Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- ‘Najib, Anwar ignorant of Sabah’s history’
- Karpal maintains DAP's stand on Hudud
- Pakatan hoping sailors swing their way in Lumut
- Another ex-military officer joins PAS, vows to ensure two-party system
- Hadi’s outburst affects PSM’s chances
- Hadi says DAP won’t be forced to accept hudud
- 35 Sulu militants killed trying to enter Sabah to cause problems during polls
- Respect the choice of others, actress Angelica Lee tells cyber bullies
| ‘Najib, Anwar ignorant of Sabah’s history’ Posted: 24 Apr 2013 07:37 PM PDT
Local opposition STAR has lumped both caretaker Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim as two peas in a pod. Raymond Tombung, FMT Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's ignorance of Sabah's participation in Malaysia has shocked local opposition parties. In yet another show of ignorance on Sabah's history, Najib yesterday said the "Sabah autonomy was still intact in the 20-Point Malaysia Agreement". Pointing out the "lie", State Reform Party (STAR) deputy chairman, Awang Ahmad Sah, said: "I am shocked that Najib as the prime minister is again proven to be ignorant about our history. "The day before that he said that we joined Malaysia and then became independent on Sept 16, 1963. "Now he is saying our autonomy is still intact in the 20-Point-Malaysia Agreement." Correcting Najib, Awang said the 20 points were not "part of" the Malaysia Agreement. "The 20 points are agreements that contributed to the drafting of the Malaysia Agreement. "The prime minister of all people should know that many of the rights promised in the 20-point agreement have been hacked away because of Kuala Lumpur 's interference in Sabah 's governance over the decades," he said. Awang added that many of the promises in the 20 points were never implemented. "They have not implemented Borneonisation and the rights of the state to collect its own revenues. "Malayans still head 85% of federal departments and agencies in Sabah and this excludes other junior positions which are all filled by Malayans. "Also the 20 points had promised that we can collect and spend our own revenues, but in 2012 alone, the federal government collected RM24 billion from Sabah excluding other collections by other federal departments such as the Immigration Department, Road Transport Department, and so on. "In addition, under Tenth Schedule, Part IV, Section 2(1) of the Federal Constitution, the federal government is supposed to give back two-fifth [40%] of the nett revenue collected from Sabah, but this has been denied to us. "Isn't this a case of daylight robbery and denial of our autonomy? he asked.
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| Karpal maintains DAP's stand on Hudud Posted: 24 Apr 2013 05:44 PM PDT
(Daily Express) - DAP's earlier choice to use the PAS logo did not mean the party now agreed to hudud laws being imposed in Malaysia, said party national chairman Karpal Singh. "PAS allowing us to use their party logo does not mean we have shifted our stand on the establishment of Islamic state or hudud laws," he said. Karpal said Malaysia is not an Islamic state but secular, pointing to a landmark decision on the issue by the Federal Court in 1988. "The introduction of hudud to the legal system would mean one system but two laws, which is impossible to impose," said the incumbent Bukit Gelugor MP. He was responding to PAS deputy spiritual leader Datuk Dr Haron Din's statement that the Islamist party was confident its Pakatan Rakyat ally will accept hudud law because it was willing to contest using the PAS logo. "Although PAS has said hudud is only for Muslims, the implementation of two systems will cause conflicts and chaos," Karpal reiterated. As an example, Karpal said that if a non-Muslim and a Muslim were to be jointly charged for the same crime under the Penal code and hudud system respectively, it would be impossible to have a trial. He pointed out that the Federal Constitution also does not provide for an Islamic state. "If PAS wants to amend the Federal Constitution, DAP or PKR will not allow it," he said. "I don't think PAS would insist on amending the Federal Constitution," he added.
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| Pakatan hoping sailors swing their way in Lumut Posted: 24 Apr 2013 03:32 PM PDT
Clara Chooi, TMI Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's visit to the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) base here this week might have boosted the MCA's Datuk Seri Kong Cha Ha's chances but the incumbent is feeling the heat from PKR's Mohamad Imran Abd Hamid, a just-retired navy first admiral who once commanded a fleet of 2,000 sailors in the base. Fielding the former PAS member in Lumut was a strategic move by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's PKR and according to party insiders last night, the sharp-tongued Mohamad Imran's entry into the fray has helped increase PR's support here, especially in the military vote. "Our numbers indicate Lumut is good," party strategist Rafizi Ramli told The Malaysian Insider. "I think Lumut is in the bag if we continue like this." In Election 2008, Kong scraped through in Lumut by a hair's breadth, with a razor-thin majority of just 298 votes. Many said it was the coastal constituency's large number of postal votes — nearly 13,000 or 14 per cent of the 88,473-strong electorate — that had saved the then deputy minister and Barisan Nasional (BN) from an upset defeat. But today, Kong is facing an even more formidable opponent in the stern 59-year-old Mohamad Imran, who served a lengthy 37 years in the naval base until his retirement on April 1, 2010. When met at a function yesterday in Pasir Panjang, a state seat in Lumut, Kong did not repeat his reported criticism of Mohamad Imran for being a parachute candidate. Instead, he told The Malaysian Insider that the Klang-born Mohamad Imran is a formidable enough opponent, having stayed in Sitiawan for over two decades since his time in the navy. "Not really," he said when pointed out that Mohamad Imran is not local. "He has stayed here for more than 20 years." Kong, always a man of few words, had also recently admitted to The Malaysian Insider that the Lumut contest would not be an easy one, but would not say why. "Every fight is difficult," he said. Kong's cold feet and fraying nerves in the BN camp have seen the ruling pact in a bit of a fluster. Dr Mahathir, BN's de facto chief campaigner, was sent into the naval base yesterday to calm the storm, while Mohamad Imran found himself blocked at the gates later that night when he attempted to perform prayers at the mosque within the base. Political campaigns are forbidden within the naval base. Under their standing instructions, navy personnel are allowed to attend political events outside camp but cannot hold party memberships or be actively involved in any party activity. According to news reports on Dr Mahathir's visit, the former prime minister trumpeted BN's successes to some 2,000 navy officers before warning them that the country's budget for the military would be cut under Pakatan Rakyat (PR) rule. But Mohamad Imran said the alleged attempts at spreading fear of PR to these voters would not work. "I am convinced... not this time. From the programmes they (BN) have done in the base, there is an indication of protest. "They know it's not their job to listen to Perkasa speak," he told The Malaysian Insider during a brief interview when met while on his ceramah circuit in Kampung Serdang last night. He lamented that his "boys" from the camp have been forbidden from attending his ceramahs by their superiors, although they are allowed to do so. "These two-stars, three-star superiors... right up to the Defence Ministry. And now, they are treating me like the enemy saying — Oh, he's joining PAS, Pakatan is the enemy. "They are doing a lot of things, talking bad about me. But I say, my boys can think," he said. "I was the commanding officer for one unit. Under me, there was about 2,000 people. "They know me. I was fair to them. I facilitated them to be promoted. I did not simply charge them but punished them sometimes based on Muslim law," he continued.
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| Another ex-military officer joins PAS, vows to ensure two-party system Posted: 24 Apr 2013 03:26 PM PDT
Syed Jaymal Zahiid, TMI Datuk Ismail Saimon, a former top-ranking military officer who later helmed Universiti Pertahanan Malaysia, has joined PAS in a move the Islamist party believes would help bolster its campaign for support from the security forces. The sizeable number of votes from the armed forces would be crucial to Pakatan Rakyat's (PR) push for federal power and the pact had been busy recruiting retired army and police officers into its ranks, hoping that their presence could help make a dent on Barisan Nasional's traditional vote bank. "Looking at the current political situation, there is a need for change and it must first come from yourself, family and friends. "I was never active in politics… there is no such thing as being apolitical," said Ismail, who retired as a Lt-General from the Malaysian Royal Air Force and was a former vice-chancellor of Universiti Pertahanan Malaysia, at the PAS headquarters here today. Ismail said his decision to join PAS was to help the PR alliance persuade military voters against backing a government that has failed to protect the welfare of army personnel. Ex-military officers now with PR have claimed low-ranking army personnel live in "abject" conditions, often struggling with meagre salaries while most live in poor housing. The issue has driven PR's campaign in the military barracks, or at least close to them, since the Election Commission (EC) claims canvassing votes in the camps is prohibited by the army. Ismail said his experience with army corruption was a major factor behind the woes facing military personnel. He added that only by changing the BN government can the longstanding problems afflicting the military be addressed. "I am for the two-party system. If there is a monopoly in politics then one will be completely immune, it cannot be criticised," he said in reference to BN's 55-year rule. "So we must change this government," he added.
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| Hadi’s outburst affects PSM’s chances Posted: 24 Apr 2013 03:15 PM PDT
Sungai Siput incumbent Dr Michael Jeyakumar says the PAS president's remarks will affect Malay votes. K Pragalath, FMT Incumbent Sungai Siput MP Dr D Michael Jeyakumar is worried about his chances of winning over the Malay electorate following PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang's outburst against PSM. "We have problems over Hadi's statement among the Malay voters but it is a non-issue for the non- Malay voters. "We are taking the bull by the horn by addressing this issue in our ceramah sessions in the Malay areas," said Jeyakumar whose constituency is made up of 33% Malay voters. On Monday, Hadi described PSM as a party glorifying communism with photographs of Lenin, Marx and other communist personalities without naming the party. Hadi said this while explaining the reason for the multiple candidates contesting from Pakatan component parties. Another issue that affects Jeyakumar's chances is DAP's decision in dropping incumbent DAP representative Leong Mee Meng for Loh Sze Yee for the Jalong state seat, which falls under Sungai Siput. "The Chinese voters are upset with DAP's decision to drop Lee. They may not turn up to vote or they may vote BN," he said. He is however confident that his relationship with the Pakatan components will not impede his chances of retaining Sungai Siput. "Here we have pragmatism, PAS needs our support to win the Lintang state seat and DAP works with us to retain the Jalong state seat," said the first term MP. He said this when asked about the party's chances of retaining Sungai Siput while the party faces multiple cornered fights in three other state seats.
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| Hadi says DAP won’t be forced to accept hudud Posted: 24 Apr 2013 02:32 PM PDT
Abdul Hadi explained that there was a line in the Quran that conveyed the meaning that "there is no compulsion in religion". (Bernama) - PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said the party will not force the DAP, its partner in the opposition pact, to accept the implementation of hudud law. In his ceramah at Kampung Batu Rakit near here last night, Abdul Hadi explained that there was a line in the Quran that conveyed the meaning that "there is no compulsion in religion". "In the same context we are together, we unite. In a different situation, we don't quarrel. A problem crops up for PAS in implementing hudud law, the DAP does not agree, but it too does not oppose. "This is the difference that we must understand. If we can't force in terms of religion, then more so in law we can't force. This is the policy that we adopt," he said. Abdul Hadi said the non-Muslim community had now opened their eyes by accepting that it was an important condition that the country's top leadership should be a Muslim. He said that first of all, the party was targeting to win the 13th general election (GE13) together with its partners the PKR and DAP after which it would implement the PAS aspiration in stages. "We want Pakatan Rakyat to win first, let the people vote for us first. We want to fulfil the 'Orange Book' pledge of a welfare state which is also the objective of PAS. "Don't worry if Pakatan Rakyat wins, the prime minister will (always) be a Muslim. If people are scared that I become PM, it's all right, it's also all right that I go (down) to the sea. I (can) become an elected representative to monitor the PM (prime minister) whether he is doing the right things or not," said Abdul Hadi.
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| 35 Sulu militants killed trying to enter Sabah to cause problems during polls Posted: 24 Apr 2013 02:21 PM PDT
(THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Thirty-five armed Sulu militants attempting to enter Sabah were shot dead by the Philippines navy and coast guard on Wednesday, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. He said they were shot before they could enter Malaysian waters after refusing to turn back. He added that according to intelligence reports, the group was attempting to enter Sabah to cause problems during the general election. "If they had entered our waters, we would have taken them out. We will defend our country," he said at a press conference here on Thursday. An incursion by Sulu militant in late February left two villages and 10 Malaysian servicemen dead. The episode has put the eastern state in the spotlight during this election. |
| Respect the choice of others, actress Angelica Lee tells cyber bullies Posted: 24 Apr 2013 02:08 PM PDT
Award-wining Malaysian actress Angelica Lee Sin Jie urged voters to respect the choice of other people as Malaysia is a democratic country, when asked to comment on cyber bullies attacking artistes who showed their support for certain political parties. (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Award-wining Malaysian actress Angelica Lee Sin Jie urged voters to respect the choice of other people as Malaysia is a democratic country, major Chinese newspapers reported. "Every person has the right to vote. We should respect this. Malaysia is a democratic country. I hope our country will stay peaceful," said the actress who hails from Alor Setar, Kedah. Lee, who shot to fame in the horror film The Eye, was asked to comment on cyber bullies attacking artistes who showed their support for certain political parties. "No matter who you support, this is the voters' right. No matter who will rule the country, I hope the people will not be too emotional. "I do not hope to see trouble in the country," she said at a function here on Tuesday. International artiste Datuk Seri Michelle Yeoh had been attacked by cyber bullies for her open support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. However, Yeoh has defended her decision, saying everyone was free to give their views in Malaysia, which is a democracy. She had openly expressed support for the Prime Minister at a gathering organised by the Federation of Chinese Descendants of Selangor on Saturday. "We have a leader here who has done so many good things and will do more. I hope from the bottom of my heart that he will remain as the Prime Minister and I ask all of you to give him a strong mandate," she told the crowd at the mammoth gathering organised to show support for Mr Najib. Another Malaysian artiste being attacked by cyber bullies was composer-singer Eric Moo, who performed at the 1Malaysia Penang International Charity Drive concert at the Han Chiang High School in Penang on Saturday. Moo, from Perak, defended his action, saying that everyone had the freedom of choice. Moo posted on Weibo on Wednesday that he was "not affected by threats and not afraid to be scolded" after his decision to perform at the charity concert drew criticism from cyber bullies. Malaysian artistes who attended functions organised by the ruling Barisan Nasional had been attacked by cyber bullies while those who showed support or performed at the opposition Pakatan Rakyat functions were not. On Saturday, a group of local singers including Yu Heng, Danny One and Jiahui Wu had performed outside the Pakatan Rakyat operations room in Kluang, Johor. Several Pakatan candidates, including Kluang DAP candidate Liew Chin Tong, gave speeches at the concert. Some local performers had openly supported Pakatan including Malaysian singer Wilson Tin, who had performed at a DAP ceramah. |
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