Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Penang urged to set floor pay at RM1,200
- Pakatan mum on child conversion law, says needs further scrutiny
- Home Ministry grilled over Lahad Datu intrusion
- Bar against move to resurrect any law similar to EO
- PAS snubs DAP’s call to boycott polls
- PKR: No issue if Bumburing doesn't join Pakatan
- NGO calls for setting up of Tamil religious school
- ‘Only RM200m paid for land worth RM1b’
- MACC: Show us proof on Taib Mahmud
- 'Insolent' AirAsia X chief Azran should emigrate, says BN's Bung Mokhtar
- Easy loan access plunges civil servants into greater debt rut
- Fool me twice, shame on you, is the feeling on conversion bill
- Shukri: Govt may come up with Bill to replace Emergency Ordinance
- Anwar: PAS to contest Kuala Besut
- 'Shame, shame, shame': Australia's first Muslim frontbencher abused for taking oath on Koran
- After five delays, doubts over KLIA2 contractors meeting next year's deadline
- Sultan: Respect my decision
| Penang urged to set floor pay at RM1,200 Posted: 01 Jul 2013 06:04 PM PDT
He alleged that some employers in the Bayan Lepas Free Trade and Industrial Zone were still offering RM600 as the starting wage, the same amount they offered when the manufacturing hub was launched in 1973. Hawkeye, FMT Trade unionist and retired DAP leader Abdul Razak Abdul Hamid today proposed that the minimum wage be set at RM1,200 for employees of the Penang government and its agencies. He said that would be a more realistic figure than the RM900 set by the federal government and would send out a strong message that Pakatan Rakyat was ready to govern the entire country instead of just a few states.
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| Pakatan mum on child conversion law, says needs further scrutiny Posted: 01 Jul 2013 04:09 PM PDT
(Malay Mail) - Pakatan Rakyat leaders today declined to weigh in on controversial law on child conversions to Islam, saying they needed time to study the matter first. Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the coalition will only issue a statement on the matter sometime next week, while his daughter and PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah revealed that a joint committee had been set up to study the law. "We are looking at the Bill thoroughly and I have had a initial discussion with (PAS president) Datuk Seri Hadi Awang and also (Penang Chief Minister) Lim Guan Eng to get some understanding before we give a public response," he told reporters in Parliament here. "We have already set up a Pakatan committee to look into this and we will meet soon," Nurul told pressmen in a separate press conference earlier. The proposed amendment contained in section 107(b) of the Administration of Islam (Federal Territories) Bill 2013 has led to concerns by Malaysia's religious minorities that more cases of unilateral child conversions to Islam may result. Several non-Muslim government leaders have openly condemned the Bill as unconstitutional and called on lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to oppose the law which was tabled in Parliament last Wednesday. Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has defended the Bill, however, arguing the proposed amendment was done according to existing laws. But the Umno deputy president noted that the government will take into consideration all views given on the matter and Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, the minister in charge of Islamic affairs, will be issuing a statement on the controversy soon. Earlier today, Muhyiddin's Cabinet colleague Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam suggested that a translation error was at the heart of the growing row. The health minister was reported to have said the Malay version of section 107(b), which states the conversion of a minor requires the consent of a "parent or guardian", was not in line with the English version. However, he said the Malay version translates the word "parent" to "ibu atau bapa" ("mother or father"). "The Bill is a totally new Bill. I think this part was not seen by them," the Segamat MP was quoted as saying by the Malaysiakini news portal in a news conference here, referring to his colleagues in the Barisan Nasional (BN) government. Dr Subramaniam, who is also deputy president of MIC, added that he did not think the Bill would be presented for voting. "I don't think it will reach that stage," he said when asked if the MIC would vote against the Bill in the Dewan Rakyat. The Bar Council had pointed out the translation error in a statement last week, on the heels of an uproar from the country's largest non-Muslim faith group over the proposed law. Both the Bar Council and the Malaysian Consultative Council Of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) ― the umbrella body of Malaysia's non-Muslim creeds ― had said the Bill, which aims to broaden the definition of parental consent in the conversion of children under the age of eight to mean either instead of both parents, was "unconstitutional". Custodial tussles in cases of unilateral child conversion have been a growing concern over the years and provide a high-profile glimpse of the concerns of Malaysia's religious minorities over perceived dominance of Islam in the country. It also highlights the complications of Malaysia's dual legal systems where Muslims are bound by both civil and syariah laws, the latter of which does not apply to or recognise non-Muslims. In 2009, then Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said the government will ban the unilateral conversion of minors to Islam, in an attempt to assuage concerns among Muslim-dominated Malaysia's religious minorities. But cases since, such as that of a Hindu mother in Negri Sembilan who discovered in April her estranged husband had converted their two underage children to Islam after he had done so a year earlier without her knowledge, illustrate the lack of adherence to the ruling.
Pakatan Rakyat leaders today declined to weigh in on controversial law on child conversions to Islam, saying they needed time to study the matter first. Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the coalition will only issue a statement on the matter sometime next week, while his daughter and PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah revealed that a joint committee had been set up to study the law. "We are looking at the Bill thoroughly and I have had a initial discussion with (PAS president) Datuk Seri Hadi Awang and also (Penang Chief Minister) Lim Guan Eng to get some understanding before we give a public response," he told reporters in Parliament here. "We have already set up a Pakatan committee to look into this and we will meet soon," Nurul told pressmen in a separate press conference earlier. The proposed amendment contained in section 107(b) of the Administration of Islam (Federal Territories) Bill 2013 has led to concerns by Malaysia's religious minorities that more cases of unilateral child conversions to Islam may result. Several non-Muslim government leaders have openly condemned the Bill as unconstitutional and called on lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to oppose the law which was tabled in Parliament last Wednesday. Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has defended the Bill, however, arguing the proposed amendment was done according to existing laws. But the Umno deputy president noted that the government will take into consideration all views given on the matter and Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, the minister in charge of Islamic affairs, will be issuing a statement on the controversy soon. Earlier today, Muhyiddin's Cabinet colleague Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam suggested that a translation error was at the heart of the growing row. The health minister was reported to have said the Malay version of section 107(b), which states the conversion of a minor requires the consent of a "parent or guardian", was not in line with the English version. However, he said the Malay version translates the word "parent" to "ibu atau bapa" ("mother or father"). "The Bill is a totally new Bill. I think this part was not seen by them," the Segamat MP was quoted as saying by the Malaysiakini news portal in a news conference here, referring to his colleagues in the Barisan Nasional (BN) government. Dr Subramaniam, who is also deputy president of MIC, added that he did not think the Bill would be presented for voting. "I don't think it will reach that stage," he said when asked if the MIC would vote against the Bill in the Dewan Rakyat. The Bar Council had pointed out the translation error in a statement last week, on the heels of an uproar from the country's largest non-Muslim faith group over the proposed law. Both the Bar Council and the Malaysian Consultative Council Of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) ― the umbrella body of Malaysia's non-Muslim creeds ― had said the Bill, which aims to broaden the definition of parental consent in the conversion of children under the age of eight to mean either instead of both parents, was "unconstitutional". Custodial tussles in cases of unilateral child conversion have been a growing concern over the years and provide a high-profile glimpse of the concerns of Malaysia's religious minorities over perceived dominance of Islam in the country. It also highlights the complications of Malaysia's dual legal systems where Muslims are bound by both civil and syariah laws, the latter of which does not apply to or recognise non-Muslims. In 2009, then Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said the government will ban the unilateral conversion of minors to Islam, in an attempt to assuage concerns among Muslim-dominated Malaysia's religious minorities. But cases since, such as that of a Hindu mother in Negri Sembilan who discovered in April her estranged husband had converted their two underage children to Islam after he had done so a year earlier without her knowledge, illustrate the lack of adherence to the ruling. - See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/pakatan-mum-on-child-conversion-law-says-needs-further-scrutiny#When:05:01:55ZPakatan Rakyat leaders today declined to weigh in on controversial law on child conversions to Islam, saying they needed time to study the matter first. Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the coalition will only issue a statement on the matter sometime next week, while his daughter and PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah revealed that a joint committee had been set up to study the law. "We are looking at the Bill thoroughly and I have had a initial discussion with (PAS president) Datuk Seri Hadi Awang and also (Penang Chief Minister) Lim Guan Eng to get some understanding before we give a public response," he told reporters in Parliament here. "We have already set up a Pakatan committee to look into this and we will meet soon," Nurul told pressmen in a separate press conference earlier. The proposed amendment contained in section 107(b) of the Administration of Islam (Federal Territories) Bill 2013 has led to concerns by Malaysia's religious minorities that more cases of unilateral child conversions to Islam may result. Several non-Muslim government leaders have openly condemned the Bill as unconstitutional and called on lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to oppose the law which was tabled in Parliament last Wednesday. Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has defended the Bill, however, arguing the proposed amendment was done according to existing laws. But the Umno deputy president noted that the government will take into consideration all views given on the matter and Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, the minister in charge of Islamic affairs, will be issuing a statement on the controversy soon. Earlier today, Muhyiddin's Cabinet colleague Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam suggested that a translation error was at the heart of the growing row. The health minister was reported to have said the Malay version of section 107(b), which states the conversion of a minor requires the consent of a "parent or guardian", was not in line with the English version. However, he said the Malay version translates the word "parent" to "ibu atau bapa" ("mother or father"). "The Bill is a totally new Bill. I think this part was not seen by them," the Segamat MP was quoted as saying by the Malaysiakini news portal in a news conference here, referring to his colleagues in the Barisan Nasional (BN) government. Dr Subramaniam, who is also deputy president of MIC, added that he did not think the Bill would be presented for voting. "I don't think it will reach that stage," he said when asked if the MIC would vote against the Bill in the Dewan Rakyat. The Bar Council had pointed out the translation error in a statement last week, on the heels of an uproar from the country's largest non-Muslim faith group over the proposed law. Both the Bar Council and the Malaysian Consultative Council Of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) ― the umbrella body of Malaysia's non-Muslim creeds ― had said the Bill, which aims to broaden the definition of parental consent in the conversion of children under the age of eight to mean either instead of both parents, was "unconstitutional". Custodial tussles in cases of unilateral child conversion have been a growing concern over the years and provide a high-profile glimpse of the concerns of Malaysia's religious minorities over perceived dominance of Islam in the country. It also highlights the complications of Malaysia's dual legal systems where Muslims are bound by both civil and syariah laws, the latter of which does not apply to or recognise non-Muslims. In 2009, then Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said the government will ban the unilateral conversion of minors to Islam, in an attempt to assuage concerns among Muslim-dominated Malaysia's religious minorities. But cases since, such as that of a Hindu mother in Negri Sembilan who discovered in April her estranged husband had converted their two underage children to Islam after he had done so a year earlier without her knowledge, illustrate the lack of adherence to the ruling. - See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/pakatan-mum-on-child-conversion-law-says-needs-further-scrutiny#When:05:01:55Z |
| Home Ministry grilled over Lahad Datu intrusion Posted: 01 Jul 2013 03:31 PM PDT
(The Sun Daily) - Several Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs from Sabah took the Home Ministry to task today and grilled its deputy minister over the delay in responding to the Lahad Datu intruders. Datuk Bung Moktar Radin asked why the government took such a long time to investigate and act on the intrusion and questioned why there was a need for negotiations with the intruders. To this, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wan Junaidi Wan Jaafar (picture) replied the intrusion in February involved foreigners and it took a while for the government to identify the situation. "At that point we did not know, only after our initial investigation that we found out they were armed and wanted to destroy the country. "After that, the police started its investigation and when our policemen were ambushed, only then we knew it was a terrorist attack," said Wan Junaidi during the question and answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today. Wan Junaidi further explained that since Malaysia has bilateral ties with the Philippines, and in the spirit of Asean camaraderie, there was a need to get the neighbouring country involved in the matter. "This is why our investigations took a long time because we (initially) did not know who they were when they attacked us. "We have to work with the Philippines during the investigations... it is not easy (to just take arbitrary action without the Philippines)," he added. This, however, did not sit well with Datuk Ghapur Salleh (BN-Kalabakan) who said the security situation in the state has always been an issue. "Why did the government take two weeks to know that the intruders had weapons? "If people armed with weapons enter my home, what will I do? Negotiate with them? Definitely not. I will take my shotgun and shoot them. "This shows that we were careless and we had negotiations with them. They wanted to claim Sabah, but what took us such a long time to defend? "When will the government give us a satisfying answer to make us feel safe because even with the formation of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM), we don't feel safe," stressed Ghapur. To this, Wan Junaidi said there are certain procedures and guidelines that must be followed and assured that the government took swift action on the intrusion. He added that the intrusion was also a wake up call to the government, which is why ESSCOM was swiftly formed. "The emergency in (then) Tanah Melayu from 1948 to 1960 took a long time to end. The emergency in Sarawak took 12 years to end. But in Lahad Datu, it only took the government three months to solve the matter. "Also, with the increased cooperation with the Philippines, we are safe and I want you YB and the entire Borneo to also feel safe," said Wan Junaidi. Ghapur then interjected and said: "We are not safe and I don't want the Deputy Minister to merely state that we are." Earlier, Wan Junaidi said the government has prosecuted 30 individuals under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 as they were involved in the Lahad Datu attacks. "Out of that, four are Malaysians, one is a permanent resident, while the rest are not Malaysians. "Their cases were mentioned at various stages at the Tawau High Court in May. "Another individual is in the hospital and that case will be heard on July 25," he said in reply to Bung who asked if the intrusion by the Sulu terrorists in Tanduo, Lahad Datu were followers of Sultan Kiram III and if there were Malaysians involved. Wan Junaidi also said he did not want to divulge more details on the incident as the police are still conducting their investigations on the matter.
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| Bar against move to resurrect any law similar to EO Posted: 01 Jul 2013 03:12 PM PDT
(The Star) - The Bar Council is against any move to resurrect any law similar to the Emergency Ordinance (EO), which was repealed two years ago. Council president Christopher Leong said the current crime situation had nothing to do with the abolition of the EO. "The EO was used to detain syndicated criminals. "What we have now is an increase in snatch thefts, house burglaries, stabbings, and robberies at ATM machines and restaurants. These crimes are not as a result of the repealing of EO," he said. He said the EO was never about detaining such criminals and pointed out the police have sufficient investigative abilities to address the current crime situation. "We are not in favour of the EO being resurrected in the shape or guise of some other laws," he said. Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN- Ayer Itam) said all angles and possibilities should be looked into to find a proper way to tackle crime. "We must find the right mechanism. The enactment of a new law to replace EO can still be argued. Perhaps there can be other ways, including having more stringent policies, enforcement and manpower," he said, disagreeing that the repeal had caused crime to spike. Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli (PAS-Kuala Krai) said the problem did not lie with the repeal of the EO but the failure of the criminals' rehabilitation process. Criminologist Dr Geshina Ayu Mat Saat denied that there was a link between the abolishment of the EO to the recent spate of violent crimes. "Factors in the spate of violent crimes include the level of moral decay, a higher threshold of violence tolerance through media portrayal, social desensitisation and individualisation of norms," she said, adding that there was also not enough police personnel to cover a wide geographic area. Society for the Promotion of Human Rights (Proham) secretary-general Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria said serious police work was necessary, such as undercover operations, a better informer system, more professionals in investigation teams and better witness protection programmes.
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| PAS snubs DAP’s call to boycott polls Posted: 01 Jul 2013 03:07 PM PDT
(The Star) - PAS has snubbed a call by its Pakatan Rakyat partner DAP to boycott the Kuala Besut by-election. Its state commissioner Abdul Wahid Endut said it would not allow Barisan Nasional to retain the seat uncontested. "There were calls to boycott the swearing-in of MPs before, yet everyone was sworn in. "The issue of boycotting the by-election does not arise," he said here yesterday. DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng on Sunday suggested that PAS should boycott the by-election to protest alleged dirty tactics by the Election Commission (EC) during the May 5 general election. Abdul Wahid, the Wakaf Mempelam assemblyman, said the by-election was crucial for Pakatan Rakyat, as a win for the Opposition coalition would bring the seat assembly to an equal tally of 16 representatives from both sides. "This situation has never occurred before. We are going to approach this by-election with an aim to form a new state government should we win," he said. Abdul Wahid added that the party already shortlisted three to four candidates and would make an announcement at the appropriate time. On reports that PKR is interested in fielding its own candidate in Kuala Besut, Abdul Wahid said the seat must be contested by PAS as it did so in the last general election. He added that state deputy PAS commissioner Satiful Bahri Mamat, who is also Paka assemblyman, will be the party's by-election director. In Kuala Lumpur, PAS information chief Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the party had no intention of boycotting the by-election. "Although there are things which we disagree on pertaining to the electoral process by the EC, we have no intention not to contest as this seat is very crucial for PAS in Terengganu," he told online news portal The Mole yesterday. Tuan Ibrahim said PAS had three important requests for the EC regarding this upcoming by-election. "Firstly, we want the EC to ensure no interference from the government's machinery. "Secondly, we want fair and balanced media coverage. "Thirdly, we hope for improvement in terms of observers as well as the conduct of the EC officers during the polling day itself," he said. Separately, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced that he would lead Barisan's charge in the by-election. Muhyiddin, who is Umno deputy president, said the Prime Minister had tasked him to lead the election machinery in Kuala Besut with Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh as his deputy. "We are fully prepared for the by-election. We are working with Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said to determine our strategies to face the by-election."
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| PKR: No issue if Bumburing doesn't join Pakatan Posted: 01 Jul 2013 03:03 PM PDT
(The Star) - It is okay if former Upko president Datuk Seri Wilfred Bumburing (picture) does not join Pakatan Rakyat despite running on a PKR ticket in the May 5 general election, PKR vice-president N. Surendran. "It happens, we have a cordial relationship and he is still keeping in line with the party's goals and aims," he told The Star Online at the Parliament lobby Tuesday. In the 13th general election, Bumburing - who was formerly Tuaran MP - defeated PBS' Jahid Jahim, then incumbent Tamparuli assemblyman. However, he failed to keep the Tuaran parliamentary seat against Upko's Madius Tangau.
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| NGO calls for setting up of Tamil religious school Posted: 01 Jul 2013 02:55 PM PDT
(The Star) - THE Malaysian Hindu Sangam has called for the setting up of a Tamil religious school, Tamil Nesan reported. Its president Datuk Mohan Shan said the school would be of great help to curtail the social ills amongst Indian students in the country. The recommendations were contained in a memorandum handed over to Deputy Education Minister P. Kamalanathan during the NGO's delegates conference on Sunday. Mohan Shan said the Government should only provide allocations to temples recommended by the sangam to ensure a better relationship between the NGO and Hindu temples. He also said only Hindu temples which were registered with the sangam should be allowed to recruit musicians and priests from India. He also called for the sangam members to be appointed into government agencies. In another report, former MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu has called for more Tamil-oriented programmes to spread the language among youths in the country. Speaking at a festival honouring the poet Kannadasan in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, he said hosting programmes like these would ensure the Tamil language continues to survive.
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| ‘Only RM200m paid for land worth RM1b’ Posted: 01 Jul 2013 02:40 PM PDT
Bandar Kuching DAP MP Chong Chieng Jen wants an inquiry to be setup to look into all the lands given to the Taib Mahmud's family companies. Leven Woon, FMT Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud continued to come under the spotlight for allegations of corruptions, with opposition members today claiming his family members had obtained 23 parcel of lands worth RM1 billion at RM200 million. Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen claimed that the lands located in Kuching, Sibu, Miri, Mukah were transacted to Taib's family between 2000 and 2010.
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| MACC: Show us proof on Taib Mahmud Posted: 01 Jul 2013 02:32 PM PDT
The MACC wants those with information on the Sarawak chief minister's alleged corrupt practices to talk to them. Alfian ZM Tahir, FMT The Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) today responded to Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen by urging the Sarawak DAP leader to come forward if he has proof that Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud is corrupt. "We take serious note on the allegations brought forward by Chong related to land acquisition in Sarawak by seven companies linked to the family members of Taib Mahmud.
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| 'Insolent' AirAsia X chief Azran should emigrate, says BN's Bung Mokhtar Posted: 01 Jul 2013 01:52 PM PDT
(fz.com) - In his fiery criticism against Azran in his debate on the royal address in the Dewan Rakyat today, the Kinabatangan MP said it was "inappropriate" for Malays to criticise the Malay newspaper as it is the "voice of the Malays". AirAsia X Bhd's head honcho Azran Osman Rani should emigrate for criticising Umno-owned dailyUtusan Malaysia's hardline report in the aftermath of the May 5 national polls, said BN backbencher Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin. "I declare this man a very insolent Malay... and I challenge him, this kind of Malay who doesn't deserve to live on this land, to migrate to a different country, one that he prefers," Bung Mokhtar lashed out. In his fiery criticism against Azran in his debate on the royal address in the Dewan Rakyat today, the Kinabatangan MP said it was "inappropriate" for Malays to criticise the Malay newspaper as it is the "voice of the Malays". More to come at: http://www.fz.com/content/insolent-airasia-x-chief-azran-should-emigrate-says-bns-bung-mokhtar#ixzz2XrRDJuBw |
| Easy loan access plunges civil servants into greater debt rut Posted: 01 Jul 2013 01:11 PM PDT
Many civil servants are taking out personal loans to finance their weddings. (The Malay Mail Online) - Civil servants are finding themselves spiralling deeper into debt as more among them fall prey to the lure of taking hefty personal loans to foot the bill for weddings, home furnishing, or even indulgences like expensive smartphones and cars. Many even have zero savings to cushion their fall in times of financial emergencies but still apply for loans with great ease, banking on their job security and the easy availability of personal financing offered by non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs). Mohd Herman Che Rahim is among those who have fallen into such a trap. Despite having a monthly salary of just RM1,700, 32-year-old Public Works Department general worker pays RM1,480 every month to service his personal and car loans without worrying much about defaulting on his debt. Like many in the civil service, he is confident of his guaranteed job security and banks generally share the same sentiment as they comfortably issue large personal loans to government employees. "I work in the government," Mohd Herman told The Malay Mail Online in a recent interview. "So I have a pension, insurance. If you work in the government, it's easier to get a loan. They just make sure that the loan does not exceed 60 per cent of your salary every month." In 2007, Mohd Herman took a RM90,000 personal loan from a bank and Bank Rakyat Sdn Bhd, which is an NBFI, to finance his wedding, the downpayment for a Honda Civic, a smartphone, home furniture, as well as cameras for his part-time wedding photography business that cost between RM20,000 and RM30,000. His personal loan, which has a 20-year tenure, costs him RM900 a month, while his car loan costs RM580 a month.
He admitted that he finds it hard to save and only has "just enough to eat", but had decided to buy a thousand-ringgit smartphone to keep up with the latest trend. "Smartphones are a necessity," said Mohd Herman. "Everyone has a smartphone. Even makciks (aunts) are using smartphones." He added that a Honda Civic was preferable to a cheaper local car because foreign cars have "better quality", saying: "If you want to buy a car, you want it to last long." Mohd Herman stressed that he took out a personal loan to buy "necessities, not luxuries", pointing out that a RM90,000 loan was "not much" as he knows others who have borrowed RM100,000 or RM200,000. In recent months, economists stressed the need for stricter supervision on NBFIs that issue personal loans primarily to civil servants, voicing concern about the vulnerability of low-income households to economic shocks. Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) reported in March that 80 per cent of personal loans from NBFIs, which are not supervised by the central bank, goes to government employees with household incomes of less than RM3,000 a month. The NBFIs include, among others, Bank Rakyat Sdn Bhd and Malaysia Building Society Bhd (MBSB), and development financial institutions (DFIs) such as Agrobank, SME Bank and Lembaga Tabung Haji. Read more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/easy-loan-access-plunges-civil-servants-into-greater-debt-rut |
| Fool me twice, shame on you, is the feeling on conversion bill Posted: 01 Jul 2013 01:05 PM PDT
(TMI) - If the Bill allowed for one parent to covert a minor, then the other parent can convert the child back, under provisions in the Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land. When the Government brought to Parliament on Wednesday the most controversial bill in recent times, it not only raised the backs of a lot of people, it also sank their hearts. Mention the Administration of Islamic Law (Federal Territories) Bill to them and they will mention back a new buzzword to describe the Government's motives and it's not a nice one. Betrayal. Of non-Muslims. And for some, twice. And it's the depth of this feeling that may also inform the election patterns of non-Muslims in the "safe deposit" vote bank of Sabah and Sarawak. Not to mention the already evenly-split Indian vote. Just examine the facts. In April 2009, de facto law minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz announced that the Government would ban the automatic conversion of minors to Islam, in a bid to quell unease among non-Muslims in mainly Muslim Malaysia. He said minors were to be bound by the common religion of their parents at the time they were married, even if one parent later becomes a Muslim. And now, this Bill purports to provide that the consent of one parent alone is enough for the conversion of minor children to Islam. The "Allah" issue is another hot topic, especially now, since the government's appeal is going through its rounds of case management at the Court of Appeal. The Government is appealing against the 2009 High Court decision that the word "Allah" can be used by the Catholic Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur's weekly newspaper, The Herald, in its Bahasa Malaysia articles. In April 2011, just before the Sarawak elections, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Idris Jala announced that Christians in East Malaysia can use that word. However, in April this year, PM Najib Razak in an interview with global news station Al Jazeera took the opposite tack. He clearly expressed support for the appeal to overturn a High Court ruling that said it was all right for non-Muslim groups in Malaysia to use the Arabic term "Allah" for God, specifically in Bahasa Malaysia literature. Coming back to the conversion bill, there is another thought. Talk is also rife that just the act of tabling the Bill was itself a strategic move by the government to seek out weak links in the opposition coalition, Pakatan Rakyat. Perhaps PAS parliamentarians may decide to vote in support of unilateral conversion of minors, against the line drawn by their secular partners in the opposition? A veteran politician, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that if that is what the Government is trying to do, it might backfire. This is a double-edged sword, as even government coalition partners MCA and MIC have both made their stand clear – that they are against unilateral conversion - let alone their non-Muslim bumiputera coalition partners from Sabah and Sarawak. "It will expose the weak chains in the Barisan Nasional coalition when issues of race and religion are put to the test like this," the MP said. Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/fool-me-twice-shame-on-you-is-the-feeling-on-conversion-bill/ |
| Shukri: Govt may come up with Bill to replace Emergency Ordinance Posted: 01 Jul 2013 01:00 PM PDT
(The Star) - There are growing calls for stronger preventive action against criminals in the wake of disturbing crime incidents. This follows concerns from the police and public over the rise in violent crime – which has been attributed partly to criminals being back on the street after the Emergency Ordinance was abolished in 2011 following criticisms that it was draconian and undemocratic. Since then, nearly 2,000 criminals have been released. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nancy Shukri said a new preventive law might be considered if it could help lower the crime rate. "We are studying how we can overcome this problem. If we need to have a new law, so be it," said Nancy when asked in the Parliament lobby. Former Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said: "We need to have laws where we can take action and get the criminals or gangsters out of the community. "The victims need protection and preventive laws can provide that," he said. He added that in the past, the police would use preventive laws to obtain evidence from the victims, especially in cases involving gangsterism and syndicates. "Sometimes victims of crimes are afraid to give their cooperation as the cases involved gangsters. "Preventive laws enabled the victims to give evidence without going to court ... such action will then lead to preventive detention," he said when contacted. Musa said the concept of natural justice existed under the preventive laws, as there was an advisory board to review the cases to avoid biasness. Several groups are also supportive of the call to have a new law to check violent crimes, provided safeguards are put in place to make sure there is no room for abuse. Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye agreed that while there was a need for a new legislation for the authorities to deal with violent crimes, there should also be checks and balances to prevent abuses. "Preventive laws are not meant to be short cuts into investigation of cases," he said. MCA vice-president Gan Ping Sieu, a lawyer by training, said getting the police to provide evidence to justify arrests and having avenues for detainees to appeal against their arrests, are among the mechanisms that should be put in place if the Government was seriously looking into coming up with a new preventive law. "We are dealing with a different breed of criminals now. "I feel there is a necessity for it (preventive law) as long as safeguards are in place against abuses," he said. Lawyer and MCA legal bureau chief Tay Puay Chuan cautioned that any new legislation must straddle between tackling crime and addressing human rights. |
| Anwar: PAS to contest Kuala Besut Posted: 01 Jul 2013 12:50 PM PDT
(The Malay Mail Online) - PAS will contest in the decisive Kuala Besut by-election in Terengganu, Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (picture) announced yesterday. According to a report by news portal Sinar Harian, Anwar confirmed the decision during a press conference at Parliament yesterday. "Yes, it will be PAS candidate. I believe the state PKR chief has already explained this, and the state PKR has also agreed," Anwar was quoted as saying in the report. He added that the choice of candidate will be also made by PAS. "We will leave it to PAS president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang to make the decision," Anwar was quoted as saying in the report. "I have spoken to Hadi, and we will give them our utmost support." Yesterday, PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu said Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders will meet to decide whether they will boycott the by-election as suggested by the DAP. "We are going to discuss in the coming Pakatan meeting and will make a decision," Mohamad, popularly known as Mat Sabu, told The Malay Mail Online yesterday. PAS central working committee member Khalid Samad, however, dismissed the DAP's boycott suggestion. "No boycott. Lawan tetap lawan (keep on fighting)," Khalid told The Malay Mail Online yesterday. PKR deputy president Azmin Ali yesterday also said his party was fully behind PAS contesting the seat. The Kuala Besut state seat in Terengganu fell vacant after Barisan Nasional (BN) representative Dr A. Rahman Mokhtar died last Wednesday from lung cancer, triggering a by-election that will decide the fate of the administration of the east coast state. BN and PR currently hold 16 and 15 seats respectively in the 32-seat state legislative assembly in Terengganu. If PAS wins the Kuala Besut by-election, Terengganu will have the country's first hung assembly in history. The Islamist party ruled Terengganu for one term from 1999 to 2004. - See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/anwar-pas-to-contest-kuala-besut?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter#sthash.8OawaF68.dpuf |
| 'Shame, shame, shame': Australia's first Muslim frontbencher abused for taking oath on Koran Posted: 01 Jul 2013 12:43 PM PDT
(Sydney Morning Herald) - The Prime Minister's new parliamentary secretary, Ed Husic, has been subjected to a torrent of abuse online for being sworn in to his position with a Koran.
Mr Husic became Australia's first Muslim frontbencher on Monday when he was appointed to Kevin Rudd's new-look ministry as parliamentary secretary to the Prime Minister and parliamentary secretary for broadband.
"This is a wonderful day for multiculturalism, and everything it stands for in our country," Governor-General Quentin Bryce told Mr Husic during the swearing-in ceremony in Canberra on Monday. However, after receiving dozens of messages of congratulations on his Facebook page, the comments quickly turned to disgust and outrage that he had chosen to be sworn in on the Muslim holy book. Advertisement
Some called it un-Australian and unconstitutional.
"Our allegiance should have been to Queen and Country first Ed. That means saying the oath on the holy bible not the Koran.... Shame, Shame, Shame," posted one user, Ross Peace. "I am so disappointed in this government that they don't have the spine to stand up for the Australian way of life."
Another user, Therese Pearce, said she was "disgusted and embarrassed" for the Australian people.
"Hell i might just have to use snow white and the 7 dwarfs next time i take the oath for australia," she posted.
One user, Anna Dean, claimed his decision to be sworn in on the Koran undermined "our culture and country and constitution in this way".
Another user, Carrie Forrest, accused him of disregarding Australia's constitution and pushing for sharia.
Mr Husic has previously said that he is a moderate Muslim who does not involve himself heavily with most of the religious customs and behaviours of the faith.
Asked about his religion in 2010, he told the ABC: "If someone asks me, 'Are you Muslim?' I say yes.
And then if someone says, 'Well do you pray and go to a mosque and do all the other things that are associated with the faith?' I say no.
"I often get told that I describe myself as non-practising when in actual fact I don't go round saying that. Like I just say 'I'm Muslim.' "
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said people should respect Mr Husic's choice. ''I respect his choice,'' he told reporters in Melbourne. ''I think the Australian people should as well.''
President of the Anti-Discrimination Board and chairman of the NSW Community Relations Commission Stepan Kerkyasharian said it was "a sad day for any society" when someone is abused because of their religion. |
| After five delays, doubts over KLIA2 contractors meeting next year's deadline Posted: 01 Jul 2013 12:41 PM PDT
(The Star) - A huge sign on the control tower of KLIA2 in Sepang proudly proclaims that it was constructed "in 10 months". However, the contractors apparently forgot about the rest of the project. The completion of the airport has been delayed five times and many doubt that the contractors can meet the new opening date of May 2, 2014, as announced last month by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB). The Starprobe team which spent a week at the site found good reason for the scepticism. Among the features yet to be completed is a 300m skybridge for pedestrians, the first of its kind in Asia. Contrary to claims that construction had been sped up and was going on round the clock and seven days a week, the team found that work was actually being done at a normal pace. It found that the pace was even slower on weekends with hardly any movement of machinery and few workers at the site. The construction of the main terminal of the building appeared to be only about 60% completed. The building will house the departure and arrival halls as well as the immigration checkpoints and a train terminal. The internal roads linking the main terminal to the other parts of the airport have yet to be built. The cost of KLIA2, which had started off with a price tag of RM1.9bil, has ballooned to RM4bil. In June 2011, MAHB accused AirAsia, the main airline for KLIA2, for the delay, citing the airline's request to raise passenger capacity to 45 million a year from the earlier planned 30 million. MAHB said the low-cost airline had also declined to use aerobridges, citing high operating costs, and also decided at the last minute to switch from a semi-automated to a fully-automated baggage handling system. It added that the realignments had pushed the completion date of the new terminal to April 2013. Early this year, it was announced that KLIA2 would be launched on June 28. Last month, MAHB announced the airport's fifth delay, with the completion date set for April 30 next year. The main contractors, a UEM-Bina Puri joint venture, and the airport operators have also been blaming each other for the delay. However, the team found that several key features of the airport had already been completed. Among them are the KLIA2's control tower and the two ramps linking the airport to the KLIA extension highway. Security checkpoints have been placed at the entrance and exit of the ramps to stop unauthorised vehicles from entering the construction site. The construction of the runways along the aprons also appeared to have been completed with tarring having started on the runways. According to reports, the initial delay was caused by the alleged non-compliance to the standards required by LCCT. MAHB has also been blamed for the delay since the project is entirely undertaken by the company. According to an inside source, the work on the project was now taking shape at a faster rate than it was a few months ago. He said the major issue with the project was the instability of the earth in the area. "The situation required reinforcement work including additional piling which had caused a considerable delay. "More time was also taken up because the conveyor belt could not be fitted into the building because of the design. "A section of the building at the baggage claim area had to be reconstructed to fit the conveyor belt,'' he added. Meanwhile, an international expert from the construction industry said the airport could be completed by April 30 next year only if work was carried out at a much more rapid pace. "Intensity is the key to the completion of the project," he said. "From outside, the terminal building looks very raw. However, a lot of things can be done in 10 months provided the remaining work is carried out with greater intensity," he said. |
| Posted: 01 Jul 2013 12:35 PM PDT
(The Star) - "Even if Tee is fired from the party, he will still remain a member of the exco that was chosen by me" Politicians including those from MCA must respect the decision made by Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar in appointing Datuk Tee Siew Kiong as a state executive councillor. Sultan Ibrahim reiterated that he had approved and had selected Tee to be part of the state line-up under the provision of the state statute, the Undang-Undang Tubuh Kerajaan 1895. The statement also said the Sultan did not have to get suggestions or recommendations from any quarters pertaining to Tee's appointment and the Ruler also did not have to explain why he chose Tee. "Whatever problems arise in his (Tee) political party does not affect his appointment as a state exco member," Sultan Ibrahim said in a statement yesterday. Sultan Ibrahim added that he had chosen Tee because he wished to see representatives from every race in the exco line-up. "Even if Tee is fired from the party, he will still remain a member of the exco that was chosen by me," he said. The Sultan said it was up to MCA to take any action they wanted against Tee as it was their right and under the prerogative of their party and leaders. "I will not interfere with their political matters and do not want any party interfering with my ruling," he said. Sultan Ibrahim said his stance was clear that he wanted to maintain the unity among his rakyat and harmony among all races in Johor. It was reported that Tee's MCA membership had been frozen for three years after he was found guilty of violating the party's resolution by taking up a government post. MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the party's disciplinary committee had recommended the suspension. His appointment ignited a storm within MCA as it went against the party's decision to not accept any government posts following MCA's poor performance in the general election.
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