Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- King intervenes, tells Putrajaya, Bersih 2.0 to hold talks
- More arrests possible under Emergency Ordinance
- Opposition wins Thai election by a landslide - polls
- Bishop calls for a day of prayer on July 8
- Umno members reminded not to backstab each other
- Bakri MP, 5 others held over yellow gotong-royong T-shirts
- Media organisation condemns rally and police
- Inquest into Ahmad Sarbani’s death begins Monday
- Ambiga: Bersih is not about me
- Ambiga: Bersih is the rakyat, ban has little impact
| King intervenes, tells Putrajaya, Bersih 2.0 to hold talks Posted: 03 Jul 2011 12:03 AM PDT
(The Malaysian Insider) - The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, moved to bring the country back from the brink of disaster tonight, advising the Najib administration and Bersih 2.0 to hold consultations over the issue of free and fair elections. The constitutional monarch rarely issues edicts or statements but the heightened atmosphere over the past week has prompted Istana Negara's intervention. "I urge that amid the political fervour of a section of the people to bolster democracy in our country, it must also be ensured that this demand on democracy does not bring destruction to the country," the King said. He added that the people "cannot be following too much the practices in other countries, as harmony and stability are vital foundations for a country and which all quarters must protect". "I also urge the government to carry out everything that is entrusted to it by the people in a just and wise manner, and it is important that I as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong do not want to see this country with a plural society in a situation where there is animosity among them or a section of the people being enemies with the government, on whatever grounds. "When any problem arises, we as a civilised society must resolve it through consultations and not follow our emotions, as the Malay saying goes, "Yang Dikejar Tak Dapat Yang Dikendong Berciciran (Not getting what we chase and spilling what we carry)," Tuanku Mizan added. He pointed out that street demonstrations bring more bad than good "although the original intention is good, saying that the people should focus on "our main objective to develop this country, and not create problems that will cause the country to lag behind" "Remember that there is no land where the rain does not fall, there is no ocean that is not turbulent. "That is how important moderation and compromise is, which has been long been in practice by our nation's administration," he said, expressing confidence that Datuk Seri Najib Razak can handle the issue. The ruler's unprecedented intervention tonight, could well leave Bersih 2.0 and its supporters from Pakatan Rakyat (PR), in a lurch, for going ahead with the rally can be seen as a direct affront to the palace. At the same time, the King's text, which is usually prepared by the government, could also be an indication that the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) government remains unsure if its strong arm tactics in attempting to stop Bersih's march had successfully spooked the group into backing out.
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| More arrests possible under Emergency Ordinance Posted: 02 Jul 2011 08:43 PM PDT
(Bernama) - Police have not dismissed the possibility that more people will be arrested under the Emergency Ordinance (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) 1969 for subversive activities. Deputy Inspector-General of Police Abdul Khalid Abu Bakar also brushed aside claims by some groups that police were out to arrest anyone according to their whims. "We have a law for this. We do not simply arrest – whatever action we take is based on the regulations and laws we have in Malaysia," he said. Yesterday, police detained Sungai Siput Member of Parliament Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj and five members of the Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) under the Emergency Ordinance. To date, 152 people have been arrested under Section 27(5) of the Police Act, he said. Meanwhile, police have received 2,500 reports from various quarters including traders, individuals and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) throughout the country objecting to illegal street demonstrations planned for July 9. Abdul Khalid asserted that police had sound reasons to disallow the illegal assemblies while being responsible to ensure security and wellbeing of the people. "To outsiders who have made various comments against our action my advice is, don't meddle in the affairs of our country," he said. IGP issues his warning He said that if the rallies planned for July 9 were to go ahead, they would jeopardise national peace "Don't challenge the sovereignty of the law which has been enshrined in the federal constitution. Police will take appropriate action using the law provided against anyone violating the law," he said here today. He also urged those intending to participate in the illegal assembly next week to abort their plan or face police action. Ismail said police had certain strategies which could be used to maintain security.
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| Opposition wins Thai election by a landslide - polls Posted: 02 Jul 2011 08:01 PM PDT
BANGKOK (Reuters) - The opposition won Thailand's general election by a landslide on Sunday, exit polls showed, paving the way for Yingluck Shinawatra to become the country's first female prime minister in a victory for a red-shirted political movement. Television showed Yingluck, younger sister of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, swarmed by flashing cameras and journalists after exit polls showed her Puea Thai (For Thais) party winning a clear majority of the 500 seats in parliament. "Let's wait for the official results. I will tell you how I feel tonight," she told cheering supporters. An exit poll by Bangkok's Suan Dusit University, considered the most historically reliable, showed Puea Thai winning 313 seats with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's Democrat Party taking just 152. Bangkok's Assumption University (ABAC) put the number of seats won by the opposition at 299. The red shirts have rallied around Yingluck and accuse Abhisit of colluding with the army with impunity -- grievances that have simmered since a 2006 military coup overthrew her brother.
Thaksin, a former telecommunications tycoon, scored landslide election wins in 2001 and 2005 by appealing to the poor with populist policies, from cheap credit to universal healthcare. Yingluck hopes to tap his supporters. Abhisit, 46, an urbane economist born in Britain and educated at Oxford, has warned of instability ahead if Yingluck wins. He blames the red shirts for last year's violence and casts Thaksin as an authoritarian crony capitalist. His backers -- the royalist establishment and urban middle class -- want Thaksin to serve a two-year prison term for conflict of interest offences. They say Yingluck is a proxy for her brother and would clear the way for Thaksin's return. Abhisit had hoped to win a mandate from the people after coming to power in a controversial 2008 parliamentary vote when a pro-Thaksin ruling party was dissolved by the courts. His Democrats have not won an election in nearly 20 years. Throughout the six-week campaign, the two sides have presented similar populist campaigns of subsidies for the poor, improved healthcare benefits and infrastructure investment including high-speed rail systems across the country. The election is Thailand's 26th since it became a democracy in 1932, ending seven centuries of absolute monarchy. It has since been governed by 17 constitutions and has experienced 18 military coups, either actual or attempted. Recent opinion polls had suggested Puea Thai would win at least 240 seats, a threshold that is no guarantee it could govern. Most had doubted it either side would secure an outright majority, predicting back-room talks with smaller parties would prove crucial for forming a coalition. Investors are watching. Thailand, Southeast Asia's second-biggest economy and a base for automakers including General Motors Co has struggled to execute long-term planning -- from major infrastructure to much-needed economic reforms. The vote is also a test for Thailand's courts, which have handed down rulings that have removed two prime ministers, disbanded six parties, jailed three election commissioners and banned more than 250 politicians since the 2006 coup. Analysts and legal experts say those precedents suggest the courts could ultimately dictate who holds political power in the months after the election. According to some reports, the Puea Thai camp had been in talks with the generals to find some way of working together should it emerge victorious. Puea Thai would be allowed to govern and the military top brass would remain in place, with early reshuffles limited to middle ranks. (Additional reporting by Nick Macfie; Editing by Brian Rhoads and Alan Raybould)
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| Bishop calls for a day of prayer on July 8 Posted: 02 Jul 2011 05:28 PM PDT
(Malaysiakini) - Catholic Bishop Dr Paul Tan Chee Ing today declared July 8 as a day of prayer in the Melaka-Johor diocese that "a peace based on justice would prevail among Malaysians of all persuasions and beliefs."
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| Umno members reminded not to backstab each other Posted: 02 Jul 2011 04:56 PM PDT
Party president tells members to avoid putting each other down and to instead put the party's interest ahead of personal interests. (Free Malaysia Today) - Umno president Najib Tun Razak reminded party members not to resort to fractional politics or divisions as it could affect the party's performance in the coming general election. He also said members should avoid putting each other down and instead put the party's interest ahead of personal interests. "Fractional politics undermines the performance of a party for elections, when it's time for elections we must do what is best for the party first," he told reporters after launching the Pekan Umno delegates meeting, here today. Najib said such negative practices not only occurred in Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties, but also in opposition parties whereby it frequently happened during party elections. "This happens within Umno and the opposition. When there is open election and differing views in a political party that practices democracy, there will be situations where various groups resort to such tactics at the grassroots level," he said. He said party members need to support selected party candidates by setting aside any negativity and not take the opportunity to sabotage other members.
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| Bakri MP, 5 others held over yellow gotong-royong T-shirts Posted: 02 Jul 2011 04:46 PM PDT
(The Malaysian Insider) - Six DAP members, including Bakri MP Er Teck Hwa, were hauled up by the police this morning during a gotong-royong exercise, on suspicion that it was part of the now-outlawed Bersih 2.0's activities. The six, wearing yellow T-shirts bearing designs different from that of the Bersih 2.0 logo, were picked up at the Taman Pelangi market as they were distributing leaflets to the public. Despite trying to explain to the cops that their walkabout this morning was part of a community cleanliness campaign themed "Negara Bersih, Rakyat Bertuah", they were still hauled up to the Taman Pelangi police station. Er managed to post an update on his Facebook profile page, writing, "BN (Barisan Nasional) government should make new announcement — cleaning street campaign is prohibited in Malaysia." He claimed the cops had told them that if they had not invited the media to cover their arrests, they would have been freed immediately. The six were later led to the Sentral police station for questioning. They are being represented by PKR lawyer Hassan Karim. "PKR lawyer Hassan Karim is now dealing with police. Lawyer said they might be charged under sedition act but dont not know yet," Er wrote on Facebook at about 1.30pm. The six include Er, Johor DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) chief Tan Hong Pin, Johor DAPSY vice chief Jason Josob, Johor DAP committee member Chen Kah Eng, Taman Bukit Indah DAP branch secretary Yan Boon Meng and Johor DAP assistant political education director Tang Chee Kia.
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| Media organisation condemns rally and police Posted: 02 Jul 2011 04:20 PM PDT
In Friday's illegal assembly on the Penang Bridge, a youth wearing an Umno Youth shirt threatened to throw a journalist into the sea. (Free Malaysia Today) - The assault on newsmen during Friday's violent rally and the police inaction to stop it had irked the Penang Chinese Journalists and Photographers Association (Pewaju). In a strongly worded statement here, Pewaju condemned the unprovoked attacks on a journalist, a photographer and a videographer by the protestors during violent and illegal rallies in George Town downtown and on Penang Bridge. The rallies were against the Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's Pakatan Rakyat state government and next Saturday's Bersih 2.0 rally. The protesters were pre-dominantly local leaders and members of Umno, Perkasa and Suara Anak-Anak Mamak Pulau Pinang. Observers believed, among the protesters were also hired local thugs. The rally ring leaders included the Anak Mamak group leader Mohamed Ghani Abd Jiman and Senator Ezam Mohd Nor. "We condemn strongly the attack on journalist and cameramen during the rally. "We are appalled and upset with the failure of police to protect the media men and the ordinary citizens," said Pewaju. The statement questioned the standard and status of security and safety for ordinary people given by the police. The statement claimed the attacks on the journalist took place right before the police eyes, but the law enforcers were hapless, helpless and hopeless to stop the assault. The statement claimed that the demonstrators simply did not bother about the presence of the police and were volatile throughout the illegal assembly. "The ineptness of the police raised a question on their integrity, competency and credibility to protect ordinary Malaysians," slammed Pewaju. Pewaju explained reporters and cameramen risk their lives to be at any spots of happenings to report the truth to the public. Hence, it insisted that media men needed absolute protection and cooperation from all quarters, especially the police, to do their job with minimum disruption and risk.
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| Inquest into Ahmad Sarbani’s death begins Monday Posted: 02 Jul 2011 03:58 PM PDT
(Bernama) - The inquest proceedings to investigate the death of Selangor Customs Assistant Director, Ahmad Sarbani Mohamed, will begin Monday at the Magistrate's Court 3. The inquest, which has been set to last until July 15, will be heard before Coroner Aizatul Akmal Maharani. Ahmad Sarbani, 56, who was attached to the Port Klang Customs office, was found dead at the badminton court on the first floor, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) Federal Territory office in Jalan Cochrane, here on April 6. He was reported to have gone to the office voluntarily to meet with a MACC investigation officer concerning a probe into a corruption case involving 62 Customs officers. On June 3, police had filed an application for an inquest into the death of Ahmad Sarbani under Section 399(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
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| Ambiga: Bersih is not about me Posted: 02 Jul 2011 09:00 AM PDT
(The Malaysian Insider) - Bersih 2.0 chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan is unperturbed by the countless personal attacks against her since she announced a July 9 rally for free and fair elections. The latest salvo came from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak who questioned her legal work for a case involving Islam while Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ali Rustam suggested that the government strip Ambiga of her citizenship. "I am not going to respond to personal attacks and people who are just attacking Bersih with no basis. I think I will leave it to the public to judge us. "We are a peaceful movement and we will leave it to the public to judge us by our action. Because Bersih is not about me, it is about the rakyat," she told The Malaysian Insider. Both Umno leaders are among several politicians who have castigated Ambiga for her role in Bersih 2.0 with Ali saying that a person who is hell-bent on "causing chaos in the country" does not deserve citizenship. Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad also trashed Bersih 2.0's purpose for its July 9 rally yesterday, saying the coalition did not want electoral reform but was gunning for a repeat of the 2008 election tsunami. The country's longest-serving prime minister insisted that Malaysia's electoral process has always been clean and fair, pointing out that opposition candidates have always been able to win seats in every general election. Apart from the attacks, the former Bar Council president has also received a death threat. In a text message written in Malay and sent to Ambiga and the press on June 23, the unknown sender said, "If the rally takes place, my people and I will kill Ambiga and all those around her one by one including the idiot politicians who are in cahoots with this infidel. This is my warning. You watch out." Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia had also made countless attacks against Ambiga, with one report describing her as anti-Malay and anti-Islam. The Mingguan Malaysia lead last Sunday read "Siapa sebenarnya Ambiga? (Who is the real Ambiga?) and featured pro-Umno political analysts like Perkasa member Datuk Paduka Prof Dr Ramlah Adam and Prof Datuk Dr Zainal Kling.
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| Ambiga: Bersih is the rakyat, ban has little impact Posted: 02 Jul 2011 08:56 AM PDT
(The Malaysian Insider) - The Home Ministry ban on Bersih 2.0 will not have the impact it had aimed for as the electoral reform movement has captured the people's "hearts and minds", says its chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan. The former Bar Council president also disagreed with the Najib administration's rationale for outlawing the movement, saying Bersih 2.0 was a coalition of established groups and does not need to be registered. "More important, above and beyond that, Bersih now means more than just a group of organisations to Malaysians. Bersih is now a concept that has captured the hearts and minds of the rakyat. "Bersih is now the rakyat, therefore whatever anybody tries to do to Bersih will not make any difference to how people feel about what it stands for," the Bersih chairman told The Malaysian Insider. The Home Ministry declared Bersih 2.0 illegal effective July 1 for causing an "atmosphere of unrest", a week before its planned July 9 rally calling for free and fair elections. The ministry issued a four-paragraph statement yesterday outlining the reasons for the ban by Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein. It gave three reasons for the banning of the movement, adding it was an unregistered group despite fulfilling all criteria to form an organisation under the Societies Act 1966. The reasons given for the ban are: i) Being active and sparking an atmosphere of unrest and worry among the multiracial community in the country; ii) Spreading propaganda to incite the people to topple the government by distributing certain leaflets; iii) Its activities have given a bad image to the country, which can threaten and undermine public order, security, economy and the country's sovereignty and affect the harmony of the multiracial community. Ambiga disagreed with the reasons outlined by the Registrar of Societies Datuk Abdul Rahman Othman and gave her justification. "From a legal standpoint, we believe that Bersih 2.0 is a coalition of established organisations, so it does not require registration under the Societies Act," said the senior lawyer.
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"Like many Malaysians, I view the day of the Bersih march on July 9 with a mixture of trepidation and anticipation," said the prelate, who is concurrently president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia.
"This is one of those times when you feel the tug of conflicting imperatives: in this instance, the imperative of public order and tranquility counter-posed by the imperative of justice to the electoral processes that help to guarantee that peace. 
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