Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- ‘MCMC officers behaved like thugs’ (UPDATED WITH VIDEO)
- Former top cop confirms Tajudin links
- Don't be hasty to act over apostasy, says Mahathir
- Malaysia's Najib Pledges to Examine Election Laws After Mass Protests
- Najib says 100pc meritocracy will breed ‘mediocrity’
- Najib: We are on track to meet 5% GDP growth
- 'The spate of hate crimes must be stopped’
- Dr M says Muslim fracture may tempt foreign intrusion
- ‘Don’t put gun to my head’, EC chief asks Bersih
| ‘MCMC officers behaved like thugs’ (UPDATED WITH VIDEO) Posted: 18 Aug 2011 10:36 PM PDT
LFL lawyer is outraged over MCMC's insinuation that it is above the law. (Free Malaysia Today) - The Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) today questioned a journalist over a picture she had taken during the Bersih 2.0 rally. But according to Lawyers For Liberty (LFL) coordinator, Fadiah Nadwa Fikri, the officials had behaved like thugs in their intimidation and harassment of both her and her client. Fadiah had accompanied her client, Yusriah Yusof, a photographer with opposition mouthpiece Suara Keadilan, to the MCMC headquarters earlier this afternoon. Yusriah was being questioned over her picture of Anwar Ibrahim's bodyguard, Fayyadh Afiq Albakqry, taken after he was hit in the face with a tear gas canister while shielding Anwar. The picture of his bloodied face were among the many circulated online in the aftermath of the rally as evidence of police brutality. When the investigating officer (IO) met them at the entrance, Fadiah introduced herself and said that she was accompanying her client into the investigation room. The IO denied her entry and an argument ensued. "He said that lawyers were not allowed to be present during the questioning," she told FMT. "I told him that under the Federal Constitution my client had the right to have her lawyer present and asked him what his basis was in disallowing that right." "I even asked him why she was being questioned and whether there was a report made against her. The IO said of course there is a report but he wasn't going to divulge it to me." When Fadiah pointed out that even the police released reports to lawyers, the IO apparently shot back, "That is the police, we are MCMC." Shouting match He, however, eventually reluctantly allowed Fadiah into the investigation room but then told her that he wanted to take her statement too. "I refused and told him that I am merely accompanying my client and I'm not the party under investigation," she said. "We continued arguing until he shouted 'you're a Malay, right? you're a Muslim, right?… stop asking questions!'" "I told him not to bring religion into this and to respect the law. He shouted back that if I wanted to talk about the law then I should go to the court because this was his office and he didn't want to talk about it." Before a stunned Fadiah could respond, two more officers entered the room and shouted to her to leave. While she argued with them, the IO began taking Yusriah's statement, disregarding the photographer's obvious distress. "I turned my back on the two and focus on my client," Fadiah said. "These men were in the baju Melayu complete with the sampin and they were behaving like thugs. They were talking like the law didn't apply to them." "I am shocked by MCMC's arrogance and ignorance. Even when they called my client in for questioning they never sent her an official notice. Just a casual phone call." Np8ro9esPsI
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| Former top cop confirms Tajudin links Posted: 18 Aug 2011 04:24 PM PDT
(Malaysiakini) - Prime Minister Najib Razak should rethink any kind of settlement with Tajudin Ramli or directing the government-linked companies (GLCs) to withdraw all pending law suits against the former Malaysia Airlines chief. Former Kuala Lumpur CID chief Mat Zain Ibrahim said this was to ensure that the interests of the public are preserved, and not that of Tajudin or other politically-linked personalities.
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| Don't be hasty to act over apostasy, says Mahathir Posted: 18 Aug 2011 04:20 PM PDT
(Bernama) - Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government should not be hasty in taking action on the alleged attempt to convert Muslims in the country into other faiths. "It has to be studied first... at times the allegation is true, sometimes (it is) not true." "If we are hasty in our investigation, then when (the action is) wrong, people will no longer believe us."
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| Malaysia's Najib Pledges to Examine Election Laws After Mass Protests Posted: 18 Aug 2011 03:10 PM PDT  By James Hookway, Wall Street Journal Five weeks after a protest that was the biggest Malaysia has seen in four years, Prime Minister Najib Razak Tuesday pledged to examine ways to revamp the country's electoral laws. More than 20,000 people gathered on the streets of Kuala Lumpur on July 9 in a demonstration that police sought to break up with tear gas and water cannons. The activists, organized by an independent group known as Bersih—the Malay word for "clean"—but also including opposition leaders such as Anwar Ibrahim, argue that the majority-Muslim country's electoral system unfairly favors the National Front. That coalition has ruled this important gas and palm-oil exporter since independence from Britain in 1957. Among other things, the protesters called for the government to update the electoral rolls and ensure equal access to state-controlled media for all political parties. The confrontation with police, which human-rights group Amnesty International called "the worst campaign of repression we've seen in the country for years," came as speculation grew that Mr. Najib, 58 years old and the son of Malaysia's second prime minister, would soon call elections. He isn't obliged to do so until 2013, but analysts say calling for an early election might provide him with an edge over his opponents. Malaysia, though many parts of its economy are growing strongly, is badly fractured politically, often along race-based lines. Mr. Najib's United Malays National Organization party claims to represent the country's majority Muslim Malay population, and in the 1970s implemented affirmative-action policies meant to help ethnic Malays catch up economically with other groups, especially the country's ethnic Chinese. Programs including quotas for access to universities and special loans for ethnic Malays have since become well-entrenched, though in recent years a growing number of Malaysians have called for change. Mr. Anwar, the 64-year-old opposition leader, is among those pushing to liberalize the economy and level the playing field for all Malaysians, and analysts say that under Mr. Najib some important aspects of affirmative action have been carefully rolled back. Political change appears to be coming more slowly. Mr. Najib's tentative offer to consider overhauling Malaysia's electoral system is his biggest concession to the protesters so far. Declaring that the system had served Malaysia well over the past 50 years, he said that he would nonetheless name a parliamentary committee to examine possible changes. "For whatever reason, some people have expressed doubts about that system, leading to calls for change," Mr. Najib said in a statement. "I have always been deeply committed to Parliamentary democracy and to all it can achieve… That is why I am building on my reform agenda to establish an independent bipartisan Select Committee that will ensure that the views of each and every Malaysian are reflected at the ballot box." It wasn't clear when, or if, the committee would recommend any changes. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, seen in a Friday photo, on Tuesday promised to examine ways to revamp electoral laws. Opposition leaders and democracy activists cautiously welcomed Mr. Najib's pledge. Mr. Anwar told The Wall Street Journal that the prime minister is "finally conceding the concerns of the vast number of citizens regarding fraud," but said the committee must include representatives from the opposition, hear the opinions of civil-society groups and address "the fundamental issues on electoral reform." Mr. Anwar, who is now on trial on charges he violated Malaysia's strict sodomy laws—a case he says is politically motivated—added that he's concerned the formation of a new committee could actually be way to slow down a revamp and deflect momentum away from meaningful change. "We already have an Election Commission that's supposed to be independent," he said. "What's stopping them from revising the list of postal voters or updating the electoral rolls?" The Bersih group that organized the July 9 protest in Kuala Lumpur also expressed wariness about Mr. Najib's plans. While welcoming his proposal, the group stressed that changes to the electoral system must happen before the next election. If Mr. Najib calls a vote before reforms can be made, "I don't think the public will stomach anything like this," said one Bersih activist, Wong Chin Huat. —Celine Fernandez contributed to this article.
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| Najib says 100pc meritocracy will breed ‘mediocrity’ Posted: 18 Aug 2011 02:58 PM PDT By Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider SHAH ALAM: Datuk Seri Najib Razak sought today to justify his administration's apparent return to affirmative action policies to boost the Bumiputera economy, saying a system based 100 per cent on meritocracy would only breed "a nation of mediocrity". The prime minister told a convention here that the government's "new system" was to use meritocracy among Bumiputeras by identifying and rewarding sincere and deserving Malay businesses while at the same time creating a more competitive environment to enhance the Malay economy. He said focussing entirely on meritocracy would not be fair to individuals living in rural and suburban areas, claiming they would not be able to compete on a level playing field with those living in urban centres. "Yes, some have said that the time has arrived that we no longer need affirmative action, some say we can scrap the quota system, we do not need this and that... and that we should practise full meritocracy. "This is not coming from the non-Malays alone but the Malays themselves, the so-called liberal Malays," Najib said in his keynote address at the opening of the "Strengthening the New Economic Model — 1 Jihad Bumiputera Economy" convention at Universiti Teknologi Mara here. "I say that it is true that the non-Malays became rich because of hard work but it is no less important to note that they became rich also because of our country's stability and a sound administration... because when they needed money, we gave it to them, even from before," he said. Najib said Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) should be partly credited for being "considerate" and "fair" to the non-Malays, resulting in an environment that enabled their businesses to thrive. "But do not now fail to be considerate to the Malays as well... they (non-Malays) should also be fair because Malays are presently at a disadvantage. "Perhaps they say 40 years (of affirmative action) is enough but a large number of living in rural and suburban areas still need government aid through rewarding policies. So depending solely on meritocracy would be unfair," he said.
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| Najib: We are on track to meet 5% GDP growth Posted: 18 Aug 2011 02:20 PM PDT By Zuhrin Azam Ahmad, The Star PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is optimistic that the country will meet this year's gross domestic product (GDP) growth target of between 5% and 6%. The Prime Minister said despite the volatile global economy, there were signs that the GDP would meet the 5% growth. "We decided to project the growth in a range of 5% to 6% as it was difficult to narrow it to one figure. "Based on the current situation, we are expecting it to be closer to 5%, and as such, we are maintaining the target," he said after chairing the National Financial Council meeting yesterday. The country's economic growth moderated to 4% year-on-year in the second quarter of the year, following a revised growth of 4.9% year-on-year in the preceding quarter due to weaker external environment. Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz said on Wednesday that based on the growth Malaysia has achieved so far, it was likely that the country's GDP for the full year would expand by at least 5%. Najib, who is also Finance Minister, said the country's inflation was manageable with the latest figures showing a slight decline. "Several steps including reducing the price of chicken had some impact on the inflation situation. What we want is to achieve low inflation with encouraging economic growth," he said. Najib also said the target to reduce the fiscal deficit to 5.4% of the GDP this year was still on track. On the meeting, Najib said the council had agreed to allocate RM318mil in 2013 including RM288mil as contribution to states based on economic development, infrastructure and well-being standards. Later, writing in his blog, Najib said all input and ideas from participants in the Roundtable Session had been submitted to the Finance Ministry for consideration in the drawing up of the coming Budget.
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| 'The spate of hate crimes must be stopped’ Posted: 18 Aug 2011 02:09 PM PDT By Athi Shankar, FMT GEORGE TOWN: There are groups of extremists who are turning to hate crime to settle their political differences. And Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong thinks that this could be the reason for torching the state DAP headquarters.
He also blames acts of political violence in other parts of the country on these political extremists. He said these extremists were resorting to hate crime because they refuse to exhaust existing avenues to settle political differences. He added that these people should have adopted diplomatic channels to raise grievances, address contentious issues and find amicable solutions to problems. "No religion or civilised community would condone such hate crimes. It's a violent act of political desperation by anti-democratic elements," Liew told FMT, referring to the Penang DAP headquarters fire in the early hours yesterday. Stacks of newspapers placed at the building's front portion were torched about 3am. The incident happened just four days after their premise in Jalan Talipon was splashed with red paint. Several politically motivated hate crimes took place in the country, especially in Penang, in the past few months. Among them were splashing of green paint at the service centre of Komtar state representative Ng Wei Aik, who is also Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's political secretary. Other incidents were displaying posters defaming Lim, splashing green paint at the house of Bukit Mertajam MP Chong Eng and splashing yellow paint at Umno Cheras and Bandar Tun Razak branch premises. A rowdy protest by Suara Anak-Anak Mamak Pulau Pinang (SAMPP) disrupted a press conference held by Bersih coordinator Toh Kin Woon outside the state police headquarters in Jalan Penang on June 29.
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| Dr M says Muslim fracture may tempt foreign intrusion Posted: 18 Aug 2011 02:05 PM PDT By Boo Su-Lyn, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has warned that the split among Muslims in Malaysia into three groups may lead to foreign interference with the nation's affairs. National news agency Bernama reported the influential former prime minister as saying that the three Muslim groups were "warring" among themselves without using weapons like in other Islamic countries suffering disunity. He did not, however, specifically identify the groups. "Because of disunity, we have become weak," said Dr Mahathir at a buka puasa dinner in Jerlun, Kedah, last night. "We may have forgotten that 55 years ago, all Muslims in this country fought for independence and (opposed) the Malayan Union. At that time, the Muslims were weak, but we defeated the Malayan Union because we were united. "Even though we did not have money and other strengths, but because we were united, we could triumph over the Malayan Union," added the elder statesman. Dr Mahathir's remarks came as racial and religious tension heightened in multi-racial Malaysia after a series of controversial incidents this year. The Penang Fatwa Council's recent ban on loudspeaker broadcasts of Quran readings has caused furore among the Muslim community in Penang. The DAP Penang headquarters was attacked in an arson attempt yesterday, with Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng linking the attack to the ban. Selangor religious authorities also raided a church in Petaling Jaya on August 3, accusing it of proselytising Muslims at a thanksgiving dinner there. Yesterday, Dr Mahathir said that many Islamic countries were now facing problems such as internal strife, wars against foreigners, and famines. "This is what is going on in many Islamic countries. In those countries, the people are not united. In the end, Muslims become weak and foreigners take the advantage to control Muslims," he said. "If we are not united, we will become like those Muslims. We have to work hard to ensure that Muslims do not suffer a terrible fate because of our disunity," Dr Mahathir added.
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| ‘Don’t put gun to my head’, EC chief asks Bersih Posted: 18 Aug 2011 02:03 PM PDT By Melissa Chi, The Malaysian Insider PUTRAJAYA, Aug 19 — The Election Commission (EC) has agreed to meet with Bersih 2.0 to discuss electoral reforms, but its chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof asked that the reforms movement not "put a gun to [his] head". "I told them better don't do that (put a gun to his head). You can suggest anything but some suggestions we might agree, some suggestions we might not. But don't expect we must agree everything," Abdul Aziz said today. He was speaking to reporters here at the EC office after a two-hour discussion with the Association for the Promotion of Human Rights (Proham). The first NGO to meet with the EC since the July 9 rally, Proham today submitted a report on "Human Rights and Electoral Reform" based on its findings from a public forum last month. "You must come like Proham today, we must discuss openly without condition; they (Proham) didn't put a gun to my head," he said. Bersih 2.0 is a loose coalition of 62 NGOs demanding for clean and fair elections. The election watchdog group has been pushing for electoral reforms for years, resulting in two street rallies — the first in 2007, which has been partly credited for the Election 2008 tsunami, and the second on July 9 this year, which saw the Najib administration's reformist image take a severe beating in the international media. Abdul Aziz said based on his understanding, the request for the meeting was on three new issues which he declined to disclose. "[The EC] is ready to meet with anyone to give suggestions and opinions to improve democracy and the election system. "I hear and will discuss their (Proham) suggestions with the EC panel members whether those suggestions can be made into law or accepted as policy," Abdul Aziz said. He said among the issues discussed today were the independence of the EC, as well as ways to keep track of voting with biometric systems and indelible ink.
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"The appointment of Wan Azmi Wan Hamzah as a director of MAS after he disappeared from the corporate spotlight since 1998 strengthens such a speculation as Wan Azmi is alleged to be involved in holding RM150 million on behalf of (former finance minister) Daim Zainuddin (right).
"Anwar's police report included three letters by corporate figures Abdul Halim Saad (left) - said to hold 52 million Faber Merlin shares and 130 million Renong shares - Wan Azmi holding RM150 million for Daim, and Tajudin holding RM70 million for Daim," Mat Zain said.
He also questioned why attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail (right) had not taken action against Tajudin even though the police investigations were "crystal clear".
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