Lim said the members were tired due to the tight schedule. "Why do you want to focus on the numbers?" he asked when questioned about the poor turnout. Meanwhile, in Sungai Petani, about 100 PKR members staged a demonstration, calling for an Indian candidate to be named for the Bukit Selambau state seat. The group's spokesman S. Muthu, 38, said the members were unhappy over rumours that Kedah PKR deputy chairman Senator Zamri Yusufhad been picked. PKR's Datuk S. Manikumar currently holds the seat.
|
| Pakatan says will revamp media system under its rule Posted: 09 Mar 2013 01:41 PM PST
Clara Chooi, TMI The media will be just, more credible and better organised under Pakatan Rakyat's (PR) rule, the opposition pact has pledged as part of its commitment to widen civil liberties here should it win Election 2013. In his speech while debating the pact's national manifesto at the Penang PR convention yesterday, PAS leader Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said this was the first promise he would see through after the polls. "The media system must be transparent, must have credibility... not like what it is today, lacking in integrity, displaying a decline in journalistic ethics and showing a penchant for spreading slander," he was quoted as saying in PAS organ Harakah Daily today. The Kuala Selangor MP added that should PR opt to maintain the current media system, which is largely controlled by the ruling Barisan Nasional-led (BN) government, the public would likely punish the pact for failing to live up to its pledges. He said it has become a primary duty of PR parties PAS, PKR and DAP to ensure media freedom, largely since the parties have had to endure over 50 years of allegedly being bashed in the media with "lies". The PAS central working committee member said these "lies" must stop as many among the Malays are easily swayed by them, even to the extent of being convinced of their obligation to vote for BN. "Umno and BN aren't actually strong parties. They are weak, but because they control the mainstream media, whatever they say gets repeated on the ground to ensure that the people continue voting for BN," he added, according to Harakah Daily. PR, a loose pact of opposition parties PKR, DAP and PAS, expects to topple BN from its over half a century rule of Malaysia in Election 2013, which must be held by June. The pact is believed to have grown significantly in strength and in numbers since it was hurriedly formed after the last general election in 2008, when BN suffered unprecedented electoral losses.
|
| For UIA students, ‘invite only’ screening of ‘Tanda Putera’ Posted: 09 Mar 2013 01:15 PM PST
The film's maker, Shuhaimi Baba, said "creative licence" was used in the depiction of historic events in "Tanda Putera". Nomy Nozwir, TMI The controversial "Tanda Putera" film on the May 1969 riots was privately shown last night to a group of 600 students in an "invite-only" screening at Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIA). The university's Student Affairs Department had earlier confirmed that the film would be shown to students and was organised by Kelab Wawasan UIA with co-operation from the department. The film has raised the ire of opposition politicians who say some scenes are not historically accurate. But the film's director had stressed that the film is not a documentary, but a movie "with dramatic elements and creative licence responsibly exercised in its making" and with research done beforehand. According to a student group, it was mandatory for Police Undergraduate Voluntary Corps and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Unit (PALAPES) members to attend, while UIA's residential colleges have been asked to send six members each. "Those who attend would also be awarded 'Star Points'," news portal Malaysiakini quoted We Unite for Islam UIA president Mohd Najib Abdul Rahim as saying, referring to the institution's participatory merit point system. The Malaysian Insider was turned away from attending the 9pm screening last night, which appeared to be tightly guarded by security personnel. One security guard told The Malaysian Insider that the event was "invite-only" and was strictly meant for students, stressing that the media was not permitted to attend the screening. "Reporters not allowed, only invited students," he said. When approached in the surrounding areas of the campus, several students said they were unaware of the private screening. "There is an event in the auditorium? I was not aware," said Nurul Huda Abdul Hamid. Another student, Azuandi Mohd Zainal, a final year law student, said he came to know about the screening from a friend who was part of PALAPES. "My friend is in there, but he did tell me that only selected individuals are permitted," the student told The Malaysian Insider. The Twitter page of student movement @UIAM4PEACE confirmed that the screening took place last night. "Filem #TandaPutera dah bermula.. Kami X Boleh Merakam Sebarang Gambar dan Video dlm Ini.Nytakan Pndangan Anda dgn guna Hashtag #TandaPutera," it wrote. [Translaton: Tanda Putera has started. We cannot snap any photographs or video in here. State your views by using the hashtag #TandaPutera]. "Tak nampak perkauman pun movie ni .yang aku nampak yang jahatnya sisa saki baki pihak komunis #TandaPutera," a student @YuFakhrulLah who attended the screening wrote. [Translation: This movie does not look racist. The ones who I see are the villains here are the communist remnants]. Last month, over 3,000 Felda settlers were shown a surprise preview of "Tanda Putera". The film was shown during a special gathering of settlers at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), which was also attended by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
|
| ‘Lim is not a Chinese champion’ Posted: 09 Mar 2013 12:41 PM PST
A former DAP branch leader slams Penang chief minister saying that the Chinese community should not be hoodwinked into labelling Lim Guan Eng as the "Chinese champion". Athi Shankar, FMT The Malaysian Chinese community needs to clear the misconception that DAP secretary general Lim Guan Eng is the community's "champion" protecting their interests and rights, a former Selangor DAP branch leader charged today. Former DAP Taman Seri Sungai Pelek branch chairman Tan Tuan Tat alleged that Lim was, in fact, a true champion of capitalists' interests but masquerading as someone who had the peoples interest at heart. He said the Chinese community should not be carried away with Lim's Chinese opera stage performance that deceived their eyes. Tan said if one were to scrutinise his five-year performance as Penang Chief Minister, Lim had not championed ordinary Chinese rights as he potrayed. For instance, he claimed Lim had transferred his son from a Chinese school to a national secondary school. "If he was a champion of Chinese education, why he did it?" Tan asked a rally held by disgruntled ex-DAP members in Jelutong here on Friday night. Other speakers were former DAP vice chairman and ex-Senator Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim, former Pantai Sepang branch leader R Vellasamy and former Serdang life member DAP Yap Kon Min.
He said these homes were beyond the reach of even the economically vibrant local Chinese, let alone others. Tan blamed Lim's drastic policy to hike up various development-related charges as the main cause for property prices to soar to an extraordinary level in Penang today. Tan alleged Lim had also allowed developers to build only houses worth RM1 million each in so-called prime areas across Penang. But, Tan noted Lim had not commenced a single project to build affordable homes for the lower income group anywhere in the city. He claimed that currently only rich foreigners can buy properties in Penang while developers were laughing all the way to the bank, thanks to Lim's pro-rich policies. Tan said Lim's pro-capitalist stance had violated basic citizenry right and deprived locals from buying homes in their birthplace. "Lim did not safeguard the peoples rights. He was once DAP socialist youth leader but today he champion's the capitalist cause. Chinese community should right their wrong conception on Lim," urged Tan.
|
| Family puzzled over arrest of SB officer Posted: 09 Mar 2013 12:39 PM PST
The worried family of Corporal Hassan Ali Basari, detained for being an alleged informant, want the police to either release him or charge him immediately. (FMT) - KOTA KINABALU: The family of one of the security personnel accused of aiding the armed group of Filipinos and detained, Corporal Hassan Ali Basari claims he is being severely abused during interrogation and should be released. They are concerned about his health and fear he is being denied medical attention. The family also claimed that Hassan was forced to admit that he had conspired with the armed terrorists, and was being blamed for the deaths of the eight policemen, web news portal The Borneo Insider reported. Hassan, a member of the Special Branch, was first detained on Monday and then again on Friday on suspicions of corruption. Detained along with Hassan was one Maritime Enforcement Agency personnel and two Navy personnel stationed in Semporna. The Borneo Insider quoted his nephew Salleh Berindi Othman as saying that the family became concerned after not hearing from him and rumours circulated that he was somehow involved with the Filipino group who had taken over Kg Tanduo in Lahad Datu and attacked and killed six policemen in Semporna. Salleh lodged the police report at the Tanjung Aru police station here on Friday because he believed that his uncle has been wrongly detained and that he had been abused while in detention. He said after being given the run-around for several days, he was finally allowed to meet his uncle at the Kepayan police headquarters. "An officer told us that we could not speak to one another in our mother tongue, which is Bajau Semporna, when conversing with Hassan. "We were also warned not to take any pictures during the meeting, as it was evident our uncle had bruises on his body," he told reporters after lodging the police report. "I hope the police will conduct a thorough investigation on my report and I also hope that they will allow my uncle to obtain treatment at the hospital," he said.
|
| Malaysia Detains 79 in Fight Against Filipinos Posted: 09 Mar 2013 11:58 AM PST
(The New York Times) - Human Rights Watch called on the Malaysian government to either charge those detained with a criminal offense or release them. The group also asked the Malaysian government to be more forthcoming with information about its operations in Sabah. Malaysian authorities announced Saturday that they had detained 79 people they suspected of being sympathizers of Filipino fighters who recently landed on Borneo in an attempt to re-establish a historic claim to part of the island. The government also raised the death toll in recent fighting between Malaysian forces and the militants to 61. Malaysian authorities said eight of the dead were police officers and the rest were militants. It is difficult to know if any were civilians because the government has restricted journalists' access to the area. The approximately 200 fighters arrived last month on Borneo and the government began air and ground strikes on Tuesday after the rebels refused entreaties by both the Philippine and Malaysian authorities to leave peacefully. The flare of violence is rooted in the claims of a Filipino sultan over part of what is now the eastern Malaysian state of Sabah on Borneo Island, a short speedboat ride from the southern Philippines. There are an estimated 800,000 Filipinos in Sabah, according to Philippine government estimates. Many are undocumented workers and some claim to have been mistreated by employers and local Malaysian authorities. Many Filipinos support Sabah being returned to their country, though they want their government to pursue that through nonviolent, legal means. The announcement of the detentions on Saturday raised concerns among human rights activists. Read more at: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/10/world/asia/malaysia-says-61-die-in-crackdown-on-filipinos.html |
| Rumblings of discontent in Manila over handling of Sabah row Posted: 09 Mar 2013 11:55 AM PST
(The Malaysian Insider) - "The Sultanate of Sulu had already heeded the call of the United Nations and has declared a ceasefire. This shows their sincerity in negotiating the claim on Sabah. They want resolution of the issue, not a war" There is growing dissent among Philippine lawmakers over Manila's handling of the Sulu incursion into Sabah, according to the republic's media today. In a report on The Manila Standard website, some lawmakers are also turning the issue into a campaign platform ahead senate elections there. "Malaysia is supposed to be our partner is promoting peace in Mindanao but now they are slaughtering our people," Bayan Muna Representative Teddy Casiño was quoted as saying in the report. Casiño, who is vying for a seat in the Philippine senate, was critical of Malaysia's refusal to entertain the Sulu forces call for a ceasefire, calling the response unreasonable and inhumane. "The Sultanate of Sulu had already heeded the call of the United Nations and has declared a ceasefire. This shows their sincerity in negotiating the claim on Sabah. They want resolution of the issue, not a war," Casiño said in the report. "Their [Malaysia] media reports say 60 have been killed in Sabah, more than 50 killed by their forces. The continuous air strikes and attacks show Malaysia's low regard for life and the people of Sabah. Do you think the public will believe that all those who were killed were supporters of the Sultanate of Sulu?" Lawmakers aligned to President Benigno Aquino, such as Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr, however, parroted the official line blaming the Kiram clan, headed by self-styled "Sultan" Jamalul Kiram III, for the crisis and resultant deaths. "The government has been in touch with Kiram from the very start. He was adamant," Belmonte was quoted as saying. "Even now, his men refuse to give up their arms. [Aquino] would not risk involving us in an armed conflict with Malaysia by backing Kiram's intransigence. I fully agree with that decision," he added. Aquino reportedly called for a probe against Kiram and his cohorts after Malaysia demanded their extradition following their invasion into Sabah on February 9 that later led to deadly clashes with security forces there. And while some lawmakers backed Malacanang Palace on the issue, they also urged the government to wield diplomacy in order to bring the matter to conclusion. Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/rumblings-of-discontent-in-manila-over-handling-of-sabah-row/
|
| 'Royal army' learned combat by watching movies Posted: 09 Mar 2013 11:53 AM PST
(Rappler) - Royal Forces led by a teacher, not a fighter Admitting that the 215 surviving followers of the Sulu Sultanate only learned combat by watching movies, the camp of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III is now the one pressing for a peaceful resolution of the row they started in Sabah. "'Yung mga napapanood sa sine (What we see in the movies) is another training, visual training kung papaano aalis sa danger zone (how to leave a danger zone)," said Abraham Idjirani, spokesperson of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III. "How much more for the Sulu people kasi how many decades na-experience nila kung papaano iiwas sadanger. (The Sulu people have decades of experience on how to avoid danger) No, walang training sila(they had no training)," he said. The Sultanate is relieved that the United Nations is exerting effort to enter the picture. According to the United Nations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met with Hussein Haniff, permanent representative of Malaysia, on March 8 to discuss recent developments in Sabah. "The Secretary-General noted the efforts that were made by the Governments of Malaysia and Philippines to find a peaceful resolution to the situation. He reiterated his hope that the situation will be resolved as soon as possible, and that efforts will continue to be made to ensure respect for human rights and to avoid further loss of life." The sultan's brother, Raja Muda, and a few dozen followers sailed to Sabah on February 9 to stake their claim on the disputed territory. "If they have to die, then they will die. They are sacrificing (themselves) for whatever may happen," the sultan was quoted saying. (READ: Sultan infuriates PH, Malaysia) Royal Forces led by a teacher, not a fighter Disputing claims by Malacañang that the Sabah situation is the result of a conspiracy and that theKirams deceived people to go to Sabah, the sultan's daughter Jacel said the members of the Sultanate's Royal Forces voluntarily joined Raja Muda without any compensation. "In olden times, may Sultanate of Sulu, may Royal Forces na, hanggang maghirap ang sultanate, these people remained," she added. (In the olden times, when there were already royal forces under the Sultanate of Sulu, up to the time that the sultanate became poor, these people remained.) Jacel said her uncle Raja Muda is a teacher by profession without any experience in leading a war. Idjirani denied reports that Raja Muda has been killed in the conflict. "That statements from the Malaysian Government are lies and black propaganda," he said. He then quoted Raja Muda as saying that their forces are "still intact" and "the magnitude of the bombardment has decreased." "'Yung mga naaresto malamang (Those arrested are most likely) undocumented Filipinos," Idjirani said, referring to reports that 79 Filipinos were arrested in Sabah. Read more at: http://www.rappler.com/nation/23446-royal-army-learned-combat-sabah
|
| You are subscribed to email updates from Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
0 ulasan:
Catat Ulasan