Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Columnist claims Misuari helped Sulu siege to derail Bangsamoro peace deal
- Accused: I was asked and paid
- BN says confident of turnaround in Penang vote
- PAS: Expect nine states to come under PR
- GE13: Pak Lah may yet contest in polls
- GE13: Anwar may contest in Perak
- DAP to continue iron grip over Perak?
- Anwar sues blogger for RM100 mil
- ‘Blank cheque offered to retract sex allegations’
- Kit Siang's ambition
- Covert video an attempt to meddle in Sarawak's politics - Wan Junaidi
- Future dim for PI Bala’s family
- MACC to ‘act accordingly’ on new video expose evidence, says director
- 'Rulers are above politics'
- Dr Boo in tight spot over Kit Siang’s candidature
- Anwar says may not defend Permatang Pauh seat
- ‘Kiram target of Malaysian hit squad’
- Anwar mulls contesting in Perak
- ‘Husam may lose in Putrajaya’
- They want to frame me, says Taib
- Parliament dissolved? Not true
- PKR claim Azzimuddie is Malaysian
- Undercover sting exposes Malaysia land-grab
- Action against lawyer in Sarawak exposé clip, say advocates group
- Rosmah puts some sparkle in her biography
- Anwar threatens RM100mil suit against blogger
- ‘Over 60,000 dubious voters in Sabah’
- Attack on coffeeshop worker: No cover-up, say police
- Johor DAP row worsens
- GE13: Kedah PAS No. 2 prevented from speaking at ceramah
- Sarawak cop, gangsters assault youth
- GE13: BN Veterans Face The Axe, 40% Of Candidates Will Be New Faces
| Columnist claims Misuari helped Sulu siege to derail Bangsamoro peace deal Posted: 20 Mar 2013 07:54 PM PDT
"We say it is autonomy but to the MILF, it is independence. Why else do they have a territory and an army? And they are recruiting their own police force." Clara Chooi, TMI Despite his repeated denials, Muslim rebel leader Nur Misuari had likely helped instigate the Sulu siege in Sabah to slow down the Bangsamoro peace deal or derail it entirely, a former Philippine military general alleged today. In his column in the Manila Standard Today, Florencio Fianza claimed that Misuari, the founder of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), had involved himself in the incursion after realising that should the Bangsamoro peace deal fall through, he would be "swept into the dustbin of history". "After all, he is the original fighter," Fianza wrote, referring to Misuari's establishment of the MNLF Muslim separatist group at the height of the Islamic insurgency in southern Philippines in the late 1960s. Misuari (picture) has been repeatedly linked to the armed incursion on Sabah by followers of the Sulu sultanate, with talk that the rebel leader was upset at having been sidelined in the Bangsamoro peace deal brokered by Malaysia between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a splinter group of the MNLF. Reports have claimed that the armed incursion by the Kirams of the Sulu sultanate, to whom Misuari has openly declared himself friendly with, would likely put the Bangsamoro peace deal on the back burner and even hamper bilateral relations between Malaysia and the Philippines. But Misuari, despite agreeing with the sultanate's reason for staging the incursion, has insisted several times that he had no hand in the Kiram clan's siege over the north Borneo territory called Sabah. A group of over 200 armed men led by the "crown prince" of the sultanate, Agbimuddin Kiram, had landed in Sabah on February 9 to stake the "royal family" claim over the state, citing historical records dating back to the 17th century. To Fianza, what the Kiram family had done was to revive a longstanding issue of differences between the Tausugs or the Suluks and the Maranaws in the southern Philippines, which he said his government should have long dealt with. The retired general pointed out that in the MILF-GPH (government of the Philippines) peace deal, the creation of the Bangsamoro would have essentially allowed the predominantly Maranaw-dominated MILF to rule over the Tausugs of Sulu. Fianza said this was "unthinkable" to the Tausugs. "My best educated guess is that Nur Misuari, in spite of his denials, had something to do with the intrusion," the columnist wrote. "Realising that he (Misuari) is slowly being swept into the dust bin of history with the creation of the Bangsamoro, he helped instigate the intrusion as a last-ditch effort to perhaps slow the process down or derail it."
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| Posted: 20 Mar 2013 07:45 PM PDT
(Bernama) -- The High Court here today was told by one of the men charged with engaging in terrorism in Sabah that he was asked and paid to do so by someone. Hooland Kalbi, who spoke in the Bajau language and translated by the court interpreter, said this in the trial of the eight Filipinos charged with the offence, including two of them who were also charged with waging a war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. He also said he was foolish for doing so, but judge P. Ravinthran told the court interpreter to explain to him (accused) that it was not necessary for him to say that as his plea would only be recorded after he had obtained a lawyer. At today's proceeding, Ravinthran gave all the accused the opportunity to tell the court the charges made against them and also told the court interpreter to explain to the accused the punishment involved. Hooland was among the eight Filipino charged in the High Court here today with engaging in terrorist activities in Sabah. This is the second time that a charge for waging a war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is made in the country after an incident by the Al Maunah group at Bukit Jenalik Sauk, Perak, in 2000. Meanwhile, Timhar Hadir, who is also charged with engaging in terrorism, told the court that he entered Malaysia last February using an international passport. He was prevented from saying more by Ravinthran without consulting his lawyer. Another accused charged with the same offence was Habil Suhaili, who took quite sometime to understand the charge made against him. Habil, believed to be in his 60s, was not worn the straight jacket like the other accused. The charge was read to him several times in Suluk. Habil said he did not commit the offence, but was told by the judge that his plea would not be recorded. The first accused, Atik Hussin Abu Bakar, who spoke in Bajau, sought the court to explain the charges made against him. Besides being charged with engaging in terrorism, he is also charged with waging a war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The other four accused, Lin Mad Salleh, Basad Manuel, Kadir Uyung and Lating Tiong, said they had nothing to say. Basad is charged with engaging in terrorism and waging a war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, while Lin is charged with engaging in terrorism. Kadir and Lating are charged with protecting the terrorist group. All the accused were not allowed bail. Meanwhile, journalists and photographers covering the case were strictly monitored by armed policemen. Only one journalist from each media organisation is allowed into the court and they are only allowed to bring in their note book and pen. No foreign journalist is seen covering the proceeding today.
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| BN says confident of turnaround in Penang vote Posted: 20 Mar 2013 07:16 PM PDT
(TMI) - Given no chance of eating into Pakatan Rakyat's (PR) commanding position in Penang, Barisan Nasional (BN) now believes it can make waves on election day. PR now controls 29 out of the 40 state seats in Penang, with Umno holding the remaining 11 constituencies. Gerakan and the MCA lost in all the seats they contested in 2008. But The Malaysian Insider understands that BN is confident of pulling off an upset based on its own ground reports and a recent survey of voter sentiment by a non-governmental organisation. The reports show BN leading in 14 Malay-majority seats, largely at the expense of PKR and PAS. PAS is an incumbent in one seat, PKR in nine while DAP is currently holding 19 constituencies which are mainly in Chinese-majority areas. But BN's ground reports suggest that it has chance at snaring some DAP seats despite the prevailing anti-BN mood among Chinese voters throughout the country. Some of the Chinese-majority seats BN thinks it can win are Padang Lalang, Pengkalan Kota, Bukit Tambun and Datok Keramat. Datok Keramat, currently held by Jagdeep Singh Deo of the DAP, is a 58 per cent Chinese-majority seat with Malays making up 34 per cent and Indians 10 per cent of voters. In Election 2008 Jagdeep only won the seat by a 1,855-vote majority. BN is confident of winning a majority of the Indian and Malay votes. It would, however, be a surprise if BN can grab Padang Lalang, also held by the DAP, as the constituency is a 84 per cent Chinese-majority seat. Pengkalan Kota, with a 95 per cent Chinese majority, is another seat that would need a major swing for BN to win. Bukit Tambun, now held by PKR, is another Chinese-majority seat with voters from the community accounting for 70 per cent of voters.
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| PAS: Expect nine states to come under PR Posted: 20 Mar 2013 06:59 PM PDT
(Harakah Daily) - In a sign of confidence that the Barisan Nasional hegemony would end after the coming general election, PAS election director Dr Hatta Ramli has predicted that nine states would fall to Pakatan Rakyat. Hatta argued that this scenario was the real reason behind prime minister Najib Razak's 'delay tactic' in announcing parliament's dissolution.
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| GE13: Pak Lah may yet contest in polls Posted: 20 Mar 2013 04:14 PM PDT
(The Star) - Former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi may yet defend his Kepala Batas parliamentary seat as Umno has not made any decision about looking for a successor. Sources said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had promised Abdullah that a decision on the seat would be up to the latter, but till today, the two men have not met to discuss the matter. Many of Abdullah's supporters expressed surprise when it was reported two days ago that Abdullah had been dropped from the Barisan Nasional line-up. However, sources said this was untrue as the list was still being drawn up and Najib had decided to leave the matter of Abdullah's seat to the last minute. "Abdullah will definitely win the seat if he contests. Najib's priority is to win as many seats as possible and why change if Pak Lah is sure to win," said a party insider. The Star reported on Tuesday that Najib would field up to 40% of new faces and many of the veteran politicians, including former Cabinet ministers, would be dropped. However, sources said several ex-ministers were considered to be winnable candidates under the formula touted by Najib. It was also reported that many of the new faces would be fresh faces. Most of them would either be women or men below the age of 40.
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| GE13: Anwar may contest in Perak Posted: 20 Mar 2013 04:12 PM PDT
(The Star) - Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is mulling the possibility of contesting a parliament seat in Perak if he decides not to defend his Permatang Pauh seat in the coming polls. "There is a likelihood that I will stand in Permatang Pauh but no final decision has been made as there are proposals that I stand in Perak or Selangor," he said at a press conference here. He said he was considering the proposal and was more inclined to contest in Perak if he wanted to move. Asked if his daughter, PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah would stand in Permatang Pauh instead, Anwar said Nurul would defend her Lembah Pantai seat. He earlier confirmed that PKR secretary-general and Machang MP Datuk Saifudin Nasution would contest in Kulim Bandar Baru, Kedah, the party's strategic director, Rafizi Ramli, would contest in Pandan, Selangor, and vice-president Fuziah Salleh would defend her Kuantan seat. He also announced that PKR Sarawak chief Baru Bian would stand in Limbang, Ali Biju in Saratok, Abu Sui in Ulu Enggan and Abang Zulkifli in Batang Lupar. Asked why the Pakatan's presidential council, comprising himself, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and PAS Datuk Seri Hadi Awang, did not make a joint announcement of the Opposition's candidates list, Anwar said that Pakatan had decided to make staggered announcements instead. The move, he added, would allow voters to familiarise themselves with their respective candidates rather announcing the entire list at a later date. DAP had recently announced that anti-Lynas activist Wong Teck would contest in the Bentong parliamentary seat while on Monday, Anwar announced that DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang would contest the Gelang Patah parliamentary seat. On a separate issue, Anwar said his lawyer would pursue a RM100mil defamation suit against blogger Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris, better known as Papagomo, over a March 16 posting of single black-and-white photograph showing the naked back of a man in a hotel room. The post also provided a link to another blog page called Aksi si Raja Goyang which published 13 photographs showing two men groping and kissing each other, purportedly screen grabs of the same video. Anwar has since denied he is the man in the video with his lawyers issuing a letter demanding the blogger publish a full withdrawal and apology while also refraining from further publishing articles of a similar nature. On Tuesday, Wan Muhammad demanded Anwar to withdraw his demands and apologise within 48 hours, failing which, he would release more photographs.
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| DAP to continue iron grip over Perak? Posted: 20 Mar 2013 03:29 PM PDT
The Chinese-dominated party is expected to do so by holding on to a majority of state exco positions should Pakatan win the state. K Pragalath, FMT Should Pakatan Rakyat form the state government after the 13th general election, DAP is expected to continue its strong grip in Perak by holding a majority of the state executive councillor positions, speculated Malay daily, Sinar Harian. Columnist Yusof Harun said this in his column 'Berpatah Arang' based on the political arrangements made in 2008. In the aftermath of the 12th general election, DAP won 18 state seats out of a 59 state seats. PKR's seven seats and PAS' six was adequate to enable the formation of a Pakatan government in Perak. Despite having majority state seats, the party could not hold the coveted menteri besar position due to the Perak state constitution requirement. Hence it held six out of 10 state executive councillor positions to determine the decisions of the state government. The state government back then was led by PAS' Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin who Yusof described as just being a puppet from a party that craved power. The article also emphasised on more Malay representation in the state executive council line-up to reflect the voters. In 2008, Perak had 55.2% Malay voters, 32.4% Chinese and 12.4% Indians. Since then the Malay voters have increased to 58%. Meanwhile in a separate report, Selangor BN leaders were reported to have said that they are well prepared even if Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim contested a parliamentary seat in Selangor. They said this in response to Anwar's announcement that he is considering to contest either in Perak or Selangor. Malay daily Utusan Malaysia meanwhile highlighted the growing dominance of national level Pakatan leaders in Johor politics.
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| Anwar sues blogger for RM100 mil Posted: 20 Mar 2013 03:21 PM PDT
Suit is filed to prevent the blogger from continuing his slander against Anwar, says the opposition leader's lawyer. Alyaa Azhar, FMT Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim today filed a RM100 million defamation suit against pro-Umno blogger Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris, better known as Papagomo, for implicating the former in another alleged sex scandal. Speaking to reporters before filing the suit at the Kuala Lumpur High Court registry here today, Anwar's lawyer, N Surendran said that they decided to go ahead with the suit after giving Papagomo 48 hours to apologise through a letter of demand sent recently. Surendran said the suit was filed to deter Papagomo, claimed to be a Umno henchman, from continuing to slander the opposition leader. The blogger posted explicit photos taken from a video grab of a man resembling Anwar kissing and fondling another man, on his blogsite on Mar 16. Anwar has since denied that the man in the video was him and has said that this was the work of Umno.
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| ‘Blank cheque offered to retract sex allegations’ Posted: 20 Mar 2013 03:17 PM PDT
Rahim Thamby Chik claims that businessman Shazryl Eskay Abdullah has been offered 'any amount' to retract his allegations against Anwar. Leven Woon, FMT Businessman Shazryl Eskay Abdullah is being offered "any amount" to retract his previous allegation implicating Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim in a sex video, claimed Rahim Thamby Chik. Rahim, who together with Eskay and Perkasa's Shuib Lazim, had revealed the sex video in 2011. The former Malacca chief minister claimed that the offer was made to Eskay via a man believed to be Anwar's runner. "First he was tailed, then he was contacted and given such a offer. All he needed to do was to sign a statutory declaration and make u-turn on his previous allegation. In return, he would receive any amount that he wanted," Rahim told a press conference. Eskay was however absent and Rahim said this was due to security reasons. The video in question showed a man resembling the opposition leader having sex with a woman. Anwar has since denied that he was the one in the video.
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| Posted: 20 Mar 2013 12:39 PM PDT
(Sin Chew Daily) - Even though if Lim loses, he has passed the baton to his beloved son while his own political career has passed the peak. He has nothing to lose but will only gain a historical status. DAP Parliamentary Leader Lim Kit Siang has, after all, engaged in politics for half a century. He is indeed a daring veteran politician of Malaysia, just like Lian Po, a prominent military General of Zhao during the Warring States period of China. Reputable Lian Po was an outstanding general who had fought in battles for decades. He was still ambitious even in his old age. He was a semi-retired general when he was 70 years old. However, since there was no general to lead the troops to fight against Qin, someone actually suggested Lian Po. The emperor of Zhao frowned and asked, "Is the old Lian Po still able to eat?" He then sent someone to find it out. Lian Po knew that the emperor was trying to find out his condition, he thus invited the scout to stay for a meal. He ate a bucket of rice and ten pounds of meat in front of the scout and made a horse riding performance to prove that he was still very strong. However, the scout was bribed by his political enemy. He told the emperor that Lian Po could still eat, but he went to release himself for three times during the meal. The emperor then thought Lian Po was no longer capable and thus, he dared not to field him for the battle. Zhao was later defeated by Qin during the Battle of Changping. Lim Kit Siang is as ambitious as Lian Po and he is more fortunate compared to Lian Po as he does not have to report to a superior like the emperor of Zhao. Although he is already 72 years old, he can still contest in the Gelang Patah parliamentary seat as he wishes. He is outstanding enough to convince everyone. Comparatively, Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would not lead the fight in Sabah while PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang would not contest in Pahang to expand the influence of PAS. Lim posses a significantly different vision and courage. Lim wishes to lead the DAP to lay a bridgehead in Johor and expand the party's influence to the state. Although it is an old trick, the most important point is, it works. The DAP cannot simply assign someone to lead the vanguard but must have a political star who can attract attention and gain voters' support. Gelang Patah has been chosen as the fighting location while Johor will be the battlefield. Sentiments and election results of the whole state will be affected. In particular, Johor is the last turf of the MCA. Today, however, the strong wind of anti-ruling in the Chinese community could even root out old trees. If fact, it is a sure win strategy for the DAP, as well as for Lim himself. Johor constituencies basically have balanced racial ratios. However, Gelang Getah has more Chinese voters, about 53% of the total voters. With DAP's momentum and Lim's charisma, it should not be a problem to gain 70% or even 80% of Chinese votes. He can win the seat as long as the number of Malay and Indian votes is not lower than 25%. Once the trend is set off in Gelang Patah, it could drive victory in other Johor constituencies, including Kulai, Kluang, Tanjung Piai, Pasir Gudang, Tebrau, Muar, Segamat and Bakri. Even though if Lim loses, he has passed the baton to his beloved son while his own political career has passed the peak. He has nothing to lose but will only gain a historical status. Although his eyesight and hearing have turned weak, certainly Lim, who has just celebrated his 72th birthday, still can eat well.
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| Covert video an attempt to meddle in Sarawak's politics - Wan Junaidi Posted: 20 Mar 2013 12:33 PM PDT
(Sin Chew Daily) - "What they are doing is not appropriate, underhanded, ungentlemanly, unethical and uncivilised. This kind of politics should not happen in Sarawak, we should use appropriate politics to cater to certain issues, not through a sting operation, covert recording and methods" Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has described as unethical a covert video produced by Global Witness implicating Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and his family in alleged shady land deals. Wan Junaidi said the posting of the video clip on YouTube by the London-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) was an attempt by a foreign group to meddle in the state's politics. "What they are doing is not appropriate, underhanded, ungentlemanly, unethical and uncivilised. This kind of politics should not happen in Sarawak, we should use appropriate politics to cater to certain issues, not through a sting operation, covert recording and methods," he told Bernama, here, today. The video clip, entitled "Inside Malaysia's Shadow State" which went viral, depicts Global Witness investigators posing as foreign investors recording snippets of their conversation with Taib's cousins, Norlia and Fatimah Tun Abdul Rahman, and lawyers under the pretext of purchasing Sarawak land for hefty profit. Wan Junaidi said everyone was aware of the strained relationship between Abdul Taib and his cousin Norlia, whose logging concession was withdrawn by the state government in 1987 or 1988. Norlia and Fatimah are daughters of former Sarawak chief minister Tun Abdul Rahman Ya'kub, who is Taib's uncle.
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| Future dim for PI Bala’s family Posted: 19 Mar 2013 11:21 PM PDT
With Balasubramaniam's death, his wife and three children are now in dire financial state. Anisah Shukry, FMT The nation reeled in shock last week as private investigator P Balasubramaniam abruptly passed away, just days before declaring he would continue to seek justice for the murdered Altantuya Shaariibuu. But as the shock wears off and Malaysians move on, his family is left picking up the pieces of a shattered life – a life already strained five years ago, when Balasubramaniam's declarations regarding the prime minister forced his family to flee the country. Now, with Balasubramaniam dead, his wife, A Santamil Selvi, and three teenaged children are stranded in Malaysia with diminishing funds and a rapidly dimming future. Funeral expenses, education fees and mortgages are weighing heavily on the widow's mind, who is currently homebound in accordance with Hindu tradition. "I visited Bala's wife last night to talk about how her family was coping – she showed me her IOUs, how she is well in debt. She has even resorted to pawning the items she owns," Kelana Jaya MP Loh Gow Burne told reporters today. "Unfortunately, despite Bala's sacrifice for the country, his family is now in serious trouble." In a bid to keep the bereaved family afloat, Loh is now initiating a fund-raising campaign and is appealing to the public to donate any money they can spare for the widowed Santamil Selvi and her fatherless children.
"The priority is for Bala's children to be given the opportunity to finish their education, and to ensure that someone who sacrificed all he had for the nation, would not have his family left in poverty," said Loh. "His children must go back to India as they have been schooling there for five years. It would be too difficult for them to adapt to the school system here, especially after all the trauma they recently went through," said Americk. "The funds will also go towards basic requirements such as food, clothes, mortgage, education… Monthly expenditure can easily reach up to RM15,000," he added. Urgent monetary woes
The lawyer dismissed rumours that Bala had received RM5 million for retracting his claims that Najib Tun Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor were linked to Altantuya's murder . "If Bala had never revealed the truth, then maybe he would have got the RM5 million. But he stuck to his stance that the first statutory declaration was the truth, and the funding stopped," said Americk. Americk also clarified that the RM750,000 businessman Deepak Jaikishan had given the family in 2008 had already run out as the family had no other source of income. "Bala and his wife have not been working for five years. Because they are Malaysian citizens, they were not able to gain employment in India."
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| MACC to ‘act accordingly’ on new video expose evidence, says director Posted: 19 Mar 2013 09:44 PM PDT
By Zurairi AR and Mohd Farhan Darwis, TMI Ongoing investigations against Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud will continue following new leads that have emerged, the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) said today. This follows a 16-minute covert video revealed by Global Witness (GW) implicating Taib (picture) and his family with shady land deals, which surfaced in the media yesterday. "The investigation has been ongoing. With the new evidence that has emerged the MACC will act accordingly," its director of investigation Datuk Mustafa Ali told The Malaysian Insider by text message here. The corruption watchdog had two years ago confirmed that they were investigating Taib over allegation of timber corruption. "We are investigating Taib Mahmud and whatever our action is, we cannot reveal at this moment," MACC commissioner Datuk Seri Abu Kassim Mohamed was quoted as saying in June 2011. Civil society groups had earlier today demanded an immediate response from Putrajaya and MACC, which they claimed had been toothless in probing the Sarawak chief minister over his alleged ill-gotten riches. The group of civil society organisations had also asked for a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on the matter before the 13th general elections which are expected very soon. "This is very terrible for Malaysia ... (We need) nothing less than RCI. We call the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to call an RCI to investigate this issue," Sarajun Hoda, a representative of reform movement Aliran. Meanwhile, the Advocates Association of Sarawak (AAS) has indicated that they will investigate and act against the lawyer featured in the GW clip. The Sarawak lawyer, identified as Alvin Chong, allegedly represented sisters Fatimah Abdul Rahman and Norlia Abdul Rahman who were recorded in the video describing potentially illegal deals. Both are daughters of former state chief minister Tun Abdul Rahman Ya'akub and first cousins with the incumbent CM Taib. "AAS will take appropriate action after due inquiry. One of the possible courses of action is to refer any complaints received on this matter to the Advocates Inquiry Committee," a spokesman from AAS told The Malaysian Insider.
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| Posted: 19 Mar 2013 07:05 PM PDT
Perak Regent Raja Dr Nazrin Shah (left) speaking at Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar yesterday. With him Raja Kecil Besar Perak Raja Datuk Seri Iskandar Dzulkarnain (centre) and Perak finance officer Datuk Ghazali Jalal. ROYAL REMINDER: Do not drag palace into partisan politics, says Raja Dr Nazrin (NST) - ALL parties and groups with political leanings have been reminded not to drag the palace into their partisan politics just to shore up their image. Perak Regent Raja Dr Nazrin Shah issued the stern reminder following actions taken by certain political quarters who manipulated the content of his royal addresses and speeches to push their own political agenda. Without naming anyone but pointing out that he had been informed that such manipulation had been taking place lately, he said the tone of his speeches was altered to imply that it was he who had delivered them. "This was done to increase the influence of the political groups and degrade their opponents. "The act gives an incorrect impression and can create misunderstanding among a large number of people as though I have directly expressed support for a certain group and derided the other group. "Any act that links my name and person to gain political support can actually be deemed as having dragged the palace into partisan politics. "This is improper and has breached manners of civility and prudent political order," he said in his address at Istana Iskandariah here yesterday. He said this in his speech when officially launching "Meletak Kerja" (start of work) in conjunction with the upcoming Sultan Azlan Shah's 85th birthday celebrations at Istana Iskandariah. He said political parties and groups should not desecrate the nation's cultural customs and traditions in the excitement of garnering political support. "The royal ruler and the throne will remain above party politics, will be neutral and will not favour any political groups." He pointed out that the same message was stressed in the Perak Royal Council's 151st meeting on March 12 where council members were reminded to be vigilant and careful with their words and actions so as not to misrepresent the role of the royal institution. Council members had been reminded to reflect on their independent nature and not to be involved in programmes organised by political parties for their own political aims, he added. "With the current political scenario becoming increasingly fragmented, council members need to be smarter and make intelligent interpretations so that the (Perak) royal institution and the (Perak Ruler's) council are able to maintain an independent image and stay above partisan politics. "The ruler has never expressed support for or against any political parties. "I have instructed council members instead to take on the role of wise men who can play the role of mediators to resolve problems within the community." |
| Dr Boo in tight spot over Kit Siang’s candidature Posted: 19 Mar 2013 06:50 PM PDT
(Bernama) - DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang's decision to contest the Gelang Patah parliamentary seat and spearhead the party's Johor election machinery has been likened to a vote of no confidence against state DAP chairman Dr Boo Cheng Hau. Gelang Patah Umno division head Datuk Abdul Aziz Sapian said Lim's candidature would cause dissatisfaction not only among Dr Boo's supporters in Gelang Patah, but also Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) members. "It's clear that DAP top leaders have lost faith in Dr Boo to lead the state election machinery by sidelining him. The cracks in Johor DAP are worsening," Abdul Aziz told Bernama. Kit Siang's candidature was confirmed by PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Skudai last night. Abdul Aziz, who is also Nusajaya assemblyman, said PKR members would be angry for they had lost a seat they had been contesting in previous general elections. "Dr Boo's supporters may not be able to accept the decision for their boss had been openly embarrassed," said Abdul Aziz, adding that this was the culmination of cold relationship between Dr Boo and Kit Siang and his son, Lim Guan Eng, who is DAP secretary-general. Dr Boo, who is also Skudai assemblyman, had been eyeing for the Gelang Patah seat to unseat incumbent Member of Parliament Tan Ah Heng of Barisan Nasional who won by a majority of over 8,000 votes in 2008. Dr Boo had been embroiled in an open verbal war with Johor PKR chairman Datuk Chua Jui Meng over the right to contest the Gelang Patah seat. However, Dr Boo declined comment when asked about Kit Siang contesting in Gelang Patah.
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| Anwar says may not defend Permatang Pauh seat Posted: 19 Mar 2013 06:17 PM PDT
By Mohd Farhan Farwis and Emily Ding, TMI Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim may leave his Permatang Pauh seat and contest in Perak or Selangor instead. "There is a likelihood, but it means… I haven't made a definite decision because there have been suggestions that I should go down to Perak or Selangor, and I'm weighing the possibility of going down to Perak," he said today, in response to media questions at a press conference in PKR's headquarters. Anwar (picture) did not say, however, who would replace him in Permatang Pauh. When asked whether PKR vice president Nurul Izzah Anwar would replace him in his current constituency, he said: "She's focused on Lembah Pantai, why disturb her? Let (Datuk Raja) Nong Chik alone disturb her ok lah," he said. Anwar also announced five PKR candidates who would contest in Sarawak. They are Baru Bian in Limbang, Ali Biju in Saratok, Roland Engan in Barak, Abun Sui in Ulu Rejang, and Abang Zulkifli Abang Engkeh in Batang Lupar.
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| ‘Kiram target of Malaysian hit squad’ Posted: 19 Mar 2013 05:09 PM PDT
The sultanate's spokesman says Malaysian commandos are in the Philippines to liquidate the Kiram family. (Agencies) - MANILA: The Sulu Sultanate revealed an elaborate assassination plot against its leader, Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, and members of the royal family. Abrahim Idjirani, spokesman of the sultanate, said a Malaysian colonel named Sunny Ng had entered the Philippines with four Malaysian commandos with a mission to liquidate the Kiram family and their supporters. Speaking at the Kirams' residence in Taguig City, Idjirani said the Malaysian commandos have enlisted the help of the New People's Army recruits from Quezon to carry out the assassination. The mission, Idjirani said, was relayed to them by a Filipino lawyer who was approached by Malaysian businessman named Kenneth Lee to talk to the Malaysian assassins. The lawyer, whom Idjirani refused to name, previously worked as a legal counsel of Pastor Saycon, the sultanate's political adviser. "In the light of this development, we would like to ask the government: Have we surrendered the sovereign control of our country that we allow a Malaysian hit squad to perform its terrorist acts in the Philippines?" Idjirani told reporters. Idjirani said Ng's group met Saycon's former lawyer at the Genting Palace, a restaurant at the Resorts World in Pasay City around noon on Monday. The Malaysian squad stayed at the Maxim's Hotel, also located at Resorts World. Ng had asked Lee to trace the home address of Sultan Kiram, who in turn contacted the lawyer. "The lawyer told us that he is willing to confront the Malaysians and stand as witness against them in court," Idjirani said. Kiram urged the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the military to investigate into the reported assassination plot by Malaysia. "We have to call on the policemen and the NBI to investigate this matter. Unless they believe that we are foreigners, it's their responsibility to protect us because we are Filipinos," Kiram said. |
| Anwar mulls contesting in Perak Posted: 19 Mar 2013 05:06 PM PDT
The opposition leader is considering moving out of his traditional stronghold in Penang in the coming general election. G Vinod, FMT Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim may contest a parliamentary seat in Perak in the coming general election. He said this when questioned on whether he would defend his Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat in Penang. "Some say I should go to Perak or Selangor but I am thinking of the former. But no decision has been made. I'm still considering it," said the PKR supremo. However, Anwar dismissed speculation that he might move to Lembah Pantai, where his daughter Nurul Izzah is the incumbent MP. "Let her stay in Lembah Pantai. Why would I want to disturb her? [Raja] Nong Chik [Federal Territories and Urban Well-Being Minister] is already disturbing her enough," he said, with a chuckle. Earlier this week DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang was announced as the candidate for the Gelang Patah parliamentary seat in Johor, moving away from Ipoh Timur. Anwar made the announcement when addressing a 10,000-strong crowd at a field near Sutera Mall, Skudai, for the 47th DAP party anniversary celebrations on Monday. Speculations are rife that top guns from Pakatan Rakyat would be moved out from their strongholds to tough seats, in order to increase the chances of winning federal power. Anwar has been the Permatang Pauh MP since his days in Umno until he was sacked from the party in 1998 and jailed on corruption charges. Nevertheless, the constituents backed his wife, PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail in three general elections until she relinquished the seat in 2008, to make way for Anwar. He won back the seat with over 15,000 votes majority in the by-election. Anwar also announced that Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian would be contesting for the Limbang parliamentary seat in the general election. He also announced other candidates; Ali Biju ( Saratok), Roland Engan (Baram), Abun Sui (Hulu Rejang) and Abang Zulkifli (Batang Lupar) "These are other people we have decided for now. We will announce on other candidates later on," said Anwar.
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| Posted: 19 Mar 2013 05:01 PM PDT
Malay daily Sinar Harian says the parliamentary seat is a BN stronghold and the potential PAS candidate must offer something substantial to win over urban Malay voters. (FMT) - If PAS fields Husam Musa as its candidate for Putrajaya, chances are he would be doomed as Putrajaya is a Barisan Nasional stronghold, reported Malay daily Sinar Harian. Husam is currently Kelantan state exco, Salor assemblyman and PAS vice-president. He was Kubang Kerian MP from 1999 to 2004. Yesterday, Sinar Harian reported Husam's willingness to contest the Putrajaya parliamentary seat currently held by Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor who is also Umno secretary-general. Jayum Jawan of the National Council of Professors, however, did not totally discount Husam's chances of winning as he is well-versed in issues affecting the middle class. Jayum, who is deputy head of the council's politics, security and international affairs, said Husam is a man of integrity and stands a good chance if PAS and Pakatan Rakyat pick him for the seat. "The urban Malay voters needs to be served with food for thought if PAS truly wants to capture Putrajaya parliamentary seat," said Jayum. 'Nizar's move not official' Nur Manuty, who was named as candidate for Bagan Serai parliamentary seat, said that the decision to field Nizar in Changkat Jering was not the official stand of Pakatan.
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| They want to frame me, says Taib Posted: 19 Mar 2013 04:57 PM PDT
A video detailing the inner workings of a land deal along with ways to circumvent government policies has riled Chief Minister Taib Mahmud. KUCHING: Against mounting speculations of a bid to oust him, a visibly angry Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud has dismissed as "naughty" a 16-minute covertly recorded documentary which included interviews with his estranged cousins – the Rahman sisters – and lawyers over a land deal. Even as one of the lawyers in the video vehemently denied volunteering information, claiming that he was "trapped", Taib said the secret video was an attempt to "frame" him and that the "evidence" was subjective. "You look at that [video]. I think it is a bit naughty of them to use their big power to blacken my name. "They want to create something … [then] create something more credible. They are trying to frame people like me with evidence from [just] anybody… with evidence that can be interpreted [either way]… even you can say [to someone] 'you come [with me] I go [to] see chief minister but is it me [asking] or something … " Taib said in response to London-based NGO Global Witness' incriminating video, excerpts of which were aired over Al Jazeera on Monday. In the video documentary, Global Witness posed as a foreign investor seeking to buy land for oil palm plantations in Sarawak. The ensuing interviews, caught by a hidden camera, detailed how the sale process would be handled, how the natives will be dealt with, taxes avoided and how "personal kickbacks" would allegedly be paid to Taib. But Taib has questioned the authenticity of the video and allegations that he had intermediaries working for him. Said Taib: "Back in the 1980s, I was in charge of forestry… I made a public declaration and I said nobody is my intermediary because I don't believe in deals. Everything got to be done according to government procedure." Asked if the video evidence was proof of corruption, Taib retorted: "OK. If that's what is so-called proof. "[But] could it not be someone trying to promote themselves to become an agent to get favours from me? [In which case] it has nothing to do with me, right?" 'Easy' access to Taib Neither admitting nor denying the allegations in the video, Taib continued to say that he had estranged ties with his uncle, former Sarawak chief minister Rahman Yakub, and his cousins. In the tape, Rahman's daughters allegedly claimed they had "easy" access to Taib and that all land transactions were legitimate as it came via directives from the Chief Minister himself. When asked about the women, Taib spewed: "Do you know that cousin? "Did you find out what was the relationship between their father and me… is it friendly or not? "We were fighting at one time. [Surely] that cousin cannot be my most trusted… but it's up to you." Taib was referring to the 1987 attempt to oust him by Rahman. The bid was branded as the Ming Court Affair. Two years earlier, Taib had removed Rahman from the position of governor of Sarawak – which incidentally he gave Rahman – following a fissure between uncle and nephew over Rahman's "influence" over state matters such as land development permits, government contracts and timber licences. With Rahman out of the way, Taib has lorded over Sarawak and its vast lands since. Much of Sarawak's rainforest has allegedly been deforested under the pretext of development, largely displacing the indigenous communities.
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| Parliament dissolved? Not true Posted: 19 Mar 2013 04:53 PM PDT
A SMS from an unknown source creates a stir that Parliament would be dissolved today. (FMT) - A SMS message, claiming that Parliament has been dissolved today, created a buzz among Malaysians this afternoon warranting the Prime Minister's Office to dismiss it as a rumour. "Khabar angin yg menyatakan Parlimen akan dibubarkan hari ini, oleh Perdana Menteri @NajibRazak, tidak benar sama sekali (the rumour that Parliament will be dissolved today by the Prime Minister is not true)," the Prime Minister's Office said in a Twitter message at about 1pm today. This was followed by another Twitter message from the Prime Minister's press office stating: "Talk that the Parliament will be dissolved today allegedly by the Prime Minister is false." The nation is eagerly waiting for Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to dissolve Parliament to pave the way for the country's 13th general election. Analysts, politicians and political pundits have all predicted the dates on the impending polls, with many saying that Parliament would be dissolved this month. The current Parliament term ends on April 28. However, Najib is very unlikely to go the full stretch and is expected to call for election anytime now. This morning, a SMS in Bahasa Melayu caused a stir that Parliament had been dissolved. The SMS read: "Following is the full transcript of the Prime Minister's statement at a special press conference at the Prime Minister's Office, Putrajaya at 12.35 this afternoon; "I wish to announce about the dissolution of Parliament, after having an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong today. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has consented to the dissolution of Parliament effective today to pave way for the 13th general election. "The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has signed the Parliament dissolution consent declaration. With that, state governments are also advised to dissolve their state assemblies effective today. The Election Commission has been informed of this development." Below is the original text which was spread via SMS:
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| PKR claim Azzimuddie is Malaysian Posted: 19 Mar 2013 12:59 PM PDT
(fz.com) - In a shocking revelation, PKR has claimed that Raja Muda Azzimuddie Kiram, the self-proclaimed crown prince of Sulu and leader of the armed group that intruded into Sabah, is a Malaysian. In a press conference today, PKR strategist Rafizi Ramli claimed Agbimudin @ Azzimuddie Kiram was a public officer at the district office of Kudat. Azzimuddie Kiram had led his followers, who numbered around 200 and were armed, to Lahad Datu on Feb 9 and holed up in Kampung Tanduo. Following three weeks of failed negotiations, the Malaysian government launched Ops Daulat offensive against the Sulu terrorists on March 5 after they killed eight policemen in Lahad Datu and Semporna on March 1 and 2. The death toll currently stands at 10 Malaysian security forces (including two soldiers) and 63 terrorists. More to follow at: http://fz.com/content/pkr-claim-azzimuddie-malaysian
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| Undercover sting exposes Malaysia land-grab Posted: 19 Mar 2013 12:47 PM PDT
Allegations of corruption get louder following secret tapes showing plunder of resource-rich Sarawak province. Florence Looi, Aljazeera Plantations and logging are ravaging Malaysia's majestic Borneo region and indigenous people who have lived for centuries here say they are increasingly being uprooted from their once-pristine lands. Watch Al Jazeera's video at: http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/03/2013318131755948174.html But as the timber and palm oil companies swarm over the rugged landscape of resplendent rivers and ancient rainforests, villagers in Long Napir in the country's biggest state Sarawak have vowed to thwart any further land-grabs.The village is a settlement of longhouses, the traditional communal housing favoured by indigenous people in eastern Malaysia's Borneo island. Under the Sarawak Land Law, indigenous people have rights over areas as long as they can prove they have lived in or used the lands prior to January 1, 1958. But the surrounding ancient rainforests that are so essential to their traditional way of life is under threat because of logging and plantation companies. Over the past 30 years, Sarawak - one of the richest Malaysian states - has become one of the largest exporters of tropical timber. Despite its wealth, profits have failed to trickle down, and the people here are some of the poorest in the country. Long Napir villagers lay the blame for their plight squarely on one man: the state's powerful chief minister, Abdul Mahmud Taib, who is in charge of all land classification and the allocation of lucrative forestry and plantation licenses. "He lives, the rest of us suffer," Tamin Sepuluh Ribu, a former village headman, told Al Jazeera. "We have no land to farm, our rivers have become muddy, there's hardly any fish left anymore." 'Coterie of cronies' Global Witness, a non-governmental organisation working against environmental exploitation, has investigated and exposed the situation in remote eastern Malaysia. An undercover Global Witness investigator posing as an investor was offered several opportunities to purchase land in Sarawak by company officials linked to Chief Minister Taib. In each instance, the land in question was occupied by indigenous communities, who have valid claims to ownership rights under Malaysian law. Global Witness said the indigenous areas were being sold by companies with close personal or political ties to the chief minister. Taib has held the post since 1981, and has been repeatedly accused of corruption during his nearly 32-year rule. The US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur noted in one cable released by WikiLeaks: "Chief Minister Taib Mahmud … doles out timber-cutting permits while patrolling the underdeveloped state using 14 helicopters, and his family's companies control much of the economy." The American cable added that, "All major contracts and a significant portion of land to be converted to palm oil plantations [including on indigenous 'customary land rights' that the state government has refused to recognize] are given to these three companies." People in Sarawak are "fed up" with Taib's administration, "seen as only enriching his family and a small coterie of cronies", it said. Under investigation Global Witness released a November 2012 report titled, "In the future, there will be no forests." "Taib's powerful executive position and personal responsibility for the issuance of lucrative logging and plantation licences has enabled him to systematically extract 'unofficial payments' from the state's timber tycoons for the enrichment of himself and his family," the report said. Taib, meanwhile, denied the corruption allegations as "wholly untrue and malicious", said the report. In 2011, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission launched an official investigation into Taib, which continues at present. In secretly taped negotiations provided to Al Jazeera, the Global Witness investigator discussed buying land with company shareholders Fatimah Abdul Rahman and Norlia Abdul Rahman - Taib's first cousins. Fatimah admitted the parcel of land under discussion had been transferred to them by Chief Minister Taib. "Yeah, he's the one who gave us the land. He's my cousin," Fatimah said, laughing. In 2011, Taib gave his cousins 5,000 hectares of land for about $300,000 dollars, according to leaked land registry documents. Having secured agriculture and timber licences, they were trying to sell it a year later for more than $16mn. Later, discussing the ease of receiving a forestry license, Fatimah told the Global Witness investigator: "The Land and Survey Department, they are the ones that issue this licence. Of course, this is from the CM's [Chief Minister's] directive, but I can speak to the CM very easily." Fatimah and Norlia did not respond to Al Jazeera's requests for comment. Read more at: http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/03/2013318131755948174.html
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| Action against lawyer in Sarawak exposé clip, say advocates group Posted: 19 Mar 2013 12:45 PM PDT
(The Malaysian Insider) - The Advocates Association of Sarawak (AAS) will investigate and act against the lawyer featured in a covert video by Global Witness (GW) implicating state Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and his family with shady land deals, said a spokesman. The Sarawak lawyer, identified as Alvin Chong, allegedly represented sisters Fatimah Abdul Rahman and Norlia Abdul Rahman who were recorded in the video describing potentially illegal deals. Both are daughters of former state chief minister Tun Abdul Rahman Ya'akub and first cousins with the incumbent CM Taib. "AAS will take appropriate action after due inquiry. One of the possible courses of action is to refer any complaints received on this matter to the Advocates Inquiry Committee," a spokesman from AAS told The Malaysian Insider by text message. The Advocates Inquiry Committee is an independent statutory body separate from AAS, consisting senior lawyers from the state appointed by the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak. The lawyers in both Borneo states are not under the jurisdiction of the Malaysian Bar, which only represents lawyers in the Malay peninsula. The Malaysian Insider understands that complaints against AAS members can be lodged by the public or its members themselves. Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/action-against-lawyer-in-sarawak-expose-clip-say-advocates-group/
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| Rosmah puts some sparkle in her biography Posted: 18 Mar 2013 09:37 PM PDT
(Free Malaysia Today) - 'First Lady' says it is common to receive expensive jewellery and gifts and denies purchasing a RM24 million diamond ring in her book. Rosmah Mansor, the wife of the prime minister, finally shed more light on the RM24 million diamond ring scandal – in her biography, two years later. In her biography, she said it is common for the prime minister's wife to receive expensive jewellery and gifts while on official duty. "While welcoming guests, it is common courtesy for them to present us gifts as memorabilia. Among these gifts include rings, watches, jewellery and others. Some are very expensive and custom-made," she said in the book's Question and Answer section. Rosmah was responding to allegations that she had purchased RM24 million diamond ring as claimed by the opposition two years ago. Her 180-page biography entitled "Biographi Rosmah Mansor" was launched today by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. The authors are Siti Rohayah Attan and Noraini Abdul Razak. In the book, Rosmah explained that it was common to receive gifts from hosts while visiting another country on official duty. "When someone gives us something, it is not nice to reject it. This said, there is no reason for me to go around announcing that I have been presented watches, designer bags, and the rest. That's just showing off," she said. Rosmah said she would then "wear" the gifts presented to her as it was a "waste" for them be kept in a safety deposit box. "It is illogical to keep them [the gifts] in a metal box when they were presented to me sincerely, are beautiful and suitable for use," she said. Rosmah added that she also purchased jewellery and designer clothes using her own money. "What's wrong with that?" she asked. "As a woman and wife of a leader, I have to look presentable, neat and upkeep my appearance. I don't want to look unkempt because if I do, I will be criticised. "It would be embarrassing for the rakyat when other countries tease the PM's wife for being unkempt," she said. In her book, Rosmah reiterated that she did not own the RM24 million diamond ring as alleged by former PKR central committee member Badrul Hisham Shaharin in 2011. "The ring was brought in through Customs to be viewed by Maira Nazarbayev who was with me at the time preparing her son's engagement to my daughter," she said, adding that Maira was a "regular customer" of jewellery maker Jacob & Co. "Once viewed by Maira, the ring was returned and sent out of Malaysia through Singapore port on April 20, 2011. It arrived at Jacob & Co's headoffice in New York on May 13, 2011." Rosmah's book should be distributed in schools Meanwhile, during the launch of the book, Mahathir said it was important for all leaders and public figures to chronicle their experiences and achievements in a biography for future references. Read more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/03/19/rosmah-puts-some-sparkle-in-her-biography/ |
| Anwar threatens RM100mil suit against blogger Posted: 18 Mar 2013 06:56 PM PDT
(Freemalaysiakini) - Lawyers acting for Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim sent a letter of demand to Umno-aligned blogger Papagomo or Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris today for implicating Anwar in a fabricated sex video. PKR vice-president N Surendran said Wan Muhammad Azri, who is the owner or operator of Papagomo, had on March 16 published fake photographs and allegations about Anwar. "The faking and distribution of photographs and false allegations of a sexual nature against Anwar have become a trademark of the gutter politics practised by Umno and its bloggers. "Hence, today we sent a letter of demand to him. Anwar's solicitors have demanded Papagomo withdraws the malicious allegations, apologises within 48 hours from today and pays damages in the sum of RM 100 million. "The sum of damages demanded reflects the blogger's close ties with Umno and Umno's clear backing for him," Surendran (above), a lawyer, said in a statement. Privileged access to submarine He claimed Papagomo was notoriously close to and had confidential ties with senior Umno leaders such as party vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He said the blogger was even allowed privileged access to Malaysia's Scorpene submarine KD Tun Razak during a controversy that erupted between BN and Pakatan Rakyat over the capabilities of the submarine. The hidden hand of Umno was thus clearly present behind this latest disgusting attack on the character and reputation of the leader of Pakatan Rakyat. "Umno's heavy reliance on sleazy politics and dubious bloggers highlights its utter moral and ethical collapse. It proves Umno-BN's complete unfitness to continue to rule and administer our nation," Surendran added. Anwar over the weekend denied the latest allegation, calling it "Umno's disgusting pre-election slander".
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| ‘Over 60,000 dubious voters in Sabah’ Posted: 18 Mar 2013 06:51 PM PDT
DAP also finds 29 instances of old IC duplications in the electoral roll. Anisah Shukry, FMT The Sabah electoral roll has 60,673 or 6.3% potentially dubious voters, the DAP said today. Ong Kian Ming, director of the party's Malaysian Electoral Roll Analysis Project (Merap), said they arrived at this figure from the proceedings of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) probing the issuance of identity cards (IC) to illegal immigrants in Sabah. "Ruslan Alias, an assistant head in the IC division of Sabah/Sarawak in the National Registration Department [NRD], revealed a list containing 130,459 'problematic' old IC numbers where their records with the NRD were either incomplete or where these cards had been cancelled," Ong told a press conference at the party's headquarters here. He said Merap did a search of the old IC numbers using the first quarter of the 2012 electoral roll and found that 60,673 of those problematic ICs were on the roll. "These voters are not evenly distributed across the state. Eight out of the top 10 parliamentary constituencies featuring these voters can be found on the east coast of Sabah. Some 66% or 39,750 voters out of the 60,673 problematic ICs can be found in these eight parliamentary seats," said Ong. The top eight seats are Silam (7,934 dubious voters), Kalabakan (7,536), Semporna (4,742), Libaran (3,949), Batu Sapi (3,442), Sandakan (2,603), and Kinabatangan (2,068), according to Merap. Ong conceded that the current electoral roll may not reflect similar figures, but he said it was unlikely the Election Commission (EC) would be able to remove over 60,000 voters from the roll within a span of four months. "Far from seeing a decrease in voters in Sabah's electoral roll in the past few months, we have actually seen a surge of voters," he said. He also said Merap found 29 instances of old IC duplications from the list of problematic ICs. "These voters are still on the electoral roll at the time of writing," said Ong. Serious issue Meanwhile, Ong questioned why 20 IC numbers listed as having been cancelled in 1996 were only removed from the electoral roll in the fourth quarter of 2012. "How did these voters manage to stay on the electoral roll up until the fourth quarter of 2012? "Who was responsible for registering these voters with cancelled ICs? According to the data collected previously by Merap, all these voters were registered after 1996, when these ICs were supposed to be cancelled," he added.
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| Attack on coffeeshop worker: No cover-up, say police Posted: 18 Mar 2013 05:47 PM PDT
In another incident, a company director linked Taib Mahmud was released on bail following a three-day remand for attacking a NCR landowner. Joseph Tawie, FMT KUCHING: Kuching police chief ACP Roslan Ahmad has given an assurance that there will be no cover-up of a case involving a police inspector attached to the 11th battalion of the General Operations (GOF) who was caught on CCTV assaulting a 21-year-old youth in Batu Kawah area last week. The youth, Andrewson Ngalai, a coffeeshop worker, and his friends were reportedly attacked by the police inspector and some gangsters in the early hours of March 14. Roslan told reporters today that the police inspector and two of gangsters have been detained. "He has been arrested together with two men aged 22 and 39. The six handphone sets robbed by them have also been confiscated," he said, adding that all were currently under remand until March 21 pending an investigation. The police inspector not only aided and abetted a group of gangsters in assaulting Andrewson but also slapped him. The inspector's actions was caught on a CCTV camera in a coffeeshop at MJC Batu Kawah where Andrewson works. Following the incident, Andrewson lodged a report at the Kawah police station. In his report, he said he was attacked with a iron rod while the officer watched. He also said the thugs demanded that he and his friends pay RM500 each for a handphone set as well as an "ang pow" to settle the case. "All this happened in front of the police officer," Andrewson said reportedly said. He added that the police also advised him not to mention the police inspector in his report. Andrewson said that after lodging the report against the gangsters, he received a threatening call from the inspector to withdraw it. Fearing for his safety, he approached Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen for advice and was told to lodge a report against the inspector. Meanwhile, in Serian this morning, a director of a company linked to Taib Mahmud's Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Party (PBB) – Andrew Wong – was released on police bail after a three-day remand. Wong, a director of United Teamtrade Sdn Bhd, had attacked Surik Anak Muntai, a native customary rights land owner last Friday. He is closely linked to two PBB leaders – a senior minister and another assistant minister. Three other security personnel of the company, who had aided Wong, are however still at large. Surik, who was slashed on the head, also suffered a broken arm and legs. He is admitted at the Sarawak General Hospital.
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| Posted: 18 Mar 2013 01:33 PM PDT
(NST) - REVOLT: Senai rep leads 16 branches in show of defiance of state party chief JOHOR BARU: THE infighting among opposition leaders in Johor took another twist when state DAP vice-chairman Ong Kow Meng led 16 party branches to throw their vote of no-confidence against state party chairman Dr Boo Cheng Hau. Ong, who is also DAP's Senai assemblyman, had accused Dr Boo of attempting to split the "long-established cohesion among the opposition pact's component parties". This he said was because of Dr Boo's disclosure of his conflict with Johor PKR chairman Datuk Chua Jui Meng with regard to seat allocations between the two opposition parties last month. Ong, who revealed this at a press conference yesterday, listed out his dissatisfaction with Dr Boo, and lambasted him for advocating "cronyism" ever since he became the Skudai assemblyman in 2008. He said Dr Boo arranged for his cronies within the party to assume important positions and duties, and ignored the voice of senior and grassroot leaders. "Last week, I visited several constituencies in the state, including Batu Pahat, Kluang, Muar, Labis and Johor Baru. Many of the grassroot leaders have told me about their unhappiness with Dr Boo. "When he found out that I visited the constituencies, he texted me a message, asking me who am I serving? "When I replied by asking what he meant, he kept quiet. "My conscience as a Johor party vice-chairman and an elected assemblyman to serve the people is clear. How could he be doubtful about this?" he asked. Among representatives of party branches who were with Ong at the press conference were those from Johor Baru, Taman Nesa, Kulai, Bukit Indah, Taman Skudai Baru and Kulaijaya. Ong also criticised Dr Boo as being arrogant for publicly attacking his PKR counterpart, adding that such an act could thwart the opposition pact's march towards Putrajaya. He said Dr Boo should not be doubtful about Chua's identity and sincerity. "Take PKR chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as an example. He was formerly with Umno but is with the opposition pact and our comrade now." Sources within Johor DAP had, however, informed the New Straits Times that Ong's outburst against Dr Boo was caused by a revelation that the state party chairman had not endorsed Ong to be fielded in the next general election. Meanwhile, DAP Kulai division liaison committee chairman Ng Pack Seong, who was also at the press conference, claimed that it was unbecoming of Dr Boo to appoint his crony to assume important posts. He said Dr Boo had appointed an "outsider" to lead the election operations room in Kulai, which is where Ong's Senai constituency is located. "As a state leader, he should know the will of party members and his duty is to unite the party, and not otherwise," said Ng. Dr Boo responded to the criticisms by pointing out that the choice of election candidates was in the hands of the party central selection committee, adding that there was no need to blame him if anyone was not selected as a candidate. At state-level, he said the choice of candidates was done by a three-member team comprising the state chairman, deputy chairman and secretary. "Our choice of candidates is based on several criteria, such as quality, discipline, team spirit and language proficiency, among others. "To prevent any conflict, we have yet to submit the candidates' list to the headquarters. "I am sad that there are certain people who do not understand the procedure, and quickly jump to the conclusion that they will not be fielded and level their attack at me." 
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| GE13: Kedah PAS No. 2 prevented from speaking at ceramah Posted: 18 Mar 2013 01:30 PM PDT
(The Star) - Some of Phahrolrazi's supporters have claimed he was kidnapped but he stressed it was probably a "friendly warning" to stop him from entering the mentri besar's territory. Datuk Phahrolrazi Zawawi, the No. 2 PAS man in Kedah, was "locked in" in a religious school compound for two hours to prevent him from speaking at a ceramah. Phahrolrazi said he was on the way to the ceramah in Kampung Kabu which is located in the state constituency held by Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak when the head of the Sekolah Agama Nahdah Bukit Besar phoned him to stop by the school. "The moment my car entered the school compound, they locked the gate and I had the feeling that I was not going to get out," said Phahrolrazi who has had a long-running feud with the mentri besar. He was then led to the school canteen where the school head Ustaz Nasir Othman tried to deter him from proceeding to the ceramah. Ustaz Nasir is a committee member of the Jerai PAS division of which Azizan is the chairman. "He claimed there were rival groups at the ceramah venue and that he did not want any harm done to me. I tried to leave several times but he told me not to go and that he was doing this to protect me. It was all very cordial but the point is that I was prevented from leaving until two hours later," he said. When Phahrolrazi phoned the organisers of the ceramah about his dilemma, they sent four representatives to the school to negotiate with Ustaz Nasir but he refused to unlock the gate. Some of Phahrolrazi's supporters have claimed he was kidnapped but he stressed it was probably a "friendly warning" to stop him from entering the mentri besar's territory. Phahrolrazi's supporters said they have lodged a police report about the incident. The ceramah was eventually cancelled when Phahrolrazi did not show up. "The MB is the Jerai chairman but I am the party's deputy commissioner in Kedah. Surely I should be free to speak at any ceramah. I don't blame Ustaz Nasir, I think he was afraid of his boss," said Phahrolrazi. |
| Sarawak cop, gangsters assault youth Posted: 18 Mar 2013 12:27 PM PDT
(Free Malaysia Today) - Sarawak DAP wants the IGP to act on 21-year-old Andrewson Ngalai's report against a police inspector. A police inspector attached to the General Operations Force (GOF) not only aided and abetted a group of gangsters in assaulting a 21-year-old coffeeshop worker, but also took part by slapping the youth in the early hours of March 14. The inspector's act was caught on a CCTV camera in a coffeeshop at MJC Batu Kawah where Andrewson Ngalai anak Tandang works. After Andrewson lodged a report at the MJC Batu Kawah police station on the same day, the man seen in the CCTV was identified as the police inspector attached to the GOF at Batu Kawah by other officers. Relating the incident at the DAP headquarters here today, Andrewson said that when he came out of a karaoke outlet, two men approached him. While one held him, the other hit him with an iron rod. All this happened in front of the police inspector. Andrewson said he and his friends were upstairs in their hostel above the coffeeshop when they heard a knock on their door. "A man identifying himself as a police officer demanded that five of my friends and I go down stairs to the coffeeshop. "In the coffeeshop, I was slapped by the inspector. His action was caught on CCTV," he said, showing the wounds on his head and eyes to reporters. Andrewson received several stitches on his head. "The gangsters seized six handphone sets from us and demanded we pay them RM500. The inspector was present all the time," he said. Police brutality Andrewson said that in the police report, he was asked to lodge a report against the gangsters but not against the police. After the report was made, he said that he received a call from the inspector to withdraw the report. Fearing for his safety, he went to Chong Chieng Jen, who is Sarawak DAP secretary, to seek his advice. Accompanied by Chong, Andrewson made another police report, this time against the inspector. Read more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/03/18/sarawak-cop-gangsters-assault-youth/ |
| GE13: BN Veterans Face The Axe, 40% Of Candidates Will Be New Faces Posted: 18 Mar 2013 12:22 PM PDT
(The Star) - Barisan Nasional will drop up to 40% of veterans in the 13th general election to give way to new blood. Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is making final adjustments to the list of candidates, has identified quite a number of the old guard to be excluded, with some of them coming forward to voluntarily step aside.
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