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Lynas offered to fund waste management R&D in deal for licence
Lynas’ plant environmental, radiological reports for public scrutiny till June 30
Khairy: Pakatan immature for taking credit in petrol issue
Rules of prudence: Serving in a new era
58 residential areas face landslide risk
RMAF to have training base
Najib: Stop the infighting
PM: Govt did not promise overseas scholarships to all top students
Police under probe over stolen cars
Perkasa demands 67pc Bumi quota for PSD scholarships
Have our parents generation caused the rift between races in Malaysia?
That Effing Show 54: How to spot a racist?
A vote against Barisan Nasional is a vote against…….
Malaysia questions treatment of Aborigines
Concerns over lack of interest in OKU rights
BN Federal Government paid 73% higher than the market value of Syabas bonds to bail out its ...
PKR denies being in financial quandary
Is the Tunku’s dream dead?
3.9 million Malaysians yet to register as voters
Umno pastikan Anwar kembali ke tembok batu
‘Attack on Shi’ites a diversion tactic’
WIKILEAKS: ‘Anwar lacked Dr M’s clout in tackling Islam’

Lynas offered to fund waste management R&D in deal for licence

Posted: 27 May 2011 11:18 AM PDT

By Yow Hong Chieh, The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 — Australian mining giant Lynas Corp will set aside part of its earnings from its controversial processing plant in Gebeng to help Putrajaya sponsor research into how toxic rare earth can be disposed off safely, government sources have said.

A source told The Malaysian Insider that Lynas was asked to pay the government a "certain percentage" from its annual gross profit to undertake research and development on the management and disposal of radioactive waste or pay financial security.

Currently, rare earth waste products can only be buried, recycled or transmuted into non-radioactive material, although many small operations in China release toxic waste into the general water supply.

It is understood that the requirement was mooted as a condition of Lynas' manufacturing licence by the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) during a meeting that also included representatives from the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (Mida) and the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI).

While the source stressed that AELB — and not Mida or MITI — had asked for the security, he insisted that the security should not construed as indemnity against potentially hazardous waste that may result from processing rare earths at the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP) in Gebeng, Pahang.

"There's no such thing as an indemnity fund," the source said.

Lynas told The Malaysian Insider last week that it had deposited money with Putrajaya "to ensure safe management of any remaining residues as required by the AELB".

However, the company did not elaborate on the deposit or disclose the sum paid to AELB, charged by the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry to approve and monitor radioactive industries.

But AELB director-general Raja Abdul Aziz Raja Adnan was quick to deny that his agency had made the deposit a requirement.

"It's got nothing to do with AELB. You got to check with Mida, check with MITI," he told The Malaysian Insider.

Mida and MITI successfully pulled Lynas to set up shop here after China — the world's biggest rare earths producer — closed its doors to foreign firms to maintain its 97 per cent chokehold on the global rare earths market.

Posted: 27 May 2011 11:15 AM PDT

(The Malaysian Insider) - KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 — Two key assessment reports for the controversial Lynas rare earth refinery in Kuantan — environmental and radiological — are available for public viewing from May 30 to June 30 at various government offices, the International Trade and Industry Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry also told The Malaysian Insider that it ran public announcements in Malay, English, Mandarin and Tamil newspapers on May 25, 2011, inviting the public to submit their views to the international review panel that will sit from May 29 to June 3.

This was in response to Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh's (picture) claims only selected papers ran the advertisements for the panel reviewing the RM700 million rare earth plant in Kuantan.

"On 25 May 2011, the ministry inserted the said public announcement in 8 major newspapers," it said in a statement sent to The Malaysian Insider.

MITI listed Berita Harian, Utusan Malaysia, The Star, New Straits Times, Sin Chew Daily, China Press, Malaysian Nanban and Makkal Osai as the newspapers.

As for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Radiological Impact Assessment (RIA) reports, the ministry said it will be available for public viewing at the Department of Environment library, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, the library of the Pahang Department of Environment, the Kuantan Municipal Council and the Pahang Land and District Office.

Both reports are also available at the Pahang police headquarters, the National Library of Malaysia, the police beat base at the Gebeng Industrial Estate, the Pahang State Library, Balai Penghulu Mukim and all Department of Environment and Atomic Energy Licensing Board state offices.

Putrajaya bowed to public pressure last month and put the plant being built by Lynas Corp on ice last month pending a month-long review by international experts.

READ MORE HERE.

Khairy: Pakatan immature for taking credit in petrol issue

Posted: 27 May 2011 11:12 AM PDT

(The Star) - HULU TERENGGANU: Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has called the Pakatan Rakyat immature for taking the credit in the Government's decision not to raise the price of RON95 petrol.

The Opposition's claim that the decision came about due to their pressure on the Government was "immature politics" for political mileage, he said, adding that it was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's decision not to raise the petrol price.

"I could have taken credit, too, but it would be a foolish thing to do," he said after launching the Hulu Terengganu Umno Youth meeting here yesterday.

On allegations by PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution that Khairy had backtracked on his support for the rationalisation of subsidy, the latter said he still believed in reducing subsidy but the timing must be right.

"Reducing it (subsidy) now would be wrong given the high prices of goods as well as a high inflation rate.

"There is nothing wrong in changing one's stand if it is for the benefit of the rakyat," he said.

Meanwhile, in Petaling Jaya, Wanita MCA deputy secretary-general Tan Cheng Liang has ticked off Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for "sounding off an unnecessary alarm" when he claimed that the RON95 price would increase in July.

Lim's claims were quashed after the Government announced it would not be increasing the price of the fuel for the time being, she added.

"His false prophecy not only undermines his authority, but does not benefit the people in riding out the storm.

"We hope Lim, as a chief minister, and his party will be more specific in tending to the plight of the people rather than seeking popularity in riding out the high tide of inflation," Tan said.

Rules of prudence: Serving in a new era

Posted: 27 May 2011 11:02 AM PDT

The people have given us a clear mandate to carry out our programmes. We must fulfil what we have promised to do in our manifesto. We must never break faith with the people, but always carry out our duties to them responsibly, address their worries and advance their interests.

By Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Singapore

Our Party has won 81 out of 87 seats in the just concluded General Election. The opposition contested 82 seats, of which the PAP won 76, with 60.1 per cent of the votes.

The people have given us a clear mandate to carry out our programmes. We must fulfil what we have promised to do in our manifesto. We must never break faith with the people, but always carry out our duties to them responsibly, address their worries and advance their interests.

The elections have shown that voters have concerns which need to be addressed. The Government will have to significantly improve our outreach to voters, our approach to formulating policies, and our policies themselves.

As MPs, you play key roles in all these areas. You have to listen hard to voter concerns, help them to tackle pressing needs, reflect their worries and aspirations to the Government and persuade them to support policies which are in their own long term benefit.

Singapore is in a new phase of its political development. The PAP Government has to operate and govern in a different way than before. But two things should not change. First, we must always hold fast to the spirit of service to the people, and work hard on their behalf. Second, we must never compromise the high standards of honesty and integrity, which have enabled the PAP to keep trust with the people all these decades.

The PAP's reputation for clean, incorruptible government is one of our most precious assets. As PAP MPs, your standing in society reflects this high standing of the Party as a whole. I cannot stress strongly enough that every MP must uphold the rigorous standards that we have set for ourselves, and do nothing to compromise them. Never give cause for accusations that you are misusing your position, especially your access to Ministers. This would discredit both you and the Party.

As MPs, you will come across many different sorts of people. Some will be altruistic, public spirited people who will help you without wanting anything in return, spending their time and money to get community projects going and to serve your residents.

But a few will cultivate you in order to obtain benefits for themselves or their companies, to gain respectability by association with you, or to get you to influence ministries and statutory boards to make decisions in their favour. Gift hampers on festive occasions, entertainment, and personal favours big and small are just a few of countless social lubricants which such people use to ingratiate themselves to MPs and make you obligated to them.

You must be able to distinguish between these two groups of people, and be shrewd in assessing the motives of those who seek to get close to you. At all times you must be seen to be beyond the influence of gifts or favours.

You should be scrupulously proper in your contacts with government departments or public officers. Do not lobby any ministry or statutory board on behalf of anyone who is not your constituent or grassroots activist. Do not raise matters with public officers on behalf of friends, clients, contractors, employers or financiers to advance their business interests. To be above board, conduct business with public officers in writing and avoid making telephone requests. If you have to speak, follow up in writing to put your requests on record.

MPs are often approached by friends, grassroots leaders or proprietors of shops and businessmen to officiate at the openings of their new shops or other business events. They usually offer a gesture, such as a donation to a charity or constituency welfare fund. Though you may find it awkward to refuse such requests, once you accept one, you will be hardpressed to draw a line. As a rule, you should decline invitations to such business events unless you have obtained prior approval from the Whip. The Whip will grant approval only if the business is one that will add much value to the economy.

SEPARATING BUSINESS AND POLITICS

You must separate your public political position from your private business or professional interests. MPs who are in business, who occupy senior management positions in companies, or who sit on company boards should be especially vigilant.

You must not exploit your public position as Government MPs, your close contacts with the Ministers, or your access to government departments and civil servants, for your personal business interest or the benefit of your employers. Your conduct must always be above board.

MPs who are employed by companies or industry associations may at times have to make public statements on behalf of their company or industry association. If you have to do so, make it clear that you are not speaking as an MP, but in your private, professional or business capacity.

When you raise questions in Parliament related to your own businesses, you should first declare your pecuniary interest in the issue. Do not use Parliamentary questions as a means to lobby the Government on behalf of your businesses.

You may, however, speak freely to Cabinet Ministers, who are your Parliamentary colleagues. Ministers will listen carefully to arguments on principles, especially when they relate to the general policy of their Ministries. But Ministers will not change individual acts of discretion, unless they have very good reasons which they can justify publicly.

Parliamentary Secretaries and Ministers of State who intervene in their Ministries to reverse or alter decisions should promptly report the matter to their Ministers to protect themselves against possible accusations of misconduct. The Government must always base decisions on the merits of the issues, and cannot yield to pressure from interested parties.

ON DIRECTORSHIPS

MPs are often invited to serve on the Boards of private and publicly listed companies. This is a sign that private sector values PAP MPs' integrity and service, and reflects the high standing of the Party and of PAP MPs in general. The Party permits MPs to serve as directors, provided you keep your private and public responsibilities rigorously separate.

The public will closely scrutinise your involvement in companies, because you are a PAP MP. You should conduct your business activities so as to bring credit to yourself and to the Party. Adverse publicity on your performance as a director, or lapses in the companies you are associated with, will tarnish your reputation as an MP and lower the public's regard for the Party.

You should not solicit for Directorships in any companies, lest you appear to be exploiting your political position to benefit yourself.

You should not accept directorships where the company just wants to dress up the board with a PAP MP or two, in order to look more respectable.

Some grassroots leaders are businessmen who own or manage companies. You should not sit on any boards of companies owned or chaired by grassroots leaders appointed by you, so as to avoid the perception that you are obligated to them or advancing their business interests.

If you are offered a Directorship, you have to decide for yourself whether to accept. The Party is not in a position to vet or approve such decisions.

Before accepting, consider the possible impact of the Directorship on your political life. Ensure that the company understands that you are doing so strictly in your private capacity, and will not use your public position to champion the interests of the company, or lobby the government on its behalf.

Make every effort to familiarise yourself with the business, track record and background of the key promoters of the company. Satisfy yourself that the company is reputable, and that you are able to make a meaningful contribution. Specifically, just like anyone else contemplating a Directorship, you should ask yourself:

a. How well do you know the company, its business strategy, financial status, shareholding structure and the underlying industry?

b. Do you know your fellow directors, the way the Board and its committees fulfil their responsibilities, the reporting structure between Board and Management and the relationship between shareholders and the company?

c. Do you have sufficient industry, financial or professional expertise to fulfil your expected role and responsibilities as a Director? Do you understand your obligations under the law and the Code of Corporate Governance? Will you be able to discharge your fiduciary duties properly and without fear or favour?

d. Will you face any conflicts of interest, and if so can you manage them?

If you are in any doubt, you should decline.

PARLIAMENT ATTENDANCE

Once you have decided to accept an offer of a Directorship, please inform the Whip. MPs are expected to attend all sittings of Parliament. If you have to be absent from any sitting, seek the prior permission of the Government Whip. Please inform the Whip if you have to leave the Parliament premises while a sitting is on.

If you travel abroad, or need to be absent from Parliament for any reason, you must apply to the Speaker for leave, with copies to the Leader of the House and the Government Whip. You should also inform the Whip where you can be reached while away from Singapore.

I will ask the Speaker to give all MPs, particularly new MPs, ample opportunity and latitude to speak in Parliament. Your first opportunity will be during the debate following the President's Address at the opening of Parliament. At the Budget Debate, all MPs should speak up. Script your speeches or put your key points in note form to organise your ideas, and help the media.

The public expects PAP MPs to express their views frankly, whether for or against Government policies. In debates, speak freely and with conviction. Press your points vigorously, and do not shy away from robust debate. However, please exercise judgement when putting your points across.

Bring out grapevine talk for the Government to rebut, but do not unwittingly lend credence to baseless gossip. By doing so, you help ministers to put across the facts, explain the reasons for policies and decisions, and hence maintain public confidence in the openness and integrity of our actions.

Your honest, informed views are an important political input which Ministers will consider in formulating and calibrating policies. Ministers will accept valid, constructive suggestions, but they have to correct inaccurate or mistaken impressions. Over time, the public will see that PAP backbenchers are as effective as Opposition MPs, if not better, at holding ministers to account, debating issues fully, and influencing policies for the better.

GIFTS, FINANCES AND DISCLOSURE

On certain occasions, like the National Day Parade and the Investiture Ceremony for National Day Awards, the whole Establishment - the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary - will be there. Those who cannot attend must have very good reasons. Those who have accepted the invitation must attend, otherwise they leave empty seats, which does no credit to them or to the Party.

At all public functions and constituency events, punctuality is of paramount importance.

You should not accept gifts which might place you under an obligation which conflicts with your public duties. If you receive any gifts other than from close personal friends or relatives, you must declare them to the Clerk of Parliament who will have the gifts valued. If you wish to keep the gifts, you must pay the Government for them at the valuation price.

Party Branches should not raise funds on their own without permission, for example by soliciting advertisements for a souvenir magazine or a carnival. If you intend to raise funds, please clear it beforehand with the Organising Secretary. When your branch embarks on a collective fund-raising activity, eg a Family Day or Walk-A-Jog, you must follow the rules strictly.

As MPs, you should manage your personal financial affairs prudently. Do not over-extend yourself, or become financially embarrassed. This would be not only a potential source of personal embarrassment, but also a weakness which may expose you to pressure or blackmail.

In particular, you should not make major financial commitments assuming that you will continue to receive your MP's allowance. While MPs typically serve several terms, you cannot assume that you will automatically be fielded in future General Elections, or that if fielded you will definitely be re-elected. There is no tenure or job security in politics.

For your own protection, every MP should disclose to me, in confidence, your business and professional interests, your present employment and monthly pay, all retainers and fees that you are receiving, and whether your job requires you to get in touch with officers of Government Ministries or statutory boards on behalf of employers or clients. Office holders need not do so because you will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Code of Conduct for ministers. This should be done by June 30, 2011.

We have held our position in successive elections because our integrity has never been in doubt, and because we are sensitive to the views and attitudes of the people we represent. MPs must always uphold the high standards of the Party and not have lifestyles or personal conduct which will embarrass themselves and the Party.

Any slackening of standards, or show of arrogance or indifference by any MP will erode confidence in him, and ultimately in the Party and Government. New MPs can pick up the dos and don'ts from older MPs, so that they conduct themselves always with modesty, decorum and dignity. You must win respect, not popularity, to stay the course.

58 residential areas face landslide risk

Posted: 27 May 2011 10:56 AM PDT

(Bernama) - KUALA LUMPUR: Based on a Public Works Department (PWD) ) study last year, an estimated 58 housing estates in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor situated in hilly areas face the risk of landslides, said PWD director-general Datuk Mohd Noor Yaacob.

"All 58 housing estates are situated within four local council areas, namely Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ), Kajang Municipal Council (MPKJ) and Selayang Municipal Council (MPS)," he told Bernama when contacted, here, today.

The highest number of areas at risk, 39, are listed under MPAJ, among them, Bukit Antarabangsa, Taman Melawati, Kampung Pasir, Taman Wangsa Ukay, Ukay Heights, Ukay Perdana, Kampung Tengah, Taman Keramat and Sering Ukay.

The others are Beverly Heights, Taman Hillview, Dataran Ukay, Taman Sri Ukay, Villa Sri Ukay, Bukit Utama and its peak, Taman Sri Watan, Taman Tun Abdul Razak, Taman Kesuma, Taman Cheras Utama, Kampung Cheras Baru, Taman Bukit Permai, Taman Muda, Taman Saga, Taman Teratai and Taman Mega Jaya.

Taman Mulia Jaya, Taman Permai Jaya, Lembah Jaya Selatan, Kampung Bukit Sungai Seputih and Taman Bukit Indah are also locations at risk.

There are such 11 locations under DBKL's area of jurisdiction, which are, Taman Melati, Desa Melawati, Wangsa Maju, Setapak, Taman Keramat Permai, Setiawangsa, Kampung Warisan in Jalan Jelatek, Kampung Setia Jaya, Keramat Wangsa and TAR College.

The areas under MPKJ are Taman Perkasa Indah, Taman Melur, Taman Tasek Permai, Ampang-Hulu Langat and the hilltop link road, with MPS having the least Cemerlang Heights, Gombak Setia and Karak Highway toll plaza.

According to Mohd Noor, dangerous hillsides fall into two categories, the first, hazardous but not life threatening as there are no housing areas around, and the second, life threatening due to houses in the vicinity.

Areas at the highest risk are within 100 metres from the hill slopes.

Mohd Noor urged people building homes in hilly areas to include systematic safety features and ensure proper drainage as hill slopes could be weakened by water retention.

RMAF to have training base

Posted: 27 May 2011 10:49 AM PDT

By Adrian David, NST

KUALA LUMPUR: The new air force base, to replace the one at Sungai Besi, will primarily served as a training establishment.

Royal Malaysian Air Force chief Gen Tan Sri Rodzali Daud said the new base would house the numerous training facilities in the organisation 'under one roof' as a management and leadership centre, especially for non-commissioned officers.

"At the moment, our various training institutions, like the Air Force Specialty School in Tanjung Bungah, Penang, are scattered all over the country but soon, it will be centralised in one base.

"It will allow us to restructure our operations and relocate the air divisions and command headquarters to forward operational bases just like how the navy and army has done."

As part of the 'Air Force-Next Generation' strategy, Rodzali said the force would emphasise on courses in aero-mechanics, avionics, aerospace support equipment and information communications technology for the future generation of technically skilled personnel.

"Under our 'Engaging the Talent' mission, we want to nurture people with calibre and quality with skills in handling sophisticated equipment like digital avionics, as a way of keeping up with global challenges."

He declined to identify the exact location of the new air base, which will not have a runway, but it is reportedly believed to be at Kota Warisan in Dengkil, near the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang.

"Having a runway will not be feasible as the Klang Valley already has a congested airspace," he told a press conference held in conjunction with RMAF's 53rd anniversary on Wednesday.

He said the bunkered air defence operations centre at the Sungai Besi base would be relocated, possibly to the air force commando base in Bukit Jugra in Banting, while the helicopter squadrons to Subang, home to the RMAF's VVIP jets and helicopters, Hercules C-130s, maritime patrol squadrons and a national disaster air relief centre.

The 160ha Sungai Besi air base will make way for the multi-billion ringgit upscale Bandar Malaysia, undertaken by 1Malaysia Development Bhd (IMDB) via the Armed Forces Superannuation Fund.

Meanwhile, he said the RMAF's development plan included buying the muti-role combat aircraft, radars, sensors and the airborne early warning and control system.

The shopping list also include the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F/A-18E/F Super Hornets of the United States, Dassault Aviation's Rafael from France and the Saab JAS 39 Gripen from Sweden.

"We are looking at acquiring between 12 and 18 ultra-modern fighter jets per squadron, to replace the aging MiG-29N Fulcrums by 2015. Ideally, we want to operate not more than two types of fighters for ease of logistics, maintenance and the like."

Rodzali added the RMAF would take delivery of 12 Eurocopter EC-725 from next year, six Airbus A400M medium-lift aeroplanes were due for delivery from 2015.

"In the meantime, at least 15 of our Nuri S-61 Sikorsky helicopters will be refurbished with upgraded avionics to complement the Eurocopters."

Najib: Stop the infighting

Posted: 27 May 2011 10:42 AM PDT

(The Star) - KUALA LUMPUR: Umno division leaders must give priority to the needs of the people instead of being caught up with infighting, said party president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

"The main objective of the party which we have nurtured all this while is to gain the trust of the people.

"In a parliamentary democracy, the absolute measurement is to win the elections and form the government. There would be no meaning in having so many members, divisions and branches unless we succeed and form the government," he told reporters after chairing the Umno supreme council meeting here yesterday.

To a question, Najib who is also Prime Minister, said he and his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, as well as division chairmen, council members and the different wing chiefs regularly went down to the ground to look into people's needs.

"The supreme council members have been entrusted to monitor five divisions each," he said, adding that as of May 25, 90 Umno divisions, 134 Wanita, 135 Youth and 152 Puteri divisions had completed their annual general meetings.

On another matter, he said the council had decided to appoint former Perak Mentri Besar Tan Sri Tajol Rosli Mohd Ghazali as the chairman of the supreme council election committee for the 2011-2013 term.

He also announced that the three-year suspension imposed on Bandar Tun Razak Wanita Umno chief Salma Pin, Bukit Katil division Puteri vice-chief Zalinah Ismail and Bukit Katil division committee member Saadun Basirun, who is also the political secretary to the Malacca Chief Minister had been lifted.

The Umno disciplinary board suspended their membership from March 12, 2009 after they were found to be involved in money politics.

On the 13th general election, Najib said an election simulation exercise would be undertaken in the middle of the year.

"The preparations are continuous and efforts would be increased towards the general election," he said.

PM: Govt did not promise overseas scholarships to all top students

Posted: 27 May 2011 10:41 AM PDT

(The Star) - KUALA LUMPUR: While the Government promises scholarships for all top students, not everyone will be sent overseas, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said the Government was committed to giving Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships to SPM students with results of 8A+ and better.

"We didn't promise that everyone will get overseas scholarships. This is what the public did not understand," he told reporters here yesterday.

Najib said students given scholarships for diploma and matriculation courses were still eligible for degree-level scholarships.

"We will guarantee to sponsor students with a degree scholarship. Some people misunderstand that the sponsorship will stop at the diploma level and not be extended further," he said, adding that the scholarship issue had been discussed with various groups, including MCA, MIC and Gerakan.

In a statement, PSD said students were chosen according to criteria approved by the Cabinet in 2009 and agreed to last year.

It said it had received 16,900 applications this year.

It said due to limited places and competition, candidates unsuccessful for overseas scholarships were offered courses in local varsities.

The department said 58.8% of overseas scholarships were granted to Bumiputra students while the rest were for non-Bumiputras.

Najib also said the Government would study the National Economic Council report on the electricity tariff review.

On reports that the increase had already been decided, he said: "We will see first. I cannot say anything."

Najib said the subsidy rationalisation study was not about reducing subsidies but about reducing its rate of increase.

"The subsidies are increasing from the current RM12bil to some RM20bil. This means we have to find an estimated RM8bil, which is not a small sum," he added.

Police under probe over stolen cars

Posted: 26 May 2011 11:04 PM PDT

Bukit Aman is investigating several police officers for their alleged link with a syndicate specialising in re-selling stolen vehicles.

(Free Malaysia Today) - Bukit Aman police are investigating several of their own men over an alleged link with a syndicate selling stolen cars, sources said today.

The officers are being investigated for allegedly handing over stolen cars which have been recovered by police, to the syndicate instead of returning them to their rightful owners.

These stolen cars would then be re-conditioned and resold to unsuspecting second-hand car dealers or private owners.

It is also alleged that the syndicate has contacts in the Road Transport Department who would ensure the "re-conditioned" cars would not be blacklisted.

A source said that the syndicate's cover was blown open last year when investigators from an insurance company was preparing to reimburse a victim of a car theft. They had tracked down the stolen car which had been re-conditioned.

"The insurance agency then found out that there were many cases where these stolen cars are on the road or being sold, and lodged a police report," the source said.

Bukit Aman then swung to action and has been confiscating these "second-hand" cars since early this year.

The source also said that more light was shed on the syndicate when police conducted a highly publicised raid at a warehouse at Taman Wahyu, Kepong, in July last year. There they uncovered a "mini zoo" of illegally traded wildlife.

In the raid, police also recovered 42 stolen vehicles worth about RM1 million. Two men were arrested.

Police had said then that the syndicate members would disguise themselves as insurance agents specialising in stealing impounded cars.

Disciplinary unit

When contacted, Bukit Aman CID director Mohd Bakri Zinin said today he could only reveal more details on Monday after a briefing from his men.

Bakri said he had received several calls since the case was highlighted by DAP's Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng in a press conference earlier today.

Lim, who lodged a report at the Sentul police district headquarters, claimed that over 60 cars have been confiscated by Bukit Aman's disciplinary division. It is believed that the syndicate has been operating for at least two years.

Lim claimed that the fact that the disciplinary unit was looking into the case showed that police are investigating their own men.

"The only role of the (disciplinary) unit is to investigate police wrongdoings. Under normal circumstances, stolen car cases are under a different department," he told FMT.

Lim said he has been receiving more than 15 complaints from used-car dealers from Selayang, Serdang, and Kepong since December last year.

"The latest complaint – from Setiawan, Perak – prompted me to lodge the report today because we now have documents to prove that the police may be involved in foul play," he said.

He said that another owner was robbed of his Mercedes C200 Compressor on March 13, 2009, and had lodged a police report and made an insurance claim.

"An undated letter from an Inspector Saiful Irwan Abdul Hamid from the CID department in Ampang Jaya district police headquarters stated that the car was found and returned to the owner, but he never got back his car," said Lim.

Posted: 26 May 2011 11:01 PM PDT

(The Malaysian Insider) - Perkasa demanded today that the government set a 67 per cent quota for Bumiputeras in Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships to reflect their ratio in the population.

"Seeing that the Barisan Nasional (BN) government, which is the ruling coalition, came into power because of majority support from the Malays and Sabah and Sarawak Bumiputeras, and also based on the federal constitution, this group must be prioritised in all allocations, including JPA scholarships," Perkasa chief Datuk Ibrahim Ali told reporters today, referring to the PSD using its Malay acronym.

"The quota now (for Bumiputeras) is 55 per cent," he said, after emerging from a discussion with PSD director-general Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Haji Abdullah here today.

The president of the Malay rights group pointed out that the Bumiputera share of PSD's 1,500 overseas scholarships had fallen from 90 per cent in 2007 to 55 per cent in 2008, and has stayed there since.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz previously said the government had allocated 1,500 overseas scholarships to top students, but only 300 of the total were given based entirely on merit to students scoring straight 9A+.

The remaining 1,200 overseas grants, he said, were distributed according to those qualified within four categories — Sabah Bumiputeras (five per cent), Sarawak Bumiputeras (five per cent), social composition or the population's racial composition (60 per cent) and socially handicapped (10 per cent).

Nazri also said PSD had an allocation of 2,500 local scholarships and reiterated that in tandem with the prime minister's pledge last year, all SPM students who scored straight 8A+ and above were guaranteed a place in either local or foreign institutions. Today, Ibrahim accused MCA and MIC today of exploiting the PSD scholarship wrangling for political mileage.

"When they fight for their race, they want to score political points," said the Pasir Mas MP.

Posted: 26 May 2011 09:37 PM PDT

By Nitya Kamalanathan

I am currently a PhD student in the United Kingdom, my first time in England. When people ask me about Malaysia, I beam, telling them how wonderful our country is and our food! Oh that is my favourite topic of discussion.

We come from a country bursting with flavour, warmth, culture and diversity all of which have been the building blocks of the country. The three representing races of Malaysia each have rich traditions and cultures, which have blended together to produce a Malaysian culture of which I am proud to say I am a part.

I remember as a kid celebrating the lantern festival with my neighbours, buying little lanterns and watching them float away into the darkness of the night; I remember in school making ketupats during Hari Raya and hanging them around school and I remember for Deepavali having little girls dance bharata natyam in school, and sharing murukku and mixing with my friends.

As I grew older, I felt the rift between the respective groups. What caused this?

I remember as a child being told by my parents that I am not to forget my heritage, my culture, where my ancestors are from. I was sent to classes to learn my native language and to learn classical singing. All this was
expected of me, to ensure I did not forget my roots. In this rush to enforce remembrance of heritage, some parents, in my perception, have been distracted by the need to preserve their culture and have forgotten to show their children the importance of intermingling among the races. I am sure a variety of factors exist causing this rift and dissecting each factor would probably be like working on another PhD thesis.

While having a little chat with my friends over here in my research area, one particular friend (a foreigner who lived in Malaysia for several years) mentioned how evident it was that the races are struggling to preserve their own individual identity. This triggered a recollection of memories and encounters in the past which too made me wonder if being caught up in preserving one's unique culture and traditions, people have drifted from embracing the uniqueness of Malaysia and the rich diversity in cultures, traditions and ancestry.

I understand the pressing dilemma of culture dilution, and the striving to maintain each group's uniqueness and identity. However does mingling with others dilute mine? I have grown up with exposure to people of all walks of life and yet I enjoyed listening to my grandparents stories of their childhood and how things were then. I also enjoyed learning to sing classical songs and learnt to read and write my mother tongue, but that never caused me to want to surround myself only with people of 'my own kind'.

Personally, I have valued the time spent with my friends learning about their culture, traditions and experiencing the difference. Recently a string of my best friends got married; one was a fairytale Christian wedding, one was a dazzling Malay Nikah ceremony and the other a bright and colourful Indian wedding. Each of them was beautiful and special in their own way and wearing different outfits according to the different ceremonies was exciting. We are so gifted to have the opportunity in Malaysia to experience such a variety of traditions that bring two people together.

Embracing the diversity of the cultures, tradition and food has always been a delight to me. Everyone has some good and some not so good to offer. At the end of the day we are all human and we all have some good and some not so good to offer. Mingling with others and participating in their traditions has never threatened my own identity, as at the end of the day I am aware of who I am and who I want to be.

Once, I was also told by someone I look up to, that a culture can best be defined in relation to other cultures. It is the differences in cultures that make each culture perceptibly different, and therefore unique and individual. So, experiencing the differences between your own and other cultures leads you to recognise the good and bad points of your own.

This shouldn't, of course, mean that you are liable to reject or neglect your own cultural traditions. Globalisation has made us all 'citizens of the world', for better or worse. This gives us all more opportunities to see other cultures, to compare them with our own and to share in their traditions. At the same time we can appreciate our own culture and traditions more realistically, without having to abandon them.

So to all Malaysians like me, I say let's celebrate the gift of diversity presented to us.

That Effing Show 54: How to spot a racist?

Posted: 26 May 2011 09:35 PM PDT

Dear fellow Malay-sians,

If there is one credo that we Malaysians stand by, it's that we're all a little bit racist, sometimes.

Whether it's UMNO or PAS. Whether it's MCA or DAP. Whether it's some teacher in a rural school telling the Chinese to go back to China. But how do we distinguish between the real racists from those folk who are just having a laugh; from all those folk who have just been misinterpreted and misunderstood? How do we tell them apart?

But do not fret. Have no fear. You've come to the right place. Because we've done all the work for you. We tell you just how to spot a racist.

http://yumm.my/kT62rW

We are not racist,
PopTeeVee

latest projek:

1955 Baling Talks at 2011 Singapore Arts Festival

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJccXcfRqk0

A vote against Barisan Nasional is a vote against…….

Posted: 26 May 2011 06:58 PM PDT

Barisan Nasional has still not learnt its lesson. Racism no longer works. Okay, maybe a few small-brained people are still gullible enough. But that group is getting smaller and smaller. Malaysians are becoming more internet-savvy and are no longer 'frogs under a coconut shell' like in the past. There is an expiry date on racism and that expiry date is getting closer.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

MCA sticks to its 'no govt posts' call if party performs poorly in polls

(The Star) - The MCA will stick to its 'no government posts at all levels' call, if the party performs poorly in the next general election, said president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

He said some quarters in the Chinese community had expressed their worries that they would have nowhere to go for help if MCA was not in the Government.

"We are not so fickle-minded. MCA has the integrity, courage and political morality to keep its words."

"If you still need us in the Government, you have to support us," he told a press conference here Thursday after a dialogue session with Chinese guilds and associations.

Dr Chua, backed by the party's presidential council, had recently called for MCA to give up government posts if the Chinese community did not support its candidates in the general election.

***********************************

Disgruntled members urged to return to Umno

(Bernama) - Umno members who feel marginalised or hurt by the party should rise above such feelings and return to the party's fold to help with the ongoing political and government transformation process.

Party vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said their contributions were needed to support prime minister and Umno president Najib Abdul Razak's push to turn Malaysia into a developed nation of high income.

He said Najib's approach was different from the ones taken by previous leaders and, for this reason, party members who felt marginalised, unwanted or hurt should return to the party.

The same goes for members who had previously been suspended from Umno or even those who had joined the opposition, he told reporters after opening the Alor Setar Umno divisional meeting in Alor Setar today.

"Others may have felt disappointed over not being chosen as election candidates.

"A study conducted following our experience in Perak in the 2008 general election which saw Umno losing seven seats showed that this was 100 per cent due to dissatisfaction among Umno members. Some had even sabotaged the party," he said.

Ahmad Zahid, who is defence minister, said experience would show that a decision made when a person was angry, sad or under pressure would not be an accurate one.

He recalled his own experience of being an Umno Youth chief without any government post.

"In Umno, we need to have resilience and competitiveness. We can already see changes among those who have opened up their minds," he said.

He said it was impossible for the government to achieve its goals without political supremacy and support from all Malaysians.

"Umno members must lead the way in casting aside feelings of hurt and dissatisfation," he added.

***********************************

Can you see the game they are playing?

The Chinese Barisan Nasional leaders are telling the Chinese community that if they do not vote MCA then they are not going to have any Chinese representatives in the government.

The Malay Barisan Nasional leaders are telling the Malays that if the Malays do not want to become slaves and second-class citizens in their own country then all Malays must unite under Umno.

The Indian Barisan Nasional leaders are telling the Indian community that…actually I don't know what the hell MIC is telling the Indian community because I don't speak Tamil.

Anyway, it's all about race. And they are even using religious leaders or ustaz and imams to spread the message of hate through sermons and talks. (See here: http://www.malaysia-today.net/component/content/article/58-video/40691-ustaz-kazim-elias-kutuk-cina-india-berita-hairan-online-).

And this is not an isolated case mind you. It is happening all over the country, even in the Kamunting Detention Centre (and I should know since I have been there).

In fact, one of the allegations against me, which resulted in my detention, is that I had insulted Islam. And the 'proof' that was used against me was my article about the mosques spreading hate sermons.

When next you go out to vote just remember that:

A vote against Barisan Nasional is a vote against racism.

A vote against Barisan Nasional is a vote against religious extremism and manipulation.

A vote against Barisan Nasional is a vote against sacrilege against Islam and the abuse of Islam for political gains.

A vote against Barisan Nasional is a vote against corruption, mismanagement and abuse of power.

A vote against Barisan Nasional is a vote against persecution and discrimination.

A vote against Barisan Nasional is a vote against gambling the future of our children and grandchildren.

A vote against Barisan Nasional is a vote against corrupt and lying politicians.

A vote against Barisan Nasional is a vote against distortion of the truth and manipulation of the media.

A vote against Barisan Nasional is a vote against the violation of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia.

A vote against Barisan Nasional is a vote against a manipulated and non-independent judiciary.

A vote against Barisan Nasional is a vote against the use of all the instruments of government to stifle dissent and opposition.

A vote against Barisan Nasional is a vote against a fraudulent, unfair and unclean election.

A vote against Barisan Nasional is a vote against the stifling of a civil society.

A vote against Barisan Nasional is a vote against…well, why not you fill in this last one, which I sure many of you are capable of.

Malaysia questions treatment of Aborigines

Posted: 26 May 2011 06:19 PM PDT

By Karlis Salna, AAP South-East Asia Correspondent, The Sydney Morning Herald

Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman has questioned Australia's treatment of Aborigines in response to criticism of his country's record on human rights and the controversial asylum seeker swap deal.

Speaking on the sidelines of a meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement in Bali, Mr Aman lashed out at suggestions the 800 asylum seekers covered by the deal could be caned, saying Malaysia was a civilised nation.

"Australians always have fears," he told AAP on Friday.

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When asked if he could guarantee that asylum seekers would not be caned, he said: "We won't treat them like you have treated Aborigines."

The comments come in the wake of criticism of the asylum seeker transfer deal linked to Malaysia's record on human rights.

A series of Amnesty International reports have detailed how asylum seekers in Malaysia are subjected to abuse and extortion, and live in constant fear of deportation. Thousands are believed to be beaten and caned every year.

"I don't know (why) you think that we cane those people," Mr Aman said.

"We are a very civilised nation. If we are not civilised then you (Australia) are the ones to blame, because most of our politicians are Australian graduates.

Posted: 26 May 2011 06:17 PM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 27: The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) has criticised the government for not helping disabled people (OKUs) causing many of them failing to achieve in life.

OKUs need opportunities, not merely sympathy

Its commissioner Dr Mahmood Zuhdi Abd Majid said the acceptance level towards OKUs was still low, and the group was treated as merely deserving sympathy.

The body said many OKUs were still facing difficulties in finding decent jobs due to being denied a chance by businesses and corporate sector, although they possess many abilities.

"These OKUs are not supposed to be treated this way, instead they should be given roles like normal people. Every human being on earth has a role to play," he told a press conference.

Mahmood admitted that it would be a mounting task to change perception towards OKUs, and needed radical efforts to give proper explanation to various quarters.

Earlier, during a round-table discussion on the topic, Malaysia Disabled Association Mah Hassan lamented the BN-led government's weaknesses to address OKU grouses.

"How can the OKU group improve their achievement when the government did not appoint any senator from OKU?" he asked.

Another Suhakam commissioner Khaw Lake Tee meanwhile said the issue regarding OKU rights in the country had always been brought up and debated.

As the smallest and most vulnerable group, he said, the OKU's rights must be defended and protected.

Posted: 26 May 2011 04:44 PM PDT

Media Statement by Tony Pua, DAP National Publicity Secretary and Member of Parliament for Petaling Jaya Utara

On Wednesday 25 May, The Edge Financial Daily reported that Syarikat Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd (PAAB) will acquire the bonds issued by the Selangor state water concessionaires through its-wholly owned subsidiary Acqua SPV Bhd for the amount of RM6.5 billion. The paper further quoted a market source that "in terms of price, the buying back is at 94.49 against mark to market value of only 54.54 at the end of last month".

It is bad enough that the Federal Government has decided to bail out the Selangor water concessionaires, but for it to pay a whopping 73.2% higher than the market vallue of these bonds borders on being outrageous and an abuse of taxpayers' monies.

This rescue deal for the private concessionaires is reminiscent of the Malaysian Airlines System (MAS) bailout when the Federal Government paid RM8.00 per share, or 121% higher than the market price of RM3.62 per share to Naluri Bhd, owned by Tan Sri Tajuddin Ramli in December 2000. In fact, the Government has yet to see any returns on its "investment" for the stock price has slumped to RM1.59 (as at yesterday) or a 80.1% decline for its investment after 10 years. MAS continues to be troubled as it made RM242.3 million in losses for its first quarter this year in its financial results released this week with no end in sight to its problems.

It is inexplicable that the Government has decided to settle the outstanding bonds of these privatised water companies when it should be the shareholders of these companies themselves who should be responsible for their own debt.

In fact, when these companies were profitable, they have declared handsome dividends for their shareholders. Among the concessionaires, Syarikat Pengeluaran Air Sungai Selangor Holdings (SPLASH), whose parent company is Gamuda Bhd, declared dividends of RM578.6 million in 2007 while Puncak Niaga Holdings Bhd had declared dividends amounting to RM214 million between 2006 and 2010.

The above certainly makes true the dictum of the BN Government privatising profits and socialising losses by taking over the debt burden of these companies.

The debt bailout is worsened by the fact that the Government has not been transparent with the whole exercise when the Minister of Energy, Water and Green Technology, Datuk Peter Chin announced that there has been no cabinet decision on the matter earlier this week.

To date, we still do not know how the Federal government plans to restructure the water industry in Selangor based on the Water Services Industry Act 2006 after taking over these debts and whether these private concessionaires would be required to repay the Government for the bailout, despite the denial of a "bailout" by the Minister.

The Minister must no longer pretend to be clueless about the entire exercise and disclose the full terms of the bailout exercise as this affects the basic right to water of all residents in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya as well as billions of ringgit of tax-payer's monies. Unless of course, he is completely powerless in his own Ministry, with key decisions made without his knowledge, in which case, he should then just resign honourably to protect his personal reputation and integrity.

PKR denies being in financial quandary

Posted: 26 May 2011 03:49 PM PDT

The party's secretary-general stresses that the eviction issue concerns the building's landlord and not PKR's coffers.

(Free Malaysia Today) - PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution denied allegations that the party is in a financial quandary as the opposition lynchpin faces eviction from its current headquarters.

The Machang MP maintained that the core problem with the eviction is the building's landlord as the party has been prompt in paying rent.

"We are not in any financial problem. It is the owner who has a problem with the bank as we have been paying rent without fail," he told FMT.

PKR is facing possible eviction from their headquarters located in upmarket Merchant Square Tropicana here after the building owner failed to service the bank loan.

According to news reports, a bank auction notice has been put up near the Merchant Square premises, and the auction price of the building is estimated to be between RM460,000 to RM1 million per unit. The auction is slated for June 9.

It is learnt that PKR is paying close to RM20,000 monthly to a company called Ainb-Tech Sdn Bhd to rent the premises. The PKR headquarters takes up eight floors.

Some party leaders like vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar and former deputy president, Syed Hussin Syed Ali, have questioned the timing of the auction, hinting at a possible government conspiracy to harass PKR by whatever means.

BN conspiracy?

PKR is currently locked in a legal battle with the Registrar of Societies (ROS). PKR has been accused of breaching the party constitution when it sacked a member without valid reasons and is facing the prospect of de-registration. June 9 is the date of hearing for the case.

"PKR may have to relocate, the building we are renting will be auctioned. ROS sent a letter to shut down the party. Enforcement dates for both are on June 9. Coincidence?" said Syed Husin on his Twitter posting.

Saifuddin, however, refused to be drawn into the speculation and insisted that the eviction mess is limited to the problem between the bank and the landlord.

READ MORE HERE

Is the Tunku’s dream dead?

Posted: 26 May 2011 03:47 PM PDT

As a nation, we are moving backwards in time. We are almost tribal in the way we defend our racial space.

The tudung has become a symbol of hypocrisy. If it is supposed to signify that the girl is chaste, then it is maddening to see tudung-clad girls in parks openly kissing and fondling their boyfriends. It makes a mockery of the tudung and what it is supposed to signify, if anything.

Mariam Mokhtar, Free Malaysia Today

How ridiculous that 54 years after Merdeka, we are still talking in terms of Malays, Chinese and Indians, and that we cannot and will not think and work as Malaysians.

In the article, "Big Unity Plan" (Sunday Times, May 28, 1961) the Federation Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, warned of the communist threat: "We want citizens to think, feel, believe and work for the good of Malaya and look to Malaya as the sole object of their loyalty. This, I am sure, is the desire of all in the country except for a small minority."

Last week, I spoke with a 77-year-old Malay lady, who used to work in the Tunku's secretarial pool. The lifestyle that she described then, is a far cry from the one that we read about today.

She had photographs in which Malays dressed in sarong kebaya and had bee-hive hairdos, or long flowing locks. Young people went to dances with music played by live bands in town. Her friends and work colleagues were of different races.

Although her mother and her mother's peers, dressed conservatively, the selendang was the norm, even among the older generation. In some typical Malay families, men and women ate separately. This was probably in deference to the breadwinner, who was the man of the house.

Parents sent their children to the mission schools, to be taught by nuns. There were no issues with the morning assembly, when the Lord's prayer was said.

During catechism, the Malays had their agama classes, but every child went to "moral class" or "civics" as it was also commonly known.

Children who were sent to board in Convent schools, shared many experiences. During Sunday mass, the Muslims stayed behind and read while waiting for their friends to return from chapel.

One couldn't help notice the interaction and bonding between the girls, for in the schools, children of various races, including Europeans and non-Malayans, were thrown together.

So what went wrong in the intervening years?

Symbol of hypocrisy

Today, the Malay has replaced the sarong kebaya with the unflattering sack-like baju kurung. At work, women don the tudung, not because they want to but because of peer pressure and career advancement.

However, no one I asked, would dare volunteer that their grandmothers and grand-aunts were not as religious, just because they lacked today's standard tudung.

Children, including toddlers, are told they cannot play with children of the opposite sex. Conservatively clad girls in baju kurung cannot easily run around in the playground or play on a climbing frame because they are told it is not ladylike, or the "baju" is a physical impediment.

When boys are not familiar with girls and vice-versa, apart from their own brothers or sisters, they find it awkward to relate to members of the opposite sex, when they are later thrown into a social, work or study environment.

Young hormones and a lack of exposure play havoc with teenagers' feelings and they mistake mutual attraction or curiosity, for love. The need to explore their feelings may lead to sex, which both are mentally and physically unprepared for.

Today, mission schools are in a terrible state of disrepair. It was as if these physical structures were being punished for churning out hundreds of thousands of educated children, some of whom became excellent scholars, administrators, scientists, academics and captains of industry.

Symbols of Christianity had by the 80s been eroded. Gone were the crosses from school badges. Chapels in convents were stripped of their religious artifacts, some of which had been around for several decades and were of historical and religious significance.

Even corporations were not spared. The much loved Christmas party for the staff children, all but disappeared.

Few treated these parties – with Santa Claus and his cotton-wool beard, or the decorated Christmas tree, which was really a Casuarina tree – with any religious significance.

Today, these Christmas parties are not politically correct, at least not in Malaysia. And if they are held, all religious symbols and hymns are banned if senior government officials are invited.

Fear of causing offence

Many Malay weddings are increasingly becoming "his" and "hers" affairs where the sexes are segregated as soon as they arrive.

The racial and religious scarifying of Malaysia has gone to such an extent that many non-Malays are afraid to invite their Malay friends to their homes for fear of causing offence.

Among the Malays, there is probably more fear of the moral police than of breaking God's bond, when people go out for drinks with friends or when they are having a relationship with people they are not married to.

As a nation, we are moving backwards in time. We are almost tribal in the way we defend our racial space.

The lady I know, who once worked in the PM's office half a century ago, has now altered her outlook of Malaysia. Today, she is convinced the Chinese and Indians are out to take control of Malaysia.

Had she been to Perkasa's or Umno's ceramahs, I asked. What about the efforts of the opposition, I ventured.

"No," she replied. "I watch TV and the television says that Umno is doing so much for the nation."

When asked to quantify "so much", she volunteered "like building roads for the kampungs".

"Now you tell me, what the opposition has done?" she challenged.

Posted: 26 May 2011 03:34 PM PDT

(Bernama) - The 3.9 million Malaysians aged 21 and above have been advised to quickly register as voters so as not to affect their chances of voting in the coming general election.

Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said the advice was given as the process for voting eligibility would take two to three months.

"Malaysians like to do things at the last minute, whether it's paying utility bills, assessment rates or traffic summonses. So I urge that they register as voters immediately when they've reached the voting age," he said in an exclusive interview with Bernama.

Abdul Aziz said the process began with registration, displaying the electoral roll, the objection process, public investigation, appeal against the objection, gazetting the electoral roll, and combining the supplementary electoral roll with the electoral master roll.

He said that until February this year, 15,784,484 Malaysians aged 21 and above were eligible to register as voters and out of this number, 11,811,452 had done so.

"The remaining 3,973,032 or 25.2% have not registered as voters."

Abdul Aziz said the EC had completed the display of the supplementary electoral roll for the first quarter of 2011 from April 28 to May 4 at 1,005 locations nationwide.

"In that quarter, 360,246 people had applied to register as voters, comprising 301,171 new applications and 59,075 for change of polling centre address."

He said the number would increase when the supplementary electoral roll for the 1/2011 quarter was confirmed and combined with the electoral master roll.

Umno pastikan Anwar kembali ke tembok batu

Posted: 26 May 2011 03:21 PM PDT

Sedangkan ramai tidak lupa seorang peguam daripada pasukan pendakwa yang mengendali kes liwat II digugurkan kerana dakwaan mempunyai hubungan dengan Saiful. Timbalan Pendakwa Raya, Farah Azlina Latif dikatakan ada hubungan dengan saksi utama pihak pendakwa. Hubungan romantik mereka dibongkarkan blogger, Raja Petra Kamarudin.

M Faqih, Harakahdaily

"APA yang pasti Anwar Ibrahim tidak lagi dibenarkan bebas seperti sekarang. Kes liwat kedua hanya sebagai penyebab semata-mata," ujar satu sumber Umno di Kuala Lumpur.

Sebelum ini ramai berhujah Anwar tidak mungkin bebas kalau Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad masih berada di kerusi lamanya. Buktinya tidak lama selepas Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi menggantikan Dr Mahathir, Anwar dibebaskan. Anwar dibebaskan pada September 2004.

Pak Lah menggantikan Dr Mahathir pada Oktober 2003. Sekarang Pak Lah sudah disingkirkan dan kuasa politik Dr Mahathir mulai mencengkam kembali.

Anwar dipecat sebagai Timbalan Perdana Menteri pada 1998. Tidak lama kemudian dihumbang ke penjara atas alasan mengugut penjawat awam.

"Alasan yang dimasyhur ketika itu bukannya kesalahan liwat versi pertama seperti diuar-uarkan, sebaliknya mengugut penjawat awam," kata puteri sulung Anwar, Nurul Izzah.

Nurul Izzah muncul ikon baru politik di Tanah Malaya. Baru-baru ini ceramahnya di Machang dan Kuala Krai menarik ribuan pendengar.

Sebaliknya versi liwat kedua memperlihatkan Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur awal-awal lagi menyimpulkan Anwar ada prima facie.

Mengejutkan apabila Hakim Dato' Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah membuat rumusan Mohd Saiful Bukhari seorang yang berwibawa dan keterangannya boleh dipercayai.

Saiful ada hubungan

Sedangkan ramai tidak lupa seorang peguam daripada pasukan pendakwa yang mengendali kes liwat II digugurkan kerana dakwaan mempunyai hubungan dengan Saiful.

Timbalan Pendakwa Raya, Farah Azlina Latif dikatakan ada hubungan dengan saksi utama pihak pendakwa. Hubungan romantik mereka dibongkarkan blogger, Raja Petra Kamarudin.

Ramai juga masih belum lupa adik ipar kepada Saiful menafikan dia melarikan adik saksi utama pendakwa itu ke selatan Thailand.

Sebaliknya Faez Khairi, 28 mendakwa adik Saiful, Saidati Adha secara rela mengikutinya ke negara itu untuk berkahwin.

Sebelum itu Saiful ada membuat pengakuan di mahkamah, Faez dan Saidati melarikan diri. Pendedahan mengenai keluarga saksi utama terbabit terbongkar ketika beliau menjawab soalan peguam Karpal Singh.

Pada keterangan tersebut Saiful memberitahu ibu bapanya sudah bercerai ketika beliau berumur tujuh tahun. Oleh itu rumusan awal dibuat hakim seperti menyimpang daripada senario yang berlaku.

"Biar apa pun saya sering mendengar pemimpin Umno bercakap mengenai Anwar. Setiap kali ada mesyuarat Majlis Tertinggi isu Anwar menjadi fokus," ujar sumber Umno tadi.

Maka berdasar kepada fenomena yang berlaku sekarang ledakan reformasi 1998 sekali lagi bakal menarik simpati pengundi Melayu.

Fakta Anwar dan kemelesetan ekonomi yang berlaku ketika itu menyebabkan orang Melayu beralih daripada Umno kepada Barisan Alternatif (BA).

Inilah yang dikatakan ramai sarjana budaya baru politik di Malaysia. Prof Dr Loh Kok Wah dari USM mentafsirkan perubahan tersebut sebagai gambaran politik baru mulai dicetus di negara ini.

Keberanian orang Melayu turun ke jalan-jalan raya menuntut keadilan untuk Anwar mencetus ledakan perubahan pada pola pengundian pilihanraya umum 1999.

Kesannya BA berjaya menawan negeri-negeri majoriti Melayu iaitu Terengganu dan mengekalkan Kelantan di tangan PAS.

Selain itu berjaya menembusi kerusi-kerusi majoriti Melayu di Selangor, Perak, Pahang, Perlis dan Pulau Pinang.

Perkembangan reformasi memberi saham berganda buat PAS sehingga berjaya menduduki kerusi di Dun Selangor, Perak dan Pahang. PAS juga mengukuhkan kedudukan di Kedah.

PAS ketua pembangkang

Tuahnya buat PAS apabila berjaya menghantar seramai 27 wakil rakyat ke Parlimen ketika itu. Walhasilnya bekas Presiden PAS, Dato' Fadzil Mohd Noor buat pertama kali dalam sejarah parti Islam dilantik sebagai ketua pembangkang.

Berdasar kepada percikan reformasi fasa pertama, orang Melayu beramai-ramai meninggalkan Umno. Ternyata strategik Dr Mahahir silap apabila 'membunuh' karektor utama dengan cara yang sukar diterima resam Melayu.

Dan hari ini situasi itu seperti berulang kembali. Orang Melayu yang berpegang teguh dengan agama tidak boleh menerima fitnah dicetus secara mudah.

Liwat versi kedua dan adegan video seks yang cuba dipalitkan terhadap Anwar menyebabkan pengundi Melayu menjadi mual.

Mereka tidak mampu menerima cerita lama mengulangi apa yang pernah terjadi kepada Nabi Yusof. Baginda dianiayai adik beradik sendiri sehingga dibuang ke dalam perigi.

Kemudian dicetus fitnah Zulaikha mahu mengoda baginda. Namun kemaraan Nabi Yusof tidak mampu disekat. Baginda akhirnya bangkit memimpin umat Islam ketika itu.

Sudah lama cerita itu difahami orang Melayu beragama Islam.

Orang Melayu Islam yang sering bertandang ke masjid setiap bulan Rejab juga pastinya pernah mendengar kisah di sebalik peristiwa Israk Mikraj.

Ustaz dan ulama sering memberitahu baginda Rasulullah SAW menghadapi cabaran paling hebat dalam sejarah dakwah baginda. Semasa baginda menyampaikan dakwah di Taif, baginda SAW dilemparkan dengan batu dan diejek-ejek pemuda nakal.

Baginda dilempar batu sehingga berdarah kaki. Selepas itu baginda meninggalkan Taif sambil berehat membalut lukanya di sebuah kebun kepunyaan adik beradik iaitu Utbah dan Syaibah bin Rabiah.

Di saat itulah baginda SAW merintih kepada Allah SWT dengan doanya;

"Wahai Tuhanku, kepada Engkaulah aku mengadu segala kelemahanku, sempitnya daya usahaku dan hinanya aku di kalangan manusia. Wahai Tuhan Yang Maha Pengasih Lagi Maha Penyayang, Engkaulah pelindung orang-orang yang lemah dan Engkaulah Tuhanku.

"Kepada mereka yang jauh dan menghadapi aku dengan muka masam, atau kepada musuh, atau kepada musuh yang menguasaiku? Kalau Engkau tidak murkaiku, tidaklah aku pedulikan.

"Tetapi kemaafahan Engkaulah yang sangat aku harapkan dan memberi kelapangan kepadaku. Aku mohon berlindung di bawah cahayaMu yang menerangi semua kegelapan dan di atasNyalah semua urusan dunia dan akhirat menjadi baik.

"Agar janganlah kiranya Engkau turunkan murkaMu dan kebencianMu kepadaku. Kepada Engkaulah aku merayu sehingga Engkau meredhainya. Tidak ada daya usahaku dengan kekuatanMu." (Lihat Abu Fathan dalam Peranan Islam Dalam Masyarakat Melayu, 1996).

Kisah sentimental itu tidak mampu dijarakkan daripada jiwa orang Melayu yang masih kuat berpaut kepada Islam.

Setiap kali bulan Rejab kisah tersebut diulang-ulang semula sebagai pengajaran buat orang beriman. Namun malangnya, masih ramai orang Melayu hanya Islam pada nama dan tidak amalnya.

Bagi golongan tersebut tiada pengajaran mampu diambil daripada kisah Israk Mikraj. Maka tidak hairanlah diuar-uarkan kisah lucah dan hantu bagi menghalang kebenaran Islam bertapak subur dalam jiwa orang Melayu.

Maka ramai berhujah situasi politik hari ini mengundang fenomena 1999 berulang kembali. Ia sudah dibuktikan di Singapura baru-baru ini apabila pengundi Melayu beralih kepada Parti Buruh.

‘Attack on Shi’ites a diversion tactic’

Posted: 26 May 2011 02:56 PM PDT

Islamic authorities and the Malay mainstream media have joined forces to attack the Shi'ite community, a leader said.

(Free Malaysia Today) - Raids conducted against the Shi'ite Islamic community are nothing more than a distraction from the bigger picture, a local organisation said.

Ar-Ridha director Mohd Kamilzuhairi Abdul Aziz said that the Selangor Islamic Department (JAIS) had more pressing concerns than harrassing Shi'ite believers.

"JAIS' actions are seen as an effort to shift public opinion from the increasing social problems that it is unable to overcome," he said in a press statement.

Kamilzuhairi claimed that there were over 250,000 babies born out of wedlock; a number that was on the rise.

"JAIS also has to curb the widespread use of alcohol," he said, adding that Malaysians were some of the heaviest drinkers in the world.

He said that JAIS should have had its hands full tackling social problems, but was wasting its time attacking the Shi'ite community.

He also warned that persecution by the state went against resolutions drafted by the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) which supported the Shi'ite school of thought.

On May 24, a group of JAIS officials and police officers gatecrashed a Gombak celebration organised by the Shi'ite community.

Although given official permission with assurances that it was not a religious Shi'ite event, the authorities were nevertheless relentless.

Four Shi'ite community leaders were also arrested.

Posted: 26 May 2011 02:31 PM PDT

A leaked 1997 diplomatic cable shows that the US had backed Dr Mahathir's version of moderate Islam but felt that Anwar was too soft to handle the religious conservatives.

Following the messy beauty contest incident, Mahathir had then announced that by early 1998, the government would unify syariah laws at the federal level, thus sharply curbing the autonomy of local religious authorities.

K Kabilan, Free Malaysia Today

The US embassy here had given its tacit approval to Dr Mahathir Mohamad's hardline approach against Muslim conservatives in Malaysia as it was in line with the "US interests and values", revealed a leaked US confidential cable from 1997.

However, the US diplomats were highly concerned if Mahathir's successor as prime minister could cope with the growing Muslim conservatism.

They were specifically worried if Anwar Ibrahim, who was Mahathir's deputy at that time, had the "political position or the desire to take on Muslim conservatism as vigorously as Mahathir has done".

"Moreover, Anwar, if he does become the next PM, will not have Mahathir's almost unquestioned authority. Thus, for political reasons he may be reluctant to take strong stands that upset the vocal religious constituency," they added.

And they concluded that in the long run, the "growing proportion of Malays in Malaysia's ethnic mix will probably lead inexorably to the further Islamisation of Malaysian society".

The details were revealed in a cable sent by the then US ambassador in Malaysia John R Malott to the US State Department in Washington on Dec 23, 1997.

The confidential cable was leaked by whistleblower site WikiLeaks exclusively to FMT today.

The year 1997 was a critical year for Malaysia as Mahathir was facing a major financial crisis. He was also facing problems with haze and the country's zealous religious officials, added the cable.

Mahathir takes charge

The cable said several incidents involving "zealous Islamic authorities" have angered Mahathir during this period. They include:

a proposal by a unit within the education ministry to introduce compulsory Islamic civilization studies for all students. This proposal was then broadened to become Asian civilization following protests and Mahathir's intervention.

the arrest of three Malay women by the Selangor religious authorities for taking part in a beauty contest.

an open warning by the Sarawak religious authorities against Muslim men from taking part in a bodybuilding competition.

"Theoretically, the government's plan for standardisation of syariah law will require the agreement of the states' ruling sultans, but such constitutional niceties have rarely delayed the PM before.

"The 'unification' of syariah law early next year is already a fait accompli and conservative clerics know it, but don't like it," added the cable from the ambassador.

The cable further stated that Mahathir then in his keynote address at the Umno meeting in September 1997 had called on Malays to reject extremism and noted the results of sectarian violence in Bosnia and the Middle East.

The confidential cable added that Mahathir also criticised Muslims who put more stock in outward appearances (such as traditional clothes and beards for men and headscarves for women) than in leading a moral lie.

"Such a speech might sound sensible enough to Western ears, but by all accounts it was a disaster with the largely Malay audience, including Deputy PM Anwar, sporting traditional dress and goatees and most of the women, including Anwar's wife, wearing headscarves," it stated.

Malott said that Mahathir's "attack" on "extremist" Islam soon saw a fiery reaction from conservative Muslims, including the Selangor mufti who had apparently labelled the prime minister as an apostate.

"Reportedly, Friday sermons at many mosques have included both oblique and direct criticism of the government. The police confirmed publicly that anonymous 'poison pen' literature criticising the PM is circulating at mosques," added the US cable.

The Selangor mufti, who had denied ever calling Mahathir an apostate, was replaced by the state religious authorities on the grounds that the state needed a mufti whose views "were acceptable to all" and that a replacement was needed due to the mufti's advanced age.

This prompted the US embassy to point out that the age reasoning was curious as "the PM himself has repeatedly stated that he will not step down, though he is one year older than the mufti".

Anwar will lack authority

The US cable stated that Mahathir's moves to modernise Islam made even the moderates feel anxious over the tone and direction taken by the prime minister.

However, the top US diplomat felt that Mahathir "consistently advocates a moderate Islam squarely in line with US interests and values".

"The PM, for better or worse, is not afraid to take on anyone, including conservative Islamic groups that generally have negative views toward the US.

"Mahathir is also important as a voice of moderation within the international Islamic community," added the secret cable.

The cable then went on to describe how Anwar, labelled as Mahathir's "good conscience", "has not proven he has either the political standing or the desire to take on conservative Islam".

Malott, who was a firm Anwar loyalist following his sacking as the deputy prime minister in 1998, felt that Anwar who started off as a Muslim activist seemed loath to confront his former Muslim associates.

"Anwar's reaction to the beauty pageant incident, which happened while the PM was out of the country and Anwar was in charge, was much less vigorous."

Malott said that "Anwar, if he replaces Mahathir, will not have his predecessor's almost unquestioned authority".

"Thus, for political reasons he may be reluctant to take strong stands that upset the vocal religious constituency," Malott added in the cable.

READ MORE HERE

Kredit: www.malaysia-today.net

Jumaat, 27 Mei 2011

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

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