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Utusan blames Anwar, DAP for PAS ulamas’ electoral defeat
A pas for PAS
Ibrahim Ali calls new PAS leadership ‘Anwar’s voice’
Will PAS’s new dream team be Umno’s nightmare?
Malaysian women urge wives to be 'whores in bed'
Signs of panic
Dominance of Non-Ulama Group Shows PAS' Openness
Nasharuddin: Delegates voted for a GE line-up
What the PAS party elections means to me
PAS urged to field non-Muslim supporters in general election
Anwar’s absence seen as a slap in PAS’ face
Hudud law no longer a priority, says Nasrudin
Obedient Wives Club to offer sex lessons on how to pleasure husbands
Some lessons from PAS muktamar
Victorious Mat Sabu seeks to widen PAS’s appeal
MalaysianYouth4Change: Dear Mom and Dad, What's my future?
Arrest of vice girls
Sabu is new deputy, Husam joins Salahuddin, Mahfuz as VPs
Mohamad Sabu, Salahudin, Husam, Mahfuz menang
No Compromise With Groups Acting For Own Interests, Says Najib
‘Stop scholarships to students from vernacular schools’
Saya bernasib baik menang Timbalan Presiden – Mat Sabu
Defamation suit: Hisham wants Anwar’s defence struck off
Perkasa’s pro-Malay antics bordering on insanity
Malaysia police slammed for cattle-branding women
WIKILEAKS: Shazryl Eskay Abdullah tells the US that Malaysia is a terrorist safe haven
Martyrs or victims of corruption?
WIKILEAKS: The people with the big cables in Malaysia (UPDATED with Chinese Translation)

Utusan blames Anwar, DAP for PAS ulamas’ electoral defeat

Posted: 04 Jun 2011 11:59 AM PDT

(The Malaysian Insider) - KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 — Utusan Malaysia has blamed Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the DAP for the ulama group's losses in the PAS party elections over the weekend, saying today it showed the opposition leader was the real power in the Islamist party.

Columnist Awang Selamat, a pseudonym for its editors, said both PKR and DAP have been working this past year to influence the PAS party polls where incumbent deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa lost to popular grassroots leader Mohamed Sabu.

"The most satisfied and happy is Anwar and DAP strongman Lim Kit Siang. They can both smile widely in their sleep as their strategy has become a reality," Awang Selamat wrote in Mingguan Malaysia, the Umno newspaper's weekend edition today.

Utusan had been at the forefront of a campaign this past week to support the ulamas or scholars group in the PAS elections but Mohamed led a group of professionals to sweep the party top posts and nearly half of the central working committee. It had also supported unity moves between Umno and PAS, which the Islamist party has again firmly rejected this year.

Awang said he has written numerous times that the most powerful man in PAS is Anwar, followed by party spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat and then its president, Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, adding Hadi had long lost his grip in the party.

"He is the weakest PAS president until outside elements can easily enter and manipulate the party. This has never happened in history that PAS has been polluted by foreign influence

"Hadi, like Nik Aziz, acceded to Kit Siang and Anwar's strategy. Islam is no more the basis of struggle but now its ego and political desire," the columnist wrote.

He pointed out the moral issue of Anwar as Opposition Leader was not even touched by Hadi in his policy speech, showing that PAS had compromised with repeated sexual offences in an allusion to Anwar's sodomy cases and alleged appearance in a sex clip.

"Awang believes there are no other Islamist party in the world which takes a similar stand like PAS in this serious moral issue," he added.

Awang also said Hadi had missed the opportunity to analyse issues on Islamic interest but distracted the delegates by criticising Umno, its political foe.

"He has given the wrong signal to the entire Muslim ummah who are hoping for strategic thinking from PAS to ensure political Islam's strength. The reality is Hadi and Nik Aziz have allowed PAS to be manipulated by DAP which doesn't want a dominant Islam through its equality agenda.

"This is an insult and sabotage to Islam itself," Awang said.

READ MORE HERE.

A pas for PAS

Posted: 04 Jun 2011 11:57 AM PDT

When their opponents convene it is always crowned with war cries of crushed bones and bloodied bodies and what have you. So what can we make out of all these?

By J. D. Lovrenciear

Indeed PAS must be commended. You would never see such world-class performance within BN. Now BN, stop getting furious.

If BN turns red from ear to ear or rages with anger for the rakyat's show of respect and commendation for PAS performance at its recently concluded Assembly, it is very well understood why.

When BN meets - i.e. UMNO, MIC or MCA, we hear of fireworks and blatant cold blooded calls for race blood and race rights. It is like a broken record turned on the gramophone of a bygone era.

But when PAS meets they remain calm, collected, civil and above all professionally political. They vote with their heads and a spirit of clear unity.

But when their opponents convene it is always crowned with war cries of crushed bones and bloodied bodies and what have you. So what can we make out of all these?

Indeed PAS gets a pas. Therefore PAS must pas and PAS will pas come GE-13. Gone are the blind-folded days of the Mahathir regime where all it takes is a hatched drama of Islamic terror slammed on PAS to get the rakyat rallying behind BN.

Today Malays, Chinese, Indians and others can see without tainted and smokescreen lenses that PAS is a pas all the way. It is political parties with a leadership of clear conscience that can bring defining victories for the rakyat.

PAS must however beware. A political party that is going broke on a waterry slide will do anything and everything to bring down the entire house.

This is where the rakyat have promised to remain vigilant and they will stand up to add more pass for PAS. The next big event - the BERSIH rally will be the hallmark.

To PAS: Well done. Syabas. May the spirit of true democracy and civil liberties remain your propeller as you steer the rakyat to a new frontier of hope realized with honour and dignity. Indeed you will show to the world that Islam is far from what your opponents have carved out to be.

And may you march consistently with your partners in caring for the rakyat, namely DAP and PKR.

Now BN leaders should not be angry. They can if they want to but does it matter anymore? See for yourselves what your henchmen blurt out every other day and see how PAS gets a pas today.

Ibrahim Ali calls new PAS leadership ‘Anwar’s voice’

Posted: 04 Jun 2011 11:30 AM PDT

By G Manimaran, The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, June 4 — Perkasa chief Datuk Ibrahim Ali mocked the new PAS leadership as merely Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's voice, saying today the internal elections have not changed the Islamist party's outlook.

Ibrahim said Anwar's influence will still remain in the party if PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang continue to be at the helm.

"Anwar's voice in PAS is determined by Datuk Nik Aziz and Hadi who has become a stooge… the others are not relevant… True, there are the Erdogans, ulamas and others but all do not have any influence except for Datuk Nik Aziz and Hadi the stooge," he said in a statement.

Ibrahim won the Pasir Mas federal seat on a PAS ticket in Election 2008 but repudiated the party and became an independent MP. He has aligned himself with Umno on most issues.

Ibrahim's comments came after popular PAS leader Mohamad Sabu won the party deputy presidency today with 420 votes, leading a group of progressive leaders to counter conservatives who prefer to link up with Umno.

Mohamad, popularly known as Mat Sabu, defeated incumbent Nasharudin Mat Isa, who received only 224 votes, and vice-president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, who came second with 399 votes. A total of 1,100 delegates voted in this year's party elections.

In the vice-presidential race, incumbent Salahuddin Ayub took top spot with 753 votes, Datuk Husam Musa was second with 660 votes while another incumbent Datuk Mahfuz Omar kept his post with 616 votes.

The party poll was billed as a contest between the party's conservative ulama faction and the professionals (dubbed the Erdogans in a reference to progressive Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan).

Perkasa secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali also criticised Mohamad's credibility, saying the newly-elected deputy was not fit for the office.

"Mat Sabu only studied in ITM and did not even finish, he is not even a religious studies graduate from the Middle East. It is an embarrassment to the ulama faction in PAS because Mat Sabu has no academic qualifications while the Erdogans are disappointed because Mat Sabu does not support Anwar," said Syed Hassan through a text message.

He added that Mat Sabu had once called the opposition leader as Anwar al-Juburi or Anwar the anus, referring to the latter's sodomy trials.

Posted: 04 Jun 2011 11:23 AM PDT

By Sheridan Mahavera, The Malaysian Insider

The election of veteran activists, parliamentarians, state administrators and think tank experts into the top PAS leadership has appeared to put the party on a firm war footing.

This line-up of Mohamed Sabu as the PAS deputy president and vice-presidents Salahuddin Ayub, Datuk Husam Musa and Datuk Mahfuz Omar is expected to not only stand shoulder to shoulder with allies in Pakatan Rakyat (PR) but it is said that they want to spearhead the coalition in its march to Putrajaya.

Their election perhaps speaks of the party's changing membership and support base, and the rank-file's desire to see the party move beyond an Islamist movement to a national-level ruling party.

And there is very little doubt about working or talking to Umno or Barisan Nasional (BN). Not only will this leadership have no truck with them, PAS's new war cabinet fervently wants to replace Umno as the representative of Malay Muslims.

Yet despite the optimism that the new leadership could widen PAS's public appeal, a significant number of members are uncomfortable with the shift in the voting trend.

"I wished that an ulama had won. PAS should be lead by an ulama because it is an Islamic movement," said a Kuala Lumpur grassroots member when he heard the new line up.

For the first time in 20 years, a majority of PAS's top leadership are made up of those who don't come from a religious education background or to use a much-misunderstood term, ulama (religious scholar).

"This is the leadership that will put the fear in Umno," said Kelana Jaya delegate Abdul Rahman Othman. "It is a dynamic dream team for us to go into the next general election."

The headline-grabbing personality is the very amiable new party deputy president Mohamad. A former MP, senior Pakatan leader/activist, ex-Internal Security Act detainee, popular ceramah speaker and a veteran civil disobedience insurrectionist.

Mohamad defeated incumbent Nasharudin Mat Isa and another popular challenger, Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man for the coveted post.

Below him are three vice-presidents, each of whom has crafted huge public profiles as national parliamentary opposition leaders — Salahuddin, Husam and Mahfuz.

Of the central committee members, only six are considered "ulama" personalities. The rest of the 18 elected members are lawyers, doctors, engineers, — individuals that more reflect the majority Malay middle and working class that PAS courts.

Mohd Rashidi Hasan, a popular pro-PAS writer, explained that though delegates still wanted the ulama to be "guardians of the party", they realised it would take more than religious scholars to beat Umno.

"PAS wants to lead Pakatan, but to do that it needs to win more Malay majority seats," said Rashidi.

In a way, the election results are an out-growth of the sentiments that elected the new Muslimat (women's wing) leadership, where the top three posts went to two MPs and a Senator.

"We wanted a leadership that would be able to take Muslimat forward," said a Muslimat member from Perak, who requested anonymity.

It is a desire for PAS to move beyond Malay society's religious set and appeal to mainstream Muslims, whose ties to the faith are basic and who are more worried about making ends meet.

Delegates however took pains to stress that the polls was not a manifestation of the "ulama vs professional" schism that has dominated media reports about PAS..

"We choose based on who we think can best perform," said Temerloh delegate Syed Hamid Syed Mohamed.

Posted: 04 Jun 2011 03:05 AM PDT

(AFP) - A group of Malaysian women launched an "Obedient Wife Club" on Saturday, urging members to be "whores in bed" and obey their husbands to curb social ills like divorce and domestic violence.

Islamic group Global Ikhwan held the club's inaugural meeting in Kuala Lumpur, giving women tips on how to keep their men satisfied and prevent them straying.

"A good wife is perceived to be prim and proper -- you just take care of the children -- but not much is emphasised on fulfilling sexual needs of the husband. If he needs sex, obey him," Rohaya Mohamad, the club's vice-president told AFP.

Rohaya said 30 percent of the club members were in polygamous marriages while the rest were in monogamous relationships and that the club was open to non-Muslims.

"You must satisfy your husband. A good wife should be a whore in bed," said 46-year-old doctor, whose husband has three other wives.

She said the club boasted 800 Malaysian members so far with another 200 from across the Middle East.

Over 1,000 guests and supporters turned up for the launch in a leafy suburb, held in conjunction with a mass wedding of ten couples, with the brides all members of the new club.

"If the wife is obedient, then the husband feels good and is entertained and this builds a closer relationship and greater love and no one strays," said groom Mohamad Shurahbil Amran, 23.

His bride Umuhani Lokman Hakim, 19, dressed in a golden white Arabic wedding gown, was unforthcoming when asked why she joined the club and would only say: "It is the right thing to do to keep the family together."

The club has come under criticism from Malaysian women's groups who say the onus on keeping a family together is being unfairly placed on women.

"With obedience comes submission, which may lead to domestic violence and marital rape," Women's Aid Organisation head Ivy Josiah told AFP.

"We should really be forming equality in marriage clubs," she added.

Women's rights group EMPOWER said the club was a step back for the progress of the equality movement.

"We cannot go back to caveman days where the man pulls the woman by the hair and takes her to the cave to have his way. We must recognise that women contribute a lot more than just being a sex toy," the group's executive director Maria Chin Abdullah told AFP.

Polygamy is legal for Muslims, who make up more than 60 percent of Malaysia's population, allowing Muslim men to take up to four wives.

In 2010, a study by a Muslim activist group found men in polygamous relationships find it difficult to meet the needs of all their wives and children, and that the result is often unhappy and cash-strapped families.

Signs of panic

Posted: 04 Jun 2011 01:38 AM PDT

How do you detect signs of panic? It's simple, really. As an example read PERKASA's and UMNO's kneejerk response to the Islamic Party of Malaysia's party elections on Friday. These are what you can call signs of panic. And guess why they are panicking? If I have to tell you then you don't deserve to live.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Ibrahim Ali calls new PAS leadership 'Anwar's voice'

(The Malaysian Insider) - Perkasa chief Datuk Ibrahim Ali mocked the new PAS leadership as merely Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's voice, saying today the internal elections have not changed the Islamist party's outlook.

Ibrahim said Anwar's influence will still remain in the party if PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang continue to be at the helm.

"Anwar's voice in PAS is determined by Datuk Nik Aziz and Hadi who has become a stooge… the others are not relevant… True, there are the Erdogans, ulamas and others but all do not have any influence except for Datuk Nik Aziz and Hadi the stooge," he said in a statement.

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

Perkasa secretary-general says Mat Sabu has no academic qualifications

(The Malaysian Insider) - Perkasa secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali criticised Mohamad Sabu's credibility, saying the newly-elected deputy was not fit for the office.

"Mat Sabu only studied in ITM and did not even finish, he is not even a religious studies graduate from the Middle East. It is an embarrassment to the ulama faction in PAS because Mat Sabu has no academic qualifications while the Erdogans are disappointed because Mat Sabu does not support Anwar," said Syed Hassan through a text message.

He added that Mat Sabu had once called the opposition leader as Anwar al-Juburi or Anwar the anus, referring to the latter's sodomy trials.

Syed Hassan believed the new leadership will make it hard for Umno to have unity talks with PAS.

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

DAP, PKR have influenced PAS to change principles: Mukhriz

(Bernama) - DAP and the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) have succeeded in influencing PAS to the extent that the party's objective of setting up an Islamic state, which was the party's struggles all this time, has been changed to a welfare state.

Deputy chairman of the Kedah Umno Liaison Body Datuk Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir said PAS was also seen as lacking a fixed stand when it changed the principle of struggling for an Islamic state to a welfare state because it wanted to realise the aspirations of the DAP and PKR in championing the cause of the multi-racial society in Malaysia.

"Congratulations to the DAP and PKR for succeeding to influence PAS to the extent that only those aligned to them (no ulama) were elected as PAS vice-presidents and even the deputy president."

"The influence of the DAP and PKR in PAS is very substantial. This does not reflect that PAS is free from the influence of those who are actually against Islam," he told reporters.

Dominance of Non-Ulama Group Shows PAS' Openness

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 09:41 PM PDT

(Bernama) - The dominance of the non-ulama group in the PAS' central leadership this time shows the party's openness, said its vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar.

"What's the problem? PAS is very open and in its constitution, there is no mention that the party is exclusively for any group.

"The selection (made in the party election) proves that the members understand the party's constitution and the slogan, 'PAS For All'.

"They (delegates) not only looked at the academic background of each candidate but also their capability," he said when met at the PAS 57th Muktamar, here, today.

Another party vice-president, Salahuddin Ayub, said he would be focusing on preparing for the 13th general election.

"The party will be better prepared, more efficient, committed and focused in facing the challenges," he said.

The party's new deputy president, Mohamad Sabu, said there did not exist a professional group and an ulama group in PAS as there was already a clear role between the executive and ulama in the party.

"The ulama are still much in control, especially in the Syura (Consultative) Council and Ulama wing. As an Islamic party, we are unlike Umno where it groups the ulama in a bureau but the role of our ulama takes the form of the Syura Council in determining party policies and discipline," he said.

Mohamad is also determined to help the opposition pact win more support from the public, especially the non-Muslims.

He said non-Muslims' support was important, especially in facing the next general election as the party could not solely depend on its members for votes.

"For us, this change does not bring with it a change in party policies and direction; only the work will be stepped up from time to time," he said.

Mohamad thanked the delegates for their support and the media for the publicity, whether positive or negative, on the party election. "All are greatly appreciated," he added.

The outcome of the election was that Mohamad, 56, better known as Mat Sabu, obtained 420 votes, defeating the incumbent Nasharudin Mat Isa (224 votes) and Pahang PAS commissioner Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (399).

The three vice-president posts also went to the non-ulama group when Salahuddin, Mahfuz and Kelantan state executive council member Datuk Husam Musa emerged the winners in the six-cornered contest.

Salahuddin, 50, garnered the highest number of votes at 753, while Husam, 52, obtained 660 votes and Mahfuz, 54, had 616.

Nasharuddin: Delegates voted for a GE line-up

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 08:41 PM PDT

Three term incumbent Nasharuddin Mat Isa graciously accepted his defeat in PAS party elections saying it is a 'democratic process.'

(Free Malaysia Today) - Incumbent deputy president, Nasharuddin Mat Isa, who held the seat for six years has accepted his defeat saying that he had to 'respect' the delegates' choice.

"We leave it to the delegates to decide and they have decided. They have voiced out their choice and you have to respect that choice," said Nasharuddin.

"There is no issue of blaming anyone. The party election is a very democratic process…and we have to respect the rights of the delegates," he added.

He was speaking to journalists at the sidelines of the party's 57th muktamar in Taman Melewar here.

The fight for the deputy president's post was considered to be a battle royale as Nasharuddin was pitted against grassroot leaders Mohamad Sabu and Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Mat.

In a surprising turn, Mat Sabu swept to victory by securing a total of 420 votes. Tuan Ibrahim was second garnering 399 votes. Nasharuddin trailed behind both candidates with 224 votes.

When asked why he did not win, Nasharuddin cheekily answered: " Because the delegates didn't vote for me. Maybe the delegates wanted leaders who are more vocal."

He dismissed speculations that the contensios 'unity' government issue had caused him his deputy president post, saying it was a "stale issue".

Nasharuddin had been one of the main characters in the issue over unity talks between PAS and Umno.

The matter had dominated the party's muktamar in 2009.

Although the issue was still talked-about, PAS party leaders have kept a conscious distance from the matter ever since.

Split votes

In the runup to the polls, many had predicted that votes from the ulama faction will be split between the two candidates, Nasharuddin and Tuan Ibrahim.

Both are perceived to be from this camp.

Concurring with the view, Nasharuddin said: "It is not new to have votes that split in a three corner fight.

"Yes…the ulama votes may have been split here."

Asked for his views on the newly elected 2011-2013 national leadership lineup, which surprisingly comprised more moderates than ulamas, Nasharudin said 'both sides were well represented.'

"Those voted in represent the different backgrounds from the two camps that have been called the ulama and the non-ulama.

"Even if the representation is not there (in terms of numbers), the spirit of the ulama is still very palpable.

"We still have the Syurah Council which is very influential," he said.

In what is considered a 'historic' election, delegates voted in more progressives and professionals into key posts.

Aside from Mat Sabu, other 'Erdogans' whom delegates voted in were incumbents Salahudin Ayub, Mahfuz Omar and Husam Musa for vice presidents.

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 07:41 PM PDT

This is how I interpret yesterday's Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) party elections. Of course, it is still too early to bring out the wine, halal or otherwise -- as they say, we should not count our chickens before they hatch. However, from the number of eggs (and I counted at least a dozen), we can sort of already tell.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

1. PAS will move more towards the centre from presently the right.

2. DAP will reciprocate by also moving more towards the centre from presently the left.

3. PKR, which is presently in the 'centre' and used to play the very crucial 'middleman' role to balance the leftist and rightist parties (DAP and PAS respectively), will see its relevance much reduced.

4. DAP and PAS will build up a better working relationship through the new 'liberal' leaders.

5. Pakatan Rakyat would be less dependent on PKR and if anything were to happen to Anwar Ibrahim or PKR the opposition coalition would not suffer too much with PAS poised to take over the role of PKR as the 'liberal Malay-based party'.

6. PAS, like DAP (and as DAP would wish), will focus less on theological issues as its party's thrust and will instead concentrate on universal issues and the economic and social welfare of Malaysians (which was what the New Economic Policy or NEP was actually all about in the first place).

7. PAS will field non-Muslims in the coming general election while DAP will field Malay candidates as part of its 'moving towards the centre' exercise.

8. PAS will see a better balance between the perceived 'ulamak' and 'secular' leaders from what used to be a purely ulamak leadership.

9. Mat Sabu, the new number two in the party, who is seen as more 'modern thinking', will complement the number one, who is seen as more 'old school'.

10. The non-Muslims will become more comfortable with the new PAS leadership line-up -- many who are seen as less 'extreme', 'orthodox' or 'fundamental'.

11. It will be more difficult for Ummo to continue talking about 'Malay unity' and to entice PAS to work with Umno for the sake of the 'Malay cause' seeing that PAS will now be perceived as the 'new and better Umno'.

12. PAS will be able to replace Umno as a 'Malay party' seeing that PAS is becoming more 'Malay' while at the same time retaining its 'Islamic' identity -- something which Umno would have a problem duplicating.

13. Liberal Malays who hang on to Umno and/or PKR as their hope for the future would begin to see PAS as a viable alternative.

PAS urged to field non-Muslim supporters in general election

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 06:58 PM PDT

This was to realise the party's central leaders' expressed wish to give such an opportunity to its non-Muslim supporters and to enhance the wing's role in the party

(Bernama) - A delegate at the PAS general assembly today proposed that the party field its non-Muslim supporters in the next general election.

Khairul Faizi Ahmad Kamil, from Johor, said the PAS Supporters wing comprising non-Muslim supporters should be given the opportunity to contest in the 13th general election.

He said this was to realise the party's central leaders' expressed wish to give such an opportunity to its non-Muslim supporters and to enhance the wing's role in the party.

"In each state, there should be at least one member from the party's Supporters wing contesting a parliamentary or state seat," he proposed when debating on the party president's policy speech at the PAS' 57th Muktamar in Taman Melewar, Gombak, near here, today.

Khairul Faizi said to ensure that the wing had a place in the party, the PAS central leadership must provide a special allocation for the wing to enhance its role.

He said logistic problems like the absence of an office to operate from, and staff, had resulted in the wing being unable to register 20,000 supporters with the party.

"The secretary of the PAS Johor Supporters wing had often phoned me on this matter, so the party needs to provide an allocation for the wing," he said.

He also proposed that the party strengthen its information bureau, including providing it with an annual allocation of at least RM1 million.

He said the information bureau appeared to be weak, especially in countering baseless accusations against the party, besides being unable to deliver accurate information to the people.

"The information bureau should be treated as an important department of the party. It should be upgraded to the same level of the party's general election department," he suggested.

Anwar’s absence seen as a slap in PAS’ face

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 06:47 PM PDT

(The Star) - PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim did not attend the opening of the PAS 57th Muktamar yesterday despite PAS leaders, including some ulama, defending him over the sex video issue.

PKR president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ibrahim claimed her husband could not attend the event because he was abroad.

Anwar's absence was seen by many as a slap in PAS' face as the party had stood by him through thick and thin as he faced one allegation after another.

Although most PAS leaders remained nonchalant, some said Anwar was being disrespectful towards the party that had remained strong in its defence of the Opposition Leader.

Among PAS ulama who had openly spoken in defence of Anwar included Nik Razi Nik Mat of Kelantan who blamed the media for playing up the sex video issue implicating Anwar.

On March 21, the Datuk T trio comprising businessman Datuk Shazryl Eskay Abdullah, former Malacca chief minister Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Tamby Chik and former Perkasa treasurer-general Datuk Shuaib Lazim had exposed the existence of a sex video showing a man resembling Anwar having sex with a woman believed to be a prostitute.

Anwar had lodged a police report claiming that he was not the man in the video.

A delegate who spoke on condition of anonymity said he was not bothered by Anwar's absence.

"Perhaps it is best he did not come," he said.

Hudud law no longer a priority, says Nasrudin

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 06:45 PM PDT

(The Star) - PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan said the party would continue to advocate the hudud law but it is no longer considered a priority.

He said the fact that the issue was not mentioned at all in president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang's policy speech at the opening of the party's 57th Muktamar did not mean that it was forgotten.

"Islam is a religion which encompasses all aspects of human life. There are still so many other issues for us to resolve and we have to prioritise them to suit the changing times.

"But in doing so, we will never deviate from the party's policies that are based on Islam," he said when commenting on Hadi's policy speech which set the tone of PAS' campaign for the 13th general election.

PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who is Kelantan Mentri Besar, had previously called on parties to agree to the implementation of the law if the alliance succeeded in forming the Federal Government.

The call drew a lot of flak from the DAP, with party stalwarts Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh fiercely defending the view that Malaysia is a secular state and that any policy changes in the Pakatan could only be made with the mutual agreement of all component parties.

Selangor PAS chief Datuk Dr Hasan Ali, meanwhile, said the fight for justice was a common ground shared by all Pakatan leaders regardless of their religious beliefs.

"We cannot abandon our Islamic principles but there is always room for discussion when there are differences in opinions," he said.

Obedient Wives Club to offer sex lessons on how to pleasure husbands

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 06:40 PM PDT

(The Star) - Sex lessons to help wives "serve their husbands better than a first-class prostitute" will be among the courses provided by the Obedient Wives Club (OWC) to help promote harmonious marriages and counter social ills.

Its vice-president Dr Rohaya Mohamad said it was time sexual prowess took a front seat in marriage beyond the traditional "good mother or good cook" roles.

"A good or religious wife is also sexually good in bed," she told reporters after the launch of the club's Malaysian chapter at the Perangsang Templer Golf Club Saturday.

A husband who was kept happy in the bedroom would have no reason to stray or seek out prostitutes or indulge in other social vices, said Dr Rohaya, who was a medical doctor for 15 years in the Health Ministry before taking a leadership role in the club.

"The family institution is protected and we can curb social ills like prostitution, domestic violence, human trafficking and abandoned babies," she said, adding that she believed these problems stemmed from unfulfilled sexual needs at home.

Dr Rohaya, said the club would also offer counselling and lecture sessions for wives, husbands or couples.

She said the Malaysian chapter had around 800 members while its Jordan chapter had 200, with the Indonesian chapter set to be launched on June 19 in Jakarta.

When questioned whether wives should remain obedient if their husbands still abused or cheated on them with prostitutes, Dr Rohaya said everyone was subject to God's rule.

"God has his ways and is fair to all. A husband is also subject to God's rule, meaning he can go to hell too. But a woman must be a good wife to the end," she said, adding that according to Islam, women should pray, fast during Ramadhan, protect their chastity and obey their husbands if they wanted to enter Heaven.

OWC and the Polygamy Club was formed by Global Ikhwan Sdn Bhd, an organisation founded by former members of the banned Al-Arqam Islamic group.

A mass wedding reception for eight couples was also held during the launch.

The brides were aged 18 to 22 while the grooms were aged 20 to 48. All are OWC members and agreed that disobedient wives were the cause of many social ills.

Some lessons from PAS muktamar

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 06:30 PM PDT

What you heard during the presidential address was some idea about a welfare state which PAS wants to introduce if Pakatan Rakyat comes to power; on how Umno had corrupted and made Malays unthinking, etc. Basically, you did not have table thumping and fire and brimstone speeches and threatening gestures you find at the Umno assembly.

The Malaysian Insider

Beyond the headlines in the past few days, some interesting facts and storylines have been thrown up by the PAS elections. These include:

Lesson Number 1: For all the stereotyping of PAS as a party of backward religious types, these elections have shown that the Islamic political party is committed to democratic principles.

In the months before the polls, it was clear that this was going to be a tough and possibly acrimonious polls between the religious class and the progressives. Some argued that the PAS leadership should have postponed the bruising elections in view of coming general elections.

No way.

PAS went ahead with the party elections, believing that electing leaders is a crucial part of democracy. Unlike Umno who has postponed its party elections for fear of infighting. Unlike the MCA which has also postponed its party election.

Sure, the PAS leadership may have their work cut out in bridging gap between the ulamas and the progressives but would you prefer politicians who delay tackling an issue or those who confront issues headlong?

Lesson Number 2: Calling all future election candidates: if you want to win a contest, engineer it so that Utusan Malaysia and the mainstream media will campaign for your opponent.

In the run up to the PAS elections, Utusan Malaysia campaigned for Nasharuddin Mat Isa and others in the ulama class, believing that this group was more amenable to working with Umno.

Not a day went by without Utusan Malaysia talking up the need for PAS to be run by the ulamas (a curious happening given that the paper's owner ridicules PAS's brand of Islam).

So what happens? Nasharuddin the incumbent number 2 is soundly beaten by Mat Sabu, a PAS veteran who enjoys close ties with Lim Guan Eng and Anwar Ibrahim. Also, Husam Musa — a favourite target of Utusan Malaysia — got in as one of the three vice-presidents.

Perhaps this is another sign of the waning influence of Utusan, a paper read and believed only by Umno members. This fact should worry Umno because its mouthpiece is losing the ability to shape opinion outside hardcore party supporters.

Lesson Number 3: You didn't hear Ustaz Hadi Awang speaking about Malay rights, about apportioning contracts to Malay business, about banning the Bible, about crushing Christians.

Basically, you did not have table thumping and fire and brimstone speeches and threatening gestures you find at the Umno assembly.

Point is that the PAS leaders may not come across as urbane or sophisticated but they seem to dislike playing the race card. That is refreshing in this racially polarised country.

And reflects what Islam is all about. Or for that matter, the PAS that wants to govern Malaysia.

Victorious Mat Sabu seeks to widen PAS’s appeal

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 06:21 PM PDT

(The Malaysian Insider) - Newly elected PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu believes his new position will see the party strengthening its image as a national party, and stressed today the importance of the non-Malay electorate in the coming general election.

The Penang-born Mohamad also took pains to assure members that the new leadership will not change the party's direction and denied that PAS is divided between the different factions.

"Ulama still have a great influence in the party especially with the ulama and shura council. We are an Islamist party and unlike Umno where the religious scholars are placed under a bureau. We have a shura council where they can control the party's direction.

"I think the new leadership will bring any new momentum but what we want is to win the 13th general election, not only from the vote of our supporters but we must get the support of many including the non-Muslims," he told reporters here.

The popular PAS leader won the party deputy presidency with 420 votes, leading a group of progressive leaders to counter conservatives who prefer to link up with Umno.

The 56-year-old defeated incumbent Nasharudin Mat Isa who received only 224 votes and vice-president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man who came second with 399 votes. A total of 1,100 delegates voted in this year's party elections.

Mohamad, popularly known as Mat Sabu, was contesting the post for the second straight time against the three-term deputy president, who together with Tuan Ibrahim, are seen as leaders from the ulama or scholars' group.

The three-cornered contest was billed as a contest between the party's conservative ulama faction and the professionals (dubbed the Erdogans in a reference to progressive Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan).

Today, Mohamad said that the third candidate, Tuan Ibrahim, was a significant factor in him winning the post.

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 06:08 PM PDT

The video from this young lady is sounding the alarm: MalaysianYouth4Change.

By pywong

Good day. Thank you to everybody who helped to promote our 1st video, Malaysians4Change Part 1. Because of your help, we have recorded almost 300,000 views in YouTube, Facebook, tindakmalaysia.com.

Since our first appeal went out last year through the videos Malaysians4Change, things have got much worse in Malaysia. On 13th Jan 2011, Thompson Reuters Eikon released an alarming report which detailed the bonds sold by Malaysia amounting to USD 179.8 Billion! That has pushed us beyond the 80% Debt/GDP mark. Add in another USD 19.6 Billion for some of the GLC liabilities and the RM 6.5Billion that the Govt undertook to pay on behalf of the Selangor Water Concessionaires, we have almost reached 100% of Debt/GDP.

(Earlier videos: YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=malaysians4change&aq=f

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=467200176723

Tindakmalaysia:http://www.tindakmalaysia.com/forumdisplay.php/71-Malaysians4Change-Towards-A-2-Party-State-amp-A-Fairer-Rat-Race-System)

The video from this young lady is sounding the alarm: MalaysianYouth4Change.

If you agree that the message is important, please help to distribute to your friends. Thank you for your help.

Arrest of vice girls

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 06:06 PM PDT

Where in the world do we witness such derogatory behaviour? And why are we doing such dehumanized deeds?

By J. D. Lovrenciear

Malaysia's dignity lost

It is shocking! It is heart rending! It is now so very frightening to imagine what next will befall this nation.

How on earth can a nation that has the world's two powerful nations as its trading partners ever behave so disgracefully in the eyes of the world community?

The rakyat is in disbelief as to how could the law enforcement authorities of Malaysia raid, arrest, detain and above all insult and hurt the very human dignity of the women in the raid carried out in Penang this week.

It is beyond the imagination of all dignified and honourable citizens of the world to witness how the Malaysian authorities chain-bound their seeming 'dragnet catch' and to add salt to this wound they even defaced the girls under detention with markings on their bodies.

Where in the world do we witness such derogatory behaviour? And why are we doing such dehumanized deeds?

Look, if you want to arrest illegals at a night club the question that is crucial is: Why in the first place are you licensing and allowing an operator to function knowing full well they are flouting the law?

Why do we not go after the owner of such sinful outlets and just shut down the flouting premises? Why are we instead going after the seeming vice-girls all the time?

Even if you say that it is a way to curtail others from coming into the country with thoughts of doing the flesh trade, why do you have to treat them like animals at the abattoir?

What has the Head of the nation, the PM have got to say? Or is he going to keep mum? Or is he going to tell the world that this is what we will do without any cares for civil liberties, human dignity and universal code of ethical conduct?

In any other civilized nation, the Head of the erring authority would have resigned or even sacked in disgrace for such horrible, inhuman mistakes.

Indeed we thought we would have learnt our lessons from the C4 incident of the Mongolian national; we thought we would have learnt our lesson from the expose of how we treat detainees all this while as reported in the international media before. But no! We are adamant. We continue to breach all sense of human sanity. Now we shudder to imagine what next?

Sabu is new deputy, Husam joins Salahuddin, Mahfuz as VPs

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 06:02 PM PDT

Mohamad Sabu (pic) has been elected as the new deputy president, beating the incumbent Nasharudin Mat Isa and fellow challenger Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

Results of the polls held yesterday were announced by PAS's election commitee charman Abdul Halim Abd Rahman, this morning.

Out of 1,045 votes cast, Sabu obtained 420 votes, while Tuan Ibrahim 399 and Nasharuddin 224.

Vice presidents

Meanwhile, the vice president's contest saw two incumbents remaining in their posts. They are Salahudin Ayub and Mahfuz Omar. They are now joined by Kelantan Exco member Husam Musa (left).

Salahuddin gained the highest number of votes at 753, followed by Husam (660) and Mahfuz (616).

Three other vice presidency candidates who failed to occupy the posts are Idris Ahmad who gained 491 votes, Mohd Amar Abdullah (321) and Mohamad Nizar Jamaludin (217).

Another former vice president Tuan Ibrahim, who in the last polls gained the most number of votes, did not join the race following his acceptance of the deputy president's contest.

Meanwhile, 18 candidates have been appointed as Central Committee members, with the highest number of votes obtained by Mazlan Aliman (right), chairman of the Felda whistleblower group ANAK. The following is the full list:

1) Mazlan Aliman (804)
2) Dr Mohd Hatta Md Ramli (765)
3) Kamarudin Jaafar (739)
4) Hanipa Maidin (735)
5) Azizan Abdul Razak (721)
6) Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (702)
7) Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa (651)
8) Khalid Samad (643)
9) Abdul Ghani shamsuddin (579)
10) Amiruddin Hamzah (576)
11) Abdul Wahid Endut (556)
12) Abu Bakar Chik (527)
13) Mohd Amar Abdullah (470)
14) Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud (445)
15) Mahfodz Mohamed (449)
16) Hassan Ali (437)
17) Abdul Ghani Abd Rahman (430)
18) Nuridah Salleh (416)

Mohamad Sabu, Salahudin, Husam, Mahfuz menang

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 05:52 PM PDT

(Harakahdaily) - Mohamad Sabu menang untuk jawatan Timbalan Presiden PAS menewaskan penyandang asalnya Nasharudin Mat Isa dan seorang lagi calon Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

Mohamad mendapat 420 undi berbanding Tuan Ibrahim 399 dan Nasha 224 daripada jumlah keseluruhan 1045 undi.

Manakala untuk jawatan Naib Presiden pula dimenangi Salahudin Ayub, Datuk Husam Musa dan Datuk Mahfuz Omar.

Ketiga-tiga mereka mendapat undi paling tinggi menewaskan tiga lagi calon iaitu Ust Idris Ahmad, Datuk Mohd Amar Abdullah dan Datuk Seri Mohamad Nizar Jamaludin.

Salahudin mendapat 753 undi, Husam (660), Mahfuz (616), Idris (491), Nik Amar (321) dan Nizar (217).

Kesemua mereka akan menerajui kepimpinan PAS bersama Presiden, Tuan Guru Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang yang menang tanpa bertanding.

Keputusan rasmi itu dibacakan Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pemilihan PAS 2011-2013, Datuk Abdul Halim Abd Rahman kira-kira jam 10.15 pagi tadi.

Berikut adalah senarai Ahli Jawatankuasa PAS Pusat sesi 2011-2013:

1) Mazlan Aliman (804)
2) Dr Mohd Hatta Md Ramli (765)
3) Datuk Kamarudin Jaafar (739)
4) Hanipa Maidin (735)
5) Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak (721)
6) Dr Zulkefly Ahmad (702)
7) Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa (651)
8) Khalid Samad (643)
9) Abdul Ghani shamsuddin (579)
10) Amiruddin Hamzah (576)
11) Abdul Wahid Endut (556)
12) Abu Bakar Chik (527)
13) Datuk Mohd Amar Abdullah (470)
14) Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud (445)
15) Datuk Mahfodz Mohamed (449)
16) Datuk Hassan Ali (437)
17) Abdul Ghani Abd Rahm

No Compromise With Groups Acting For Own Interests, Says Najib

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 05:44 PM PDT

(Bernama) - The government will not compromise with groups which act for their own interests without regard for the consequences their measures will have on the nation, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today.

The prime minister said the government wanted to remind these irresponsible people that they were playing with fire in fanning racial and religious sentiments openly or subtly.

"They are gambling with the future of our children and grandchildren and, eventually, both the victors and the vanquished will be the losers," he said in his speech at the investiture in conjunction with the birthday of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, at the Istana Negara.

Najib said that if this was what they coveted, then it would be a failed and disunited Malaysia that they would leave behind for the coming generations.

"Shouldn't we learn from what's happening elsewhere, such as in the Balkans in the continent of Europe? Let us also not forget to learn from the tragedy which befell our beloved country," he said.

The prime minister reminded that one should not also fish in troubled waters.

"We have painstakingly built and nurtured our powerful relationship over decades. As such, we will not compromise on, and will reject, any attempt by specific groups to act for themselves without regard for the consequences their actions will have on the majority of Malaysians and the country," he said.

Najib said that like it or not, before anything was undone, the government would be cautious and adopt corrective measures without hesitation.

"Certainly, such a noble effort demands moral and political courage from all quarters in the name of Malaysia," he said.

Najib said that the government, in formulating any policy, always took into account the existing differences as an important factor of consideration.

"In fact, expecting unity to continue to blossom without any proactive role by the government and community leaders of all the races will only invite tragedy."

Najib said a major effort of the government was to continue to drive development, avert cultural confrontation, enhance understanding and celebrate differences that exist among the people through sharing what they had.

He said the unity of the various races in the country did not occur naturally, but was shaped by the environment and historical events and episodes, and cosmopolitan Malaysia was a reality.

"The question before us now is whether we want to use it as a catalyst for better prosperity for us and our children and grandchildren or as an unending source of polarisation. It all depends on us," he said.

‘Stop scholarships to students from vernacular schools’

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 05:38 PM PDT

Perkasa is courting yet another controversy with its latest call to the government to further tighten the conditions for scholarships to non-Malays.

(Free Malaysia Today) - Malay rights group, Perkasa has suggested that the government limit its Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships 'strictly' to non-Malay students who have completed their education 'exclusively in national school's.

In making this call Perkasa secretary general, Syed Hassan Syed Ali said it would be unfair to award scholarships to students whose parents have no faith in the national education system.

He urged the government to make this a condition for those wanting to apply for scholarships from the Malaysian government.

"Non-bumiputra parents who want their children to obtain national and PSD scholarships should place them in a national school from standard one until Form 5.

"Parents who don't trust the nations school system and send their children to vernacular schools should not ask for scholarships from the government.

"They should ask for scholarships from the Indian and Chinese based fundations and corporate companies instead," Syed Hussein said alluding to the Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools in the country.

According to Wikipedia there are some 60 Chinese schools in Malaysia offering secondary education, some 23 of these schools are in East Malaysia.

Primary level Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools in the country are government-aided.

Courting controversy

Syed Hussein said the 300 seats (which includes the bumiputras) set aside for national and PSD scholarships should be given based on merit.

He was commenting on the controversy over scholarships following Deputy Education Minister Wee Ka Siong's disclosure, last month, that 363 straight A+ students failed to obtain PSD scholarships.

The disclosure led to a spate between Wee and Minister in Prime Minister's Department, Nazri Aziz.

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 05:33 PM PDT

Beliau berkata pemilihannya bagaimanapun tidak membawa sebarang kesan terhadap dasar atau arah tuju parti, malah berazam akan terus membantu Presiden PAS.

(Free Malaysia Today) - Timbalan Presiden PAS yang baru dipilh Mohamad Sabu menganggap kemenangannya dalam pemilihan kali ini sebagai satu nasib yang baik, selain mendapat sokongan daripada akar umbi.

Beliau yang juga dikenali sebagai Mat Sabu berkata demikian ketika diminta mengulas mengenai pertandingan tiga penjuru antara dirinya dengan mengalahkan penyandang selama dua penggal berturut-turut Nasharuddin Mat Isa serta bekas Naib Presiden Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man yang dilihat hanya bertanding untuk memecahkan undi.

Beliau berjaya memperoleh 420 undi manakala Nasharudin dengan 224 undi dan Tuan Ibrahim pula mendapat 399 undi.

Mat Sabu berkata pemilihannya bagaimanapun tidak membawa sebarang kesan terhadap dasar atau arah tuju parti, malah berazam akan terus membantu Presiden PAS Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang mempertingkatkan gerak kerja bagi mendapatkan sokongan orang ramai dan bukan Melayu menuju pilihan raya umum ke-13 akan datang.

"Terima kasih kepada perwakilan dan wartawan yang menyiarkan tulisan yang positif mahupun negatif terhadap saya.

"Tak banyak momentum baru mahu pun pemahaman 'abc' yang akan diperjuangkan tetapi barangkali usaha untuk menarik orang ramai mencapai matlamat negara berkebajikan.

"Saya akan memainkan peranan membantu Presiden dalam hal ini," katanya yang turut memuji keberanian PAS mengadakan pemilihan sebelum PRU13 berbanding parti politik yang lain.

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 05:16 PM PDT

(Bernama) - Home Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein has claimed that Anwar Ibrahim had ill intentions when he uttered malicious words at a press conference in connection with a sex video featuring someone resembling the opposition leader.

Hishammuddin said the words which were later widely reported in the media and the Internet, were not published in good faith and that the main motive of Anwar was to injure his (Hishammuddin's) reputation as a minister and politician.

In his reply to Anwar's statement of defence filed on June 1, Hishammuddin said Anwar was indifferent to the falsity of words spoken.

He contended that the tone of language used by Anwar was reckless without any care whether the aspersions cast on him were true or false.

Hishammuddin said the words were not factual, pure conjecture and grossly inaccurate.

As such Hishamuddin said he wants the statement of defence filed by Anwar on May 16 to be struck out.

In his reply to Anwar's counter-claim, Hishammuddin said the words uttered by him (Hishammuddin) relating to the sex video were made in discharging his public duties as Home Minister to the public, who had a corresponding and a legitimate interest in receiving the same.

He also denied any misuse or malfeasance of his position or office or any action which was contrary to his duties and responsiblities and that he was asking the court to dismiss the counter-claim.

On April 26, Hishammuddin had filed a defamation suit against Anwar for uttering defamatory words against him during an interview with the media on March 22 after Anwar had lodged a report on the video with the Dang Wangi police here.

Hishammuddin, 50, said the words were understood to mean that he was responsible for screening the video to a group of editors and journalists at Carcosa Seri Negara Hotel on March 21.

The Minister said the words were also understood to mean that he arranged for the screening of the video and plotted with the Prime Minister and the police top brass to have it done.

Anwar defended that the words uttered by him were published on an occasion of qualified privilege and published in the reasonable protection of his own legitimate interest as opposition leader to the public who had a corresponding interest in receiving the information.

In his counter-claim, Anwar contended that Hishammuddin's words in his press conference on March 21, gave weight to the assertion by the three persons who exposed the video that it was him (Anwar) in it.

High Court Judicial Commissioner Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera set July 25 for case management to allow Anwar to counter Hishammuddin's reply.

He set the date after meeting counsel Cecil Abraham and Sunil Abraham representing Hishammuddin and S Ambiga and J Leela for Anwar, when the case came up for case management today.

Perkasa’s pro-Malay antics bordering on insanity

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 05:09 PM PDT

We have been tolerating this injustice for 47 years. It started with the pro-Muslim policies of Tunku Abdul Rahman (which victimized Donald Stephens and Peter Mojuntin), and it cannot continue any longer. The present BN government is perpetuating this injustice and there is no indication of this ever going to stop in spite of all the big talk about national unity, national integration and now 1Malaysia. We can only stop this injustice by changing the system, by changing the government, and building a new Malaysia.

DANIEL JOHN JAMBUN

The noises made by Perkasa about Malay rights have by now been testing the patience of right thinking Malaysians. The ideas they have been harping on are getting very tiring and boring, and yet they keep throwing them around, trying to make them sound logical. But how long can they shout and scream about the same things before they prove themselves to be really out of their minds – wild crackpots who should be relegated to the lower ranks of the human species. And why not, for the antics of this strange movement called Perkasa is now so twisted that it is really bordering on insanity!

The latest 'logic' from Perkasa, as reported by one online media, is that its Secretary General, Syed Hassan said national unity could only be forged if all Malaysians respected the special privileges accorded to the Malays under the Federal Constitution. He disputed MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek's call yesterday to think as Malaysians first to work together to maintain a peaceful nation.

This begs the question of when did we ever tried to or managed to infringe on Malay rights in Malaysia. As I remember it, the Chinese got peeved off when the Malays keep calling them 'immigrants" (pendatang) and accused the Malays as immigrants as well. But the real roots of the Malays' unhappiness is the inability of the Malays to compete with the Chinese no matter what the Malays do to favor and benefit themselves. Somebody has to be blamed for the failures of the Malays in commerce and industry, so it must be the 'greedy' Chinese. But the fact is, this is a twisted way of looking at history and current realities in Malaysia.

We all know this is not true. In one open letter (available online) to Tun Mahathir, the patron of Perkasa, one "Bryant of India" writes: "As you are aware, the Malays control the rights to all the lands and natural resources in this country. They control all government institutions, GLC and state-owned companies. The Malays also dominate the lawmaking process in Malaysia including the decision-making processes in the formulation of the country's economy policies.

"From statistics we also know now that the Malays not only own the largest national assets but are also freely – and without conditions – allocated shares in public-listed companies. The Malays have also been accorded all kind of priorities when it comes to buying properties, awarding of public contracts, tertiary education opportunities including the granting of scholarships and even securing jobs in any of the government departments and agencies.

"Yet with all these privileges and rights enjoyed by the Malays, you still complain that not enough is done to help the Malays to catch up with the other ethnic groups, principally the Chinese? Then what else should Malaysia do to satisfy the Malays? Did the Chinese seize or rob anything away from the Malays or were their accomplishments the result of their hard work?

"If it is all due to their diligence, why do you say it is unfair? Many of us don't quite get your point here. May I therefore ask you what you expect the Chinese to do in the event that your so-called NEP fail to achieve the desired result? Would the Malays be happier if the ethnic Chinese in your country do any of the followings:

(1) Surrender their assets and hard earned money to the Malays unconditionally;

(2) Not to engage in any business activities;

(3) Not to do well in all sort of school, college and tertiary examinations;

(4) Not to earn more income or achieve greater than the Malays;

(5) Not to advance to higher education; or

(6) Renounce their citizenship and return to China or migrate to somewhere else? Have you ever stopped to think why 30 years of implementing the NEP had not brought about the desired results or should I say, not achieved the principal objectives and that is to economically equip ALL the Malays in the country?

Maybe the NEP could have but you and your cronies denied it the ability to; instead allowed the system to carry on for more years than it ought to so that others can call you god because of the illicit money you funnelled to them.

"Under the NEP there is a complex series of policies that favours the Malays. And despite these policies, the Malays still can't get what they want – again the question is what else do you want the Chinese to do? Do you blame the Chinese simply because they are industrious and focused? Or should you level your blame at those Malays who do not treasure the opportunities that you claim you have given them? Having asked that did you or did you not give them these opportunities?"

Why does Perkasa believe that only the Malays should be respected in Malaysia? To say that unity can only be forged in Malaysia if all Malaysians respected the special privileges accorded to the Malays under the Federal Constitution is ridiculous because the Malays have already been accorded more privileges than they deserve. We also need to remember that Article 153 of the Federal Constitution says that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is responsible for protecting the special position of the Malay AND THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF ANY OF THE STATES OF SABAH AND SARAWAK AND THE LEGITIMATE INTERESTS OF OTHER COMMUNITIES.

Even in the Sabah State Constitution the Tuan Yang Terutama is made responsible (dipertanggungjawabkan) for the special rights of the natives. So it is really downright silly and a deliberate lie to say that the Federal Constitution guarantees the "special privileges" of the Malays (actually it is "special position")! Note that the natives of Sabah and Sarawak HAVE THE SAME POSITION as the Malays of the Peninsular. Take this as a reminder that respect must be earned through merit and not by threat or force. So, big-mouthed Perkasa, shut up and grow up! We are sick and tired of you!

Because of this Malay mentality which have been promoted by a lot of Malay supremacist groups long before the existence of Perkasa, even the so-called Malays in Sabah and Sarawak have become arrogant and think that the Malay/Muslims have bigger rights than the non-Muslims in the Borneo states. That is why the PSD officers have been discriminating against job and scholarship applicants who are non-Muslim Kadazandusuns and Muruts.

Malaysia police slammed for cattle-branding women

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 04:26 PM PDT

(AP) - KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysian lawyers, politicians and activists lambasted the police Saturday, accusing them of abusing their power in chaining up and marking the bodies of 30 foreign women detained for alleged prostitution.

Police raided a high-end nightclub in northern Penang state late Thursday and arrested 29 women from China and one from Vietnam, along with eight Malaysian men. Local media reported police officers went undercover at the club for a week before the raid.

It triggered an outcry after local newspapers carried photos of the women bound up with a long chain and marked with either a tick or an X on their chest and forehead.

"The police branded the detained women as though they are cattle," opposition lawmaker Teresa Kok said in a statement. "It is sickening that the police would employ such dehumanizing tactics as a show of power and moral superiority over their detainees."

Women's rights group Tenaganita said the detainees had been victimized and called for an investigation into the police conduct.

Another rights group, Lawyers for Liberty, said the police action was "very unusual and inhumane" as the women were merely suspects and not convicted of any crime.

Police have defended their action, saying the markings served as a way to identify the women.

Penang police chief Ayub Yaakob told the New Straits Times that the situation was chaotic, with the suspects trying to escape. He said police were forced to mark the women after some donned new clothes to try and blend in with other female patrons of the club.

READ MORE HERE.

WIKILEAKS: Shazryl Eskay Abdullah tells the US that Malaysia is a terrorist safe haven

Posted: 22 May 2011 01:00 AM PDT

Even on Malaysian soil, Thai Malay militants did not feel safe from possible assassination or kidnapping. On at least one occasion, a Thai bounty hunter had bribed local Malaysian police to abduct a separatist who was in Malaysia. Eskay had intervened to release the target, whom the Malaysian police officer had locked in the trunk of his police car.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 KUALA LUMPUR 000263

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2027

TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PTER, PINR, MOPS, ASEC, TH, MY

SUBJECT: HONORARY CONSUL NOTES MALAYSIA AS SAFE HAVEN FOR THAI INSURGENCY, RELEVANCE OF OLD GUARD

REF: A. 06 KUALA LUMPUR 1764 - NO TEARS FOR THAKSIN

B. 06 KUALA LUMPUR 1976 - SURAYUD'S VISIT

Classified By: Political Section Chief Mark D. Clark for reasons 1.4 (b and d).

Summary

1. (S) The Honorary Thai Consul in Langkawi, Malaysian businessman Shazryl Eskay Abdullah (protect throughout), described Thai Malay separatist use of Malaysian territory as a safe haven and insurgents' views of the conflict during a February 5 meeting with polchief.

Eskay, who was a leading Malaysian facilitator of the dialogue with Thai insurgents hosted by former Prime Minister Mahathir, argued that the older generation insurgency leaders, mostly resident in Malaysia, remained relevant as they provided needed support services and safe haven to younger leaders. He identified only one old guard leader as actively ordering attacks, and estimated that criminal gangs and Thai security services were responsible for 70 percent of the recent violence.

He said he did not see links yet between the Thai insurgents and regional or international terrorists, but recognized the potential and encouraged the U.S. to keep a close watch. He also noted, however, that the insurgents received financial assistance via Singapore from unknown sources. The now-ended peace initiative by Mahathir produced a ten-page "peace proposal" signed by old guard leaders, but which failed to gain much response from Bangkok. Eskay believed that the February 11-12 visit to Thailand by Prime Minister Abdullah would result in the Malaysian external intelligence organization (MEIO) taking up a "facilitation" role in discussions between Thai intelligence and southern insurgents, though Eskay was pessimistic as to the prospects.

Eskay shared a 12-page paper on the insurgency and Thai Malay views, resulting from his interviews with numerous separatist leaders, which he had submitted to MEIO February. End Summary.

Honorary Consul as Mediator with Separatists

2. (S) Polchief called on the Honorary Thai Consul in Langkawi, Shazryl Eskay Abdullah, on February 5 as part of a February 5-9 visit to Malaysian states along the border with Thailand (septel). Eskay, a Malaysian businessman of mixed Malaysian-Thai parentage, described his significant "mediator" role in the 2005-2006 dialogue with Thai Malay insurgents, which featured former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, and his frequent interaction with separatists on both sides of the border.

Eskay said he carried out his work on the Thai insurgency largely independent of the Thai and Malaysian governments, and maintained direct links with most known Malay separatist leaders resident in Malaysia. To bolster his credentials, he showed polchief video footage he had recorded of various meetings with men he described as elder separatist leaders and younger operators.

Old Guard Not Calling the Shots, but Still Relevant

3. (S) Eskay noted that most of the older generation of Malay separatist leaders lived in Malaysia with the Malaysian Government's knowledge and acquiescence. The older generation included those affiliated with the United Pattani Freedom Front (BERSATU), and the constituent groups the National Revolutionary Front (BRN-Congress), the Pattani Mujahiddin Movement (GMP), and the Pattani United Liberation Organization (PULO).

In addition, Eskay confirmed that younger generation separatists, including those involved in recent attacks in southern Thailand, frequently entered Malaysia, particularly when the situation became "too hot" and they required safe haven. The GOM was not always aware of the identity and travel of younger separatists. With some exceptions, the older generation did not direct the actions of the younger insurgents. However, Eskay argued that the relevance of the "old guard" should not be underestimated.

The older leaders, with well-established networks in Malaysia, constituted the support service for the insurgents, providing shelter and transportation, and arranging jobs, including in Thai restaurants and on rubber estates. Because the older generation provided needed safe haven services, they remained influential and relevant to a potential peace dialogue with Thailand's Malay south. (Comment: Many of our other interlocutors dismissed the Mahathir-led dialogue because it focused on the older Malaysia-based separatists who no longer represent the insurgency on the ground. End Comment.)

The Murky Business of Violence

4. (S) Like many other Malaysians we interviewed during our trip to northern Malaysia, Eskay described the Malay insurgency as splintered, with operations currently carried out by very small cells, comprised of two or three persons.

"Brokers" would task the cells with orders and money. Often times the affiliation of the brokers would not be clear to the cells, opening the possibility that they represented other parties, but cells would carry out "orders" nonetheless both for monetary gain and for fear that they otherwise would run afoul of other insurgents. The cell members generally were technically unsophisticated and the brokers often provided the improvised explosive devices to be planted and detonated by the cells.

Eskay crudely estimated that Malay separatists accounted for only 30 percent of attacks in the south with Thai army, policy and intelligence agency factions, along with criminal gangs, responsible for the balance.

Eskay relayed that many insurgent leaders believed deposed Prime Minister Thaksin and Thai Rak Thai party advisor General Chavalit were funding much of the recent violence. Insurgent members had denied association with New Year's Eve bombings in Bangkok. They also disassociated themselves from many of the attacks on schools.

The fracturing of the separatist movement and use of small cells added to the complexity and the difficulty in identifying any leaders for dialogue. Eskay named only one old guard leader, BRN-Congress Vice President Abdullah bin Idris, as responsible for ordering some of the ongoing attacks in southern Thailand.

Safe Passage

5. (S) In addition to the Mahathir-led dialogue and frequent informal meetings with Thai separatists, Eskay said he had arranged meetings between Malaysian intelligence and various insurgents operating in Thailand, meetings which included an understanding of safe passage within Malaysia.

No International Terror Links...Yet

6. (S) Eskay stated that he had seen no evidence the Malay separatists had linked up with external terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda or Jemaah Islamiyah. He noted, however, that some insurgents received funds from a bank in Singapore (NFI), which passed through money changers in the Malaysian border town of Padang Besar, Perlis state. Eskay did not know the origin of the funds.

Though there was in his view a clear potential for a link-up with terrorist groups, Eskay commented that Malaysian intelligence did not pay adequate attention to this risk and he encouraged the U.S. to keep a close watch on developments.

February 2006 "Peace Proposal"

7. (S) The Mahathir-led dialogue had resulted in a "peace proposal" in February 2006, signed by old guard leaders of BERSATU, BRN-Congress, GMP, and PULO, Eskay noted. This had met with no substantive response from the Thai Government, but might constitute a good starting point for future dialogue. Eskay provided us with a copy of the ten-page document, which demanded Thai Government actions in eight areas, namely:

-- Improvements in "leadership," through appointment of a Muslim Affairs Minister and a Muslim affairs coordinating body.

-- Improved government communication and networking with Malay Muslim communities.

-- Confidence-building measures, including establishing ethnic Malay quotas for government service and security forces in the south.

-- Steps to promote investment and economic development.

-- Improvements in the education infrastructure.

-- Amnesty, with individual cases approved by a Board of Review.

-- Establishment of a tribunal to investigate and try cases of human rights violations.

-- Establishment of a monitoring committee to ensure implementation of the above steps.

Malaysian External Intelligence May Take the Lead

8. (S) Eskay said the Mahathir initiative was now over, and the Malaysian Government had made clear that the phase of "NGO involvement" in dialogue with Thai Malay separatists had come to an end. The February 11-12 visit to Thailand by Prime Minister Abdullah likely would confirm a role for the Malaysian External Intelligence Organization (MEIO) as a "facilitator" for future informal talks between Malay separatists and Thai Government intelligence. Eskay supported a Malaysian Government mediation role, but he was pessimistic MEIO and its Thai counterparts would make progress. Instead, Eskay anticipated continued violence.

The Honorary Thai Consul shared a 12-page "confidential" paper on the insurgency and Thai Malay views, resulting from his interviews with numerous separatist leaders, which he had submitted to MEIO February 1. Eskay requested that we not share the paper and February 2006 "peace proposal" with others (we have forwarded the documents via classified email to EAP/MTS and Embassy Bangkok).

Comment

9. (S) Eskay credibly appeared to have contacts with a large pool of old guard leaders, insurgents, and sympathizers from Thailand's Malay south. His views on the insurgency were the most detailed we heard during five days of travel in northern Malaysia and tracked well in many respects with information and opinions from others. His belief in the usefulness of engaging the old guard, however, contradicted the opinion of Malaysian politicians, officials and police who generally dismissed the old timers as irrelevant. Several Malaysians volunteered they were suspicious of Eskay's contacts with Malay separatists and alleged Eskay had been involved in controversial business deals in the past (unrelated to Thailand). Eskay informed us that he had lived some ten years in the United States circa the 1980s.

LAFLEUR

Martyrs or victims of corruption?

Posted: 21 May 2011 06:17 PM PDT

I think it is time we started appointing women Muftis in Malaysia. After all, if the Muftis do not have any balls what difference does it make if we appoint men or women as Muftis?

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Anak yatim maut tertimbus syahid

SHAH ALAM - Kematian mereka bukan sia-sia. Allah sudah janjikan ganjaran syahid bagi sekumpulan anak yatim terkorban dalam tragedi tanah runtuh di Hulu Langat, petang semalam.

Mufti Selangor, Datuk Seri Mohd Tamyes Abdul Wahid berkata, mengikut hukum, Islam yang menemui ajal secara tragis se-perti akibat kebakaran, kemalangan jalan raya atau bencana alam dan mati ketika tidur, dikategorikan sebagai syahid.

"Mereka dapat syafaat Allah, itu janjiNya," katanya.

Beliau mengulas kematian anak-anak yatim penghuni Rumah Anak-anak Hidayah Madrasah Al-Taqwa di Jalan Sungai Semungkis, Kampung Gahal, Hulu Langat, petang semalam.

Bagaimanapun menurut Mohd Tamyes, jenazah mereka masih perlu diurus seperti jenazah mati biasa, iaitu mandi, kafan dan disolatkan.

Beliau mengingatkan pengasas rumah kebajikan, termasuk rumah anak yatim di seluruh negara, pastikan bangunan mereka tiada risiko musibah.

"Jangan bina di lereng bukit atau berhampiran dekawasan bahaya kepada penghuni," katanya.

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

The death of 16 orphans in a landslide in Hulu Langat, outside Kuala Lumpur, yesterday was not in vain (bukan sia-sia), said the Mufti of Selangor. According to Islam, said the Mufti, these orphans died a martyr's death (syahid). And the same goes for anyone who dies in a traffic accident, or whatever tragedy, added the Mufti.

I suppose this is one way of looking at it. When someone dies we try to look at the 'positive' side of his or her death. And this is probably the Mufti's way of making us feel good about those deaths. After all, is not Malaysia an expert at the 'feel good' factor? I bet they can even make us feel good about May 13 -- it taught us that racism is bad and can lead to race riots so Malaysians today are no longer racists.

Yeah, right!

The more fundamentalist Muslim would say that the 16 orphans were fated to die in the landslide yesterday. The time, date, place and manner we will die has already been determined even before we were born. So, yesterday, the 16 orphans merely kept their appointment with death. It was their fate which had already been decided and there was nothing anyone could have done to avoid it.

Is that so? What about the reports of the previous incidences of landslips in that area? Wasn't that a sign (from God or whatever) that we have a tragedy in the making? What was done about the many landslips of past that yesterday became a landslide? (Menteri Kerja Raya Datuk Shaziman Mansor dilaporkan berkata bahawa kawasan itu dipercayai telah beberapa kali mengalami kejadian tanah runtuh namun tidak dilaporkan - Bernama).

When the Tsunami hit our shores and other Asian countries on 26 December 2004, they said the same thing. Some even said that this is God's punishment for all those sinners. I wonder what sin the babies and children committed to incur God's wrath on them.

Actually, the death toll of the 2004 Tsunami could have been reduced had greedy people not cut away (for profit) all the mangrove plants along the coast. The mangrove would have acted as a buffer and the waves would not have gone so far inland and been so destructive.

A lot of tragedies could have been avoided. And they could have been avoided if humankind were not so greedy and corrupt. Greed and corruption, not God, causes tragedies. And those who die in tragedies should not be classified as martyrs but as victims of greed and corruption.

On a per capita basis Malaysia has ten times more fatal road accidents than Britain. And this is all because of greed and corruption. Those who die in traffic accidents are not martyrs, as the Mufti said. They are victims of greed and corruption.

The Muftis have a duty to perform. They must condemn greed and corruption. They must not tell people that 16 orphans dying in a landslide is not in vain, it is okay, it is a good, it means they are going straight to heaven. They must tell the people that this is yet another of the many signs of rampant greed and corruption in Malaysia.

Don't tell us that the orphans' deaths are NOT sia-sia. Tell us that their deaths ARE sia-sia. And tell us that their deaths and the deaths of thousands of other Malaysians every year is because of greed and corruption.

Are the Muftis scared of doing this? Are they so worried that they will get sacked from their jobs and will lose their comfortable income and lifestyle? Are they not brave enough to teach Malaysians proper Islam, in that we must oppose greed and corruption?

I think it is time we started appointing women Muftis in Malaysia. After all, if the Muftis do not have any balls what difference does it make if we appoint men or women as Muftis?

WIKILEAKS: The people with the big cables in Malaysia (UPDATED with Chinese Translation)

Posted: 18 May 2011 04:38 PM PDT

Today, we are revealing this first of almost 4,000 cables specifically on Malaysia that were leaked to Wikileaks. Today's seven-page cable is about the political and business cronies of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. Some of these names may be familiar to you but many of you were probably not aware who the personalities behind Najib are. These are the people with 'big cables' who decide what happens in Malaysia.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 05 KUALA LUMPUR 000268

SIPDIS

FOR EAP/MTS AND INR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/10/2029

TAGS: PGOV, PINR, PINS, ECON, MY

SUBJECT: NAJIB'S NETWORK - A PRELIMINARY LOOK

REF: A. KL 266 - NAJIB UNVEILS CABINET

B. KL 253 - NAJIB SWORN IN AS PM

C. KL 78 - NAJIB LEADS TAKEOVER OF PERAK

D. 08 KL 193 - NEW MINISTER PORTFOLIOS

E. 08 KL 192 - MALAYSIA'S NEW CABINET

Classified By: Political Counselor Mark D. Clark for reasons 1.4 (b and d).

Summary

1. (C) This cable provides a preliminary review of Prime Minister Najib Razak's close aides and political associates, known associated companies, and business contacts, as well as summary information on Najib's four brothers. The review is based on information available prior to Najib's confirmation as Prime Minister on April 3 and his formation of his Cabinet on April 9. Najib's aides could find themselves in positions of influence with the PM's office, while four political associates from his inner circle have taken positions in Najib's cabinet. Post identified 16 companies with strong links to Najib and his family, with many of the companies having substantial business interaction with the government.

Among the 19 key business leaders listed, Rohana Mahmood stands out as deeply embedded in the Najib family's commercial interests. Najib's family has personal links to the Sultan of Perak, of note given Najib's involvement in wresting control of the state from opposition hands in February (ref B). Syed Mokhtar Albukharry, a major Malaysian investor in Iran, has significant business operations in Najib's constituency and in the defense sector.

The Embassy provides this information, not as a definitive study, but to help guide Department offices as they examine Najib's emerging administration and policy decisions, and identify actors of influence. End Summary.

Political Aides

2. (C) According to Embassy's information, including one well-placed source, Najib's three closest advisors are Shahlan Ismail, Alias Anor, and Shafie Mohd Abdullah.

Previously, Alias was Najib's political secretary, but has since assumed the role of a key advisor. Shahlan and Shafie are Najib's current political secretaries, with Shahlan filling the position since April 2008.

Political Associates

3. (C) Post developed the following list of close political associates by speaking with informed observers, including those on Najib's current political team, and by identifying individuals who have worked closely with Najib, some since he was the UMNO Youth Chief from 1988-1993.

-- Hishamuddin Tun Hussein, named Home Minister in Najib's new cabinet. He was the former UMNO Youth Chief and Minister of Education under PM Abdullah Badawi. Najib and Hishamuddin are cousins (their mothers are sisters). Hishamuddin was elected to one of three UMNO Vice President posts during the March party elections.

-- Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Najib's choice as Defense Minister. He was a Minister in the PM's Department for religious affairs under PM Abdullah Badawi. He was also a former political secretary to Najib and former UMNO Youth Chief. Ahmad was elected to one of three UMNO Vice President posts during the March UMNO party elections.

-- Nazri Abdul Razak, retained by Najib as Minister in the PM's Department in charge of parliamentary affairs, a position he also held under former PM Abdullah Badawi.

Former UMNO Perak Youth Chief and was the UMNO International Bureau Chief when Najib was the Youth Chief. Nazri had lobbied for the position of Foreign Minister in Najib's new cabinet.

-- Shafie Apdal, named by Najib as Rural Development Minister. He was Minister of National Unity, Culture, Arts, and Heritage under former PM Abdullah. He is Najib's point man in Sabah, former UMNO Youth Sabah chief and was Najib's deputy at the Ministry of Defense (1999-2004). Shafie was elected to one of three UMNO Vice President posts during the recently concluded party elections in March.

-- Jamaluddin Jarjis, former UMNO Youth Chief for the state of Pahang. He was Najib's chief campaign strategist during the party's elections in March. Jamaluddin is a member of UMNO's Supreme Council. Some observers expected Jamaluddin to be included in Najib's Cabinet, but he was not.

-- Johan Jaafar, former editor in chief of Utusan Malaysia newspaper owned by the ruling party, is Najib's media point man. According to sources, Johan will be appointed as executive director of The New Straits Times Press Berhad (NSTP) (the publisher of the government-dominated mainstream newspapers New Straits Times, Berita Harian and Harian Metro) as well as chair of Media Prima Berhad, which operates all of Malaysia's private television stations and two private radio stations.

-- Mohd Zin Mohamed, Minister of Works under PM Abdullah and former UMNO Youth leader. He is a member of UMNO's Supreme Council.

Political Ally

4. (C) Newly-named Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin emerged as a key Najib ally over the past year. Muhyiddin was the most prominent UMNO leader responsible for forcing former Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi to agree to step down in favor of Najib after the March 2008 elections. Najib personally but quietly supported Muhyiddin as the choice for Deputy UMNO President after Ali Rustam, Melaka Chief Minister and former UMNO Senior Vice President, was barred from contesting for the post for corruption.

During the March 24 - 28 UMNO General Assembly, Muhyiddin pledged to be "ultra loyal" to Najib. Muhyiddin won the UMNO deputy president post, which by tradition carries with it the Deputy Prime Minister position. In addition, Najib made Muhyiddin Education Minister, an important patronage position but without access to the central levers of power.

Observers debate how close Muhyiddin really is to Najib as some consider him as ambitious and a possible rival to Najib under certain circumstances. Some observers have indicated Muhyiddin has yet to completely satisfy Najib of the new DPM's loyalty. Their relationship bears watching before we can draw firm conclusions.

Associated Companies

5. (C) Post used both open as well as informed sources to build an initial picture of the companies associated with Najib and or his family members. The companies listed below all have Najib or one of his immediate family members on their executive boards. Most of the companies listed also hold government contracts or are believed to have substantial business interaction with the government.

-- Commercial International Merchant Bankers (CIMB) Group: Malaysia's second largest financial services provider and the fifth largest in Southeast Asia. It is owned by Bumiputra-Commerce Holding Berhad (BCHB), which is listed on Malaysia's stock exchange, the Bursa Malaysia, with a market capitalization of 26.6 Billion ringgit (about USD7.4 billion).

-- Symphony House Berhad: A publicly listed company mainly involved in business process outsourcing.

-- Johan Holdings: A publicly listed company involved in manufacturing ceramic tiles, distribution and sale of health foods and supplements, property development, and resorts and hotels.

-- Sapura Group: Has businesses interests in the secured communications and oil & gas industries with investments in Australia, Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Pakistan and China.

-- Hong Leong Group: A Malaysian-based conglomerate with investments in financial services, manufacturing, and property and infrastructure development. The group's shares are listed on the stock exchanges of Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Europe.

-- Paramount Corporation Berhad: A publicly listed company with diverse interests in property development and investment, construction, and educational services.

-- TH Group Berhad: A publicly listed company involved in plantations, contracting, biohealth care and information technology.

-- Dijaya Berhad: A publicly listed company involved in property development, investment, and management as well as investment holding and manufacturing.

-- MMC Group: A utilities and infrastructure group with interests in transportation and logistics, energy and utilities, engineering, and construction. Its international business dealings focus on the Middle East, with investments in utilities and logistics in that region.

-- DRB Hicom: The largest totally integrated automotive company in Malaysia, with operations in the manufacturing, assembly, and distribution of passenger and commercial vehicles. It also is involved in property and infrastructure development, and provides the Malaysian military land-based vehicles.

-- Hiap Teck Venture Berhad: A publicly listed company, it is the leading manufacturer of steel products in the country.

-- Mamee Double Decker Berhad: A publicly listed company involved in the manufacturing and marketing of a wide range of soft drinks, food and dairy products; other activities include property development.

-- Delloyd Ventures Berhad: An investment holding company with subsidiaries engaged in the manufacture and sale of automobile parts and accessories, palm oil plantations, repair and maintenance of motor vehicles, manufacture and export of agrichemicals, and magazine publishing.

-- Yeo Hiap Seng Berhad: Principally involved in the production, marketing, and sale of food, beverages, and sweetened condensed milk.

-- Nylex Berhad: Manufactures and markets vinyl-coated fabrics, calendered film and sheeting, and other plastic products, including geotextiles and prefabricated sub-soil drainage systems.

-- Daiman Development Berhad: Principally involved in property development and trading.

-- Ethos Capital: A boutique investment company chaired by Rohana Mahmood.

Business Leaders

6. (C) Post compared the executive boards, used open sources, and spoke with informed contacts to identify key individuals within businesses that are linked to Najib and his family.

-- Rohana Mahmood, Chairman and partner of Ethos Capital, a RM200 million (about USD56 million) private equity firm. Rohana also sits on the boards of Paramount Corp Bhd, TH Group Bhd and Dijaya Corp Bhd. She and another close aide of Najib, Abdul Razak Baginda, co-founded an independent think-tank, the Malaysian Strategic Research Centre (currently dormant). (Note: Razak was acquitted in October 2008 of abetting the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya. End note.) Rohana appears connected in some manner to most of the companies associated with Najib.

-- Azman Mokhtar, the managing director of Khanazah Nasional Bhd. He has been playing a prominent role in the reforms of government-linked companies (GLCs).

-- Mohamed Azman Yahya, director of Khazanah, and founder and group chief executive officer of Symphony House Bhd, an outsourcing firm. He is also the ex-CEO of Pengurusan Danaharta Bhd and sits on several advisory panels for the development of the capital market, venture capital, and public service delivery system.

-- Tan Kay Hock, chair and chief executive of Johan Holdings Berhad. Najib and Tan Kay Hock have known each other for a long time and are golfing buddies. Tan is also a member of the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA).

-- Shahril Shamsuddin of Sapura Group, which has interests in communications, information technology, and oil and gas.

-- Syed Mokhtar Albukharry, whose privately owned company, SKS Ventures Sbd Bhd, has announced involvement in major oil and gas deals with Iran's National Iranian Oil Company, including to develop Iran's southern Golshan and Ferdos gas fields. He also controls DRB-HICOM, and is one of the largest employers in Pekan, Pahang, Najib's parliamentary constituency, and political base.

Syed operates a huge vehicle assembly plant there. He also owns Defense Technologies Sdn Bhd or Deftech a DRB subsidiary and Malaysia,s leading supplier of land-based defense vehicles.

Syed Mokhtar also is believed to have a good (and some say stronger) relationship with Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin.

-- Danny Tan Chee Sing, Group Chief Executive Officer of Dijaya Berhad and Vincent Tan's brother.

-- Nor Yusof, an ex-banker, who was the former managing director of Malaysia Airlines and past chair of the Securities Commission. He is currently director and chair of Khazanah's executive committee. He has a wealth of experience in banking and a keen insight on capital markets.

-- Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh, chair and MD of express bus operator Konsortium Transnational Bhd. The former Proton boss was called upon by the Government in 1996 to revive the ailing public transport company. He was former PM Mahathir's prodigy and has expertise in transportation.

-- Dr. Gan Wee Beng, the executive director of CIMB Group (the CEO is Najib's brother Nazir Abdul Razak). Gan was a consultant to Bank Negara (the central bank), the Economic Planning Unit, Finance Ministry, and the World Bank.

-- Omar Mustapha Ong, a former special assistant to Najib, is the co-founder of Ethos Capital with Rohana Mahmood. His father, Mustapha Ong, was the diplomat in Washington who allegedly tried to bribe a limousine driver in Washington to fabricate evidence against deposed Deputy Prime Minister (and current opposition leader) Anwar Ibrahim in 1998.

-- Quek Leng Chan, Chairman and Chief Executive of Hong Leong group of Companies.

-- Teo Chiang Quan, Group Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer, Paramount Corporation Berhad.

-- Lei Lin Thai, Group Managing Director, TH Group Berhad.

-- Pang Tee Chew, Chief Executive Officer, Mamee Double Decker Berhad.

-- Kenneth Eswaran, CEO Multi Vest Resources Bhd (MVest), whose primary business interest is the palm oil sector. Informed sources say he is close to Rosmah Mansor, Najib's wife.

-- Vincent Tan, Berjaya Group, a former Mahathir crony who is now close to Najib. Tan managed to obtain a lucrative license to conduct additional lottery draws after Najib became Finance Minister in October 2008. He is also rumored to be close to Rosmah Mansor.

-- Bakke Salleh, CEO of Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) Holdings Berhad. Najib is the Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on FELDA, the land authority established by his father.

-- Lodin Wok Kamarudin, Chief of Armed Forces Fund Board.

Najib and his Brothers

7. (C) Najib, who is the eldest son of former Prime Minister Abdul Razak, is said to consult closely with his four brothers, who all have extensive commercial ties.

-- Johari Razak, the second eldest brother and a close friend of Perak Crown Prince Raja Nazrin Shah. He is a lawyer and senior partner at Shearn Delamore & Co, a large law firm in Kuala Lumpur. His areas of practice include corporate and commercial joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions; corporate restructuring; and the listing of public companies.

He is also the Chairman of Courts Mammoth Pte Ltd and Daiman Development Berhad, a director of Hong Leong Industries Berhad, Nylex Berhad, Daiman Golf Berhad, and Deutsche Bank (Malaysia) and a non-executive director in several publicly listed companies.

-- Mohamed Nizam Razak studied politics, philosophy, and economics at Oxford University. He was a stockbroker and CEO of PB Securities Sdn Bhd in the 1990s. He is currently a non-executive director in several publicly listed companies including Hiap Teck Venture Bhd, Mamee Double-Decker (M) Bhd, Delloyd Ventures Bhd, and Yeo Hiap Seng (M) Bhd. Like Johari, Nizam is also a director of Deutsche Bank.

-- Mohamed Nazim Razak, the fourth brother, studied architecture in the UK. He is Chairman of Meru Utama an outdoor advertising company that received a seven-year advertising concession in 2007 to advertise the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Low-cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT).

He is also Chairman of the Governing Council of Masterskill, a private University/College (the Pro Chancellor is Raja Azureen Raja Azlan Shah, the daughter of the Sultan of Perak) and Director of OYL Industries (a subsidiary of Hong Leong Group of Companies).

-- Nazir Razak, the youngest brother, is the most well known. He obtained a Master of Philosophy at Cambridge University. He is a career banker, joining CIMB Investment Bank almost 20 years ago and rising through its executive ranks to become its CEO in 1999. Following the merger of CIMB and Bumiputra-Commerce Bank, to become Bumiputra-Commerce Holdings Bhd (BCHB), Nazir became CEO of the merged group.

Under his watch, the BCHB group, which is branded as CIMB group, was transformed into a GLC bank that could compete with its peers in the private sector regionally. Informed observers widely believe Nazir advises Najib on finance and economic policy issues.

KEITH

Translated into Chinese at: http://ccliew.blogspot.com/2011/05/blog-post_20.html

Kredit: www.malaysia-today.net

Sabtu, 4 Jun 2011