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Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Najib: My daughter was not in Perth
- ‘Seksualiti Merdeka a collateral damage’
- Govt has RM40b untapped cash reserves, says Husni
- Malaysia performs below average in International Bribe Payers Index
- Police reportedly ban gay festival in Malaysia
- Anwar on highway's RM2b increase, bridge over land
- Muhyiddin: Seksualiti Merdeka is ‘immoral’
- MAS-AirAsia share swap under probe for insider trading
- Mixed-messages over Pakatan’s application
- Australian government pressured to act on Assange
- MAS-AirAsia deal not violating anti-trust law: Rafidah
- Malaysia bans steamy 'Islamic sex guide': report
- Poetic justice for Guan Eng
- Muhyiddin: Decision on PPSMI final
- AirAsia received RM249m subsidy for rural flights
- Anwar predicts ‘Malaysia Spring’ in next polls
| Najib: My daughter was not in Perth Posted: 03 Nov 2011 12:10 AM PDT (The Malaysian Insider) - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today that his daughter was not present in Australia during the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) meeting in Perth which he attended. He was responding through Twitter to allegations that his daughter was on a A$60,000 (RM 193,869) shopping spree in the Western Australia state when Najib was attending the meeting for leaders of states. Najib also clarified to Bernama Online that his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, and daughter did not buy jewellery, and asked people to stop spreading rumours and lies. Australian newspaper came out with the controversial report, saying "the first lady known to have bought A$150,000 worth of WA (Western Australian) pearls". The report did not name the person specifically. The prime minister is performing the haj currently with Rosmah in Saudi Arabia.
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| ‘Seksualiti Merdeka a collateral damage’ Posted: 03 Nov 2011 12:07 AM PDT The festival organiser thinks government agencies are all out against Bersih's Ambiga and Anwar Ibrahim. (Free Malaysia Today) - Seksualiti Merdeka festival organiser, Pang Khee Teik, believes that the police ban against the festival was because it was to be officiated by Bersih 2.0 chairman S Ambiga and that they have been made a collateral damage. "I think it is because of Ambiga. It is being politicized," said Pang when met at the Burmese refugees fund-raising dinner function at the Annexe, Central Market. "The government agencies are using every opportunity to rouse sentiments against Ambiga and (Opposition Leader) Anwar Ibrahim. "We are mere collateral damage," said Pang. He said this in response to the ban against the festival by Deputy Inspector General of Police, Khalid Abu Bakar. Earlier today the DIG said that the police will take action under Section 27 A (1) (C) as well as 298 A of the Penal Code to prevent any functions relating to the programme. Seksualiti Merdeka is an annual festival highlighting issues faced by lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transsexuals since 2008. Pang also accused the government of ignoring the innocent and marginalised segments of the community. He stressed that the festival was an avenue to hear out the plight of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual community.
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| Govt has RM40b untapped cash reserves, says Husni Posted: 02 Nov 2011 07:08 PM PDT By Chong Jin Hun, The Edge KUALA LUMPUR : The government has some RM40 billion of untapped cash reserves which it could use to sustain Malaysia's economic growth in the event of a global economic slowdown, according to Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah. Husni said the reserves included the government's trust fund of about RM30 billion, another contingency fund of some RM4 billion, and Kumpulan Wang Amanah Negara which have around RM5 billion. |
| Malaysia performs below average in International Bribe Payers Index Posted: 02 Nov 2011 07:07 PM PDT By Alyaa Alhadjri, The Sun PETALING JAYA (Nov 2, 2011): Malaysia managed a 7.6 score out of 10 in the Transparency International 2011 Bribe Payers Index released today, below the global average of 7.8. The index, with a score of 10 indicating the perception that companies are unlikely to engage in bribery while doing business abroad, placed Malaysia in 15th position together with Hongkong, Italy and South Africa. |
| Police reportedly ban gay festival in Malaysia Posted: 02 Nov 2011 07:05 PM PDT By Sean Yoong, AP KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Police ordered gay rights activists in Muslim-majority Malaysia on Thursday to scrap an annual arts festival aimed at fighting discrimination, news reports said. The "Sexual Independence" festival has been held under low-key circumstances in Kuala Lumpur since 2008, but growing awareness about the event is leading to criticism by politicians and religious leaders. This year's five-day festival — starting Nov. 9 at a private arts center and themed "Queer Without Fear" — planned to feature musical performances of "queer anthems sung by fierce local singers and drag divas who know what it means to love out loud and proud," organizers said. But after criticism by the deputy prime minister and plans by several Muslim nongovernment groups to protest, police reportedly ordered the event to be canceled, local media said. The Malaysiakini independent news website quoted national deputy police chief Khalid Abu Bakar as saying the festival represented "a threat to public order." The Star newspaper said Khalid warned of "strong action" against anyone violating the ban. Khalid could not immediately be reached for comment, and other police officials declined to comment. Earlier Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had described the event as "inappropriate" and a "waste of time," according to the national news agency, Bernama. Gay rights activists did not immediately respond to the event's reportedly being banned. Earlier Thursday, they said the festival was meant to counter widespread homophobia in this socially conservative Asian nation, where a young gay man received death threats last year after posting a YouTube clip defending his sexuality. "Asking us to keep quiet is asking us to take your abuse with a smile ... it's time to put a stop to all the hate and misunderstanding and abuse," festival spokesman Pang Khee Teik said in an online statement posted before the event was reportedly banned. This year's program also included plans for talks on sexuality issues, a poster exhibition and a makeup workshop by a drag queen. One session is titled "Defense Against The Dark Arts: Homophobia 101." Media censorship rules forbid movies and song lyrics that promote acceptance of gays, while a decades-old law makes sodomy punishable by 20 years in prison, though it is seldom and selectively enforced. The festival's sponsors and supporters include the Malaysian chapter of Amnesty International, the country's main grouping of lawyers and other human rights organizations. |
| Anwar on highway's RM2b increase, bridge over land Posted: 02 Nov 2011 07:04 PM PDT (Harakah Daily) - Nov 3: The delayed completion of the Jabor expressway which forms part of the East Coast Highway caught the attention of Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim (pic), who revealed that the cost for its construction had ballooned by more than RM2 billion, from the original RM3 billion to RM5 billion. The project, which started in 2007, was supposed to be completed last year. "This is extremely disappointing and should not have happenned because it involves public money which must be spent appropriately," said Anwar in parliament yesterday. Taking to task the Public Works Department and other relevant ministries over the delay and the cost increase, Anwar anticipated problems over the collection of toll for the highway. "Until now, we still do not know who will operate the toll and who will hold the concession," said the Permatang Pauh member of parliament. The former Finance minister also described as "not smart" the government's project to build a bridge over land in Kemaman, Terengganu, costing some RM174 million, RM70 million higher than the original price tag. "This is just another strange project by UMNO-BN to build bridges on land and with much higher cost than the original pricing," he added. |
| Muhyiddin: Seksualiti Merdeka is ‘immoral’ Posted: 02 Nov 2011 07:03 PM PDT By Teoh El Sen, FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has dismissed the ongoing "Seksualiti Merdeka" programme as "totally non-beneficial" to Malaysians. Speaking on behalf of the government and Umno, Muhyiddin said: "I don't know what our country can gain from this. "Umno and the government feel that something like that is totally not beneficial at all. "I don't understand why they are holding this. Does it have any hidden political agendas? "But for Malaysians, they would have to judge for themselves. For a large number of us, it should not be done, it is a waste of time," he told reporters here today. Muhyiddin, the Umno deputy president, said that Malaysia had clear guidelines and legislations outlawing "unnatural" sexual activities such as sodomy. "We are a free country but there are limits. "The organisers can say this is a free country and they can do anything but there are limits. "In Malaysia, when we talk about human rights, we are signatory to the United Nations Human Rights convention. "Malaysia has the Federal Constitution and its laws, we also have religion and our cultural values," he said. Not in line with Islam Muhyiddin said what Seksualiti Merdeka was advocating was not in line with the various religions, including Islam and Christianity. "In the Islamic context, this is not in line with our religion, it is an immoral (songsang) activity that does not meet our customs, even the Christians also say that they are against," he said. The Seksualiti Merdeka festival, which celebrates the rights of the lesbian,gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community has been held annually since 2008.
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| MAS-AirAsia share swap under probe for insider trading Posted: 02 Nov 2011 07:00 PM PDT By Shannon Teoh, The Malaysian Insider The share swap between Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and AirAsia is being probed by Bursa Malaysia and the Securities Commission (SC) for insider trading. The finance ministry said today that investigations were still ongoing despite the two airlines agreeing to the deal nearly three months ago. "It will take time because it involves so many accounts and a huge value. So we need to separate those that are genuine and those with inside information," Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Awang Adek Hussin told Parliament today. Shares in budget airlines AirAsia had traded for as low as RM3.14 on June 23 and was finally traded at RM3.92 before being suspended on August 8 before the swap was announced. It later dipped below RM2.80 on October 26. National carrier MAS was suspended at RM1.60 but climbed to RM1.90 following the deal. Awang Adek also said there was no need for either company to file any announcement with Bursa if there was no material development prior to the deal as the matter was considered private and confidential.
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| Mixed-messages over Pakatan’s application Posted: 02 Nov 2011 05:48 PM PDT Pakatan says that their application to the Registrar of Societies was still pending and questioned ROS director general's statement that a fresh application was needed. (Free Malaysia Today) - Pakatan Rakyat and the Registrar of Socities (ROS) are at cross-purposes when it comes to registration of the political coalition. Pakatan says their application is stilll pending while ROS director general Abdul Rahman Othman says there has been no fresh application after pro-tem chairman Zaid Ibrahim left PKR last November. Abdul Rahman had earlier made a statement that a fresh application was needed from Pakatan. But Pakatan today said that they have been in touch with an officer within the ROS who has said that their application made right after Zaid's departure was still pending approval. "As soon as Zaid left, we elected (Tumpat MP and PAS central committee member) Kamaruddin Jaafar to replace Zaid and submitted a new application. "We have been in touch with ROS chief assistant director of the societies registration division on the issue of a 'fresh application'. "The feedback that we received was that ROS and the Home Ministry were still looking into our application on the aspect of law," PKR secretary general Saifuddin Nasution told a press conference today. He added that Pakatan had kept in touch with their contact person in ROS every three to four weeks up till early this month, always getting a similar reply. Other members of the pro-tem committee who were at today's press conference were DAP's Anthony Loke and PAS' Hatta Ramli.
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| Australian government pressured to act on Assange Posted: 02 Nov 2011 05:34 PM PDT (AFP) - SYDNEY: Lawyers and the mother of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange today ramped up pressure on the Australian government to step in and ensure he gets a fair trial in Sweden. Assange, who is an Australian citizen, lost a bitter legal battle yesterday to block his extradition from Britain to Sweden to face questioning over allegations of rape and sexual assault. Two judges at the High Court in London rejected arguments by Assange, whose anti-secrecy website has enraged governments around the world, that his extradition would be unlawful. Assange now has 14 days to take the case to the British Supreme Court and his legal counsel Geoffrey Robertson called on the government to intervene if the extradition goes through. "I think Canberra may have to do something about it," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. "It's got a duty to help Australians in peril in foreign courts. It didn't do anything for David Hicks and that was something of a disgrace," he said, referring to the Australian formerly detained at Guantanamo Bay. "As far as Julian Assange is concerned, Sweden doesn't have bail, doesn't have money bail for foreigners, so he's likely to be held in custody." Robertson added that he does not believe the 40-year-old WikiLeaks founder, who has previously blasted Canberra for not doing enough to protect him in the fallout from the leaks, will face a fair trial in Sweden. "He's going to be tried in secret, and this is outrageous by our standards and by any standards," he said. Assange has strongly denied the rape allegations, claiming they are politically motivated and linked to the activities of WikiLeaks. He has been under virtual house arrest since he was first detained in December. He has expressed fears that his extradition to Sweden would lead to his transfer to the United States to face as yet unspecified charges of spying. His mother told Australian media today she believes her son will go to Sweden to fight the charges as long as the Australian government brokers a deal to ensure he will not be extradited to the US. Christine Assange said Canberra must follow its own diplomatic and legal advice that her son was in "clear and present danger" and seek written guarantees he would not be rendered to the US. "If that was to take place I believe Julian would go to Sweden and not resist it. His concern is that he'll be rendered on," she said. Asked about the matter as she arrived in the French resort town of Cannes for the G20 summit, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said a statement may be issued later. "So we'll get briefed and understand fully what's happened here and make a statement if necessary," she said.
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| MAS-AirAsia deal not violating anti-trust law: Rafidah Posted: 02 Nov 2011 04:02 PM PDT (MySinChew) - KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 (Bernama) -- AirAsia X Bhd chairman, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, said the tie-up between MAS and AirAsia Bhd will not result in monopolistic practices between the two carriers following their share-swap exercise. She also said the share-swap would not result in any behaviour that would violate anti-trust laws. "We (AirAsia and MAS) are guided by strict anti-trust laws overseas and in Malaysia when the competition laws come into force next year. "We'll never be able to do anything that violates any anti-trust laws," she told a media briefing on the Malaysia-Europe Forum's Roundtable here today. The Malaysian Competition Commission is currently reviewing the possible impact of the MAS-AirAsia collaboration on the local market, and would advise both airlines on all possible areas. She said the collaboration may result in cost-cutting for both airlines and it would be beneficial for passengers and customers as they could give better services. Rafidah said the MAS management must continuously hold dialogues with all levels of its workforce through its unions. "This is to explain in detail what's happening and what's going to happen, particularly to the employees, and the areas of cost-saving which will translate into benefits," she said. The Malaysian Airlines System Employees Union (MASEU) has expressed dissatisfaction over the explanation given by the management on the collaboration. MASEU had decided to write to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and wanted to meet him to convey their views and opposition to the collaboration. It was also reported recently that the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) has urged the Malaysian government to ensure that workers' rights were preserved in any future collaboration between the two airlines. The report said an agreement between the two airlines was reached without union consultation. In a letter dated Oct 19 to Najib, ITF general-secretary, David Cockroft, outlined concerns that a share-swap and collaboration between MAS and Air Asia could lead to the erosion of workers' rights. This could include the right of ITF affiliate MASEU to represent and collectively bargain on behalf of MAS workers. |
| Malaysia bans steamy 'Islamic sex guide': report Posted: 02 Nov 2011 03:53 PM PDT (AFP) - KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia has banned an "Islamic sex guide" by a controversial group that reportedly urges Muslim men in polygamous marriages to have group sex with their wives, a report said Thursday. The book was published by the Muslim "Obedient Wife Club", which was formed earlier this year and has sparked controversy with its radical suggestions on sex and marriage in conservative, Muslim-majority Malaysia. The Home Ministry has banned the book, titled "Islamic Sex, Fighting Jews to Return Islamic Sex to the World" with immediate effect, The Star daily reported. It cited Abdul Aziz Mohamad Nor, a top official in the ministry's publications division. Abdul Aziz was quoted as saying the book, the existence of which was first reported last month, was banned because of the wife club's links to the outlawed group Al-Arqam. Some people from the Obedient Wife Club and related organisations are former members of Al-Arqam, a Malaysian-based Islamic sect that was banned in the country in the 1990s as a deviationist cult. Those found in possession of the book face fines of 50,000 ringgit ($15,800) while anyone caught reproducing it can be jailed up to three years, The Star reported. Abdul Aziz could not immediately be reached by AFP. The wives' club caused a stir earlier this year by calling on women to be "whores in bed" to prevent their men from straying and pursuing divorce. Malaysian media reports have said the book suggests Muslim husbands have sex with all their wives simultaneously. One chapter, "How Sex Becomes Worship," reportedly contains unusually explicit sexual descriptions for a Malaysian publication, such as a tutorial on breast-fondling. AFP has not seen a copy of the book. Open discussion of sex is frowned upon in Malaysia, which regularly bans books deemed to be obscene or offensive to Islam. Club organisers have previously said the book was exclusively for its members and was not intended for general distribution and thus should not be banned. |
| Posted: 02 Nov 2011 03:50 PM PDT By Jeswant Kaur, FMT The recently released Auditor-General's Report comes as poetic justice for Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng in particular and Barisan Nasional's nemesis, Pakatan Rakyat in general. The report is full of praises as to how the state has successfully improved its financial position. According to the report, Penang last year improved its financial position over 2009. "The audit analysis found that consolidated funds of 2010 had improved compared to previous years and is at the highest level compared to the previous five years," the report stated. Lim took over the state's top post in 2008 after DAP, a member of the Pakatan coalition, nudged Gerakan out in the 12th general election and took charge of Penang. In the three years, despite all brickbats from his BN counterparts, Lim remains steadfastly focused on improving the state's performance. The result? Words of praise by the auditor-general. Still, like all hardworking people, Lim faced and continues to experience stinging criticism from Umno and BN which have left no stone unturned in belittling and condemning his efforts in transforming Penang for the better. With the latest Auditor-General's Report validating Penang's achievements, the state under Lim's leadership promises hope, of ensuring that Penangites continue to enjoy progress. As far as the report goes, Penang has "passed" with flying colours. The state has been lauded where implementation of projects is concerned. The report has hailed the state's performance as "very good", with 99% of the 9,003 projects successfully carried out. The Auditor-General's Report adds: "The state is recommended to make sure revenue collected is put into the correct account and continue its efforts to increase revenue and maintain its prudent spending to ensure a better financial position." It urges the state to continue with its efforts to collect arrears in student loan repayment, rental of properties, land tax and other taxes. These arrears totalled RM78.78 million at the end of 2010. On development under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, the AG rates the state's performance as satisfactory, with Penang spending 77.8% of the allocated RM1.01 billion. BN green with envy There is no denying that the thumbs-up given by the Auditor-General's Report to Penang has caused the federal government under the aegis of the BN coalition to turn green with envy. While the Lim administration has received straight "As" for its good management of the state, it is otherwise for three companies owned by Johor which performed badly. The Auditor-General's Report said the three companies – YWJ Citra Holdings Sdn Bhd, Johor Skills Development Centre Sdn Bhd and Kumpulan Pendidikan YPJ Sdn Bhd – were found to be unsatisfactorily managed with two companies facing losses. It will do BN good to buck up and emulate Penang in delivering nothing but the best to the rakyat, instead of resorting to gutter politics, using the dirtiest means possible to force their opponents out. For Lim, in the 36 months that DAP has been helming Penang, much trial and tribulations have come his way, both professionally and personally. Personal attacks on Lim came about when pro-Umno blogs had a fortnight ago accused his 16-year-old son of outraging the modesty of a female classmate which resulted in him being transferred to another school. The bloggers also claimed that Lim had paid the girl's family RM200,000 to keep the issue under wraps. The accusations, however, turned out to be baseless after the girl was found to be a 21-year- old chess champion from Hong Kong named Anya Corke who has since issued a statement denying the incident.
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| Muhyiddin: Decision on PPSMI final Posted: 02 Nov 2011 03:47 PM PDT By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal, The Malaysian Insider The government's decision to scrap the use of English for science and mathematics (PPSMI) in schools is final, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said today. In a response directed towards the Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE), the deputy prime minister said there would be no more negotiations on the matter as the government had already decided to do away with the policy in 2009. |
| AirAsia received RM249m subsidy for rural flights Posted: 02 Nov 2011 01:51 PM PDT By Shannon Teoh, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 — AirAsia was paid RM249 million in public funds to subsidise the budget carrier's rural flight services in Sabah and Sarawak between August 2006 and September 2007, the government said today. Deputy Transport Minister Jelaing Mersat also told Parliament that when Malaysia Airlines (MAS) took over the routes from the low-cost airline's subsidiary Fly Asian Xpress (FAX) in October 2007, "they needed less than half the amount of subsidy." "Between August 1, 2006 and September 30, 2007, the subsidy paid to FAX was RM249 million. "MASwings only needed less than half the subsidy as it is more organised and uses newer aircraft which cost less to maintain," the Saratok MP said. The return of the rural air services (RAS) routes to MAS after just 14 months had raised concerns of whether it would affect the national carrier's turnaround plan under then chief executive Datuk Seri Idris Jala. But then Transport Minister Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy had said that it would continue subsidies of RM60 million per year to retain low fares. Pendang MP Datuk Mohd Hayati Othman said in Parliament today that the government overpaid RM65 million in subsidies to FAX, which was later restructured to AirAsia X, a long-haul budget service, as it ended its RAS prematurely. The PAS man also claimed that MAS had to spend RM35 million to modify seven aircraft to ply the rural routes in Sabah and Sarawak. MAS's poor financial performance of late had resulted in the share swap with AirAsia on August 9. It saw state investment arm Khazanah Nasional taking a 10 per cent stake in Asia's top budget carrier in exchange for a 20.5 per cent stake in MAS. This allowed AirAsia boss Tan Sri Tony Fernandes to sit on the MAS board, ostensibly to help turn the ailing airline around.
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| Anwar predicts ‘Malaysia Spring’ in next polls Posted: 02 Nov 2011 01:46 PM PDT By Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has predicted the coming of a "Malaysia Spring" in the next general election, confidently telling US newswire Bloomberg in an interview that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will wrest Putrajaya from Barisan Nasional (BN). "We're taking over the government at the rate we're going," he was quoted as saying in the interview carried today on the newswire.
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