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Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News


Claiming credit for other people’s work

Posted: 31 Dec 2012 07:18 PM PST

 

Sure, we fight for freedom of speech. And that is one of the reasons why we oppose Umno and Barisan Nasional -- because we want freedom of speech. But freedom of speech means you are free to talk about what we like but should not talk about what we don't like. And PAS talks about Islam, which is something we don't like. Hence we are angry with PAS for talking about what we don't like even if under freedom of speech they have a right to talk about whatever they want to talk about.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

JAIP nabs 13 couples for 'khalwat' in New Year's Eve

(Bernama) - The Enforcement Division of the Pahang Islamic Religious Department (JAIP) caught 13 unmarried couples between 18 and 25 years old in a Syariah crime prevention operation after the 2013 New Year Eve celebrations.

JAIP chief enforcement officer Mohd Raffli Abd Malik said the couples were nabbed for committing khalwat at several budget hotels in town from 9pm Monday to 6.30am Tuesday.

"Most of the couples were between 18 and 25 and were picked up from budget hotels around town where they had checked in after the New Year celebrations."

"They will be charged under the Islamic Religious Administration and Pahang Malay Customs 1982 Enactment," he told reporters after the operation.

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Last night/early this morning, 13 unmarried couples were arrested in the state of Pahang, a state under Barisan Nasional, the same government that is in power at federal level. These unmarried couples were arrested under Islamic laws, also known as Syariah laws.

Malaysia, however, is not an Islamic State. It is a Constitutional Monarchy with a Westminster system of government. In other words, Malaysia is almost similar to the UK and considering that our system is a legacy of the British Colonial Government that is not too surprising.

Pahang is not only under Barisan Nasional. It is also the state were a Muslim woman was arrested and convicted for drinking beer and was sentenced to a punishment of whipping. Furthermore, Pahang is where a PKR leader who is also an ustaz (religious scholar) was arrested for being alone in a hotel room with a married woman, not his wife obviously.

Looking at the track record of Pahang, it appears like Barisan Nasional is more Islamic than Pakatan Rakyat and is very serious about the implementation of the Islamic Syariah laws.

None of the other states have sentenced a woman who drinks beer to a punishment of whipping. None of the other states arrested unmarried couples celebrating New Year Eve in a hotel room last night or early this morning. Only the Barisan Nasional run state of Pahang did this.

Note that these unmarried couples were arrested under the Islamic Religious Administration and Pahang Malay Customs 1982 Enactment. Yes, it was under a 30-year old law that was passed back in 1982.

1982 was the year I did my first Haj. 1982 was also the year that Anwar Ibrahim left ABIM to join Umno so that, as he himself claimed, he can change Umno from the inside and make it more Islamic.

Also very important, 1982 was when the Sixth General Election was held and Barisan Nasional won 132 of the 155 Parliament seats (or 86% of the seats in Parliament) on 61% of the popular votes while DAP won only 9 seats and PAS won 5 seats (with 8 seats going to independent candidates).

And that was the law used to arrested these 13 unmarried couples in Pahang last night/early this morning, a law that was passed by the Barisan Nasional government in 1982 soon after Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad took over as Prime Minister and Anwar Ibrahim left ABIM to join Umno so that he can make Umno more Islamic.

Many of us are very angry with PAS. We are very angry with PAS because they are trying to make Malaysia more Islamic. We are very angry with PAS because they are trying to remove Malaysia's secular system (or partial secular system) and turn Malaysia into a fully-fledged Islamic State (from the partial Islamic system that we have now).

The weird thing is, while PAS talks about making Malaysia more Islamic (and which is the reason of our anger, because they talk about it) none of the PAS run states like Kedah or Kelantan arrested anyone last night or early this morning (and not because no one in Kedah and Kelantan were engaged in 'illicit' sex to usher in the new year, mind you).  It is a Barisan Nasional state like Pahang that arrested unmarried Muslims for checking into a hotel room.

What is of special interest to me is that this law that they used to arrest these unmarried couples is a 1982 law. And in 1982 Dr Mahathir had just become the Prime Minister and Anwar joined Umno to make it more Islamic. And in 1982 the Malaysian voters gave Barisan Nasional a resounding win in the Sixth General Election while the Islamic party, PAS, won only five seats.

I think PAS is a fake. They talk about Islam. However, in states under their control, such as in Kedah and Kelantan, no one was arrested for illicit sex. Those who were arrested were arrested in a Barisan Nasional state like Pahang. And what I find even weirder is that the Menteri Besar of Pahang in 1982 was current Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

I wonder whether we should continue being angry with PAS. It looks like the culprits who 'Islamised' Malaysia were Dr Mahathir, Anwar and Najib. And these laws were enacted in 1982 when Dr Mahathir first became Prime Minister, Anwar left ABIM to join Umno, and Najib was the Menteri Besar of Pahang.

Maybe we should just let PAS keep talking about Islam. After all, it is the Barisan Nasional government and not the PAS government that appears to be overzealous about implementing Islam. It is those who do not talk about Islam who appear to be the dangerous ones.

In 1982, PAS was not in power in any of the states (not even in Kelantan). In fact, in 1982 PAS won only five Parliament seats. The people in power then were Dr Mahathir and Anwar at federal level and Najib in the State of Pahang. And the 13 unmarried couples arrested last night/early this morning were arrested under a 1982 law that was the product of Dr Mahathir, Anwar and Najib.

Well, did I not say that politics is all about perception? And reality and perception are two different animals. We are angry with PAS because they talk too much about Islam. But it is not PAS that arrested these people last night/early this morning.

Sure, we fight for freedom of speech. And that is one of the reasons why we oppose Umno and Barisan Nasional -- because we want freedom of speech. But freedom of speech means you are free to talk about what we like but should not talk about what we don't like. And PAS talks about Islam, which is something we don't like. Hence we are angry with PAS for talking about what we don't like even if under freedom of speech they have a right to talk about whatever they want to talk about.

Or maybe PAS should stop talking about Islam. After all, last night/early this morning it was not the PAS run states but a Barisan Nasional run state that arrested 13 unmarried couples for celebrating New Year's Eve in a hotel room. And this law that they used to arrest these people was a law that was enacted in 1982 when Dr Mahathir first became Prime Minister and Anwar left ABIM to join Umno and Najib was the Menteri Besar of Pahang.

Hence how can PAS claim credit for something that other people did back in 1982 when PAS was not running even a single state in Malaysia and won only five seats in Parliament?

 

Why is the court trying to block Rosli from giving his statement?

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 04:16 PM PST

 

What is it that the court is trying to block Rosli from revealing? How will Rosli's testimony hurt those who walk in the corridors of power? We should be concerned about what they are trying to deny us from knowing, not about exploiting issues for political gain.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Someone asked me why I no longer bother to expose the wrongdoings of those who walk in the corridors of power, in particular those wrongdoings by the Barisan Nasional government.

Well, first of all, in the past, I was the only one doing this. For eight years since August 2004 and for five years before that since 1999 I have been fighting a lone battle revealing the excesses and transgressions of those who walk in the corridors of power. And the police have raided my house and confiscated documents and computers from my house no less than half a dozen times. I have also been detained without trial twice and arrested and charged a couple more times because of my 'crimes'.

Today, we have many prominent people doing that job. So do you still need me to do that? We have Rafizi Ramli, P. Balasubramanian, Deepak Jaikishan, ex-IGP Musa Hassan, ex-Kuala Lumpur CID Chief Mat Zain, Ex-CCID Chief Ramli Yussuf, ex-Health Minister Chua Jui Meng, ex-Umno activists such as Aspan Alias and Mohd Ariff Sabri who joined DAP, ex-Umno Sabah leaders such as Lajim Ukin, Wilfred Bumburing, Dr Ibrahim Menudin and Yahya Lampong, and many, many more.

In short, there are scores of people now doing the job I used to do. And most of these people are whistleblowers. They used to be part of the corrupt system and now they are revealing insider information. Who better to expose these shenanigans than people who were once part of that corrupt system? Certainly they would have first-hand information that I do not have.

Secondly, for more than 13 years since 1999 (eight of those years with Malaysia Today) I have been revealing scandal after scandal but nothing was done about the matter. More importantly, I did not reveal these scandals AFTER they had happened like all the others. I revealed them BEFORE they happened so that something could be done about them, a sort of pre-emption strike. But nothing was done about the matter and what I warned would happen really happened in the end.

What is the point with screaming after the horse has bolted? You need to close the barn door before the horse bolts. Closing it after the horse has bolted is no bloody good. And this is what most of you do. You scream after it happens. When we reveal it before it happens you do nothing. And then you ask me why I do not talk about it.

What is the point of talking about something after it happens when you do nothing about the matter when I talk about if before it happens? What a bunch of idiots I have as readers. Waste of bloody time trying to educate you. Better I just sit back and watch Pakatan Rakyat get whacked in the coming general election and then write my "I told you so" article.

Malaysia Today revealed that George Kent was going to get the Ampang LRT project ONE YEAR before it was awarded to them. What was done about it? Now that it has already been awarded to George Kent you make so much noise and Rafizi Ramli holds press conference after press conference.

For what? For syok sendiri is it? I even revealed who Tan Kay Hock is plus his links to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak two years before the announcement of the project. And what did you do? Nothing!

Malaysia Today revealed that a company linked to the ex-Chief Justice and Umno lawyer was going to get the RM2.2 billion Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) project BEFORE it was awarded to them.

And what was done about it? You waited until the project was awarded to them and then you make so much noise. For what? For syok sendiri is it?

Years ago Malaysia Today exposed the RM8 billion MAS fiasco and also revealed how this matter is linked to the RM30 billion Forex disaster of 20 years ago. Malaysia Today also revealed the contents of Tajudin Ramli's Affidavit where he admitted that his takeover of MAS is linked to the Forex issue and was a move to camouflage this scandal.

And what was done about it? Now the matter has been settled out of court so that the truth stays hidden. And now you scream. For what? For syok sendiri is it?

Remember back in 2006-2007 Malaysia Today revealed the links between the police and the underworld? Remember my article 'All Roads lead to Putrajaya'? Today, everyone is singing the song about how the police are linked to the underworld. And the lead singer in this chorus is the ex-IGP himself, the head of the underworld in the police force. And you all scream what a great guy he is and that he should be a Pakatan Rakyat candidate in the coming general election.

What bullshit! What a bunch of losers you all are! I really hope that Barisan Nasional wins the general election so that I can have the pleasure of seeing your faces when I write my "I told you so" article.

A month ago I wrote a report called 'No, it is not over yet'. (READ HERE). And what did you do about it? Now read the Malaysiakini news report below called 'Jan 3 decision on AG's objection to Rosli's revelation'.

Yes, lawyer Rosli Dahlan is being fixed up by Malaysia's legal system. And I wrote about it a month ago and nothing was done about the matter. On Thursday this week, 3rd January 2013, Rosli is going to become yet another of the many victims of Malaysia's corrupt legal system.

Do you care? Will anyone do something about it? Will Rosli suffer the same fate as the many who came before Malaysia's legal system and were denied justice? Or will you just wait until it happens so that you can exploit this whole thing for political gain?

I suspect you want it to happen. I suspect you want Rosli to suffer injustice. And then when it happens you can use this episode as an election issue. You do not care about justice. You just want to use injustice as a political issue and to win votes. You want people to suffer so that you can win the election.

What is it that the court is trying to block Rosli from revealing? How will Rosli's testimony hurt those who walk in the corridors of power? We should be concerned about what they are trying to deny us from knowing, not about exploiting issues for political gain.

We should come out and warn the judge that on 3rd January 2013 if they deny Rosli justice then expect our wrath. We should make sure that Rosli receives justice and not hope that he suffers injustice so that we can use that as an election issue.

Okay, read (below) what are the secrets that they are trying to keep a secret. They want to block Rosli from testifying and also want to expunge his Affidavit so that Malaysians will never discover the truth. But Malaysia Today is going to reveal the truth anyway whether they block it or not.

And that is the job of Malaysia Today. We reveal the untold story. We engage in pre-emption strikes. Our job is not to exploit issues for political gain and to win elections.

And that is what makes Malaysia Today far better than all the others. We reveal secrets to educate you. Others do so to win votes. And idiots do not know the difference. Are you one of those idiots? Chances are you are.

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Jan 3 decision on AG's objection to Rosli's revelation

Hafiz Yatim, Malaysiakini

In a wicked twist, the Kuala Lumpur High Court yesterday refused to grant Rosli Dahlan time to file an affidavit in reply to the Attorney-General's application to remove certain paragraphs in the lawyer's witness statement regarding the 'Copgate' affair.

The senior federal counsel in the case had only affirmed an affidavit submitted on Thursday to oppose Rosli's witness statement and open testimony in court.

What was peculiar in the senior federal counsel Azizan Md Arshad's application was that he had deposed it himself, whereas it is usual practice for the affirmation to be done by another senior officer.

In the affidavit, the AG's Chambers reproduced all of Rosli's statements, which it opposed, making them public.

Despite this, Justice Hue Siew Kheng refused to grant Rosli time to submit his affidavit-in-reply to Azizan's application, ordering the parties to submit yesterday afternoon in her chambers.

Justice Hue then fixed Wednesday for a decision on the AG's Chamber's objection to expunge certain paragraphs.

On Nov 28 it was reported that the AG's Chambers, representing the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's predecessor the Anti-Corruption Agency and the government, had opposed Rosli's application to read out his witness statement and also wanted expunged certain portions of it related to Copgate and other matters.

The Copgate affair involved former inspector-general of police (IGP) Musa Hassan and attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail alleged to be the hidden hands in providing protection to an underworld figure named Goh Cheng Poh, also known as Tengku Goh.

At the previous session, Justice Hue had allowed Rosli to read out his witness statement in open court, which had been fixed for Jan 25 during the hearing of the RM50 million suit.

'Goh's arrest viewed as disloyal act'

Rosli, in his writ filed in 2009, had described the acrimonious relationship between former Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Ramli Yusuff and Musa, and how the IGP had used the ACA and the AG's Chambers to implicate him and Ramli in the wake of Goh's arrest.

Rosli said he acted for Ramli and the then-deputy home minister Johari Baharom against Goh's habeas corpus application in 2007, after the AG's Chambers reneged on drawing up their affidavits.

The lawyer claimed that Musa saw Goh's arrest as an act of disloyalty on Ramli's part, resulting in the IGP initiating further ACA investigations against him, thus straining the Musa, Ramli and Johari relationship.

Rosli also claimed that he earned Musa's wrath and that of the attorney-general's when he drew up the affidavits for Ramli and Johari, triggering the ACA probe against him and his subsequent arrest.

He said an ACA officer kicked his leg, twisted his arms and handcuffed him tightly, resulting in lacerations and swelling of his wrists.

He gave his statement at the ACA headquarters, but was held overnight and taken to court and charged on the eve of Hari Raya, on Oct 27, 2007.

These were malicious actions out to tarnish his image, he added in his writ.

However, the KL Sessions Court had acquitted Rosli without calling his defence, on the charge of not complying with the agency's procedures to declare his assets.

The prosecution had withdrawn its appeal against the acquittal earlier this year.

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WHAT THEY DON'T WANT US TO KNOW

 

The division of the Muslims

Posted: 28 Dec 2012 05:36 PM PST

 

I do not know from where Syed Ali Alhabshee learned his history. Nevertheless, the Muslims split more than 1,200 years before PAS was formed. Hence how can PAS be accused of splitting the Muslims? Furthermore, PAS was effectively formed seven years before Umno was formed, as the timeline above shows. Hence should it not be Umno rather than PAS that split the Malays-Muslims?

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Umno leader accuses PAS of disuniting Malays, Muslims

(Bernama) - An Umno leader has accused PAS of having deviated from its original struggle and causing disunity among the Malays and Muslims in the country.

Cheras Umno Division chief Datuk Wira Syed Ali Alhabshee said the role of the 'ulama' (scholars) in the party was being eroded because they were unable to withstand the pressure from the DAP.

PAS, DAP and PKR make up the opposition pact called Pakatan Rakyat.

"PAS is forced to drop its platform for the struggle of Islam because it has been realised that the party cannot survive without the support of the DAP and PKR," Syed Ali said in the latest entry in his blog, http://umnobahagiancheras.blogspot.com.

He also said that no PAS leader, including the party's spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, was bold enough to stand up to DAP chairman Karpal Singh who had objected to PAS proposals for an Islamic state and the implementation of 'hudud' (Islamic penal) law.

Syed Ali said PAS leaders politicised religious sentiments to garner the support of Malay voters. He also said that Nik Aziz insisted on not withdrawing the 'Amanat Haji Hadi' (Haji Hadi's Message) delivered by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang in 1981, which branded Umno members and supporters as infidels.

"At a time when all quarters, including former PAS leaders, want the Amanat Haji Hadi to be withdrawn, Nik Aziz wants it to be retained, indicating that he has an implicit agenda," he said.

Syed Ali said the Malays and Muslims should realise that PAS' struggle all along had been for the political interests of certain quarters and was not based on the struggle for Islam.

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The First Islamic Civil War, also called The First Fitna, was fought from 656 to 661 soon after the assassination of Usman, the Third Caliph after the death of Prophet Muhammad. A few battles were fought during this civil war that included the Battle of the Camel, the Battle of Siffin, the Battle of Nahrwan, etc.

The 'Mother of all Battles' was probably the Battle of Karbala on 10th October 680 that sealed the split between the Muslims for good when Hussein, Prophet Muhammad's grandson, (plus his entire family), was massacre. Until today the followers of Ali and the opponents of Ali have remained split and the tragedy of Karbala is celebrated every year in Iran with bloodletting on the streets.

The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PMIP), today called Parti Islam SeMalaysia or PAS (Pah Alif Sim), was effectively formed on 4th April 1939. Umno was formed seven years later on 10th May 1946. In March 1947, the first Pan-Malayan Islamic conference was held at Madrasah Ma'ahad al-Ehya as-Sharif at Gunung Semanggul, Perak.

As a result of this conference, the Majlis Agama Tertinggi (Supreme Religious Council) or MATA was formed. MATA began organising political events and meetings for Malay-Muslim activists to meet and discuss their plans for the future and the need to mobilise the masses. MATA also organised a conference from 13th-16th March 1948, which discussed local and international issues.

The conference participants felt that Umno was not doing enough to address the important issues and that the conservative-nationalists in Umno were not doing enough to stand up for Malay-Muslim rights. Needless to say, the Umno representatives in MATA were not happy with the tone of the discussion set by the Islamists, which was too revolutionary and militant for their taste.

The Parti Orang Muslimin Malaya (Hizbul Muslimin) was formed on 17th March 1948. Syeikh Abdullah Fahim, the grandfather of former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, played a major role in its formation. After the second conference it declared that MATA should be reorganised as an Islamic political party. With the formation of Hizbul Muslimin, all political activities were transferred to the organisation while MATA served as the party's religious affairs bureau.

When the ulama' faction in Umno broke away from the party, they formed an association called Persatuan Islam Sa-Malaya (Pan-Malayan Islamic Association), abbreviated as PAS (Pah Alif Sim). At that time, the association charter allowed for dual membership in PAS and Umno and thus many PAS members thought of themselves as Umno members and vice-versa.

Eventually, the dual-membership clause in the party charter was revoked and PAS began to emerge as a distinct entity. For the sake of contesting in the first municipal elections in 1955 (two years before Merdeka), the party was re-registered under the name Pan-Malayan Islamic Party or PMIP. The name was later changed to Parti Islam Se-Malaysia during the Asri Muda era in the 1970s.

I do not know from where Syed Ali Alhabshee learned his history. Nevertheless, the Muslims split more than 1,200 years before PAS was formed. Hence how can PAS be accused of splitting the Muslims? Furthermore, PAS was effectively formed seven years before Umno was formed, as the timeline above shows. Hence should it not be Umno rather than PAS that split the Malays-Muslims?

That is the trouble with Malaysians who make statements without knowing history. They need to study history before they make assumptions and come to conclusions. In fact, they should make it a rule that all candidates in the general election should first study history before they are selected to contest the elections. If not we will end up with political leaders making statements that are contradictory to historical facts.

 

So, what’s the solution then?

Posted: 20 Dec 2012 08:08 PM PST

 

And not all these property buyers in the UK are Malays or Malays from Umno. Many are Chinese and many are Chinese who support Pakatan Rakyat (I know because I am acting for some of them as their property agent). So in what way can we blame the government? And will all these people be happy if the Malaysian government demonetises the Ringgit and make it worthless outside Malaysia?

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

RM200b outflow Najib's best achievement as Finance minister, says PAS Youth chief

(Harakah) - The high ranking recently given to Malaysia among developing countries suffering illicit funds outflow means the country's Finance minister Najib Razak has broken a records of sorts, according to PAS Youth leader Nasrudin Hassan.

"It is something which has surprised many. What is not surprising is the fact that mainstream media do not report it," he said, adding that the public would eventually come to know details of the damning report issued by Washington-based Global Financial Integrity.

Nasrudin reminded that Najib himself had admitted during UMNO's recent congress that young Malaysians were now more equipped with information due to information technology.

In its latest report on illicit funds outflow released on Tuesday, GFI ranked Malaysia second only to China among other Asian economies in terms illicit funds outflow, while it is placed third globally.

Noting that some 80 percent of illicit financial flows were due to trade mispricing and 20 per cent due to corruption, GFI said that between 2001 and 2010, a total of US$285 billion was transferred out of Malaysia illegally.

Nasrudin compared the figure for illicit funds outflow provided by Najib last year - RM135.4 billion between 2000 to 2009 - with GFI's figure of RM662.6 billion for the same period.

He added that one should not be surprised if the government denies the figure by GFI.

He also said the revelation reflected badly on giant government-linked companies such as Khazanah Nasional and Petronas.

"It proves the existence of illegal acts to avoid taxes and siphoning out the country's revenue through property investment, foreign bank accounts and others to shore up personal wealth," said Nasrudin, who cited the recent revelation of unusual wealth owned by the family of Sarawak chief minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, when some RM100 million was demanded for a divorce settlement involving the latter's son.

Nasrudin also reiterated the urgency for public office bearers to declare their assets.

Earlier today, Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said he would write to Bank Negara Malaysia governor Zeti Akhtar to participate in a discussion on how to weed out illicit funds outflow.

"Urgent steps must be taken to finalise an action plan, not by avoiding the issue as the case has been so far with Najib Razak," said Anwar.

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While it is good that we reveal the transgressions and excesses of the government, plus the mistakes it makes, we should also be prepared to offer a solution to the problems. If we just point out that the government is no good and that we must change the government without mentioning in what way it is no good and what we need to do to make it a better government it is no bloody good.

I mean most Malaysians know that the government is no good but they do not really understand in what way it is no good. Then they think that the solution to this is to just change the government without a second thought on whether by changing the government we shall be a getting a new government or the same type of government, sort of like old wine in a new bottle.

That is why I sometimes shy away from writing these types of articles. As much as I try to take the middle road and not be seen as propagating one side or the other, because I do not scream ABU that is interpreted as I am pro-government. If I do not support the 'death to Israel' war cry does that mean I am a Zionist? Not all Muslims believe that the Middle East solution is to drop a nuclear bomb on Israel.

Do you know that many Muslims danced on the streets in November 2001 when the New York Twin Towers was brought down? They openly celebrated the destruction of the Twin Towers, a symbol of American capitalism. But how many Muslims died in that tragedy? And how many Zionists died?

It was like the discussion on the social problems amongst Malaysian youths (I think it was two years or so ago). Invariably, how strict Islam may be, the biggest social problem is amongst the Muslims. So who has failed here? Has Islam failed? Or have the parents failed?

If Islam has failed then in what way has Islam failed? Islam is strict enough as it is so it must be the implementation that is the problem then.

Okay, just for the sake of this discussion, let us say that the implementation or the enforcement of Islam has failed. And that is why we have a big social problem amongst Muslim youths. Can we then solve the social problem amongst Muslim youths by tightening the rules? And let us look at some examples from other Muslim countries.

To start of with, no female can leave her home un-chaperoned. When a girl or woman leaves her home she must be chaperoned by a male member of her family. If she leaves her home alone she will be arrested and jailed. She also cannot drive or work.

It is easy to scream about the social problems amongst youths and then blame Islam, Umno, the government, or their parents. But what is the solution to this problem? That, no one is talking about. And most times the solution may be worse than the problem.

Let us not blame Islam. Let us blame the government. Why is the government not doing anything about the problem? Let's therefore change the government. So a new government takes over. But what is the new government going to now do?

Can the new government impose a curfew on kids? All those below 18 must be at home by 7.00pm. If after 7.00pm they are still outside their home they will be rounded up and then their parents will be arrested and will be jailed up to a maximum of three years.

Is this too draconian? If that is not done then how to solve the problem? And if the problem is not solved you will blame the government, whether Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat.

Hence screaming about the problem and blaming the government is not going to solve anything. Are you prepared to suffer the consequences of the solution?

Take the bad driving habits of Malaysians and the extremely high death rate on Malaysian roads as one more example. How do we solve that problem other than blame the government for it?

Can we ban those under 21 from driving? Then can we install number plate recognition cameras all over Malaysia and on every street and every street corner of Malaysia like in the UK? And when drivers commit a traffic offence their driving licence is endorsed and they get banned from driving for two years the first time, five years the second time, and for life for the third time?

All this would be done by computer (the number plate recognition cameras all over Malaysia are computerised), which means we can eliminate the human element (no policemen involved). This means we will also eliminate corruption since the entire process is fully computerised like in the UK.

Probably more than half Malaysian drivers will lose their right to drive.

That will for sure reduce the problem. It will also reduce the number of drivers and the number of car owners. It will also mean half of Malaysians will need to hop onto a bus to move around.

No doubt this will make life very difficult for most Malaysians but at least the government can no longer be blamed for the problem.

Okay, now what about the problem of funds outflow? Who is to blame for that and how would the government solve that problem? Anwar Ibrahim wants to meet the Bank Negara Governor to suggest a solution. That is good but maybe Anwar can give us an insight into what his solution is going to be.

Pakatan Rakyat makes it sound like the entire problem should be blamed on the government and that the opposition has a solution to this. Okay, say Pakatan Rakyat was the government and Anwar was the Prime Minister, how would he solve the problem?

Trust me, never mind who forms the government and who becomes the Prime Minister the solution is not as easy as they try to make it sound. So what are they going to do? Are they going to demonetise the Ringgit? That would mean the Ringgit cannot be exchanged for any other currency and will only be worth in Malaysia. Outside Malaysia the Ringgit would be worthless.

How would Malaysia trade? We can't exchange Ringgit for any other currency. Zambia did this by delinking its currency. In turn inflation increased like crazy and the country's economy collapsed. But at least their money stayed in the country.

One of the strongest economies in the world is the US. And there are more US Dollars floating outside America than in America.

Do you know that property prices in Australia are higher than in the UK? And that is because the Chinese are buying up property there, mostly in cash. The Australian property market is benefiting from the huge outflow of funds from China. But local Australians are suffering because property prices are beyond their reach.

Malaysians are the second largest buyers of property in London. Because of that I live in Manchester. London property prices are too expensive for my taste. I can buy three or more houses in Manchester for the price of one in London.

And not all these property buyers in the UK are Malays or Malays from Umno. Many are Chinese and many are Chinese who support Pakatan Rakyat (I know because I am acting for some of them as their property agent). So in what way can we blame the government? And will all these people be happy if the Malaysian government demonetises the Ringgit and make it worthless outside Malaysia?

Janganlah semua salahkan kerajaan! In some of those things we are talking about we are actually the culprits. And if they government was to act against us we will get angry. But when the government does not act we also scream.

Susahlah rakyat Malaysia! Ini pun salah. Itu pun salah.

 

Cut a long story short

Posted: 13 Dec 2012 03:59 PM PST

 

What your lame brain cannot figure out is that whatever all these people are saying today I have already said in the past. These people are just repeating almost word-for-word what I had already said before. However, in the beginning, when I said all this, they said I was lying. Now, they have done a U-turn and are repeating what I said in the past.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Have you been following the interviews, press statements, news reports, videos, allegations, counter-allegations, denials, threats of civil suits, etc., that have been all over the news and the Internet the last few weeks or so?

Carpetman cum bagman Deepak Jaikishan, ex-private investigator cum ex-police hit squad member P. Balasubramaniam, ex-IGP cum underworld boss Musa Hassan, ex-CCID chief cum lawyer Ramli Yusuff, whistleblower cum PKR leader Rafizi Ramli, Sabah Chief Minister cum Umno Sabah chief Musa Aman, philanthropist Robert Phang, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, Opposition Leader cum Prime Minister-forever-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim, etc., have all come out to sing like canaries. And they are all also accusing each other of lying.

Actually, for most of you who are recipients of a Malaysian and/or a mother-tongue education, I am sure all those 'facts' are just too much for your feeble minds to follow. I mean you can't even understand the difference between the word 'reiterate' and 'withdraw'.

When I said in my mainstream media interview that I reiterate what I signed in my June 2008 Statutory Declaration, many of you insist that 'reiterate' means to do a U-turn. Even Anwar Ibrahim who is supposed to have written a great book called The Asian Renaissance can't understand what 'reiterate' means.

And he wants to lead the country as the next Prime Minister? Pleeeezzzz.

Anyway, let's cut a long story short. Never mind what all these people are saying. Whatever long grandfather's story or cock-and-bull story they are telling us, all that can be summarised into just one short and simple sentence.

And that short and simple sentence is: whatever Raja Petra Kamarudin has been saying over the last five years plus since 2007 is correct, he was not wrong, he did not lie.

What your lame brain cannot figure out is that whatever all these people are saying today I have already said in the past. These people are just repeating almost word-for-word what I had already said before. However, in the beginning, when I said all this, they said I was lying. Now, they have done a U-turn and are repeating what I said in the past.

Hence, instead of repeating everything I have already said and confuse people by making it appear like this is a new revelation, just make it simple. Cut a long story short and say: whatever Raja Petra Kamarudin said in the past is true and I would just like to confirm that he told the truth and did not lie.

Kan ke senang macam tu?

By the way, a certain prominent lawyer met up with an ex-IGP in Australia this week (not Musa Hassan though) to discuss many issues. However, just to punish you for being stupid, I am not going to reveal the names of these people or what they discussed.

Wow, I just love being able to do that.

 
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Ex-IGP thinks his exposés will bear fruit

Posted: 01 Jan 2013 05:11 PM PST

MyWatch patron Musa Hassan is optimistic that the police force will eventually improve.

Anisah Shukry and Teoh El Sen, FMT

VIDEO INSIDE

Former Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan has come under attack from several quarters for his recent revelations about corruption in the force, political interference in its work, and criminal elements infiltrating it at the highest levels.

The government has ignored his allegations, and his successor, Ismail Omar, has dismissed his claims as "unimportant".

However, the patron of anti-crime watchdog MyWatch said he remained optimistic that his exposes, which he claimed were aimed at improving the police force, would bear fruit.

"You shouldn't be downhearted when people don't want to listen," he told FMT in an exclusive interview. "We still have to tell the truth."

Musa spoke well of Ismail's deputy, Khalid Abu Bakar, calling him a "capable leader". But he dismissed a suggestion that he was ganging up with Khalid to overthrow Ismail.

When asked whether there had been attempts by the Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak or Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim to meet him, Musa said no political leaders had met him.

In a new year message to Malaysians, Musa said: "I hope this country will prosper, and there won't be any political problems. I hope the police will improve themselves. People are now more aware of integrity. That's a good sign. All agencies should be of high integrity, and avoid themselves from being corrupted, that's the wishes of the people, and that's my wish also."

MyWatch chairman R Sri Sanjeevan, who was with Musa during the interview, said the organisation's objective was to make Malaysia crime-free society, adding that this required good leadership in the police force.

Excerpts from the interview

READ MORE HERE

 

For BN and PR, fresh candidates a must in Election 2013

Posted: 31 Dec 2012 05:17 PM PST

New voters make up one in five among Malaysia 13.1 million registered voters, with a total of 2.9 million registering between this year and 2008, when the last general election was held. This new breed of voters, armed with free access to information through the Internet and social media, will most likely be more demanding of the MPs who can relate to them through forward-thinking policies and not rely on the old politics playbook.

Zurairi AR, The Malaysian Insider

Both Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) need to present fresh faces in their lineup of candidates for this year's general election in order to attract the rising number of new voters, say political analysts.

They agreed with arguments for both coalitions to drop veteran politicians who are waning in popularity and carrying with them political baggage, or risk a backlash from voters who are tired of underperforming and scandal-ridden MPs.

"It is a must for BN that they present a new line of candidates to replace the old ones who should have retired. If not it will stop the public from giving their support," said Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) political scientist Professor Dr Jayum Jawan.

"For BN, the focus naturally will be on the states which are currently ruled by PR. We will see a lot of changes (in candidates) there, especially in Selangor and Penang," offered Asri Salleh, political science lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Terengganu.

New voters make up one in five among Malaysia 13.1 million registered voters, with a total of 2.9 million registering between this year and 2008, when the last general election was held. 

This new breed of voters, armed with free access to information through the Internet and social media, will most likely be more demanding of the MPs who can relate to them through forward-thinking policies and not rely on the old politics playbook.

Both Asri and Jayum also agreed that unlike BN, PR's list of candidates will need to be shuffled for the next polls because most of those who contested in 2008 were parachute candidates brought in from out of their constituencies.

Asri gave the example of PKR's Balik Pulau MP Yusmadi Yusoff, who he claimed was one of the many idealists fielded by PR who had failed to warm up to the locals.

"The eyes of the public have been opened ... national issues, although still a big part, can no longer guarantee a party's win. Candidates play a more important factor," said Dr Azizuddin Mohd Sani, a political analyst from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM).

Azizuddin pointed to the concept of "winnable candidates" which is constantly on the lips of BN leaders lately, signalling that candidates are now more prized for their ability to win seats rather than for their seniority and political clout.

He gave the example of former MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, who he claimed is loved by his Pandan constituents but not by his party's leadership, which will present a dilemma to the party in Election 2013.

Recently, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Consultation and Corruption Prevention Panel chief Datuk Johan Jaafar had proposed that election candidates be vetted by the agency to ensure that they are "clean" from corruption.

With Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak throwing his backing behind the suggestion, many now feel that being cleared by the MACC will boost a candidate's winning chance.

Therefore, Jayum urged BN to drop its veteran politicians, pointing out that they carry a lot of political baggage and will be under the scrutiny of the MACC, causing concern for members of the coalition.

"If they are not dropped, they will be liabilities for BN. If Najib is brave, he will replace them with new faces," Jayum said.

However, Azizuddin and Asri disagreed, saying said that it will be hard to unseat veteran lawmakers who will still be kept by the coalitions, especially BN, since they carry with them immense political influence and support.

"When these old politicans are dropped, they themselves will lose their influence," Jayum said, urging Najib to not fear sabotage if the old names are not picked to contest.

BN leaders contacted by The Malaysian Insider could not disclose the number of fresh faces who will contest in Election 2013, but promised that there will be new names in the candidates list which is currently being vetted by BN chairman Najib.

"In every election there must be new faces," said MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

READ MORE HERE

 

Umno looks to penetrate Permatang Pauh

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 05:07 PM PST

Party insiders say Najib may opt for a more credible candidate with strong oratory skills and sound financial background.

Athi Shankar, FMT

PENANG: Local Umno is quietly confident of penetrating into PKR's virtually impregnable Permatang Pauh parliamentary fortress in the forthcoming 13th general election.

Confidence is said to be running high among Permatang Pauh Umno leaders that they can re-capture the constituency's Penanti and Permatang Pasir, and retain Seberang Jaya state seats.

Permatang Pauh Umno leaders also believe that this time they have an outside chance to upset incumbent MP and the Malay heartland "tribal king" Anwar Ibrahim, the Opposition Leader.

But observers believe Umno must apply the right candidacy jigsaw if the party is to realise its dream.

Sources said currently the division chairman and former Penanti assemblyman Abdul Jalil Abdul Majid had been earmarked to challenge Permatang Pauh favourite son Anwar for federal duel.

In Permatang Pasir, a PAS seat since 1999 general election, Umno is expected to field its constituency coordinator and division vice chairman Rahim Man.

Barisan Nasional's constituency coordinator and division committee member Ibrahim Ahmad has been listed for Penanti.

In Seberang Jaya, incumbent assemblyman Arif Shah Omar Shah, who won by a mere 553-majority largely thanks to postal votes against PKR's Rahim Bulat in 2008, is the choice.

However political observers and local leaders from BN component parties believe that the Umno division deputy chief and local corporate figure Mohammad Nasir Abdullah should be included in the candidature list.

Grassroots leader Mohammad Nasir was overlooked for 2008 general election and subsequent by-elections in Permatang Pauh, Permatang Pasir and Penanti.

Insiders said this was largely due to Abdul Jalil uneasiness with Nasir's political presence.

Seberang Jaya Umno branch chief Nasir rose from rank and file in the division, from being an ordinary member when Anwar was then its chief, to youth chief, then vice chairman and now deputy chief.

Observers said Jalil sensed that his position would face grave danger if Nasir, who has strong grassroots support among Permatang Pauh 17,000 Umno members from 95 branches, were to win a seat in general election.

They said that Jalil knew that Nasir, who has no political baggage, can topple him in the next party election.

Good ground support

A random survey showed many Umno branches, particularly among 44 branches in Seberang Jaya constituency, and BN local leaders backed Nasir as an election candidate.

Many want local boy Nasir (photo), who operates a Petronas petrol station in the constituency, to replace Arif Shah, in Seberang Jaya.

But Arif Shah is not expected to give up his seat with a strong fight.

After all if BN were to regain Penang, he stands a strong chance to become a deputy chief minister.

Seberang Jaya has 29,397 voters with Malays 18,882, Chinese 6,677 and Indians 3,682. In 2008, the constituency had 22,678 voters.

Postal votes in Seberang Jaya have also leapt drastically from 405 in March 2008 to 1,200 in mid-2012.

Insiders said it was time to replace Arif Shah with Nasir as the former had been a two-term assemblyman.

Recent vernacular press reports revealed Arif Shah, who speaks fluent Mandarin, would not be able to muster enough Chinese votes, a decisive factor to retain Seberang Jaya.

Local observers believe a fresh local born candidate like Nasir would be an ideal winnable replacement.

Grassroots sentiments are that Arif should be moved to Permatang Pasir which has 22,733 voters with Malays 16,643, Chinese 5,691 and Indians 363. In 2008, the constituency had 20,350 voters.

They feel Rahim would be a better candidate in Penanti, which now has 18,537 registered voters with Malays making up 13,194, Chinese 4,124 and Indians 390. In 2008, the constituency had 15,421 voters.

They said Arif Shah would be an ideal candidate in Permatang Pasir and Rahim had stronger grassroots backing Penanti.

Party grassroots want Umno president and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to give a strong consideration to their sentiments.

"This would give Umno a winnable electoral jigsaw," they said.

In the August 2008 parliamentary by-election, Anwar defeated Arif Shah by 15,671-majority to mark his national political comeback after 10 years absence.

Strangely though, as of June 2012, Permatang Pauh now has 70,667 registered voters, a huge leap by 12,208 votes within four years from 58,459 voters in 2008.

READ MORE HERE

 

Dubious backers of regime change

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 02:04 PM PST

AS Malaysia prepares for a general election, distrust of the political opposition and accusations of foreign interference have been major talking points in the political frequencies emanating from Kuala Lumpur.

Premesh Chandran, the chief executive officer of the nation's most prominent alternative media outlet, Malaysiakini, is a grantee of Soros' Open Society Foundations and launched the news organisation with a US$100,000 (RM300,000) grant from the Bangkok-based Southeast Asian Press Alliance, another organisation with dubious affiliations to the US State Department.

Nile Bowie, RT 

Umno leads the ruling coalition, Barisan Nasional, and has maintained power since independence in 1957.

One of Malaysia's most recognisable figures is former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who has been credited with ushering in large-scale economic growth and overseeing the nation's transition from an exporter of palm oil, tin and other raw materials, into an industrialised economy that manufactures cars and electronic goods.

The opposition coalition, Pakatan Rakyat, is headed by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who once held the post of deputy prime minister in Dr Mahathir's administration, but was sacked over major disagreements on how to steer the economy during the 1997 Asian financial crisis.

Today, the political climate in Malaysia is highly polarised. Malaysia's current leader, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, has pursued a reform-minded agenda by repealing authoritarian legislation of the past and dramatically loosening controls on expression and political pluralism.

Najib has rolled back the Internal Security Act, which allowed for indefinite detention without trial, and has liberalised rules regarding the publication of books and newspapers. During Malaysia's 2008 general election, the Barisan Nasional coalition experienced its worst result in decades, with Pakatan Rakyat winning 82 parliamentary seats.

For the first time, the ruling party was deprived of its two-thirds parliamentary majority, which is required to pass amendments to the Federal Constitution.

In the run up to elections scheduled to take place before an April next year deadline, figures from all sides of the political spectrum are asking questions about the opposition's links to foreign funders in Washington.

Dr Mahathir has long captured the ire of officials from Washington and Tel Aviv, and though he's retired, he has channelled his energies into the Perdana Global Peace Foundation, which recently hosted an international conference in Kuala Lumpur calling for a new investigation into the events of 9/11 and has sought to investigate war crimes committed in Gaza, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Dr Mahathir has been an ardent critic of Israel and organisations, such as AIPAC, and has recently accused US-based organisations, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and the Open Society Institute (OSI), of holding a concealed intention to influence Malaysia's domestic politics through the funding of local non-govrnmental organisations (NGOs) and groups directly linked to Anwar's Pakatan Rakyat coalition.

In an article the former prime minister published in the New Straits Times, a leading mainstream newspaper, Dr Mahathir accuses financier George Soros and his organisation, OSI, of "promoting democracy" in eastern Europe to pave the way for colonisation by global finance capital. Dr Mahathir acknowledges how OSI pumped millions into opposition movements and independent media in Hungary, Ukraine and Georgia under the guise of strengthening civil society, only to have like-minded individuals nominated by Soros' own foundation come to power in those countries.

The former prime minister has also pointed to how Egypt (prior to Mohamad Morsi taking power) had cracked down on NGOs affiliated with NED, namely groups such as the National Democratic Institute, the International Republican Institute (IRI) and Freedom House, which are all recipients of funding from the US State Department.

In Malaysia, high-profile NGOs and media outlets have admittedly received funding from OSI and satellite organisations of NED.

Premesh Chandran, the chief executive officer of the nation's most prominent alternative media outlet, Malaysiakini, is a grantee of Soros' Open Society Foundations and launched the news organisation with a US$100,000 (RM300,000) grant from the Bangkok-based Southeast Asian Press Alliance, another organisation with dubious affiliations to the US State Department.

Malaysiakini has come under pressure from local journalists for the lack of transparency in its financial management and hesitance in revealing the value of its shares. Additionally, Suaram, an NGO promoting human rights, has borne heavy criticism over its funding and organisational structure. The Companies Commission of Malaysia launched investigations into Suara Inisiatif Sdn Bhd, a private company linked to Suaram, and found it to be a conduit for money being used to channel funds from NED.

The German embassy in Kuala Lumpur had reportedly admitted that it has provided funds to Suaram's project in 2010. Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman followed by making strong statements to the German ambassador and declared that Germany's actions could be viewed as interference in the domestic affairs of a sovereign state.

Since 2007, Bersih, an association of NGOs calling itself the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections, staged three street protests in which thousands of yellow-clad demonstrators took to the streets in Kuala Lumpur demanding electoral reform. After coming under heavy scrutiny for obfuscating funding sources, Bersih coalition leader Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan admitted that her organisation receives funding from the National Democratic Institute and OSI.

Ambiga herself has been the recipient of the US State Department's Award for International Women of Courage, and was present in Washington in 2009 to receive the award directly from the hands of Michelle Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

While  Ambiga's organisation claimed to be non-partisan and apolitical, members of  the political opposition openly endorsed the movement, and some were even present at the demonstrations.

While a large percentage of urbanites with legitimate grievances are quick to acknowledge the government's shortcomings, many are hesitant to back Anwar because of his connections with neo-conservative thinkers in Washington and general disunity within the opposition. Anwar maintains close ties with senior American officials and organisations such as NED. In 2005, Anwar chaired the Washington-based Foundation for the Future, established and funded by the US Department of State at the behest of Elizabeth Cheney, the daughter of then vice-president Dick Cheney, thanks in large part to his cozy relationship with Paul Wolfowitz.

While Anwar was on trial for allegedly engaging in sodomy with a male aide (of which he was acquitted some time later), Wolfowitz and former US vice-president Al Gore authored a joint opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal in support of Anwar, while the Washington Post published an editorial calling for consequences that would affect Malaysia's relations with Washington if Anwar was to be found guilty. Anwar enraged many when he stated that he would support policy to protect the security of Israel in an interview with the Wall Street Journal; this is particularly controversial in Malaysia, where support for Palestine is largely unanimous.

Malaysian political scientist Dr Chandra Muzaffar writes: "It is obvious that by acknowledging the primacy of Israeli security, Anwar was sending a clear message to the deep state and to Tel Aviv and Washington that he is someone that they could trust. In contrast, the Najib government, in spite of its attempts to get closer to Washington, remains critical of Israeli aggression and intransigence. Najib has described the Israeli government as a 'serial killer' and a 'gangster'".

Members of BN have addressed Anwar's connections to NED in Parliament, including his participation in NED's "Democracy Award" event held in Washington in 2007. Independent journalists have uncovered letters written by Anwar, two of which were sent to NED president Carl Gershman in Washington that discussed sending an international election observer team to Malaysia and general issues related to electoral reform.

A third letter was sent to  Soros, expressing interest in collaborating with an accountability firm headed by Anwar. Pakatan Rakyat's communications director Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad verified the authenticity of the documents. This should come as little surprise as Anwar's  economic policies have historically aligned with institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, in contrast to Dr Mahathir, whose protectionist economic policies opposed international financial institutions and allowed Malaysia to navigate and largely resurface from the 1997 Asian financial crisis unscathed.

An issue that concerns secular and non-Muslim voters is the role of Pas as part of the opposition. In sharp contrast to the moderate brand of Islam preached by Umno, the organisation's primary objective is the founding of an Islamic state.

Pas has spoken of working within the framework of Malaysia's parliamentary democracy, but holds steadfast to implementing syariah on a national scale, which would lead to confusing implications for Malaysia's sizeable non-Muslim population. The debate around the implementation of hudud is something that other Pakatan Rakyat coalition members, such as figures in the Democratic Action Party, have been unable to agree on.

Pas  enjoys support from rural Malay Muslims in states such as Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, though  it has limited appeal to urbanites. While certain individuals in Pas have raised questions about NGOs receiving foreign funding, Dr Mahathir has insinuated that Pas' leadership has been largely complicit: "They (foreign interests) want to topple the government through the demonstration and Nik Aziz (the spiritual leader of Pas) said it is permissible to bring down the government in this manner. They want to make Malaysia like Egypt, Tunisia, which were brought down through riots and now Syria. When the government does not fall, they (Pakatan Rakyat) can appeal to the foreign power to help and bring down, even if it means using firepower."

It must be acknowledged that the current administration led by Najib  has made great strides towards improving relations with Washington. At a meeting with President Barack Obama in 2010, Najib offered Malaysia's assistance to cooperate with the United States to engage the Muslim world; Najib also expressed willingness to deploy Malaysian aid personnel to Afghanistan, and allegedly agreed on the need to maintain a unified front on Iran's nuclear programme.

Najib has employed a Washington-based public relations firm, Apco, to improve Malaysia's image in the US and has embraced American economic leadership of the region through his support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. Some would argue that Najib is perhaps the most pro-American leader Malaysia has ever had.

Despite Najib having good rapport with formal Western leaders, it is clear with whom the think-tank policy architects, Zionist lobbies, and foundation fellows have placed their loyalties.

Sentiment among Malaysia's youth and "pro-democracy" activists, who constitute a small but vocal minority, tend to be entirely dismissive of the "regime change" narrative, viewing it as pre-election diversionary rhetoric of the ruling party. While bogeymen of the Zionist variety are often invoked in Malaysian political discourse, it would be negligent to ignore the effects of Washington-sponsored "democracy promotion" in the global context, which have in recent times cloaked mercenary elements and insurgents in the colours of freedom fighting, and successfully masked geopolitical restructuring and the ushering in of neo-liberal capitalism with the hip and fashionable vigour of "people power" coups.

As the United States continues to increase its military presence in the Pacific region in line with its strategic policy shift to East Asia, policymakers in Washington would like to see compliant heads of state who will act to further American interests in the Asean region.

Let's not ignore the elephant in the room; the real purpose of America's resurgence of interest in the Asean bloc is to fortify the region as a counterweight against Beijing.

The defence ministries of Malaysia and China held a landmark defence and security consultation in September, in addition to frequent bilateral state visits and enhanced economic cooperation. It was Najib's father, second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak, who made the landmark visit to Beijing to normalise relations in 1974, and under his son Najib, Sino-Malaysian relations and cooperation have never been better.

Following the global economic crisis of 2008, Najib looked to Beijing to revive Malaysia's export-oriented economy, emphasising increased Chinese investment in Malaysia and expanding the base of Sino-Malaysian trade in areas like education and student exchange, finance, infrastructure development, science and technology, yielding lucrative and mutually beneficial results. In asking the question of regime change in Malaysia, Chandra reflects on Washington's moves to bolster its military muscle and dominance over the Asia-Pacific region:

"Establishing a military base in Darwin (Australia), resurrecting the US' military alliance with the Philippines, coaxing Japan to play a more overt military role in the region, instigating Vietnam to confront China over the Spratly Islands, and encouraging India to counterbalance Chinese power, are all part and parcel of the larger US agenda of encircling and containing China.

"In pursuing this agenda, the US wants reliable allies -- not just friends -- in Asia. In this regard, Malaysia is important because of its position as a littoral state with sovereign rights over the Straits of Malacca, which is one of China's most critical supply routes that transports much of the oil and other materials vital for its economic development.

"Will the containment of China lead to a situation where the hegemon, determined to perpetuate its dominant power, seek to exercise control over the straits in order to curb China's ascendancy? Would a trusted ally in Kuala Lumpur facilitate such control? The current Malaysian leadership does not fit the bill."

Pakatan Rakyat has yet to offer a fully coherent organisational programme, and if the coalition ever came to power, the disunity of its component parties and their inability to agree on fundamental policies would be enough to conjure angrier, disenchanted youth back on to the streets, in larger numbers perhaps.

What is ticklishly ironic about reading op-eds penned by the likes of Wolfowitz and Gore, and how they laud Malaysia as a progressive and moderate model Islamic state, is that they concurrently demonise its leadership and dismiss them as authoritarian thugs.

Surely, the ruling coalition has its shortcomings; the politicisation of race and religion, noted cases of corrupt officials squandering funds, etc -- but far too few, especially those of the middle-class who benefit most from energy subsidies, acknowledge the tremendous economic growth achieved under the current leadership and the success of  its populist policies.

Najib has acknowledged the need for broad reforms of Malaysia's state-owned enterprises over concerns that crony capitalism may deter foreign investment; this should be rolled out concurrently with programmes to foster more local entrepreneurship. To put it bluntly, the opposition lacks confidence from the business community and foreign investors; even the likes of JP Morgan have issued statements of concern over an opposition win.

It should be noted that if Islamists ever wielded greater influence in Malaysia under an opposition coalition, one could imagine a sizeable exodus of non-Muslim minorities and a subsequent flight of foreign capital, putting the nation's economy in a fragile and fractured state. And yet, the US has poured millions into "democracy promotion" efforts to strengthen the influence of NGOs that distort realities and cast doubt over the government's ability to be a coherent actor.

Malaysia does not have the kind of instability that warrants overt external intervention; backing regime-change efforts may only go so far as supporting dissidents and groups affiliated with Anwar.

According to Ambiga, Malaysia's electoral process is so restrictive that a mass movement like Bersih is required to purge the system of its backwardness. These are curious statements, considering that the opposition gained control of four out of 13 states in 2008, including Selangor, a key economic state with the highest gross domestic product and most developed infrastructure.

In response, Najib has adhered to Bersih's demands and has called for electoral reform, forming a parliamentary select committee comprising members from both Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional.

As elections loom, Ambiga is already dubbing them "the dirtiest elections ever seen" -- unsurprising rhetoric from a woman being handed her talking points by the US embassy.


 

For BN, a balancing act between voters and warlords

Posted: 28 Dec 2012 04:37 PM PST

Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider

The Barisan Nasional's (BN) inability to nail down a final list of candidates and the need to strike a delicate balance between pleasing voters and not sidelining its political warlords has been cited as reasons for the delay in calling elections, Singapore's Straits Times newspaper reported today.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has continued to keep Malaysians guessing over the date of the polls even though several dates have been bandied about in the media over the past year.

The Umno president and BN chairman has also refused to release BN's candidates list for the polls, despite several calls from grassroots leaders to do so, noting that keeping the list under wraps is a "strategic" decision.

Quoting political analyst Oh Ei Sun today, Singapore's ST reported that although the federal opposition pact Pakatan Rakyat (PR) is in itself entangled in a tussle over seats, the problem of selecting the best contestants is worse for BN than for its political foes.

Oh said that PKR and DAP lack a strong grassroots system that would allow a party leader to mobilise an efficient election machinery that would prevent sabotage of a candidate.

"In Umno, however, the system of patronage means a lot of people owe their livelihoods to certain leaders and warlords. The potential and ability to sabotage candidates are much stronger," the analyst was quoted as saying.

Sabotage has been highlighted as among one of Umno's greatest fears going into the 13th general election.

During the party's last two general assemblies, this was the strongest message that Najib sent to the party's over three million members.

He repeatedly reminded members to accept the candidates selected by the BN leadership, even if they are not chosen, and urged them to work with their respective parties to ensure the candidate wins the polls for BN.

READ MORE HERE

 

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Black Rose book launch cancelled, available online, says Deepak

Posted: 02 Jan 2013 12:45 AM PST

Zurairi AR, The Malaysian Insider

The launch of a 26-page booklet titled "The Black Rose" was derailed by PKR's Rafizi Ramli's revelation earlier today, controversial businessman Deepak Jaikishan said this evening.

The carpet dealer confessed to being the author of the booklet, which claims to tell the true story behind private investigator P Balasubramaniam's second statutory declaration (SD).

"Yes ... Honestly, it took me one day to draft the whole thing," Deepak (picture) said in a press conference today.

The businessman was planning a launch of the book today before Rafizi decided to hold a press conference this morning alleging Deepak's involvement as a jewellery middleman for a local dignitary.

"I had planned to launch my book and also take the next step further on the exposures.

"Unfortunately the process has been derailed by an article that has come out from Rafizi from PKR," he said, referring to Rafizi's post on his blog.

Besides his own blog, Rafizi's press conference was also covered by a number of news outlets.

Because of the serious allegations by the PKR politician, Deepak's legal counsel has advised him against the book launch and to contemplate his next move.

Deepak told reporters that he has no intention to sell the booklet, and will make it available for free online.

"I'm not here to profit from that. I'm here to tell the truth.

"If you can afford to print it and distribute, feel free. I'll put there 'copyright free'," he said.

As for the copies that have already been printed, Deepak said he will be gifting them to his close friends and acquaintances.

READ MORE HERE

 

Deepak says poorer from LTAT land deal, Ropiaah made more

Posted: 02 Jan 2013 12:40 AM PST

Zurairi AR, The Malaysian Insider

Senator Raja Datuk Ropiaah Abdullah got the lion's share of the LTAT land deal through her company Awan Megah Sdn Bhd, which was contracted to build a defence facility, carpet dealer Deepak Jaikishan said today.

A unit of Boustead Holdings Bhd, owned by investment fund Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT), bought an 80 per cent stake in Deepak's company Astacanggih Sdn Bhd for RM30 million as well as a RM130 million piece of land from Awan Megah last week.

It is not known what happened to the facility that was to be built by Raja Ropiaah's company in exchange for the land.

"I think it's unfair, it's my land. I paid for it, I get pittance and she gets the lion's share," Deepak told a press conference here today.

"She got the appreciation (value) but I got nothing. I only got what I put in," he said.

Deepak also noted that PKR's plan to stop the deal by asking the Selangor government to sit on the land title transfer is ironic.

"If they had issued the land title then, I would've sold the land already by now," he said.

Last Saturday, Rafizi alleged that a Boustead unit acquisition of Deepak's company Astacanggih Sdn Bhd was an attempt to silence the businessman.

"This is worse than a bailout ... this is outright bribery to practically pay off and silence (Deepak)," Rafizi had told a press conference.

The PKR strategy director also accused Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi of abusing his power by spending public money through government investment fund Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT), which owns Boustead, to acquire the loss-making property development company.

The politician added that if the recent allegations made by Deepak over the murder of Mongolian model Altantuyaa Shaariibuu had not been considered serious, it was unlikely that LTAT would have proceeded with the buyout.

Deepak recently also exposed an alleged deal between Awan Megah Sdn Bhd, the company owned by Selangor Wanita Umno chief Senator Datuk Raja Ropiaah Abdullah, and the federal government for a parcel of land involved in the acquisition by Boustead.

READ MORE HERE

 

‘Don’t use my truths to spin untruths’

Posted: 02 Jan 2013 12:34 AM PST

Deepak Jaikishan asked those who stand for truth to support his crusade and not resort to lies and politics.

Teoh El Sen, FMT

Carpet man" Deepak Jaikishan today lashed out at PKR for claiming that he had bought RM13 million worth of jewellery for Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's wife, Rosmah Mansor.

He alleged that the documents that PKR director of strategy Rafizi Ramli had shown to the media today was "not mine".

"Honestly, I don't know what he is talking about. I've never seen the documents Rafizi is producing. Those are not my documents. He has to come forward and tell us where he got these documents from," Deepak told a press conference at a hotel here.

But when asked if the allegations being made were true or false, Deepak said that he would not comment at this moment as it was a "very fragile issue". He added that he was seeking legal advice over Rafizi's exposé today.

"I was caught off guard [by Rafizi's exposé ]. I am shocked. Even if you want to put something out, it must be the truth. Be brave. Be sincere and not political," he said.

Deepak denied ever seeing Rafizi though he admitted he has tried to contact him recently to work together in exposing in a proper manner.

"I don't want my truth to be used by political parties. Rafizi, please don't use my crusade for your political mileage. If you are with me, then let's stand hand in hand."

Deepak also asked PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim to "do it right".

"He can't stand behind Rafizi and send out all these missiles because they are going in all the wrong directions.

"You must be sincere and consistent," he said, adding that he was disappointed with Anwar's continual denial of having met him (Deepak) and agreeing to help him with the PKR solicitors.

"I'm alone in the desert. I need support," he said.

Deepak said he would invite all groups, including both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat, to assist him in "exposing the truth".

"But even if there is no support, I will still go forward all the way. But now I'm calling out to all sides. It can even be an Umno man or even MCA president's son Chua Tee Yong."

Booklet on Rosmah tomorrow

Deepak also said that his booklet "Black Rose" will finally be made public tomorrow after repeated delays.

He said that the 26-page publication will be printed and given out to a selected group of friends but will be put online for public viewing and self-printing.

"It is about the SD2 [second statutory declaration] and everything I've revealed, with more details," he said.

He also said he had more truth to expose following this.

READ MORE HERE

 

Two lieutanant colonels allowed to amend their statement of claim

Posted: 01 Jan 2013 07:39 PM PST

(The Star) - The Court of Appeal on Wednesday allowed two lieutenant colonels to amend their statement of claim in a defamation suit filed against blogger Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin.

A three-member bench presided by Court of Appeal judges Datuk Ramly Ali, Datuk Mohtarudin Baki and High Court judge Datuk David Wong Dak Wah unanimously allowed the appeal by Lt Col Abdul Aziz Buyong and Lt Col Norhayati Hassan to reverse the decision of a Kuala Lumpur High Court, which disallowed them to make amendments to their statement of claim.

Justice Ramly ordered them to file their amended statement of claim within 14 days from Wednesday and also gave Raja Petra the liberty to file his amended statement of defence within 14 days from the date of receiving the amended statement of claim.

Lt Col Abdul Aziz and Lt Col Norhayati filed the legal suit in 2008 against Raja Petra, alleging that the blogger had made a statutory declaration implicating them and Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor in the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu.

They alleged that Raja Petra's declaration made on June 18, 2008, contained defamatory elements.

They each sought RM1mil in damages from Raja Petra as well as exemplary damages and an injunction to prevent him or his employees from repeating the defamatory remarks.

On Sept 18, last year, the High Court dismissed their application to amend their statement of claim.

Lt Col Abdul Aziz and Lt Col Norhayati sought to make amendments to their statement of claim to include certain new facts.

The High Court had fixed three days beginning from Jan 21, this year for hearing of their suit.

The duo was represented by lawyer Sugandra Rao Naidu while Raja Petra was represented by lawyer J. Chandra.

 

Third force likely to be kingmakers

Posted: 01 Jan 2013 03:28 PM PST

In the battle to outdo each other, Pakatan and BN have forgotten about the plight of Malays in Penang, and it may cost them dearly in the coming election, says an activist

Hawkeye, FMT

GEORGE TOWN: There is a possibility of Malay voters opting for independent candidates or spoiling their votes out of protest in the coming 13th general election, said an activist here.

Penang Malay Congress president, Rahmad Isahak, said Malays are uncomfortable with Pakatan Rakyat policies and also not confident that BN has the support to regain the state.

In the past 12 elections, the Malays rallied around Umno-BN or the opposition such as PAS and PKR. But now many may support Independents or won't bother to vote at all, he said.

He added that the uncertain political scenerio gives rise to the growing posibility and presence of a third political voice (force) in Penang.

The third voice is said to consist of the parties formed post-2008, or a number of community activists who pride themselves in championing what the average person here wants or fears.

Such a group may become the kingmakers if Pakatan and BN cannot secure a comfortable majority in the next election, especially if the third voice manages to snare a few seats.

Rahmad claimed that the Malay political stake has eroded since 2008 in Penang and it is not the fault of just Pakatan or BN.

While both sides are trying to outdo each other, they have forgotten about the plight of the poor, the majority of whom are Malays, Rahmad said.

"There is a perception that Penang is mostly populated by the Chinese and at times, the Malays here are indirectly overlooked, more so on the island," he said.

He cited the recent example where DAP delegates did not bother to vote in any of the eight Malay candidates vying for posts in the party's central executive committee.

Malays' political fortunes bleak

Earlier, Rahmad said that BN appointed Teng Chang Yeow from Gerakan to head Penang BN when Umno held all of the coalition's 11 seats here.

Then there was the exclusion of PAS from the state executive council line-up, leaving only two Malays, Deputy Chief Minister I Mansor Othman and state exco member Abdul Malik Abul Kassim.

To make matters worse, Rahmad said there were allegations that Mansor had branded Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng as an arrogant and cocky leader.

READ MORE HERE

 

‘Deepak spent millions on gems for Rosmah’

Posted: 01 Jan 2013 03:26 PM PST

PKR director of strategy Rafizi Ramli claimed that Deepak bought 19 types of jewellery, worth about RM13 million for the prime minister's wife.

G Vinod, FMT

PKR today alleged that businessman Deepak Jaikishan spent about RM13 million in 2009 to purchase jewellery for Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's wife, Rosmah Mansor.

Speaking at a press conference at the party headquarters here, PKR director of strategy Rafizi Ramli said that the purchases involved 19 different types of jewellery from Hong Kong, ranging from necklaces to rings and bracelets.

"The purchases took place between March and May 2009, the time Najib became the prime minister," said Rafizi.

Also present at the press conference were PKR MPs William Leong and Zuraida Kamaruddin.

Rafizi also produced several documents, including invoices and bank payment records made to two luxury jewellery companies based in Hong Kong – Dehres Limited and Firestone Corporation Limited.

The payments for the jewellery were made by two companies linked to Deepak – Carpet Raya Sdn Bhd and Carpet Plus Sdn Bhd.

Rafizi urged the authorities to investigate, alleging that the matter was nothing short of a corrupt act.

He said that it would not be difficult for an agency like the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate as each luxury jewellery is unique, with its own reference code.

"For example, Deepak's company made payment for the purchase of a diamond ring, code DR 2763, worth US$1.5 million.

"So we have its code and the MACC could easily trace this matter if it hauls up Deepak for an investigation," Rafizi said, adding that it would be difficult for anyone to forge a bank record.

On arguments that Deepak could have purchased the jewellery for his own use, Rafizi said, "True but I don't see Deepak wearing the jewellery."

He added that the matter could be a tip of the iceberg as the transactions mentioned are only those made known to PKR.

READ MORE HERE

 

BN: Lim fishing for Christian votes

Posted: 01 Jan 2013 03:23 PM PST

Penang CM playing up 'Allah' issue for selfish political gains, claim state BN leaders. 

Athi Shankar, FMT

A group of Barisan Nasional local leaders today accused Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng of invoking the 'Allah' issue merely to fish for Christian votes.

Acting as the group's spokesman, MCA's Bayan Baru division secretary David Yim Boon Leong said BN was dismayed by Lim's playing up the issue for selfish political gain.

Yim accused Lim, the DAP secretary general, of misusing a religious occasion by raising the Allah issue in his Christmas message.

He condemned Lim as a political opportunist who would stir religious sentiments with total disregard for religious and racial harmony.

Lim has come under fire from various Muslim-based NGOs for urging the government to allow the use of the word 'Allah' in the Malay version of the Bible.

The NGOs held several demonstrations across the country, especially in Penang, to vent their frustration and anger against Lim, who some chided as "extremist, racist and arrogant."

Yim said Lim's suggestion would cause tension between Muslims and Christians, who have been living together peacefully these years.

He alleged that Lim raised the Allah issue merely to divert public attention from the Kelantan land deal controversy involving Pakatan Rakyat allies, DAP and PAS.

Lim playing with fire

He called on Lim to focus on improving Penang's foreign direct investment statistics rather playing up religious sentiments.

"Lim thought he would get support from Christians with his statement. But he did not expect Pakatan allies, PAS and PKR, would make a U-turn and attack him on it," said Yim.

Yim also hit out at Lim for saying that Malaysia was not on par with neighbours Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia in economic achievements and skillful human resources.

READ MORE HERE

 

Egypt cracks down on satirists and media

Posted: 01 Jan 2013 10:14 AM PST

http://www.aljazeera.com/mritems/Images/2012/12/13//2012121313740753734_20.jpg 

(Al Jazeera) - "The problem is now is we are likely to see an increase in this because criminal defamation is now embedded in the constitution."

Morsi's government pursues charges against a satirist and a newspaper for "insulting" comments and "false" reporting.

An Egyptian satirist who has made fun of President Mohamed Morsi on television will be investigated by prosecutors following an accusation that he undermined the leader's standing, a judicial source has said.

Bassem Youssef's case will likely increase concerns over freedom of speech in the post-Hosni Mubarak era, especially when the country's new constitution includes provisions criticised by rights activists for, among other things, said the source on Tuesday, forbidding insults.

In a separate case, one of Egypt's leading independent newspapers said it was being investigated by the prosecutor following a complaint from the presidency, which accused it of publishing false news.

Youssef rose to fame following the uprising that swept Mubarak from power in February 2011 with a satirical online programme that has been compared to Jon Stewart's Daily Show in the US.

He has since had his own show on Egyptian television and mocked Morsi's repeated use of the word "love" in his speeches by starting one of his programmes with a love song, holding a red pillow with the president's face printed on it.

The prosecutor general ordered an investigation into a formal complaint against Youssef by an Islamist lawyer. The complaint accuses him of "insulting" Morsi, an Islamist backed by the Muslim Brotherhood, and "undermining his standing".

Human rights activists say it is the latest in a series of criminal defamation cases that bode ill for free speech as Egypt reshapes its institutions after Mubarak was toppled.

"The greatest threat to freedom of expression over the last four months has been this rise in criminal defamation cases, whether it is on charges of defaming the president or the judiciary," said Heba Morayef, Egypt director of the New York-based Human Rights Watch.

Read more at: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/01/201311205458986654.html

Thousands march against Hong Kong's leader

Posted: 01 Jan 2013 10:11 AM PST

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(Reuters) - The demonstration was largely peaceful, though police maintained a heavy presence after two journalists were roughed up by pro-government supporters at a rival rally on Sunday.

Tens of thousands in Hong Kong protested on Tuesday against the city's leader Leung Chun-ying as pressure mounts against the Beijing-backed politician who has been embroiled in an illegal construction scandal since taking office in July.

Thronging the streets on New Year's Day, crowds of people, some dressed in black with colourful banners and wearing long-nosed Pinocchio masks, chanted "Leung Chun-ying step down" in a rally that snaked several kilometres towards government headquarters.

While Hong Kong is a largely stable financial hub with a strong rule of law, the political heat has risen over Leung's failure to adequately explain seemingly innocuous building work on his home, corroding public trust and raising suspicions he may have covered up the scandal last year as he campaigned for the leadership.

"CY Leung does not have the ability and credibility to handle even his own personal scandals. How can he lead Hong Kong in a proper way with political and economic development?" said protest organiser Jackie Hung.

Leung said last month he had been negligent and apologised for how he handled questions over his illegally built basement. Such work is common to maximise living space in space-starved Hong Kong, but similar minor violations have ensnared several prominent officials over the past year.

By the evening, organisers put the turnout at the protest at around 130,000, though police said 17,000 had showed up.

The demonstration was largely peaceful, though police maintained a heavy presence after two journalists were roughed up by pro-government supporters at a rival rally on Sunday.

In a statement, Leung said the government would "humbly" listen to the public's views. Several thousand of Leung's supporters also staged a pro-government New Year rally.

China's senior leaders including premier Wen Jiabao have warned of Hong Kong's "deep rooted conflicts" in the past, though Beijing has so far publicly endorsed Leung's administration when he made a duty visit in December.

In a stormy half year since taking office, Leung has also had to contend with a raft of policy challenges including an unpopular pro-Beijing education curriculum that was later shelved, high housing prices, and a massive influx of mainland Chinese visitors.

Leung, sometimes dubbed the "wolf" for his perceived abrasive style and close ties to the Communist Party, has a chance to assuage some public discontent in a policy address in mid-January, though populist measures aimed at cooling a red-hot property sector and alleviating poverty have so far had only a limited impact on the public mood.

While Hong Kong is generally considered an open and liberal business haven, its leaders since 1997 - when the former British colony reverted to Chinese rule - have sometimes struggled politically in the face of mass popular demands for democracy and more accountable governance.

A half million strong anti-government rally in 2003 later forced former leader Tung Chee-hwa from office mid-term.

Huge turnout at carnival shows support for BN, says Zin

Posted: 01 Jan 2013 10:10 AM PST

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(The Star) - The turnout of 500,000 visitors at Karnival Sayangi Selangor indicates growing support for Barisan Nasional, said state coordinator Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohamed.

The overwhelming support, he said, showed that Barisan's initiative to reach out to the rakyat of Selangor was bearing fruit.

"It signifies the rejuvenation of Barisan in Selangor. The feel-good factor is there now," he said of the carnival, which was held at i-City in Shah Alam on Monday.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who opened the carnival, had said that the strong support for the Barisan event showed that people were unhappy with the Pakatan Rakyat state government, which had failed to even resolve water woes in Selangor.

Mohd Zin said the massive attendance at the carnival, which was being held for the second time, surpassed the record last year of 300,000 visitors.

"The response is beyond expectation. It shows the return of the people's support for Barisan," he said.

Both the 1Malaysia booth and Selangor Youth Council's job fair were among the main attractions at the carnival, said Mohd Zin.

"Even the private sector gave the thumbs up for the job fair as it provided a match-making platform of sorts between employers and employees," he said.

Mohd Zin also expressed confidence that Selangor would be returned to Barisan's fold in the general election if the coalition continued with its efforts to engage the rakyat.

"The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister have touched the hearts of the people by implementing practical socio-economic policies to meet the needs of the common folk.

"We were happy to see young couples coming to the carnival with their children. Like all parents, they want to secure a better future for their children," he said.

 

Workers left to pick up mounds of trash after New Year revelry ends

Posted: 01 Jan 2013 10:09 AM PST

http://www.asiaone.com/a1media/news/01Jan13/20130102.094821_st_litter.jpg 

(The Star) - The party's over but while the hundreds of thousands of revellers went back home to enjoy their morning sleep-in after the night's New Year bash, hundreds of others had to stay up and clear the tracts of litter and mess that were left behind.

Soft drink cans, plastic water bottles, tissues, paper, plastic bags and food wrappers were strewn all over festive hotspots such as Dataran Merdeka, Dataran Putrajaya and Sungei Wang Plaza here.

Revellers at Dataran Merdeka, while leaving the square after the celebration, were seen stomping or kicking the rubbish as they walked towards the Masjid Jamek LRT station.

City Hall workers toiled through the wee hours to clean the ground and surrounding areas.

Likewise, their counterparts elsewhere in the country also tackled the mounds of rubbish left behind by revellers.

In GEORGE TOWN, the Penang Municipal Council had an early start to deal with the problem by stationing 20 workers at the main celebration venue at the Esplanade from 9pm on Monday to 2.30am yesterday.

A second batch of 25 council workers went in from 4am to 8am to clear up the litter that was left behind by the revellers.

"We had workers cleaning up the place before, during and after the event to ensure the venue is kept clean all the time," said the council's urban services department director Mubarak Junus.

He said the workers were wor-king even while the celebration was going on.

Mubarak said the second group cleaned up the mess at Medan Renong and the promenade along Esplanade up to Beach Street.

He added that the council provided two mobile toilets and forty 660-litre bins at the venue.

Kredit: www.malaysia-today.net
 

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