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Stop bitching

Posted: 18 Jun 2011 12:35 AM PDT

This is my response to the Penang mosque committee fiasco where the opposition was forced to do a 'U-turn' after adamantly stating that it would go ahead with the elections of the mosque committees. This is also my response to HINDRAF's announcement that it is boycotting the BERSIH rally to punish Pakatan Rakyat.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Aziz Bari is grumbling because Umno has dragged the Monarchy into politics and is using the Palace against the opposition (read his article in Bahasa Malaysia below). My response to that is: so what? Isn't this what Umno normally does? Isn't this what Umno always does? So, what else is new? It's the same old story.

You mean the opposition did not suspect this would happen? You mean this is the first time this has happened and the opposition was caught off guard? How come the opposition was caught off guard? You mean Umno is cleverer than the opposition?

The opposition always seems to get caught off guard when it comes to issues concerning the Monarchy or the Palace. There must be some very stupid people in the opposition if they can get caught on the same issue again and again. There is saying: once bitten twice shy. Only fools get bitten 25 times and are still not shy.

Next time plan your strategy. Use preemptive strikes. Don't get into a situation half-cocked like you always do. And stop complaining about Umno this and Umno that, especially when it comes to the Monarchy or Palace.

And to those Chinese and Indian readers, stop falling into Umno's trap. Umno wants you to whack the Monarchy and Palace so that it can prove to the Malays that Pakatan Rakyat, in particular the non-Malays in Pakatan Rakyat, are anti-royalty. That will ensure Umno can win back Malay support. And you are doing exactly what Umno wants you to do.

Now, to the issue of HINDRAF. They want to boycott the BERSIH march because they are angry with Pakatan Rakyat. Why boycott BERSIH when it is Pakatan Rakyat you are angry with? I do not get that logic.

BERSIH is about the rakyat, not about Pakatan Rakyat. So, are you trying to punish the rakyat or punish Pakatan Rakyat?

The signal that HINDRAF is sending to the rakyat is that Pakatan Rakyat is behind BERSIH. Since Pakatan Rakyat and not the rakyat is behind BERSIH then this gives the government the justification to ban the BERSIH rally.

The government is saying that the opposition is the one really behind BERSIH. Now HINDRAF is confirming this. This means the government can legitimately clamp down on BERSIH and arrest or detain its leaders.

Maybe, after this, HINDRAF can proudly announce that it was they who made it possible for the government to take action against BERSIH and ban its planned march on 9th July 2011.

It would be good if the HINDRAF people can look at the two videos below. This is what I would call a quality Tamil leader. These are the kind of Tamil leaders that we want to see. Can you just visualise some of the HINDRAF leaders acting like this and demonstrating this type of class and quality?

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P'raya masjid: Nama Agong diheret, kata Aziz Bari

Meskipun mengakui Yang di-Pertuan Agong mempunyai kuasa dalam hal-hal berkaitan agama Islam di negeri-negeri yang tidak mempunyai Raja-raja Melayu, namun pakar perlembagaan Profesor Abdul Aziz Bari mempertikaikan cara nama Seri Paduka diheret setiap kali bagi membidas dasar-dasar kerajaan negeri Pulau Pinang.

NONE"Hanya selepas Pakatan Rakyat mengambil-alih Pulau Pinang, tiba-tiba peranan Agong menjadi tokoh yang signifikan.

"Nama Baginda digunakan bagi menghalang sebarang tindakan yang diambil oleh kerajaan negeri," kata pensyarah Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIAM) itu kepada Malaysiakini.

Abdul Aziz berkata prosedur atau peraturan yang betul mengikut perlembagaan adalah bagi pihak Istana Negara atau setiausaha sulit Yang di-Pertuan Agong bagi mengeluarkan kenyataan berhubung kedudukannya sebagai ketua agama dan bukannya oleh pihak-pihak yang lain.

"Pastinya bukan Menteri Di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, yang merupakan sebahagian daripada kerajaan.

"Jadi beliau harus diam. Biarkan Baginda melaksanakan tanggungjawab yang diperuntukkan oleh perlembagaan - bebas daripada kerajaan sama ada peringkat persekutuan mahupun negeri," kata Abdul Aziz.

Beliau juga membidas dakwaan 'mengarut' oleh kumpulan pendesak Melayu, PERKASA yang berkata adalah salah bagi mengadakan pemilihan jawatankuasa kariah masjid diadakan.

"Pertama, tidak ada fatwa mengatakan pemilihan itu adalah haram mengikut Islam," katanya.Fatwa

Lagipun menurut profesor itu lagi, umat Islam, sama ada dari Umno, PAS dan PKR, semuanya pernah terbabit dalam pemilihan parti masing-masing.

azlan"Jika ini tidak mengikut Islam, majlis fatwa sepatutnya mengeluarkan hukum berhubung perkara itu," katanya.

Semalam, hasrat Majlis Agama Islam Pulau Pinang (MAIPP) bagi mengadakan pemilihan jawatankuasa kariah masjid bagi sesi 2012-2013 dengan kaedah pilihan raya terpaksa dibatalkan.

Keputusan itu dibuat di Istana Negara di Kuala Lumpur apabila Yang di-Pertua Negri Abdul Rahman Abbas dan Yang Dipertua MAIPP Ellias Zakaria menghadap Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.

Mesyuarat agung masjid-masjid di Pulau Pinang yang dijadualkan hari ini dan esok itu sepatutnya memilih jawatankuasa kariah di 151 daripada 200 masjid tetapi kini ditangguhkan sehingga notis lanjut.

Pemilihan ala pilihan raya yang dicadangkan itu bagi membolehkan anak kariah mengundi secara sulit untuk memilih pemimpin kariah yang sebelum ini dipilih oleh MAIPP.

Bantahan pelbagai pihak yang didalangi Umno begitu lantang kerana gusar pilihan raya kariah masjid akan menghakis sokongan kepada parti itu yang kini gagal menguasai kerajaan negeri Pulau Pinang setelah ditumbangkan pada pilihan raya umum 2008.

Umno mendakwa pemilihan secara demokrasi itu akan hanya membawa perpecahan di kalangan umat Islam selain mengheret masjid ke kancah politik kepartian.

THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY A TAMIL LEADER HAS BEEN ELECTED INTO THE CANADIAN PARLIAMENT

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SEE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9yqU37MhT4

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SEE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TjlgBs_k0U
 

 

Feudalism rules

Posted: 16 Jun 2011 07:11 PM PDT

But if you want to retain the Monarchy and continue with Malaysia's system of Constitutional Monarchy then learn how to work with the Rulers. Talk to them. Dialogue with them. Learn how to get their blessing before you embark on anything. Don't act first and make announcements before you get the blessing of the Rulers.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Penang to go ahead with mosque polls

(Bernama) - The Penang government will not budge from its decision to carry out the election of mosque officials as it is accordance with the laws, said its Religious Affairs, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Abdul Malik Abul Kassim.

He said the proposed election adhered to Section 104(a)(b) of the State of Penang Enactment 2004 and 4(1) Congregation Committee and Mosque Officials Requirements (Penang).

"The new procedure introduced by the Penang Islamic Religious Council is an improvement of existing regulatory procedures adopted by the previous state government," he told reporters Monday.

Commenting on calls for the state government to get the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong before holding the mosque polls, Abdul Malik, said the new procedure accorded congregators the right to nominate candidates through mosque committees to the council before getting the consent of the king.

Abdul Malik said the mosque congregation committees would decide whether the congregators were eligible to vote and the state government would set up the congregators' database after the election.

After nomination was closed last Tuesday, 193 out of 200 mosques had sent the nomination lists, he said, adding that this showed the proposed election had received an overwhelming response from congregators.

Meanwhile, Penang Umno Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman said the state Umno had sent an appeal letter to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong through Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, to oppose the move.

"I hope the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the head of Islam will prevent the mosque polls from taking place as it could divide the Muslims," said Zainal.

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

King orders halt to Penang mosque polls

(The Malaysian Insider) - Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin has ordered Penang to call off its controversial mosque elections, the state government said today.

Penang religious affairs, domestic trade and consumer affairs committee chairman Abdul Malik Kassim said the decision was relayed to him by Penang Islamic Council (MAIPP) head Ellias Zakaria earlier today.

"The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has ordered the state mosque elections to be postponed," Abdul Malik said in a statement.

The mosque elections were supposed to be held this weekend.

Abdul Malik said an official statement would be made after a meeting with the MAIPP.

Penang announced earlier this month that the selection of mosque committees in the state would be made through elections this year, in place of the previous method.

Malay rights groups like Perkasa has opposed the move, saying it would only divide the Muslim community in the state.

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

Itulah, jangan cakap besar. Kan dah kena tarik balek kenyataan awal?

When the Penang State Government, or more accurately EXCO Member Abdul Malik Abul Kassim, made his announcement earlier this week, I was quite amused. I said to myself: let us watch what happens. I bet he will be made to eat his words and would have to 'tarik balek' what he initially announced.

We may think that Malaysia is a Constitutional Monarchy. We may think that the Agong acts on the advise of the Prime Minister and the State Rulers on the advice of the Menteri Besar (Chief Minister). The truth is, the State Rulers and Agong do have certain powers that the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, or even Umno cannot take away from them.

Okay, you may say that Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak is using the Agong. You may say that the Agong is just doing what Umno wants him to do. You may say that this is not really what the Agong wants but what Umno wants. Well, in that case, if this is Umno talking and not the Agong talking, then defy His Majesty. Refuse to comply with what the Agong wants and just go ahead with the mosque elections.

The bottom line is, the opposition should stop cakap besar. Don't think that all this sabre-rattling can frighten the Monarchy. The opposition needs to learn how to engage the Monarchy instead of trying to threaten it.

Take Selangor as an example. I told some of the DAP Selangor leaders that they should stop acting like 'Communists' by demonstrating anti-Monarchy tendencies. I even introduced them to some members of the Selangor Royal Family and arranged a few dinners so that they could develop some fellowship.

This anti-songkok thing is stupid, I told them. If the dress code when entering the palace is to use a songkok then what is so wrong in using it? A songkok has nothing to do with Islam. Christians in Indonesia also use songkoks, as do some Hindus in India (which was where the songkok came from in the first place).

DAP must learn to accommodate the palace. They must not be too antagonistic towards the palace. If the palace offers DAP leaders awards (pingat and gelaran) or even datukships just accept them. Don't decline them because you are opposed to symbols of the Monarchy. That would be like telling the Rulers to go to hell. And that is not how you develop a good relationship with the Rulers.

I hope this Penang mosque election fiasco has taught the opposition a lesson. If you wish to defy the Agong by going ahead with the Penang mosque elections then go ahead. No problem. You can even declare that if Pakatan Rakyat takes over the federal government the Monarchy will be abolished and Malaysia will be turned into a Republic.

But if you want to retain the Monarchy and continue with Malaysia's system of Constitutional Monarchy then learn how to work with the Rulers. Talk to them. Dialogue with them. Learn how to get their blessing before you embark on anything. Don't act first and make announcements before you get the blessing of the Rulers.

This piece is not about me being pro-royalty. Yes, I know, many are going to say I am talking this way because I am also a member of the royal family. But it is not that at all. It is about what I wrote earlier with regards to politics being about perception.

The perception being created is that the opposition has no respect for the Monarchy and is defying the Rulers. The perception being created is that the opposition is at odds and is in conflict with the Rulers. Considering that the majority of the voters are Malays and the majority of the seats are Malay seats and without Malay support the opposition can't form the next federal government, this is a perception that does not help the opposition cause.

That is the bottom line. That is the message I am trying to send to the opposition.

Don't give Umno ammunition to use against the opposition. Don't allow Umno to swing the Malays on the basis that the opposition is anti-Monarchy and pro-Republic. Don't allow Umno to capitalise on this perception.

In Perak, the Malays already think that the opposition is anti-Sultan. And that may hurt the opposition in the next general election.
 

 

Your Friday sermon

Posted: 16 Jun 2011 05:52 PM PDT

The government is worried that the BERSIH march of 9th July may end up like the historical Tahrir Square of Cairo incident. I doubt it. The Egyptian government of Hosni Mubarak was evil. The Malaysian government of Najib Razak is not. Only evil governments can fall through street action. Just governments do not fall that way.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Himpunan Bersih bercanggah nilai, etika Islam

Menurut Yadim, usaha untuk mengadakan perhimpunan itu adalah percubaan untuk mengheret rakyat ke kancah kemelut politik yang lebih besar.

(Free Malaysia Today) - Yang Dipertua Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (YADIM) Datuk Aziz Jamaludin Mohd Tahir mendakwa perhimpunan Gabungan Pilihan Raya Bersih dan Adil (Bersih 2.0) pada 9 Julai ini merupakan sesuatu yang bertentangan dengan nilai dan etika Islam.

Read more here: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/06/17/himpunan-bersih-suburkan-anarkisme-bercanggah-nilai-etika-islam/

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

YADIM, an Islamic missionary movement, said that the planned BERSIH march of 9th July 2011 violates Islamic values and ethics. But then what are Islamic values and ethics?

In chapter Ali Imran, verse 104 of the Quran, it says: "Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: They are the ones to attain felicity."

Datuk Aziz Jamaludin Mohd Tahir of YADIM just gave his personal opinion and view. And this personal opinion and view echoes that of Umno and the government.

Incidentally, 500 to 600 police reports have already been made against BERSIH with regards to the 9th July rally.

Aziz Jamaludin, however, did not offer proof or quote any verses from the Quran to support his opinion. And, as they say, opinions are like arseholes -- everybody has one.

Well, I have quoted a verse from the Quran -- chapter Ali Imran, verse 104 above -- and it appears that what the Quran says is opposed to what Aziz Jamaludin says.

So, is the Quran wrong or is Aziz Jamaludin wrong? If Aziz Jamaludin is right then definitely the Quran must be wrong.

The Quran, in the verse above, has clearly defined what are Islamic values and ethics. And these values and ethics are amar makruf, nahi munkar.

This means a group of us must arise to uphold what is right and oppose what is wrong. This is our duty as Muslims. Anywhere that we may see violations, transgressions, evil, fraud, abuse of power, corruption, persecution, racism, or whatever, we must expose it, shun it, avoid it, oppose it, fight it, eradicate it, etc. There is no compromise on the matter. There are no two ways about it. We must become an enemy of the enemy of the people.

Denying the people their right to free, clean and fair elections is a violation of Islamic values and ethics.

Denying the people their right to a government of their choice is a violation of Islamic values and ethics.

Denying the people their right to a just and corrupt-free government is a violation of Islamic values and ethics.

Violating the Federal Constitution of Malaysia is a violation of Islamic values and ethics.

Imposing Rule by Law instead of Rule of Law is a violation of Islamic values and ethics.

Persecution, selective-prosecution, racism, cronyism and nepotism are a violation of Islamic values and ethics.

Manipulation of the judicial system is a violation of Islamic values and ethics.

And the list goes on and on.

Is Aziz Jamaludin saying that all those Muslims who rose up to oppose their governments in the Middle East are un-Islamic?

Is Malaysia going to now declare that all those new governments in the Middle East are tahud governments and Malaysia will not recognise them and will not enter into any diplomatic relations with them?

Will the Ambassadors of the these countries be summoned to Wisma Putra to be told that they will have to close their embassies and their staff given 24 hours to leave Malaysia?

Will Malaysia close all its embassies in these countries and recall its diplomatic staff?

Will Malaysians be banned from travelling to these countries just like they are banned from travelling to Israel?

Note that these Muslim countries also had their own 'BERSIH marches' when they realised that the election system had failed and change can no longer come through the ballot box but only through taking to the streets.

The government is worried that the BERSIH march of 9th July may end up like the historical Tahrir Square of Cairo incident. I doubt it. The Egyptian government of Hosni Mubarak was evil. The Malaysian government of Najib Razak is not. Only evil governments can fall through street action. Just governments do not fall that way.

 

How it all began

Posted: 15 Jun 2011 07:30 PM PDT

Is demonstrating part of Malay culture? Umno says no. Maybe it used to be no 500 years ago. But it became Malay culture back in 1946 when they opposed the Malay Union. And if not because of this demonstration there would not be an Umno around today. Umno was born against the backdrop of the 1946 demonstration. So a demonstration is the father of Umno.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

SCENE ONE: British Malaya. Kampong Baharu, Kuala Lumpur. 1946.

Said: Assalamuailakum!

Rahman: Mualaikumsalam. Ah, Said, what brings you here? Come in.

Said: Ay Rahman, are you going to the demonstration tomorrow?

Rahman: Demonstration? What demonstration?

Said: We are getting together to demonstrate against the government. We are going to oppose the plan to set up the Malayan Union.

Rahman: But I thought the Malayan Union is a fait accompli. Haven't the Rulers already endorsed it?

Said: Yes, but the Rulers were tricked by Sir Harold MacMichael. They did not know that the setting up of the Malayan Union will not only erode the powers of the Rulers but that of the Rakyat as well. So we are going to oppose it.

Rahman: But won't that mean we shall also be demonstrating against the Rulers?

Said: No, we shall in fact be defending the powers of the Rulers. We are not trying to accuse the Rulers of selling out the Rakyat. We are taking the position that MacMichael tricked the Rulers. So the Rulers are as much victims as the Rakyat. Raja Uda, Datuk Panglima Gantang, Nik Kamil and Datuk Kamaruddin have already spoken to the Rulers and Their Highnesses have sanctioned the demonstration. The Istana is also sending representatives to join the demonstration. The Rulers are with us, Rahman.

Rahman: I'm not sure, Said. Demonstrating is not our Malay culture. And I am wary about opposing the government.

Said: Alamak, Rahman, we can no longer be feudalistic. All over the world the people are opposing their governments. Our neighbours Indonesia and the Philippines have already gained independence. India is soon going to be independent. And they are gaining independence because the Rakyat dared oppose the government. Malaya will never gain independence unless we dare oppose the government.

Rahman: But still, Said, demonstrations are a show of defiance and dissent. We Malays are not like that. Malays are a tolerant and subservient race. We never oppose the powers-that-be even if they are evil and unjust. That is not what Hang Tuah taught us.

Said: Rahman, Hang Tuah is outdated. That is something that is 500 years old. Today Malays must be like Hang Jebat.

Rahman: I am shocked that you say this, Said. Are you saying that Hang Jebat is the hero and not Hang Tuah?

Said: Exactly! Look, Rahman, tomorrow is going to be the beginning of the New Malay, the Melayu Baharu. Don't you want to be a part of history? We are going to see history being made tomorrow. Do you want to just be a spectator and watch history being made rather than be a participant in the making of history?

Rahman: Said, I work for the government. You sell nasi lemak. You have nothing to worry about. I have to think of my job and my family.

Said: If we all just think of ourselves and not of the nation when is Malaya ever going to see self-rule? We all need to make sacrifices. I sell nasi lemak because I refuse to work for the government. I don't recognise this government so how can I work for it? I choose to sell nasi lemak although I can take the easy way out and work for the government like you.

Rahman: You are different Said.

Said: What is so different between you and me? I also have a family to feed just like you. But I refuse to collaborate with the government. If I work for the government that means I agree with what the government is doing. I will never work for the government unless we first see a change of government. I would rather suffer and earn pittance by selling nasi lemak than live a comfortable life on a salary earned from a government I am opposed to.

Rahman: (sighs)…You are always the dissident, Said.

Said: That is because I am a Muslim, Rahman. But I follow the true principles of Islam. In Islam if we collaborate with evil then we are also evil. We must oppose evil, Rahman. That is what Islam asks us to do. If you are a true Muslim at least join us for the demonstration tomorrow. Maybe you are not yet ready to resign from your government post. Never mind. But at least oppose the government by joining us tomorrow. Be a true Muslim.

Rahman: Okaylah Said. You have convinced me. I will be there. And let whatever happens happen. If I get sacked from my post I will accept that as God's will.

Said: Rahman, you will not regret it. Tomorrow is the beginning of Malay Nationalism. After this we need to talk to the Chinese and Indians to ask them to join us in the fight for Merdeka. We can't do it on our own. We need the support of the Chinese and Indians as well. That has to come.

SCENE TWO: British Malaya. In front of the Majestic Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. 1946.

AND AS A DIGRESSION: TO REMIND YOU HOW IT ALL BEGAN IN AMERICA

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SEE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRNciryImqg
 

Understanding the Malay mind

Posted: 14 Jun 2011 10:49 PM PDT

In the minds of these people, if you whack the government then you are taking money from Anwar and if you whack the opposition then you are taking money from Najib and if you whack both sides: WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU TAKING MONEY FROM? I'M CONFUSED!

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Back in the 1960s life was simpler and less complicated. That was of course in the days before May 13, the infamous Umno-engineered race riot of 1969. I was then in the Victoria Institution in Kuala Lumpur, a mixed-race school.

Honestly, I can't remember whether there were more Malays or non-Malays in that school. It is not because my memory is bad but because we did not stop to think about it. We did not care a damn. That is why I can't remember whether we had more Malays or non-Malays in that school.
 
Our jokes back then were very racial. But that did not bother anyone. Never mind whether we were Malay, Chinese or Indian. We would roar with laughter at the jokes even though the brunt of that joke was our own race.

I remember one joke about someone needing a brain transplant and he was asked what brain he wants -- Malay, Chinese or Indian. He was told that the Chinese brain is the cheapest because it was overused -- banyak guna otak memikir macam mana nak tipu orang. The Indian brain was a bit twisted so they would not recommend it. The Malay brain is the most expensive because Malays seldom use their brains.

Back then, in the 1960s, we thought that was very funny. Today, they would make a police report against you if you told that joke in public.

But don't they say that many a true word is said in jest? Is it really a joke or for real? If you read and hear what Malays say you would imagine that it is not really a joke after all but very true.

I get pro-government Malays asking me how much Anwar Ibrahim is paying me to whack the government. Then I get anti-government Malays asking me how much Najib Razak is paying me to whack the opposition. Then a third group of Malays tell me that they are confused because I whack BOTH the government and the opposition. So which side am I taking money from?

You see, to most Malays, it is all about money. Whatever you are doing in life must be about money and cannot be for any other reason. So they want to know how much you are being paid and who is actually paying you.

Most Malays scream "Allah Akbar!" But that is only what is on their lips. In their hearts it is something else. Their hearts are not synchronised with their lips. In their hearts they scream "Ringgit Akhbar!" They sujud (prostrate) to money.

That is why they always look at things from the aspect of money. And that is why they ask you how much you are being paid. The Umno Malays will ask you how much Anwar is paying you. The opposition Malays will ask how much Najib is paying you.

Most Malays are not capable of looking beyond money. To look beyond money is too complicating and sakit otak nak memikir (it hurts the brain to think). So they simplify it. They conclude that it must be about money and that solves the problem. No need to sakit otak to think beyond that.

That is why the otak Melayu is more expensive than the otak Cina or otak India. The otak Melayu is very seldom used. So goes the joke from the 1960s.

What went wrong with the Malays? In the 1960s and earlier, if you study history and research the Malays of that era, many sacrificed and contributed to society without being motivated by money. They fought for the good of society and died poor. Many could not even afford a tombstone (batu nisan) when they died. That was how poor they were. And these were people who did so much for their race and country.

No one asked them how much they were being paid. The British never asked those Malays who fought for Merdeka how much Umno was paying them.

People like Tunku Abdul Rahman, Bapa Merdeka (the Father of Independence), could not even afford to pay his income tax when he retired. Being a member of the Kedah Royal Family, he was reasonably wealthy in the beginning. But he sold most of his property to finance Umno. So he died a poor man.

No one asked the Tunku how much he was being paid. No one asked him how much money Umno was giving him. In fact, not only was Umno not giving him any money, he was the one who gave Umno money. And he spent all his money in the struggle for independence for his country.

But that has since changed. Today, no Malay would do what Tunku Rahman did. They will only do something if they get paid. They would only act if they were rewarded with money.

And that is why most Malays just can't believe that you are not motivated by money. If you do something it must be for money. If you whack the government then Anwar must be paying you. If you whack the opposition then Najib must be paying you. And if you whack both the government and the opposition then these Malays would get very confused because they are not sure who is paying you.

To be fair, however, it is not just the Malays who think this way. Even the Chinese and Indians (and 'lain-lain') have caught this very contagious Malay disease. I have friends (or those who used to be my friends) in England who also think like Malays. One-time friends of mine (Chinese, Indians and 'lain-lain' included) in Malaysia, Australia and many other places have also caught this Malay disease.

In the minds of these people, if you whack the government then you are taking money from Anwar and if you whack the opposition then you are taking money from Najib and if you whack both sides: WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU TAKING MONEY FROM? I'M CONFUSED! 

 

Banyak cakap hot air just like fart

Posted: 14 Jun 2011 07:44 PM PDT

Sad to say, however, Malaysians banyak cakap (talk a lot). Like fart, Malaysians are just a load of hot air. And, like fart, the hot air is noisy and smelly. If talking were an Olympic event, Malaysians would sweep all three medals -- gold, silver and bronze. Because that's all Malaysians do -- talk a lot or banyak cakap.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Hishammuddin Hussein wants to stay neutral. He is not going to get involved in the tussle between BERSIH and PERKASA. One is organising the march on 9th July 2011 while the other opposes the march and has indicated it may organise a 'counter-march'.

The Police, however, have threatened to take action. The Police, which comes under Hishammuddin, are not going to stay neutral. They are going to embark on 'preventive detention'. This means they may detain some people, probably those involved in organising the march, before the march to thwart the attempt.

The government realises how dangerous it is to allow the march to go on. To a certain extent the November 2007 march, BERSIH 1.0, had an affect on the March 2008 general election. They are worried that the BERSIH 2.0 march may also affect the next general election, whenever that may be held -- probably on 11 November 2011 or 11-11-11 according to some estimates.

Whatever it is, developments in the Middle East have shown that when people take to the streets this can be bad news for the ruling elite. Those who walk in the corridors of power fear people's power. They know that when the people unite that spells doom for the powers-that-be.

And BERSIH 1.0 united the people as will BERSIH 2.0 if it is allowed to go on.

All through history it is proven that 1% of the people rule over 99% of the people. This is true anywhere in the world and whichever era you may look at. That is what power is all about. It is about 1% of the people dominating the other 99%. And when the 99% rise up and unite then that is the end for the rule of the 1%.

Analyse any country and any era, the most recent to the farthest in history. Whether it is the French Revolution, The American Revolution, the Russian Revolution, the Chinese Revolution, the Cuban Revolution, the Iranian Revolution, or whatever, when the 99% revolt the 1% is in deep shit.

So the people must never be allowed to take to the streets. Taking to the streets unites the people like what we saw in Egypt recently. Jews, Christians and Muslims, who may be sworn enemies for more than 1,000 years, suddenly become comrades-in-arms when they are on the streets. So they must be kept off the streets. And this is why BERSIH 2.0 is dangerous and must be thwarted. BERSIH 1.0 has shown us that.

So the government is in a panic. Malaysians must never unite. A united Malaysian will end the rule of the 1% over the 99%. History has taught us that.



Our Lords (Tuan) and one-time Colonialist masters taught us well. Were we not a British colony and the recipients of a British education? And did the British not prove that 1% could rule over 99% all over the world as long as the 99% remain divided?

When the 99% in India united, the British had to beat a hasty retreat back to England. When the Malays, Chinese and Indians of Malaya united under the Alliance Party, the British had to concede to independence or Merdeka for Malaya.

That is a fact of history. And we have learned well from the British. We know that the British divide-and-rule strategy perpetuates the rule of the 1% over the 99%. Only when the 99% unite and cease being divided will the 99% become a danger to the 1%.

191 Malaysians rule over the 28 million Malaysians. That is even less than 1%. The 191 Malaysians are all Umno division leaders, the Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his Deputy Muhyiddin Yassin being two of those 191.

These 191 Umno division leaders choose their party President and Deputy President. And the President and Deputy President are elected into office uncontested (menang tanpa tanding) in an annual general assembly attended by less than 3,000 people.

So, 191 people choose the top two leaders of this country and just over 2,500 confirm them into office. Which means, these 191 division leaders and 2,500 delegates decide the future of the entire nation of 28 million Malaysians.

But this can only continue as long as the 28 million Malaysians do not unite and do not take to the streets. Only then can the 191 Umno division leaders and 2,500 Umno delegates continue to rule this country of 28 million. The British Colonial masters have taught us this. And the Indians in India have taught us this.

So Malaysians must never be allowed to unite and must never be allowed to take to the streets in a show of unity. Or else this will end the rule of the 1% over the 99%.

In November 2007, during BERSIH 1.0, the government failed to prevent the march and that resulted in the March 2008 'disaster' for the ruling elite. If the BERSIH 2.0 is not stopped, and if the people take to the streets and unite, then assume that the next general election will be a repeat of the March 2008 'disaster' for Barisan Nasional.

Sad to say, however, Malaysians banyak cakap (talk a lot). Like fart, Malaysians are just a load of hot air. And, like fart, the hot air is noisy and smelly. If talking were an Olympic event, Malaysians would sweep all three medals -- gold, silver and bronze. Because that's all Malaysians do -- talk a lot or banyak cakap.

Let's see how many Malaysians take to the streets on 9th July 2011. Let's see how many of those banyak cakap Malaysia Today readers take to the streets on 9th July 2011.

The BERSIH 2.0 organisers are aiming for a crowd of 300,000. I dare bet that less than 100,000 will be there. In fact, even 100,000 can be considered too high. If they can get 50,000 on the streets that in itself can be regarded as a success.

And because of this nothing will change. The next elections will be called and Barisan Nasional will still win and will still be the federal government.

Can Pakatan Rakyat retain the four states now under its control? Can it get back Perak? Can it add Negeri Sembilan to its list? Can it win back the 82 seats it won in the last general election? Can it increase its one seat in Sabah and one seat in Sarawak to 20 out of a total of 57 for the two states? Can we see Pakatan Rakyat win at least 100 Parliament seats leaving Barisan Nasional with just 120 or so?

In short, will the next general election see the emergence of a two-party system and a strong opposition?

Or will Pakatan Rakyat see only Kelantan and Penang still under its rule? And will the 82 seats it won in March 2008 be reduced to 50? And will Barisan Nasional sweep East Malaysia like it did in March 2008?

In short, will the next general election see the opposition fortunes turn and our dream of a two-party system and a strong opposition dashed?

Yes, that is what BERSIH 2.0 is all about. So, jangan banyak cakap. As Nike says: JUST DO IT! Not what Umno says: JUST DUIT! I am tired of reading all your comments in Malaysia Today, which are merely lepas geram and maki hamun. That is mere verbal diarrhoea. It is mainly masturbating or 'syiok sendiri'.

Get off your arse and do something. Stop shouting and start acting. And if we do not see 300,000 on the streets on 9th July 2011 then we might as well call it a day. I might as well stop wasting my time and close down Malaysia Today. Clearly Malaysia Today's readers are just a bunch of hot air and no action.

That is what fart is: bising dan busuk tapi tak berguna satu sen.

 

Ruslan Kassim: another Munafiq identified

Posted: 12 Jun 2011 10:59 PM PDT

So you see, Islam has already established the system of consensus and elections of leaders and committees and so on. So what the Penang government is doing is extremely Islamic. The people decide on their leaders and committees. And this is done through consensus and elections.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin



Perkasa tells Penang Malays to say no to mosque polls

Perkasa wants the Malays in Penang to oppose the state government's plan of electing mosque committees, as the right-wing group believes that it will only divide the Muslim community here.

Perkasa information chief Ruslan Kassim said elections would adversely affect the sanctity of the mosques and unity among the Muslims due to power struggles, the creation of factions, and animosity.

"The action of the state government to have mosque committee elections is unwise and is only politically motivated," Bernama quoted him as saying in a statement Monday.

The Penang government announced last week that the selection of mosque committees in the state would be made through elections this year to replace the previous method.

Ruslan said elections were implemented in Kelantan in the 1960s and 1970s, but were subsequently stopped as they had caused friction and divided the Muslim community there.

This report is dated 13th June 2011

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


Now read this report on Ruslan Kassim dated September 1998

The days before the Umno general assembly of June 1998, a book-length poison pen letter entitled '50 reasons why Anwar cannot become the next prime minister' (50 Dalil mengapa Anwar Tidak Boleh Jadi PM), made its debut in the Malaysian political scene.

But unlike most previous poison-pen letters, the 50 Dalil had an author as well as a publisher. It carried a by-line Khalid Jafri, ex-sports editor of Utusan Malaysia, editor-in-chief of the now defunct Harian National tabloid newspaper, an undischarged bankrupt.

Delegates arriving at the Umno general assembly had a copy of the poison book included in the party documentation handed over to them in the complimentary bag. This happened despite the passing of an interlocutory injunction by a high court judge only a day earlier, against the distribution and dissemination of the defamatory book. It was something quite odd and many at the assembly were trying to put two and two together.

The Umno Youth leader from Negri Sembilan, Ruslan Kassim, had done a little checking with the Registrar of Companies, which linked the book's publishers with the disgraced former Chief Minister of Malacca, Abdul Rahim Tamby Chik and his wife, Zabedah Abdullah.

Ruslan Kassim had also heard from the Federal Territory Umno that the party secretariat had been used to distribute the book. This pointed at the party secretary general, Sabaruddin Chik.

Who is actually behind this drama, asked Negri Sembilan Umno Youth leader (Ruslan Kassim). But none of the two Chiks were willing to admit to anything.

Impact International, Vol. 28 No. 9 (September 1998)

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


Ruslan Kassim was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for this expose. Yes, he was punished by detention without trial for his allegation against the two Chiks -- the big Thambi whose small thambi got him into trouble, and Sabaruddin 'tukang kasut' (Malays would know why 'tukang kasut' so go ask a Malay what it means).

Ruslan Kassim swore that Anwar Ibrahim was a victim of fitnah. And when Parti Keadilan Nasional (now PKR) was launched he joined the party and became its Information Chief (Ketua Penerangan).

Yes, before he became the Information Chief of Perkasa, Ruslan Kassim was the Information Chief of what is now called PKR. But when he was the PKR Information Chief he sang a different tune and now, as the Information Chief of Perkasa, he sings a different tune.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, my dear readers, is what Islam calls a Munafiq.

Is Ruslan Kassim now telling us that he lied back in 1998 and that Anwar Ibrahim was not a victim of fitnah and that the '50 Dahlil' book was true? Or is he telling us that he did not lie back in 1998 but he can now accept that Anwar Ibrahim was a victim of fitnah and it no longer troubles him like it did back in 1998?

Either way, whichever the case may be, that makes Ruslan Kassim a Munafiq. He is opposed to the election of mosque committees because he just has the interest of Islam at heart, or so he tells us.

But then, if he is motivated purely by Islam and for no other reason, especially not for political reasons, how come what he is doing and saying does not demonstrate this?

From the Islam perspective, a Muslim who runs with the hare and hunts with the hounds is clearly a Munafiq. And this is what Ruslan Kassim is doing. He accuses Umno of defaming or fitnah Anwar. And he was detained for this allegation. But yet he is prepared to work with Umno in spite of what he thinks of Umno.

Anyway, Ruslan Kassim is either ignorant about Islam or is trying to misrepresent Islam. He is trying to suggest that electing mosque officials is counterproductive to Islam.

Actually the reverse is true. It was reported that it took three days for the people of Medina to bury Prophet Muhammad's body after he died. And the reason is because the Medina people were locked in three days of debate (some like the Shiah say dispute) to decide on the successor or Khalif to the Prophet.

Finally it as agreed that Abu Bakar would be the successor and only then could they bury the Prophet's body.

No, they did not have Umno or Jabatan Agama (religious department) then in Medina. And it was not Umno or the religious department who decided on the successor. It was the people. And the people voted on the matter to decide who should be the successor to the Prophet.

So you see, Islam has already established the system of consensus and elections of leaders and committees and so on. So what the Penang government is doing is extremely Islamic. The people decide on their leaders and committees. And this is done through consensus and elections.

To suggest that the Islamic system of consensus and elections is un-Islamic makes those who say so un-Islamic themselves. And if they propose something un-Islamic and pretend that it is Islamic this makes them into Munafiqs.

That is the bottom line.

 

Saya sokong Najib

Posted: 12 Jun 2011 01:00 AM PDT

So you see, Najib, what you said is true. Politics is about perception, not reality. And you need to be good at perception management. But your people are not. They are too arrogant and they think they are smart. I alone can makan all your people. Yes, Raja Petra Kamarudin alone can take on your entire team.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Dear Najib, I sokong you. Well, to be exact, I sokong your statement below as reported by Bernama.

Yes, politics is about perception, not reality, as you said. I am glad you now understand this. In fact, your people have been using this tactic themselves.

You see, recently I gave an interview on TV3 and they very cleverly presented it as if I am now endorsing you and supporting you and that you have bought me off and I am now an Umno Trojan horse.

That may be just the perception created by Umno or TV3. But many believed this because, as you said, politics is about perception, not reality.

Let me give you another example. Many believe you are somehow, directly or indirectly, involved in the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder. Whether this is true or not does not matter. That is the perception and, as you said, politics is about perception, not reality.

Many also believe that Anwar is innocent of both the Sodomy 1 and Sodomy 2 allegations plus he is not the man in the porn video. Again, whether this is true or not does not matter. That is the perception and, as you said, politics is about perception, not reality.

So you see, just on these two issues alone you and Umno lose. And I am yet to go into other issues like your wife's handbags that run into millions of Ringgit. And I have not even gone into her shoes, clothes and overseas shopping expenses yet. Your wife makes Imelda Marcos look tame by comparison. That, again, is the perception and can never be erased as much as it may be denied.

If I really wanted to get you, Najib, there are hundreds of issues I can raise. However, to be fair to me, I have picked and chosen only a few issues here and there. I have not really launched a crusade against you. If I did, you would suffer what Abdullah Ahmad Badawi suffered and you would go the way of the last Prime Minister -- into forced retirement.

The fact I have not attacked you enough is the reason why many say you have bought me off. But then these people are political novices who think they know politics but actually know nuts. That is why we need not bother with these dim-witted people. I call them bodoh sombong. Dah lah bodoh, sombong pulak.

Let me tell you why I do not wish for you to be forced out of office like Pak Lah before you. No, it's not because I love you. It is because I know that you are surrounded by stupid people. And I personally know many of these people. We used to hang out together in the days of the pre-March 2008 GE.

If you were to be forced out, then Muhyddin Yassin would take over as Prime Minister. And this would be more dangerous for the opposition.

I would rather you remain as Prime Minister until the next general election. Then the opposition has a better chance. If Muyhiddin takes over as Prime Minister before the next election then the opposition may suffer.

So you see, Najib, what you said is true. Politics is about perception, not reality. And you need to be good at perception management. But your people are not. They are too arrogant and they think they are smart. I alone can makan all your people. Yes, Raja Petra Kamarudin alone can take on your entire team.

So please don't flatter yourself when your people tell you that I am now your supporter because I no longer attack you too much. I don't attack you too much because I don't want you to fall and for Muhyiddin to take over as Prime Minister.

I personally know Muyhiddin's people. They are clever. I also personally know your people. They are not. So better we deal with you than with Muyhiddin.

Tell me, Najib, what is the best your people can do? So far they only know how to shout BABI. That's all, BABI -- Brother Anwar Bin Ibrahim. You think just by shouting BABI the opposition is going to fall?

Dear Najib, if you want to survive then you had better sack all your so-called advisers. Semua ego besar. Kepala bapak dia orang. Find better people or else you are finished. Remember, you said it: it's all about perception.

By the way, the answer is no! I do not wish to work for you if you sack all the idiots around you, not even if I come directly under Rosmah….if you know what I mean (pun intended).

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

Umno and BN need to work hard to raise public perception: Najib

(Bernama) - The Umno machinery needs to work hard and draw up new strategies to raise the perception and aspiration of the people concerning the Barisan Nasional (BN) government.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said in line with the current development in the mass communication technology such as the short messaging service (SMS), the social websites Twitter and Facebook, what was more important in politics was the perception and not reality.

"Politics is all about perception. Not the question of reality...the opposition knows how to play up perception and deny what is the truth. Even to get the DNA is turned down, the question on the Omega wristwatch has yet to be answered."

"That is why Umno and the BN must know how to influence the mind and aspiration of the people so that they will perceive Umno and BN as effective parties, the best and can champion the cause of the people compared to others who only know how to make promises but don't fulfill them," he said when opening the Ampang Umno delegates meeting, here.

Also present were the Selangor Umno Liaison deputy chairman Datuk Seri Noh Omar and Ampang Umno division head Datuk Ismail Kijo.

Najib said that as such, UMNO and the BN must strive for something that was more effective to show that it understood the aspiration of the people better so that the reality, perception and the people's sentiment favoured the party.

"The government had drawn up the Government Transformation Plan (GTP), we have a more detailed plan, a clearer road map unlike the opposition who only know how to make promises, the play up the promises but we cannot do so because we are the ruling party."

"We must be better than they (are), let the public perception be better than the others, if the people like the BN, then they will vote for it, but if they hate (the BN), then they will vote the other people to represent their constituency," he said.

Najib, who is also the Selangor Umno Liaison chairman, said Umno must always be prepared to face the coming general election, which could be held at any time this year, or next year or even 2013.

"We must be ready not only for the (election) dry run but must be ready for a better public perception and sentiment, this must be given priority," he said.

He said the party machinery should also pay attention to the party supporters as well as those who had yet to become supporters because Umno and the BN championed the welfare of all races.

 

The Munafiq named Zul Noordin

Posted: 11 Jun 2011 08:46 PM PDT

Zulkifli Noordin, the Kulim Bandar Baharu Member of Parliament, said, "Some Malays are willing to be used by this illegal gathering that is led by former Bar Council president Datuk Ambiga Sreevanasan. This is despite knowing the organisation has fought strongly against Islam."

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Islam has a word for Muslims who talk about defending Islam and yet go against Islamic teachings. Datuk Ambiga is in fact upholding Islamic teachings. She is opposed to election fraud. Zul, on the other hand, wants to uphold election fraud.

In this sense Ambiga is more Islamic than Zul. Zul, according to Islamic teachings, is a hypocrite or Munafiq.

For those Muslims and non-Muslims who may not understand the concept of Munafiq in Islam, allow me to deliver my Sunday sermon.

Munāfiq (n., in Arabic: منافق, plural munāfiqūn) is an Islamic Arabic term used to describe a religious hypocrite, who outwardly practices Islam, while inwardly concealing his disbelief (kafir), perhaps even unknowingly.

The term munāfiq in Arabic, Bengali and Urdu is primarily a non-religious term that refers to a person whose actions are different from and opposite to his thoughts, which he conceals. In the Qur'anic sense the term refers to a person who does not have faith, but pretends to. 

The Qur'an has hundreds of ayāt (verses) discussing munāfiqūn, referring to them as more dangerous to Muslims than the worst non-Muslim enemies of Islam.

The Qur'an states:

The Hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire: no helper wilt thou find for them;-

    —Sura 4 (An-Nisa), ayah 145, Qur'an[2]

According to the Hadith Sahih al-Bukhari, narrated by 'Abdullah bin 'Amr:

The Prophet said, "Whoever has the following four (characteristics) will be a pure hypocrite and whoever has one of the following four characteristics will have one characteristic of hypocrisy unless and until he gives it up.

1. Whenever he is entrusted, he betrays.

2. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie.

3. Whenever he makes a covenant, he proves treacherous.

4. Whenever he quarrels, he behaves in a very imprudent, evil and insulting manner."

According to the Hadith Sahih al-Bukhari Book 1 : Volume 2 : Hadith 32, narrated by Abu Huraira:

The Prophet said, "The signs of a hypocrite are three:

1. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie.

2. Whenever he promises, he always breaks it (his promise ).

3. If you trust him, he proves to be dishonest. (If you keep something as a trust with him, he will not return it.)"

And this is the Quran's word on hypocrites:

 

Surat Al-Munāfiqūn (Arabic: سورة المنافقون‎) (The Hypocrites) is the 63rd sura of the Qur'an with 11 ayat.

Surah 63 - Al Munafiqun - Ayat - 001 When the Hypocrites come to thee, they say, "We bear witness that thou art indeed the Apostle of God." Yea, God knoweth that thou art indeed His Apostle, and God beareth witness that the Hypocrites are indeed liars.

Surah 63 - Al Munafiqun - Ayat - 002 They have made their oaths a screen (for their misdeeds): thus they obstruct (men) from the Path of God: truly evil are their deeds.

Surah 63 - Al Munafiqun - Ayat - 003 That is because they believed, then they rejected Faith: So a seal was set on their hearts: therefore they understand not.

Surah 63 - Al Munafiqun - Ayat - 004 When thou lookest at them, their exteriors please thee; and when they speak, thou listenest to their words. They are as (worthless as hollow) pieces of timber propped up, (unable to stand on their own). They think that every cry is against them. They are the enemies; so beware of them. The curse of God be on them! How are they deluded (away from the Truth)!

Surah 63 - Al Munafiqun - Ayat - 005 And when it is said to them, "Come, the Apostle of God will pray for your forgiveness", they turn aside their heads, and thou wouldst see them turning away their faces in arrogance.

Surah 63 - Al Munafiqun - Ayat - 006 It is equal to them whether thou pray for their forgiveness or not. God will not forgive them. Truly God guides not rebellious transgressors.

Surah 63 - Al Munafiqun - Ayat - 007 They are the ones who say, "Spend nothing on those who are with God's Apostle, to the end that they may disperse (and quit Medina)." But to God belong the treasures of the heavens and the earth; but the Hypocrites understand not.

Surah 63 - Al Munafiqun - Ayat - 008 They say, "If we return to Medina, surely the more honourable (element) will expel therefrom the meaner." But honour belongs to God and His Apostle, and to the Believers; but the Hypocrites know not.

Surah 63 - Al Munafiqun - Ayat - 009 O ye who believe! Let not your riches or your children divert you from the remembrance of God. If any act thus, the loss is their own.

Surah 63 - Al Munafiqun - Ayat - 010 and spend something (in charity) out of the substance which We have bestowed on you, before Death should come to any of you and he should say, "O my Lord! why didst Thou not give me respite for a little while? I should then have given (largely) in charity, and I should have been one of the doers of good".

Surah 63 - Al Munafiqun - Ayat - 011 But to no soul will God grant respite when the time appointed (for it) has come; and God is well acquainted with (all) that ye do.

XPGU-AxwfHk

 

Matlamat menghalalkan cara

Posted: 10 Jun 2011 05:33 PM PDT

Today you no longer know who are the people behind these fitnah campaigns. Don't always assume that the 'other side' is the culprit behind these campaigns. You might be shocked to know that it is the 'same side' doing it. It could be the opposition people slandering their own opposition comrades. Then again it could be Umno people doing it, knowing very well that it will backfire on Umno and become a political liability to Najib.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Matlamat menghalalkan cara means the end justifies the means. Basically, halal becomes haram and haram becomes halal -- the permitted becomes forbidden and the forbidden becomes permitted.

Considering that most Malaysians believe in God -- whether they are Muslims, Christians, Buddhists or Hindus -- this makes it extremely surprising, if not shocking.

Take Islam as an example. The Quran specifically mentions that we may not forbid what God has permitted and vice versa. Yet this is the very thing that those who profess the religion of Islam do, in total violation of the Quran.

The Quran also tells Muslims that they should not alter the word of God. Yet the do exactly that -- they alter the word of God by forbidding what is permitted and permitting what is forbidden.

For example, Islam makes it mandatory for all Muslims to practice amar makruf, nahi munkar. This means you must uphold good (or the truth) and oppose evil. But try doing this in Malaysia and see what happens.

If you were to uphold the truth (by criticising the government) you would get arrested and charged in court or you would be detained without trial under the Internal Security Act.

And Islam is supposed to be the official religion of the Federation of Malaysia, mind you. Podah! Malaysia is no better than Russia, China or Israel.

Well, that is because we have a bad government, you might say. But then this 'Islamic culture' not only applies to criticising the government. If you criticise the opposition or opposition leaders, they can't arrest and charge you or detain you under the ISA, but they would certainly spread stories that you have been bought off by Umno.

So the opposition is no better when it comes to not honouring amar makruf, nahi munkar. It is just that they have no power to arrest or detain you so they slander you instead.

Would the opposition allow amar makruf, nahi munkar if it becomes the federal government? Maybe if Lim Guan Eng or Nik Aziz Nik Mat becomes the Prime Minister they would but I am not sure about the rest of the Pakatan Rakyat leaders.

They are saying that I started criticising the opposition since the fallout between Zaid Ibrahim and Anwar Ibrahim soon after the Hulu Selangor by-election. They attribute this to me being pro-Zaid. Therefore, since Zaid is now anti-Anwar, I too have become anti-Anwar.

This is not about being pro-anyone or anti-anyone. It is about being anti-dirty tactics.

I am not pro-Zaid even though he is my friend (I have refused to join his party although I still socialise with him). I am also in that same spirit not anti-Anwar (I still support him as opposition leader although he no longer talks to me or contacts me). It is just that I am anti-internal sabotage and I don't like what some PKR leaders or party insiders did during the Hulu Selangor by-election.

If you can remember, at that time I wrote an article whacking Umno for the doctored photograph of Zaid and the beer bottle. I accused Umno of fitnah (slander) for distributing that fake photograph of Zaid with the beer bottle in his hand.

Then, to my shock, I discovered that it was not Umno who did this foul deed but someone high up in PKR. When I found out about this I just kept quiet (which is not quite the Islamic thing to do and opposed to amar makruf, nahi munkar).

I decided to not shake the tree lest something falls out of the tree. I did not want to name the person even though I know who he is.

Now some unknown people are distributing the Mat Sabu sex scandal VCDs. I heard the next campaign is to spread the story that Mat Sabu is a closet Shiah follower and anti-Hadith as well. That will of course hurt Mat Sabu pretty bad and may affect Muslim support for PAS.

I hope Umno is behind this next Mat Sabu slander campaign because if they are then they are very stupid indeed. It is going to backfire terribly. The Datuk T drama backfired terribly. It was a move that hurt Umno more than it hurt Anwar. And this Mat Sabu slander exercise is going to hurt Umno again.

But is it really Umno that is behind the Mat Sabu sex scandal VCD and the Shiah-anti-Hadith campaign that they are about to launch? My Deep Throats in Umno say it is not their people who are doing this and the Umno people too are puzzled as to who is behind it.

According to the Umno people they suspect that someone in the opposition is doing this. If this is true then these people are very clever. The Mat Sabu sex scandal VCD and the Shiah-anti-Hadith exercise are going to backfire badly on Umno. And the 'beautiful' thing is even Ummo is puzzled about what is going on and is being caught with their pants down.

Or is it really someone from Umno who is doing this and they are doing it knowing that it will backfire on Umno and will therefore be a huge problem for Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak?

Yes, that is another possibility. The 3M team of Mahathir-Muhyiddin-Mukhriz knows that by sabotaging Mat Sabu with the sex scandal VCD and the Shiah-anti-Hadith story it is going to hurt Najib.

So you see, all is not what it appears to be. This is just like Hitler burning the Reichstag building in Berlin on 27th February 1933. And wasn't Hitler one of the greatest propaganda strategists of his time?

What is halal and what is haram? It no longer matters. What matters is that the end justifies the means -- and never mind if the means is halal or haram.

If you were to bring a bottle of wine to the home of a Muslim he or she would get very upset. Wine is haram and they do not want it in their home. But if you were to bring a 'red packet' containing thousands of ringgit to the home of a Muslim that is not a problem.

A bottle of wine cannot. Haram! Bribes can. Not haram.

How does the mind of these Muslims work? The majority of those accepting bribes are government officers and Umno politicians who are supposed to be Muslims. They get very upset if you bring a bottle of wine to their homes but they would welcome, in fact, insist, on bribes.

And they would gleefully fitnah another Muslim and distribute sex VCDs of other Muslims for the purpose of political power. Haram becomes halal for the sake of gaining political power.

Today you no longer know who are the people behind these fitnah campaigns. Don't always assume that the 'other side' is the culprit behind these campaigns. You might be shocked to know that it is the 'same side' doing it.

It could be the opposition people slandering their own opposition comrades. Then again it could be Umno people doing it, knowing very well that it will backfire on Umno and become a political liability to Najib.

In fact, there are some in Malaysia's intelligence agencies who don't trust Shazryl Eskay Abdullah, one of the three members of the Datuk T gang. The 'official' story going around is that Eskay was once a close friend of Anwar who has since sold him out.

Some in Malaysia's intelligence agencies do not think so. They think that Eskay is still close to Anwar and that he is involved in the porn video exercise to hurt Umno. And it has, in fact, hurt Umno badly, in particular Najib.

Najib may now have to delay the next general election. Initially it was supposed to be in July. And then they said it would most likely be in November (11-11-11) after the budget. The latest I heard is it may be delayed further, to next year, because Umno is worried that all these 'scandals' may have backfired on Umno.

Yes, it is getting very confusing indeed. We are hearing all sort of things and we are hearing that so and so is behind all these. But all is not what it appears and those alleged to be behind all these things are equally confused.

Nevertheless, it just proves that Malaysian politics is getting more complicated by the day. You think you can read what is happening but that is no longer true. They aim at a certain target but the real target is another one altogether.

Rahim Thambi Chik is Dr Mahathir's man. Could it be that Datuk T's real target is not Anwar but Najib, as what some suspect? Considering the Anwar porn video has backfired on Najib this could be true. Or was Rahim tricked by Eskay, who is still Anwar's comrade?

I really no longer know. But one thing I do know is that Malaysia's politics is not as simple as you may think. It is very complicating. The targets are not that identifiable any more. They hit Anwar and Mat Sabu but their real target could actually be Najib.

 
Kredit: www.malaysia-today.net

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Official blunders and the social media

Posted: 18 Jun 2011 12:42 PM PDT

(Borneo Post) In 2009, as befitting a change at the top, the new PM (or, rather, his PR machinery) came up with the slogan to symbolise his dream of 1Malaysia. The slogan, Rakyat Didahulukan, Pencapaian Diutamakan (People First, Performance Now), especially the BM version, may have been a mouthful for some, but it somehow managed to stick.

Now, a couple of years later, it still sticks for many – like a fine fishbone, annoyingly sticking in one's throat.

Indeed, for these Malaysians – and the numbers are definitely increasing – the more well-known phrase, Cakap tak serupa bikin (akin to 'all talk and no action') has become more pertinent.

Despite the many explanations about potential transformations channelled through the mainstream media and the official boasts about KPIs set and targets met, many ordinary Malaysians are still concerned about the future, particularly their ricebowl.

And these concerns are amplified when the authorities talk about the need to tighten belts, yet unhesitatingly announce plans to do the exact opposite. Like erecting humongous monuments, such as the much-criticised RM5 billion, 100 storey Warisan Merdeka.

Or, as in the case of the Tourism ministry last year, spending a few million ringgit of the rakyat's money for purported official trips to faraway places when such spending, for many, was uncalled for and, seemingly was more to help satiate inflated egos.

And these instances evidently have not stopped. Most recently, the Tourism ministry again has come under fire, this time for spending a whopping RM1.8 million to manage its Facebook accounts.

Now it's reported that the minister herself has not been able to appease some of her Cabinet colleagues with her 'explanation'.    Indeed, whatever may be said about additional outlays on contests and prizes, spending RM1.8 million on six Facebook pages is a bit much in a time of hardship for many.

But what's noticeable about these evident blunders is the fact that people are using what's now called 'social media' to respond.

And, of course, to register their protest.

Indeed, that's precisely what they've done with numerous issues, these included, setting up and signing petitions online.

In protest against the Warisan Merdeka tower, for example, a group called '1M Malaysia Reject 100-storey Mega Tower' set up a Facebook page, now with more than 200k supporters.

Now, in the light of the latest disclosures about the Tourism ministry, yet another Facebook campaign has begun.

According to one news report, within a couple of days, the campaign, cynically called 'Curi-curi Wang Malaysia ' had the support of nearly 90,000 Malaysians.

In comparison the Tourism ministry's Facebook page, set up in May, has only drawn just a little over 35,000 fans.

It would appear that social network media, such as Facebook, are the digital age equivalent of 'weapons of the weak'.

Some commentators, the recent one being a contributor to the news portal, Malaysian Insider (MI), assert that protests of this nature have very little impact.

Indeed, despite all the assertions about the new (social) media being at the centre of the changes in Egypt, Libya, Syria and Tunisia, the jury is still out.

Such assertions were also made of the momentous changes in Malaysia in 2008 – and the anticipated ones not long from now.

But only a fool or an eternal optimist – or even the previous prime minister – would give that much credit to the new media, especially the internet, when the Net's penetration rates in various parts of the country remain pretty low.

Also, such a belief isolates and ignores wider social factors, such as increasing prices of essential commodities, corruption, abuse of power and assaults on personal liberties.

These were indeed factors in 2008 and, clearly the new media's impact then has to be seen in this wider context of increasing and widespread disaffection.

But despite the rubbishing of the impact of the internet, given unfavourable penetration rates, dismissing it as the MI commentator does, is equally unwise.

It is, indeed, a weapon of the weak. Perhaps many who sign these petitions will do no more than that.

As the MI writer cynically puts it, "we love a battle when we are not part of it, especially when there is someone else to fight it out for us. We are good only at scrapping in the cyber world."

But there are numerous impacts that we need to note here.

First, the fact that more people are now willing to put down their particulars to register their protest online is an indication that the 'fear factor' (of being monitored and perhaps punished for dissenting) is affecting us less and less.

Second, the fact that many of the officials targeted, named and, often, ridiculed respond, indicates that there is some concern on their part. Indeed, the very fact that more and more of these people are embracing and actively using the social media indicate their concern with its potential.

Granted, many have grown thick skins and will carry on their evil ways regardless. But, I'm sure they are aware that, in the final analysis, credibility these days plays an important role.

This is, indeed, what the poor, harassed anti-Lynas residents in Pahang believe.

They have been physically threatened by louts linked to a dominant political party for voicing their objections and protesting.

So, these concerned Malaysians, who are at the brink of having a radioactive plant located where they live, have gone on to the net (just Google 'Lynas' or check Youtube) and other channels to fight their cause.

As they put it: 'The only way to get the government to act is with votes. So we will increase public pressure to indirectly force the government to act. No more direct engagement.'

So you can bet your bottom dollar that there'll be more of their voices on the Net. And let us do remember –  whatever we may say about Internet penetration rates in Malaysia, the Net, nonetheless, stretches way beyond national boundaries.

SUPP leader blames BN for its failure

Posted: 18 Jun 2011 12:40 PM PDT

(FMT) The Chinese are agile, elastic and realistic and they are responsive to necessary changes and have never indicated that they will not opt for change. They have nothing against the government. They are merely unhappy with some policies of the Barisan government.

KUCHING: The Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP) treasurer David Teng has blamed the policies and decisions of the Barisan Nasional for its dismal performances in the recently concluded state election.

In the election, SUPP contested 19 seats, but lost 13 of them, a number of which it had held for the past 41 years.

Teng, who lost his Repok seat which he won in 1983, said that the BN was the rootcause of the people's dissatisfaction because of its many policies and decisions.

"The BN has been in power for a long time and it is natural that a house becomes dusty after some non-cleaning period.

"Hence, wise and courageous leaders must take up the challenge to see through spring-cleaning.
And as far as spring-cleaning is concerned, there are things we need to get rid of," the former assistant minister was quoted as saying by a local daily.

"The BN is in dire need of spring-cleaning, and it must be launched as soon as possible. Every member of the BN coalition is obligated to cleanse the dusty place," he said.

He said that SUPP, being a part of the BN coalition, came with various unsettled issues that had displeased the communities, adding that a through cleansing would help tone down the aggressiveness of the opposition and subsequently making them powerless.

He believed that the Chinese community will return to the BN if the ruling government adapts to changes and reviews certain policies.

He said: "The Chinese are agile, elastic and realistic and they are responsive to necessary changes and have never indicated that they will not opt for change.

"They have nothing against the government. They are merely unhappy with some policies of the Barisan government.

Read more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/06/19/supp-leader-blames-bn-for-its-failure/

Utusan: Bersih is Pakatan’s bid to spark Middle East-style protests

Posted: 18 Jun 2011 12:38 PM PDT

(TMI) The opposition will use next month's Bersih 2.0 rally to trigger an uprising similar to the popular protests which toppled Egypt's Mubarak regime and now threatens governments in Libya, Syria and Yemen, Utusan Malaysia said in its Sunday edition today

Its Mingguan Malaysia weekend edition said those who intend to mass in the capital on July 9 to demand electoral reform have lost faith in democracy after realising they cannot win federal power through the ballot box. 

"Peace is no longer important to them. They want only to seize power and install their leader as Malaysia's prime minister using whatever means possible," the Umno-owned daily said in its Maulana Arrif column. 

"The enemies of Islam, both humans and syaitan-syaitan (devils), are working to aid them," it added. 

The column appeared to follow Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's comments that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will use the Bersih rally to capture Putrajaya from the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN). 

But Bersih 2.0 said it is marching to demand for electoral reforms, including a minimum 21-day election campaign period that was practised until the 1969 elections. A race riot after the polls caused the government to impose a state of emergency and stop lengthy campaign periods. A typical campaign period now is nine days. 

The columnist also used an allegory inspired by a passage in the Sahih Muslim hadith about goats to describe the devotion shown by PAS supporters to the party leadership and opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 

"The female goats first slavishly followed the male goats with white hair on their heads and beards... Suddenly there appeared in front of them a male goat with thick black hair on his head," he wrote. 

"The male goat was good with words and spoke like the goats in countries with four seasons... And so they followed the male goat with black hair." 

The column went on to say that the black-haired male goat - who nearly became leader of all animals before being ejected into the wilderness — believed it was his God-given right to be ruler and would use any trick in the book to achieve this goal.

Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/utusan-bersih-is-pakatans-bid-to-spark-middle-east-style-protests/

Nik Aziz worse for Islam than Ayah Pin, says Utusan

Posted: 18 Jun 2011 12:36 PM PDT

(TMI) Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia continued its tirade against Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat today with its Sunday edition saying the PAS spiritual leader has done greater damage to Islam than even the deviant teachings of Sky Kingdom cult leader Ayah Pin.

The paper's Mingguan Malaysia said Nik Aziz (picture) has a laundry list of offences against Islam, including giving support to Christians in the "Allah" issue, promising heaven to Muslims who vote for PAS and telling beautiful women not to work. 

It also pointed out that Nik Aziz has rejected repeated overtures from "Islamic" Umno to form a unity government in favour of greater cooperation with DAP, a party dead set against the establishment of an Islamic nation. 

"More confusion has been sown (in Islam) by Nik Aziz compared to other individuals including Ayah Pin, who is now being hunted by the authorities," Awang Selamat — nom de plume of the Umno-owned paper's editors — said today. 

The paper was commenting on the "DAP-aping" decision by Nik Aziz, who is also Kelantan mentri besar, to ban the paper from covering the state assembly in response to the "Kekeliruan kes rogol" (Confusion in rape cases) cartoon it ran last week.

Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/nik-aziz-worse-for-islam-than-ayah-pin-says-utusan/

Those Were the Days

Posted: 18 Jun 2011 12:16 PM PDT

The decline of democracy, the abuse of power, and the mismanagement of our economy and the nation's finances, the economic waste, the lack of national cohesion in our economic policies led to the flight of capital in the region of RM880 billion over the years from the 1980s. That was the beginning the lost decades and the full impact of the consequences of the economic policies which has continued since then, is yet to have its full impact on our national lives.

by YBM Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, at Perak Lectures, organized by Perak Academy on Saturday 18th June 2011 at 8:45PM at the New Club, Main Hall, Taiping, Perak.

Malaysia's post-colonial history began with optimism and a grand hope in 1957. When Tunku Abdul Rahman, the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, proclaimed our Independence at the Merdeka Stadium in the unforgettable words that "Malaysia is a parliamentary democracy with an independent judiciary," he had a vision of a happy people in spite of the formidable economic problems we needed to solve. After that dawn of independence, there was a search of how we could achieve this happy society, fulfilling the needs and aspirations of all Malaysians which was to continue for the generations to come. He symbolized the concept and conviction of generational responsibility in his vision.

2. Tunku Abdul Rahman and his generation were dedicated leaders, not for power but a sense of duty to the present and the future. They were not in politics for the money or for themselves. Indeed, even after they had assumed power, they never used their position to benefit themselves or their families, nor did they build loyal cronies who would act as their financiers or hold any wealth unlawfully earned at the expense of the people.

3. The guiding philosophy was responsibility of public office. Public office was seen as a duty, not as an opportunity. The public office was also part of their sense of political commitment to create a Malaysia that was fair, just, cohesive, and balanced. This was combined by a deep conviction of generational responsibility for those who would come after them.

4. One of the greatest losses in public life and in politics today in Malaysia is that loss of generational responsibility. Everything seems to be surrounded by greed and the desire to be billionaires. This had led to a pyramid of cronies within the incumbent
political parties and their associates in business. It is this combination of the hierarchy of political cronies and business cronies that led to the centralization of power in the incumbent political leadership and in the office of the Prime Minister.

5. This power in one individual allowed the manipulation of the political system; I mean by this the institutions of power including the media. In exchange for the centralization of power greed and self-interest was encouraged by example and in the guise of racial loyalty deserving rewards. This is the case in all the parties within the power structure. This state of affairs is one of the most dangerous and difficult to dismantle because there has been three decades of centralized power.

6. The political style that has dominated in these lost three decades has been "double-think" and "double-talk". One of the features which is alarming in this plan to maintain status quo is the encouragement covertly of racial and religious obscurantism.
The underlying theme was a policy of using a balance of racialism and religion on the one hand and talks of unity on the other hand in order to make the people hostage to the status quo of power. As a result, racialism and racial concerns seem to have a grip on all aspects of our lives, in politics, economics, education and employment, irrespective of the present reality which has got nothing to do with race or religion. We are deliberately made to feel that we are hostage to these forces.

7. Freedom of speech and expression of our political concerns to change the atmosphere are restrained by how it will be interpreted by those who want to deny us the right to differ. Article 10 of the Constitution which guarantees this freedom is almost non-existence or subject to fear of retaliation or defamation. Legal suits intended to silence legitimate concerns of public responsibility are increasingly used. Unfortunately, our judicial system has forgotten the fundamental importance of Article 10 to the democratic life of Malaysia. Common sense seems to have been taken out of the law.

8. On the economic front, income inequality in Malaysia has widened. Some studies suggest that Malaysia's inequality is wider than Thailand's or Indonesia's. Historically, the concern was about ownership and control of the economy. It was the view of some that if ownership was de-racialized or balanced at the top, economic justice would follow. It is no longer a valid premise for the future. Income inequality is no longer a problem between races; it crosses the racial divide and it is a problem of the majority of Malaysians who feel the pressure of inflation in almost every essential aspects of their lives, challenging their well being of themselves, their families, and their future. Today and the in the near future, this is the most serious challenge we face. It is not an easy challenge to overcome. It is a time when Malaysia needs leadership of the highest quality and of those who have the moral courage to change and re-think our economic policies.

9. It is in these circumstances that we face the serious problem of rising food prices, inflation in price of houses compounded by shortage in housing for the vast majority of young Malaysians. Lack of economic expansion to give all levels an opportunity to use their talents to seek work that is commensurate with their contribution, their needs of daily life, and to narrow the inequality gap, is the threat of the future. Therefore, we should be concerned about the justification of the removal of subsidies that affects the low income because that will further widen the inequality and open the society to social disorder and disintegration, and increase social in cohesion. It is in this context that I raise the issue about Independent Power Production Companies (IPP). The privatization contracts are today protected by the Official Secrets Act, and therefore we are unable to really know whether or not the public and Petronas, as trustees of the public, are directly or indirectly subsidizing these companies and the tycoons who are benefitting at the expense of the public.

10. Related to the question of the withdrawal of subsidies is the deficit that the Government suffers from in managing the economy. This question cannot be separated from the way that the Government has managed the nation's finances. If the deficit is as a result of wastage, corruption and extravagance in the use of public funds, then the solution to the problem should not be passed on to the public. What is needed is a reexamination of the management of the country's finances before taking any drastic steps that would affect the well being of the people. We need to know the reality behind the apparent subsidies that are given to the public and its relationship in the totality of the management of the public finance. Only after we know the truth – and the whole truth – should any change in the policy of subsidies be implemented, as the
consequences would have life-changing impact on the livelihood of the people. In the circumstances of rising inflation in food, stagnation of the economy and income, we should not do anything that would widen the disparity of income which would cause social instability.

11. The challenge today is for the return to generational responsibility in politics and public office. This can only be achieved if we have democracy and parliamentary power which is responsible. Democracy was the basis of the founding of the state of Malaysia by the Constitution in 1957. When it was briefly suspended in 1969, the leaders of that generation were uneasy, and they restored democracy as soon as possible.

12. That is because they realized that democracy has an intrinsic value in creating a citizenship that is not made up of sheep but of responsible citizens. Only responsible citizenship that understands democracy can bring about stability, cohesion and
economic prosperity. During those days, it was ingrained in that generation of leaders that democracy was not only a form but a value system that respected the essential institutions of democracy like the independence of judiciary, the supremacy of
parliament subject to the Constitution, the respect for fundamental rights, and free speech. They also understood the meaning and primacy of the rule of law and not of men. They also knew that democracy is the common heritage of humanity that we inherited and have a duty to continue. The law that they understood was also from the common heritage of all civilized nations.

13. And one of our inheritances is the common law system of the rule of law which is enshrined in our constitution. They knew that the phrase "common law" meant the wisdom that is passed to us in the progress of law and the values that are encapsulated in the law governing public office and responsibility to society. That laws are meant to enhance democracy and freedom but not to maintain and continue political power that is inconsistent with the rule of law and the constitution.

14. Independence did not come with peace but with very difficult problems, particularly the management of the economy and transforming it to bring about a balance between all the racial groups. They realize that some of their problems had roots in the history of Malaysia. There was a serious imbalance between the countryside and the urban sector with racial dimensions which were too sharp. Indeed, poverty was also quite prevalent. There were open discussions and experiments.

15. Some of you may remember that one of the highlights of public debate was organized at the University of Malaya under the title, "The Great Economic Debate" every year. That disappeared with the changes in the University & Colleges Act and the decline of Universities' autonomy. The search was to eradicate a sense of inequality between the various peoples of Malaysia, whether because of one's identity and social origins, or for other reasons.

16. It was as part of this search that during Tun Abdul Razak's time, the Second Malaysia Plan was launched in 1971. We need to be reminded of the objective of that plan:
"National unity is the over-riding objective of the country. A stage has been reached in the nation's economic and social development where greater emphasis must be placed on social integration and more equitable distribution of income and
opportunities for national unity."

17. That dream was slowly eroded from the mid-1980. The hope that we had at that time is now challenged in the most serious way.

18. Recently, Petronas announced that it had made a 90.5 billion pre-tax profit. If we accumulate the profit of Petronas over the years, it would come to a mind-boggling figure of billions and billions. Yet, the greatest poverty is found in the petroleum producing states of Kelantan, Terengganu, Sarawak, and Sabah. This moral inconsistency in a way exemplifies how the nation's economy is mismanaged and how the institutions set up in the 1970's have lost their objective and commitment to solving the immediate and pressing problems of the nation.

19. Petronas was set up with the objective of serving the nation's interest as a priority. It was never intended to give Petronas a life of its own as an incorporated company for selected individuals to profit at the expense of the national interest, nor was it the objective to allow Petronas a cooperate existence independent of national interest.

20. What is needed is for institutions like Petronas is to have a national focus rather than maintain a multinational status. The aim of making Petronas a multinational cooperation at the expense of national interest is contrary to the Petroleum Development Act. Petronas should have a Petroleum Advisory Council to advise the Prime Minister on the operation of the law as well as the managemend and utilization of its resources as spelt out in the Petroleum Development Act.

21. Another example of the abuse of power is the privatization of certain government institutions which were set up as a public service to serve the people. Bernas is one example of a privatization of an essential commodity as a monopoly for a group of people and owned partially by two companies in Hong Kong. An essential commodity such as rice should not have been privatized for business purposes. We are the only rice producing country that has privatized and given as a monopoly to one company the importation and distribution of all rice products.

22. The reality today is Thailand and Indonesia are self sufficient in rice and we are dependant on 30% of imported rice. But because it is a monopoly, imported rice is cheaper in Singapore than Malaysia. Privatization for the benefit of private individuals to profit from such an essential commodity is a clear abuse of power. It would not have happened in those days. But with the centralization of power in the office of the prime Minister who had the party under his absolute control, anything was possible!

23. I will suggest to you that there was a deliberate plan to centralize power in the leadership in a surreptitious manner. Unfortunately the nature of racial politics blinded us of the reality behind certain policies and conduct of leaders at that time. The decline of democracy, the abuse of power, and the mismanagement of our economy and the nation's finances, the economic waste, the lack of national cohesion in our economic policies led to the flight of capital in the region of RM880 billion over the years from the 1980s. That was the beginning the lost decades and the full impact of the consequences of the economic policies which has continued since then, is yet to have its full impact on our national lives. And when it does the consequences are unpredictable.

24. The centralization of power in the office of the Prime Minister and the Attorney general had a major role in this state of affairs. The challenge today is to reverse the centralization of power and restore the check and balance of a genuine democracy.

25. We need to reclaim as citizens of Malaysia our rights in a democracy; that power and authority are positions of trust and responsibility, not to serve personal interest or as an opportunity for personal enrichment. We need to reassert as politically active and responsible citizens the concept of social obligation and public service in those who seek political office. Power is duty, NOT a prize.

26. We need to rethink our economic policies. Particularly in the focusing on the national objectives that are urgent; economic policies is not only about wealth creation but needs to have a moral dimension which takes into account the well being of all
citizens as the ultimate priority over profits.

27. I have given you a broad sweep of the past and a bird's eye view of the looming problems of managing our economy as it is today. I hope this will open a dialogue which benefits all of us.

Realities and illusions plague BN

Posted: 18 Jun 2011 12:12 PM PDT

The reality is that the political parties from the opposition wings are quick and able to relate with this march. And so they are branding their presence and participation with numbers to make marked significance to the peaceful march. In a nutshell they are resolved in remaining what we popularly term as 'relevant'.

By J. D. Lovrenciear

 

The on-going issues surrounding the announced Bersih 2.0 rally is unearthing truths as well as floating a deluge of illusions about Malaysian politics and its band wagon of cronies.

To begin with, everyone from UMNO – BN quarters wants a piece of the action to short circuit the announced citizens' rally. The DPM's most recent allegation, or leak if you like, that Pakatan is trying to unseat UMNO and its allies under cover of the Bersih 2.0. is the crowning statement for the week.

PERKASA wants to put its members on the line as they are prepared to wage a jihad if the Bersih 2.0 takes off.

UMNO Youth are wanting not to miss part of the electrifying action. They too will march for democracy – a democracy that apparently is going to be of a different color from Bersih 2.0. And to give this move an added color of courage, the Home Minster warned his own UMNO Youth.

And of course the killer move by PDRM is not to be dismissed either.

In the face of all this fracas building up to negate the Bersih 2.0 march by citizens of the nation, we need to sieve reality from illusion.

The reality is the citizens from all factions and political as well as social affiliations are geared to march for Bersih 2.0. Their call is to seek intervention so that the nation can enjoy fair and clean elections consistent with the flavor of the advancement of true democracy in the world.

The reality is that the political parties from the opposition wings are quick and able to relate with this march. And so they are branding their presence and participation with numbers to make marked significance to the peaceful march. In a nutshell they are resolved in remaining what we popularly term as 'relevant'.

The reality is, UMNO and its BN companions are feeling threatened. Rightly so, the implication of the citizens' march is that the half-a-century political coalition that has been the ruling government is being made to look guilty of not nurturing and upholding the development and spread of true democracy and civil liberties in a manner that is consistent and endorsing the meaning and significance of democracy as it is being perceived in this contemporary world.

The illusion meanwhile is there are politicians hell-bent in believing that just because one's party stayed in power for over five decades, it should therefore continue till kingdom come. This illusion is further compounded by the fact that the powers that be have that entrenched believe that the almost four million civil servants will not betray the lord of their monthly paychecks.

The other illusion is that because things have always worked for UMNO and its partners all this while, it will continue to work for them. That in a way explains how the government of the day manages its propaganda drives.

Another illusion is that hardened believe that by getting the ISA's active presence to hover over the citizens and those who are involved in the planning and or leading of the Bersih 2.0 event, citizens will back off.

And of course the threats and loud warnings issued from time to time are also an illusion.

It is unfortunate that we never want to learn and learn fast. There is a renaissance setting a blazing pathway in this new world order. It is that of a heightened sensitivity to regimes and tyranny.

The regimes and tyranny is not one that is akin to the agonies of the Dark Ages where plucking out eyeballs and finger nails were the order of the day by the powers that be upon its citizenry. Neither is it akin to struggles against the Iron curtains and the Bamboo curtains of decades gone by.

Today it is about this awakening in humanity that all man are equal. It is about true democracy and civil liberties – the very currency of the emerging world. Oiled and fired by the missile of information technology, the wiser governments around the globe have learnt to ride on this transformational wave of the congregation of the masses.

Hence, it is not too cruel nor crippling to state that the stances being taken by UMNO and its BN partners has been too heavily anchored in illusions thereby denying the realities around them. If only they had the wind behind their sail, they would have been the ones who would be sailing high with the Bersih 2.0 rally.

The more the government mobilizes its artillery to negate, arm twist, and floor the citizens' clarion call, the deeper UMNO and the BN partners will sink in their own illusions.

If China, Russia and even the mid-Eastern nations were not able to withstand the tides of their citizens' impatience, would Malaysia be any different? If it was, then the world history has to reviewed and re-written and the law of nature modified.

So let us not kid ourselves. Times have changed. The world is riding on a new note. The lack of humility to accept realities will only bury us deeper in a muck of illusions. Hopefully the wiser leaders within UMNO and its BN partners will make their life-saving quantum leap in time and in order to ride on this new-age wave that is sweeping across the planet with Malaysia not being an exception.  


On Father's Day, a word to Najib Tun Razak

Posted: 18 Jun 2011 12:09 PM PDT

I find Malaysia increasingly a lousy place for my children.

By Guan Sin

On this very Father's Day, I woke up early in the morning to write this post. I am blessed to be a father of 4.5 (no 5 coming end of the year). I could not sleep well when I learned that our prime minister Najib Tun Razak has been blasting the following SMS to mobile phone subscribers:

Marilah kita menyambut Hari Bapa bersama ayahanda tersayang. Ikhlas
dari Najib Razak & Keluarga. najib@1malaysia.com.my

I wasn't one of the 'lucky' ones, but was forwarded with one by a great 'informant'. Ironically, he belongs to the hundreds of thousands of Malaysians who are now living out of Malaysia; specifically he is growing a Singapore start-up company in China. He's a victim of decades-old UMNO-BN rule of Malaysia. He surely finds the rhetorical '1malaysia' in that email address insulting.

I am most insulted by the word 'ikhlas'. Mr prime minister, if you are sincere to run Malaysia, please spend your time and energy on matters of substance. You are already infected by the disease called '1Malaysia' yourself, which is only full of rhetorical junks and probably has fooled you into thinking that such junks can turn into substance too. (And, talking about 'ikhlas', how and where  did you find all those mobile numbers and financial resources to blast the SMS?)

Specifically, ask yourself this question: As a father, what kind of Malaysia have I left behind for my 27 million children? Yes, as a prime minister, you have the responsibility to the 27 million poor souls. Not just the five you have with Rosmash, where you were recently alleged to be abusing public funds to marry away one of them to Kazakhstan.

Specifically, I find Malaysia increasingly a lousy place for my children. First and foremost, the rule of law is virtually thrashed now, with you leading the way during Perak's coup d'état. And then the worsening situation in education, crime and healthcare finds no sign of abetting while the ministers concerned are busy engaged in playing pom-pon for '1Malaysia'.

Read more at: https://airkosong.com/_/2011/06/19/on-fathers-day-a-word-to-najib-tun-razak/

Stop bitching

Posted: 18 Jun 2011 12:35 AM PDT

This is my response to the Penang mosque committee fiasco where the opposition was forced to do a 'U-turn' after adamantly stating that it would go ahead with the elections of the mosque committees. This is also my response to HINDRAF's announcement that it is boycotting the BERSIH rally to punish Pakatan Rakyat.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Aziz Bari is grumbling because Umno has dragged the Monarchy into politics and is using the Palace against the opposition (read his article in Bahasa Malaysia below). My response to that is: so what? Isn't this what Umno normally does? Isn't this what Umno always does? So, what else is new? It's the same old story.

You mean the opposition did not suspect this would happen? You mean this is the first time this has happened and the opposition was caught off guard? How come the opposition was caught off guard? You mean Umno is cleverer than the opposition?

The opposition always seems to get caught off guard when it comes to issues concerning the Monarchy or the Palace. There must be some very stupid people in the opposition if they can get caught on the same issue again and again. There is saying: once bitten twice shy. Only fools get bitten 25 times and are still not shy.

Next time plan your strategy. Use preemptive strikes. Don't get into a situation half-cocked like you always do. And stop complaining about Umno this and Umno that, especially when it comes to the Monarchy or Palace.

And to those Chinese and Indian readers, stop falling into Umno's trap. Umno wants you to whack the Monarchy and Palace so that it can prove to the Malays that Pakatan Rakyat, in particular the non-Malays in Pakatan Rakyat, are anti-royalty. That will ensure Umno can win back Malay support. And you are doing exactly what Umno wants you to do.

Now, to the issue of HINDRAF. They want to boycott the BERSIH march because they are angry with Pakatan Rakyat. Why boycott BERSIH when it is Pakatan Rakyat you are angry with? I do not get that logic.

BERSIH is about the rakyat, not about Pakatan Rakyat. So, are you trying to punish the rakyat or punish Pakatan Rakyat?

The signal that HINDRAF is sending to the rakyat is that Pakatan Rakyat is behind BERSIH. Since Pakatan Rakyat and not the rakyat is behind BERSIH then this gives the government the justification to ban the BERSIH rally.

The government is saying that the opposition is the one really behind BERSIH. Now HINDRAF is confirming this. This means the government can legitimately clamp down on BERSIH and arrest or detain its leaders.

Maybe, after this, HINDRAF can proudly announce that it was they who made it possible for the government to take action against BERSIH and ban its planned march on 9th July 2011.

It would be good if the HINDRAF people can look at the two videos below. This is what I would call a quality Tamil leader. These are the kind of Tamil leaders that we want to see. Can you just visualise some of the HINDRAF leaders acting like this and demonstrating this type of class and quality?

**************************************
P'raya masjid: Nama Agong diheret, kata Aziz Bari

Meskipun mengakui Yang di-Pertuan Agong mempunyai kuasa dalam hal-hal berkaitan agama Islam di negeri-negeri yang tidak mempunyai Raja-raja Melayu, namun pakar perlembagaan Profesor Abdul Aziz Bari mempertikaikan cara nama Seri Paduka diheret setiap kali bagi membidas dasar-dasar kerajaan negeri Pulau Pinang.

NONE"Hanya selepas Pakatan Rakyat mengambil-alih Pulau Pinang, tiba-tiba peranan Agong menjadi tokoh yang signifikan.

"Nama Baginda digunakan bagi menghalang sebarang tindakan yang diambil oleh kerajaan negeri," kata pensyarah Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIAM) itu kepada Malaysiakini.

Abdul Aziz berkata prosedur atau peraturan yang betul mengikut perlembagaan adalah bagi pihak Istana Negara atau setiausaha sulit Yang di-Pertuan Agong bagi mengeluarkan kenyataan berhubung kedudukannya sebagai ketua agama dan bukannya oleh pihak-pihak yang lain.

"Pastinya bukan Menteri Di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, yang merupakan sebahagian daripada kerajaan.

"Jadi beliau harus diam. Biarkan Baginda melaksanakan tanggungjawab yang diperuntukkan oleh perlembagaan - bebas daripada kerajaan sama ada peringkat persekutuan mahupun negeri," kata Abdul Aziz.

Beliau juga membidas dakwaan 'mengarut' oleh kumpulan pendesak Melayu, PERKASA yang berkata adalah salah bagi mengadakan pemilihan jawatankuasa kariah masjid diadakan.

"Pertama, tidak ada fatwa mengatakan pemilihan itu adalah haram mengikut Islam," katanya.Fatwa

Lagipun menurut profesor itu lagi, umat Islam, sama ada dari Umno, PAS dan PKR, semuanya pernah terbabit dalam pemilihan parti masing-masing.

azlan"Jika ini tidak mengikut Islam, majlis fatwa sepatutnya mengeluarkan hukum berhubung perkara itu," katanya.

Semalam, hasrat Majlis Agama Islam Pulau Pinang (MAIPP) bagi mengadakan pemilihan jawatankuasa kariah masjid bagi sesi 2012-2013 dengan kaedah pilihan raya terpaksa dibatalkan.

Keputusan itu dibuat di Istana Negara di Kuala Lumpur apabila Yang di-Pertua Negri Abdul Rahman Abbas dan Yang Dipertua MAIPP Ellias Zakaria menghadap Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.

Mesyuarat agung masjid-masjid di Pulau Pinang yang dijadualkan hari ini dan esok itu sepatutnya memilih jawatankuasa kariah di 151 daripada 200 masjid tetapi kini ditangguhkan sehingga notis lanjut.

Pemilihan ala pilihan raya yang dicadangkan itu bagi membolehkan anak kariah mengundi secara sulit untuk memilih pemimpin kariah yang sebelum ini dipilih oleh MAIPP.

Bantahan pelbagai pihak yang didalangi Umno begitu lantang kerana gusar pilihan raya kariah masjid akan menghakis sokongan kepada parti itu yang kini gagal menguasai kerajaan negeri Pulau Pinang setelah ditumbangkan pada pilihan raya umum 2008.

Umno mendakwa pemilihan secara demokrasi itu akan hanya membawa perpecahan di kalangan umat Islam selain mengheret masjid ke kancah politik kepartian.

THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY A TAMIL LEADER HAS BEEN ELECTED INTO THE CANADIAN PARLIAMENT

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SEE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9yqU37MhT4

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SEE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TjlgBs_k0U
 

 

Small parties should join BN or Pakatan

Posted: 17 Jun 2011 11:41 PM PDT

(Bernama) - Independent political parties should either join Barisan Nasional (BN) or Pakatan Rakyat (PR) in facing the coming general election, for them to make an impact on the election results, said a Sabah PKR leader on Saturday, June 18.

The newly-appointed head of its Strategy and Election Bureau, Datuk Karim Ghani, said in this respect, should the Sabah Progressive Party (Sapp) decide to join PR, it should be a full entry and not under a 'Pakatan Plus' concept.

"Only BN or PR has the chance of forming the Malaysian government. Without being part of a team, any other small political groups will end up like Snap (Sarawak National Party) in the recent state election."

"They must belong to the PR team, not be on their own."

"So, we hope Sapp will become fully PR, not just Pakatan Plus (Sapp)....we will have to wait and see as this is being discussed between PR and Sapp," he said after the bureau's meeting at the Sabah PKR's headquarters, here, Saturday.

Snap was a member of the federal opposition pact. However, just before the Sarawak state election in April this year, it withdrew from PR, citing seat allocation disagreements with PKR.

All of its 26 candidates were defeated in that election, with 25 of them losing their deposits.

On the meeting, Karim said as they expected the general election to be held soon, they also discussed strategies like visits throughout the state to spread the party's manifesto to bring change to the people of Sabah.

 

Rais demonising citizens through Bersih, says Ambiga

Posted: 17 Jun 2011 11:29 PM PDT

(The Malaysian Insider) - Bersih 2.0 chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan denied today all links between the recent spate of cyber attacks on government websites and her electoral reform group raised yesterday by Datuk Seri Rais Yatim, saying his conjecture is an attack on Malaysians.

A group of hackers calling themselves Anonymous mounted an attack on at least 200 websites last Thursday, saying they are against censorship of websites by the government.

"It's a wholly unfounded, unreasonable, preposterous suggestion made by a Cabinet minister who should really know better than to make such wild accusations," she told The Malaysian Insider.

She added that Rais's comment was an attack not just on Bersih but on Malaysian citizens' constitutional right to assemble peaceably.

"I am entirely surprised by the raving of a few members of the government against Bersih 2.0 and their attempts to demonise Bersih; and I view Rais Yatim's comments as one of these attempts.

"I consider this an attack on the people and it is a shame they chose to do this rather than listen to the people," the former Malaysian Bar president said.

Rais, who is the information, communication and culture minister, had linked yesterday the mass attacks on some 200 local websites to the upcoming Bersih rally on July 9 after Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili told reporters initial investigations showed 90 per cent of the hackers were based in Malaysia.

Rais further described the cyber attacks as politically-motivated and intended to disrupt the workings of the government, but did not provide details as to how the denial of service attacks were related to the July 9 rally that is pushing for electoral reforms.

"If, for example, a land authority website is hacked, then property transactions will be interrupted. The same goes for banking and others; these cyber attacks are strange and, sadly, politically motivated," he said in a news conference.

Ambiga lamented the extreme reactions to the Bersih rally and advised Putrajaya to rethink their approach to civil society.

"In my view, responding to people by demonising and branding people is the wrong approach," she said.

READ MORE HERE

 

Opposition Using Street Demonstration As Shortcut To Putrajaya, Says Muhyiddin

Posted: 17 Jun 2011 11:17 PM PDT

(Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin regards the illegal demonstration initiated by the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (Bersih) for July 9 in Kuala Lumpur as an attempt by the opposition to use it as a shortcut to Putrajaya.

Muhyiddin, who is also Umno deputy president, said the opposition was actually hiding behind the non-governmental organisation which disputed the country's electoral system to realise its aim of toppling the Barisan Nasional (BN) government.

He said the Election Commission (EC) had repeatedly explained that the elections in this country had been carried out in accordance with the existing regulations.

"Why now raise the general election issue? Why didn't they raise it in the last elections?" Muhyiddin said to reporters after opening the Beaufort Umno division delegates' meeting, here, Saturday.

"I think their intention is not good. Ambiga (Bersih chairman, lawyer Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan) is their so-called leader. But I know that behind her is the opposition as Mohamed Sabu (PAS deputy president) has been made (Bersih) deputy chairman."

He said this when asked to comment on Bersih's plan to hold the street demonstration.

Muhyididn said Bersih's intention of holding the street demonstration was not just over the EC issue or the running of elections, but could also be a platform to raise other issues which might be of public interest to create anger among the people against the government.

"They may keep the momentum going so that when the general election comes, public hatred for the government will reach a high level that they will reject the government."

Muhyiddin said street demonstrations were not the best solution for matters related to the country's electoral system, but parliamentary democracy should instead be used to correct the situation.

"The relevant authority (police) did not issue a permit for the demonstration. We do not want our success, progress and prosperity achieved thus far to be jeopardised just because of two or three such groups," he said.

In respect of this, Muhyiddin reminded the people nationwide not to fall for the tactics of the opposition, which he said, was using the general election issue as a shortcut to Putrajaya.

"When we (BN) won, they disputed our win. When they (opposition) won, it was alright to them," he said.

On Umno Youth's plan to hold a mass gathering on the same day to protest against Bersih's action, Muhyiddin said it was a clear indication that many quarters disagreed with Bersih's planned street demonstration.

 

‘Umno Youth, Perkasa want to foil Bersih rally’

Posted: 17 Jun 2011 11:13 PM PDT

Karpal Singh says Umno Youth and Perkasa are deliberately holding their rallies on the same day to disrupt the Bersih rally.

(Free Malaysia Today) - The planned Umno Youth and Perkasa rallies are meant to foil, frustrate and disrupt the Bersih 2.0 rally on July 9, said DAP national chairman Karpal Singh today.

He called on the police to strictly ensure that all rallies were held in a orderly way without any untoward incidents.

The veteran politician hoped that participants of the three proposed rallies would be separated and prevented from abusing each other.

He said the police should be on high alert especially when a person like Perkasa leader Ibrahim Ali, who couldn't possibly control and check his senses, was around.

"He is capable of doing anything to disrupt the Bersih rally," the two-term Bukit Gelugor MP told a press conference during his constituency visit.

He argued that Umno Youth and Perkasa could have easily organised their rallies on another day if their intention was genuine.

"But they are obviously organising rallies on the same day and same venue to counter and frustrate the Bersih rally. It's a deliberate attempt to foil Bersih," he said.

The rallies would be held in the city centre.

Bersih 2.0 is a coalition of 62 NGOs, promoting democracy and free and fair elections.

Perkasa and 30 Malay-based NGOs had announced their plan to organise a similar rally to oppose the Bersih rally. Umno Youth had also decided to hold a gathering on the same day.

The movement plans to hand over a memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to support the democracy system and the role and reforms carried out by the Election Commission (EC).

So far police had not issued permits for any of the rallies.

Police had already warned of strong action, including using preventive laws, against those participating in illegal rallies.

Call to use ISA 'misplaced'

Bersih chairman Ambiga Sreenevasan said she would be writing to the Kuala Lumpur police chief on how rally organisers and police could work together to hold a peaceful rally.

Yesterday, the Malaysian Council of Ex-Elected Representatives (Mubarak) called on the police to use the Internal Security Act (ISA) against the Bersih 2.0 rally organisers.

READ MORE HERE

 

BERSIH 2.0: CATALYST FOR A NEW AND PROGRESSIVE MALAYSIA

Posted: 17 Jun 2011 11:05 PM PDT

KEADILAN is alarmed at the blatant antagonism shown by authorities towards the peaceful BERSIH rally planned on 9 July 2011. Strong statements bordering threats made by the highest echelon of the Home Ministry speak volume of Barisan Nasional's zero tolerance policy towards freedom of speech and the right to assemble.

There is a much bigger and fundamental issue relating to BERSIH rally beyond the question of constitutional right for freedom of speech and the right to assemble.  At the heart of BERSIH is the most pertinent issue that will determine whether or not we can progress as a society in tandem with rakyat's expectation. BERSIH is about the integrity of our electoral system; the absence of which will continue to hamper any efforts to uplift our society economically and socially.

Barisan Nasional's attitude that promises economic growth without the accompanying accountability and political integrity will continue to erode rakyat's confidence in our national system. The ability and right of a citizen to elect a party of his choice independently and without manipulation is central to the political integrity that the rakyat now demands loudly of any political parties in Malaysia.

Therefore, KEADILAN considers BERSIH rally as a necessity to provide the early catalyst to our society to embrace progressiveness. BERSIH rally will be a test to its proponents and detractors – a test of resolve to gauge how important is electoral integrity for the former; and a test of tolerance and openness for the latter.

Therefore, it is incumbent upon the organiser and participants of the rally to avoid any confrontation and not to be tricked by any provocation attempts to create chaos. I ask that the planning for the rally must take into account measures to quickly reduce tensions if there is a provocation. The onus is also on the participants to equip themselves with adequate knowledge on crowd control and safety precautions before joining the rally.

On the part of the authorities, we continue to hope that they will reciprocate the organiser's offer to work together to ensure a smooth and peaceful rally. PDRM must ensure the safety of the participants first and take action professionally on any attempts to provoke or create chaos by any parties.

The BERSIH rally can be a new milestone in our country's march towards a fully functioning democracy. The yearning for greater accountability in our electoral system is a permanent feature of our society; so it is best to manage it with reasons and level-headedness. In this context, our society does not need further provocative statements and threats issued at BERSIH rally organisers and participants. It is more matured for the groups opposed to the rally to respect the right of a sizeable voice in our society to gather and express their views, just as the same right has been exercised over and over again by these few Umno-linked groups previously.

KEADILAN has committed fully to the cause of improving our electoral system since its inception. BERSIH rally is the paragon of the cause and as such, KEADILAN will ensure our members to come in large numbers and join the expected hundreds of thousands of Malaysians in Kuala Lumpur on 9 July 2011.

For a start, KEADILAN has started to test our own mobilisation capacity this weekend in conjunction with our National Election Convention, throughout which the instruction for big mobilisation to our members will feature prominently.

I ask a similar openness and a little compassion from the authorities. By providing the proverbial safety valve in allowing BERSIH rally to proceed peacefully, this will hasten our society's maturity to manage differing views and opinions. Such maturity is key to unlocking our society's potential in future years.


DR WAN AZIZAH ISMAIL
President
KEADILAN

 

Malaysians must be a herd of wild cattle and raging bulls

Posted: 17 Jun 2011 06:21 PM PDT

Seriously, the question is when was the last time that such a gathering of the masses did run amok and wild posing a threat to national security? When?

By J. D. Lovrenciear

 

 

The planned Bersih 2.0 rally is indeed becoming a historical sensation with each passing day.

A citizens' peaceful assembly and march for clean and fair elections as guaranteed by the nation's Constitution and an act sanctioned globally as a tenet of true democracy and civil liberties, is suddenly becoming a phenomenal issue involving various quarters. In fact it is being made out to appear even nightmarish.

The repeated warnings cite 'threat to national security' with reference to the announced rally. The Home Minister is convinced that it is too dangerous to have a mammoth rally of citizens parading peacefully to present their Memorandum to the nation's Ruler conveying their concerns, fears, hopes and aspirations for free and fair election that will only serve in the nation and Ruler's best interest.

The long arm of the law is being courted to admonish that since no permits have been issued, any such assembly will be deemed illegal. And that the draconic laws of the nation will take effect. If scores of thousands have to be detained under the ISA, so be it. And this has to be done in the best interest of national security.

To confuse the announced Bersih 2.0 rally further, other quarters too now want to march the streets to express their own collective version of democracy and party politico-rights.

And to add to the tempo of rising fears, UMNO Youth too want to throw in their fair share for a fight for democracy and as correctly enshrined in the Constitution with regards to the right to assembly they will march – do or die. Only twist is they will not agree nor relate with Bersih 2.0.

And then you also have someone willing to do a jihad on the same day because what Bersih 2.0 stands for is against or undermines the very teachings of his faith.

So what do we all make out of all these?

One thing for sure, Malaysians must be a herd of wild cattle and raging bulls when they get to the streets in large numbers. It seems – from all the fears, concerns and arguments put forward by those opposed to the Bersih 2.0 rally, the citizens are riot prone and cannot be allowed to come together in large numbers. And if they do, the police will not be capable of controlling these wild cattle and raging bulls.

Wow! What a strange set of species we Malaysians must be. Perhaps that is why we are also often labelled to the world as a 'truly unique' nation by our promotional manager leaders.

Seriously, the question is when was the last time that such a gathering of the masses did run amok and wild posing a threat to national security? When?

May 13, 1969? That was not a citizens' march for clean and fair elections. It was a political party coup that set up race against race, was it not? Or have we decided to again re-write history?

During the Merdeka declaration and celebration in 1957, tens of thousands convened in Kuala Lumpur. The humble policeman then in his kaki uniform and simple baton and with little schooling, was able to ensure there was order and security maintained.

Today, some quarters seem to suggest that the sophisticated PDRM in their battle trained, fighting fit disposition may not be able to ensure that safety and security for the citizens, can be provided. And as such, to avert anything going wrong the march must not be allowed.

Now that is a shame. How can we belittle our men in blue? Have they not far surpassed their antiquated counterparts of the kaki-brown outfits? If they cannot even ensure a safe environment for their own citizens who want to march peacefully, can you imagine what a mayhem it would be if the millions of illegal immigrants assembled at KLCC?

The government must not fear its own shadow. Least, it must trust its own citizens. After all Bersih 2.0 is not about waging war against the BN government. It is about the very nation's interest which the BN government has claimed to be caring for these past five over decades.

It is all about hope.

And "hope is that thing inside us that insists … that something better awaits us if we have the courage to reach for it." (Barrack Obama, 2008).  

Unless of course, if the government believes that Malaysians are all like wild cattle and raging bulls. Period.

Local Authorities Blacklisting Ops with RTD a fraud against the public?

Posted: 17 Jun 2011 06:16 PM PDT

It is an observed fact that these Authorities approve shop lot planning with car park to shop ratios that invariably will ensure that the car parks provided will ALWAYS be grossly insufficient for the public.

By Frustrated

Sitting in a coffee shop discussing headlines in various news media that the Road Transport Department is ready to help local governments with unpaid traffic related compound fines by blacklisting defaulters, I wondered aloud and asked my regular kopi kakis why road users should be so recalcitrant.

The consensus came as a shock. The reason why road users refuse to pay traffic compounds issued by the local authorities, according to my regular kopi kakis is simple: Unlike police traffic summonses, they regard the traffic tickets issued as a fraud against road users!

What these road users have suspected for quite some time is that Local Authorities such as DBKL, MPPJ and MPAJ regard traffic fines and compounds to be an important source of revenue to them. This is borne out by the fact that DBKL alone claims to have RM160 Million in unpaid fines. If we add in the paid compounds and fines, the figure must be staggering! Add in all the Local Authorities in the country and the figure runs into more than half a billion ringgit, which in turn will burgeon into billions of ringgit when we add in the paid portion of their traffic compounds and fines!

It is an observed fact that these Authorities approve shop lot planning with car park to shop ratios that invariably will ensure that the car parks provided will ALWAYS be grossly insufficient for the public. This can be borne out by taking a casual drive to any part of town or housing estate with shop lots in Kuala Lumpur or Petaling Jaya or any city in  the country. You can drive around for the car park lots again and again and in all likelihood will not find a proper vacant lot as the planning department has ensured that the car park to shop lot ratio is insufficient. What makes it worse is that these Local Authorities carry out car park delineation exercises from time to time, removing a sizable portion of available parking lots. What this is tantamount to is that the Local Authorities are in effect, encouraging the commission of a parking offense and worse, is committing a fraud against the public!

When I ponder the actions of the Tunisian street hawker, Mohamed Bouazizi who was so depressed by constant harassment by his local City Hall officials who had time and again confiscated his hawker stall, that he set himself on fire, lighting a fuse that sparked a region wide revolutionary explosion that toppled Tunisian strongman President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali and also President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, I can't help but think that it is precisely such actions that destroys the legitimacy of Local Governments and governments by extension, in the eyes of the people.

In the circumstances, I call upon the government to require all Local Authorities and their planning departments to ensure that car parks are made available according to a fair and equitable ratio before they are able to impose compounds and fines. All previous compounds and fines should be extinguished until a fair and equitable ratio is established and a just solution is found.

The Fourth Challenge of Vision 2020, butchered

Posted: 17 Jun 2011 06:12 PM PDT

With two decades under the bridge and hardly a decade to the grandeur goal of Year 2020, we witness how far we have drifted from the much acclaimed Wawasan's nine challenges.

By J. D. Lovrenciear

 

In 1991 the then prime minister of Malaysia launched Vision 2020. The nine challenges spelt out in this vision that promised to propel Malaysia onto the platform of the developed world seized the nation with fervent hope comparable perhaps to the spirit that marched the nation to Merdeka in 1957.

Today, after almost two decades, we witness how that same political party that served the Tun Dr Mahathir has placed Vision 2020 in a precarious dilemma. With two decades under the bridge and hardly a decade to the grandeur goal of Year 2020, we witness how far we have drifted from the much acclaimed Wawasan's nine challenges.

One of the nine challenges which we cannot deny butchering mercilessly and incessantly is the fourth challenge.

For the millions who do not even recall any of the nine challenges, the fourth challenge is about "establishing a fully moral and ethical society, whose citizens are strong in religious and spiritual values and imbued with the highest of ethical standards" (Malaysia: The Way Forward, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, February, 1991).

Let us take a quick cursory tour of the all too familiar episodes these past several years:

We have witnessed the ugly Sodomy I that split people along religious, moral and ethical values.

We witnessed 'cow head' marches; the Bible stamping (or defacing as how the rakyat have come to regard the incident);  the outcries for race and religion-based blood at UMNO's Assembly; the re-instatement of sex-tainted politicians within BN while crusading against others; and many more incidents that echoed the desecration of moral and ethical principles synonymous of a civilized society.

Today we are still struggling under the strangulating Sodomy II accompanied by a free-fall of porn tapes flooding the country without any restrain or punitive action.

Today the battle cry for political power is one that is based on the dangerous boundaries of race and religion. And money politics is the standard operating procedure.

The fourth challenge of Vision 2020 is demanding the establishment of a 'strong and fully moral and ethical society'. But going by the numerous cases of corruption that are being dragged slowly through the hallways of justice or still waiting outside the very fences of justice, raises more questions than providing answers.

So many individuals within the corridors of power and wealth have brazenly continued their plundering antics without any cares for this fourth challenge that was chiseled by the same government two decades ago.

Just look at the way a top public servant drove up in his Rolls Royce to cast his vote recently. Just look at the way we are hearing of how politicians are spending huge sums of money. How about the eyeball-popping amount of money being splurged to renovate one's home? What about the still missing link of having C4-ed a foreign national and having her entry-egress immigration records vanish?

Illicit sex and corruption - the very enemy of an ethical and fully moral society has taken its root, thereby butchering one of Malaysia's nine challenges originally designed to seeing the nation rise to ride the big waves of developed status.

And we are till this day continuing with more sleaze, sins of sex, corruption, flimsy accounting of national expenditure, and what have you.

Even the Bersih 2.0 rally which in essence is all about propping-up and propelling the fourth challenge of Vision 2020 is instead being resisted and arm-twisted with all kinds of jeopardizing threats.

Meanwhile, if you took a tour of PAS controlled territories, for example, you see a different picture. Every effort is being taken to strengthen the morals and ethics within the society - its followers and leaders. The most recent transformational and quantum leap creation of a moderate PAS and the successful establishment of its 'Welfare State' principle of governance are to be noted.

Visiting a PAS managed State will give one a first-hand appreciation of how citizens live respectfully of each other's religious and spiritual values. You never get to hear of 'cow head' marches; discrimination and copyright issues in the use of the name of God; peddling of sex-porn videos to discredit anyone; etc.

BN should re-appraise itself. Rather than take a defensive position with retaliation, it serves well for serious reflection. Sincere accountability in a transparent manner with a generous sprinkling of humility and admissibility can serve BN better. Even the very principle architect of our nation's Wawasan till this day is of no help either especially with his cynical and divisive and deeply entrenched responses in the media.

The question that matters is: Since it was the BN government that originated the Vision 2020 and spelt out so crystal clearly the nine challenges for every Malaysian, why is it today, that same BN is butchering the very challenges especially the fourth of the nine benchmarks of a developed nationhood?

Or has Vision 2020 been dumped?


Lawyers for Liberty interviews on Australian media

Posted: 17 Jun 2011 06:07 PM PDT

Lawyers for Liberty

In the last few days, LFL has been interviewed several times by ABC Radio and SBS Australia regarding the Malaysian-Australian refugee swap deal.

BRENDAN TREMBATH: The Australian Government is under renewed attack today over its plan to send 800 unprocessed asylum seekers to Malaysia.

The Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has indicated today she'll push to amend the Migration Act. If she succeeds the Federal Government will have to gain Parliament's permission before sending asylum seekers to a third country.

The so-called Malaysian solution has angered human rights groups and refugee advocates. They say that because Malaysia is not a signatory to the refugee convention, asylum seekers have no legal status in the country and are vulnerable to exploitation, arbitrary arrest and trafficking.

Renuka Balasubramaniam is a director with Lawyers for Liberty in Malaysia. She's in Sydney for the 2011 Refugee Convention at the University of New South Wales. She explained to me why she opposes the Government's plan.

RENUKA BALASUBRAMANIAM: Malaysia has not signed on to the refugee convention and therefore it has no international legal obligations and rather it thinks it has no international legal obligations to provide any kind of protection to asylum seekers or registered refugees.

There is an arrangement between UNHCR and the Malaysian government to render a sort of protection in the sense that they will not be deported so long as they have been granted status by UNHCR and then the Malaysia government cooperates with the UNHCR to ensure their resettlement.

But apart from that there really aren't any other protections. There is no right to work. There is no medical care, no insurance or social security.

BRENDAN TREMBATH: So these people are effectively in limbo. Who looks after them then?

RENUKA BALASUBRAMANIAM: They try to eke out a living by making ends meet with whatever work they can get. But given the fact that most Malaysian employers are fully aware that they do not have work permits they're susceptible to exploitation.

Very often we have cases of refugees who have worked and not been paid, who have suffered injuries or death while at work and not found any kind of redress. They are constantly victims of extortion by not just the authorities but also members of the public or criminals.

For those who get arrested post-detention in immigration detention camps due to the fact that they usually do not have the means to pay for their deportation, they will be sent to the Thai border.

And at the Thai border there have been cases of human trafficking. And the way it works is that those who cannot afford to pay for their own releases have to work to pay off their so-called debt and are sometimes sold to brothels.

BRENDAN TREMBATH: What concerns do you have about the Australian arrangement with Malaysia given that Malaysia has not ratified the refugee convention and the people who end up in Malaysia are undocumented workers?

RENUKA BALASUBRAMANIAM: The biggest concern would be the fact that number one Malaysia has no legally binding obligations. And then there's Malaysia's history to look at.

Malaysia has on numerous occasions given assurances to civil society in Malaysia that for example the refugees would be given the right to work or that they would not be prosecuted for illegal entry or that they would be protected from corporal punishment which is discretionary for those convicted of illegal entry.

But none of these assurances have been delivered on. And there's a very good reason for that. There is no administrative or regulatory infrastructure that might enable the Malaysian government to deliver on those assurances.

And this is our greatest concern. Regardless of any arrangement or assurance that they might give to the Australian Government, short of a major revamp in the way that Malaysia looks at migration and the Immigration Act - I might add that the Immigration Act currently is more than 40 years old.

So short of these major structural changes to laws and policies I just don't see how the government would be able to live up to its agreement to Australia.

Read more at: http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2011/s3244775.htm




 

BN faces Kuantan voter backlash over rare earth plans

Posted: 17 Jun 2011 03:10 PM PDT

By Shannon Teoh, The Malaysian Insider

KUANTAN, June 18 — In the middle of March, Aida Rahim walked into her office and told her colleagues how excited she was after putting pen to paper on a RM150,000 house in Balok.

Only then did she find out that just 5km away in the Gebeng industrial zone, a rare earth plant was being constructed, raising fears of radiation pollution among citizens of Kuantan.

"I was really excited about the new house until I found out about Lynas," the mother of three told The Malaysian Insider.

Like the 30-year-old clerk, residents around Kuantan are angry with the government for allowing the Australian miner to begin constructing the refinery that is expected to begin operations in September.

A straw poll conducted by The Malaysian Insider found that 12 of 13 residents here were against the plant, with a sole voice saying she had not yet made her mind up.

Over two-thirds also said that if the government went ahead and approved the plant after ordering a month-long review that concludes at the end of the month, they would not vote for Barisan Nasional (BN) in a general election expected within the year.

This has caused concern among some BN lawmakers, who now want to back the protest against the refinery. But it could already be too late.

"The government can do what it wants now. When it is time to vote, then I will be king," said Y. T. Cheong, who sells electrical appliances in Kuantan town.

Both Lynas and the government have strenuously defended the RM700 million plant, declaring the radiation levels to be minimal.

The government also expects RM2.3 billion in spinoff investments as well as thousands of job opportunities to spring from a rare earth industry that is crucial for the manufacture of high-technology products such as smartphones, hybrid cars and bombs.

But Kuantan residents are not convinced that the economic benefits outweigh the risks.

 

READ MORE HERE.

Wan Ahmad: NGOs should not fight for political parties

Posted: 17 Jun 2011 02:45 PM PDT

(The Star) - Political parties are exploiting the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (Bersih), said Election Commission deputy chairman Datuk Wira Wan Ahmad Wan Omar.

He said non-governmental organisations (NGOs) should know better than to allow political parties to make use of them for cheap propaganda.

"The EC had given detailed explanations to every point and issue raised by (Bersih organiser) Datuk S. Ambiga and other NGOs during a dialogue held last year.

"If the NGOs still feel strongly about certain matters, they should push for amendments to the existing laws and regulations, instead of taking matters to the street for cheap political mileage," he said.

Wan Ahmad was responding to Bersih's insistence that they would continue with the July 9 rally.

Wan Ahmad said the EC was looking into reforming the postal vote system.

"On political corruption, we have explained to Ambiga which authority plays a pivotal role, and the EC, MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) and the police are working closely to check such activities."

He added that the NGOs should not allow themselves to be used by irresponsible political leaders.

"NGOs should fight in the interest of democracy, not in the interest of political parties," Wan Ahmad said.

"The fact that Pakatan Rakyat won five states in the last election, and DAP won many seats in the recent Sarawak election shows that the electoral process is free and fair."

 

Agong orders MAIPP to find new procedures to appoint mosque committee members

Posted: 17 Jun 2011 02:40 PM PDT

(Bernama) - Yang Dipertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin has ordered Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAIPP) set up an independent committee to find new procedures in appointing mosque committee members.

MAIPP president Ellias Zakaria said the message was conveyed when he had an audience with Tuanku Mizan accompanied by Penang Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas at Istana Negara this morning.

He said that committee members to be appointed and new procedures proposed will have to get consent from Tuanku Mizan as the head of Islam for Penang.

"Tuanku Mizan wants everybody to protect and respect the dignity and sanctity of mosque as a house of God and a religious institution for the community," he told reporters here today.

Ellias said Tuanku Mizan also ordered that the proposed mosque committee elections for 2012-2013 tomorrow be called off.

Tuanku Mizan had also consented to extend the appointment of existing mosque committee members until Dec 31, 2012.

He reminded that selection of mosque committee members should be made in the spirit of voluntarism, harmony and love for each other.

"All parties must abide and view the Agong's decision positively and in terms of wisdom. Please don't speculate."

On Monday, the DAP-led Penang government decided to conduct mosque committee elections in 200 mosques.

Meanwhile, Penang Umno liaison chairman Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman said Tuanku Mizan's decision to call off mosque committee elections shows that he is concerned with unity, cooperation and peace in the state.

"The decision by the head of Islam is appropriate and welcomed by the people who don't want Muslims to split due to mosque elections."

Zainal said this shows that the Penang government and MAIPP could not take things for granted as they need to get consent from the Agong before conducting elections.

 

Isn’t a one-race civil service a form of apartheid?

Posted: 17 Jun 2011 02:28 PM PDT

What if it had been an emergency case where a life was at stake? Malays have to be made aware that an incompetent and one-race dominated civil service may not be beneficial to them and as the majority, they would be the ones ultimately most affected. With such experiences, you can understand why I resigned from the public health sector.

Written by Dr Boo Cheng Hau, CPI

I remember once as a young medical officer, I was boycotted by operating theatre staff when I wanted stern action taken against a staff nurse who went for a kenduri when she was supposed to scrub for a surgery.

An assistant nurse had to cover up for her delinquent senior. Both the nurses – the one who had absented herself and the one suddenly forced to relieve her duty – were Malay. The young patient lying on my operating table waiting to deliver her baby was Malay too. And also Malay, the anaesthesist and other operating theatre staff who gave me the cold shoulder after I remonstrated with the matron.

I had informed Matron right away after I found the young nurse shivering in fear because she was thrown into the deep end and unprepared to assist in a surgery. If I had expected disciplinary action to be taken, I was disappointed. My colleagues who rallied around the race banner sadly failed to see that the patient (someone belonging to their own ethnic community) about to give birth deserved the best medical care.

What if it had been an emergency case where a life was at stake? Malays have to be made aware that an incompetent and one-race dominated civil service may not be beneficial to them and as the majority, they would be the ones ultimately most affected. With such experiences, you can understand why I resigned from the public health sector.

One of my Malay superiors urged me to "think about the service" but then again, if only the Malays themselves could think about how racism among civil servants has hindered their own progress.

1Malay first and foremost

Malaysia has a "huge and largely ethnic Malay civil service, completely loyal to Umno, but increasingly incompetent" that is the biggest obstacle to Prime Minister Najib Razak's 1Malaysia. This was the view of former Economic Planning Unit deputy director-general K. Govindan, according to a leaked United States diplomatic cable.

The WikiLeaks that appeared in Malaysia Today on June 6 had the cable further quoting Govindan's opinion that our civil service adopts "a very narrow worldview and will oppose, even refuse to implement, reforms perceived as damaging ethnic Malay interests, even if convinced of the long-run gains for Malaysia".

Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has referred to the service as a "Malay administration". He did not even bother to pass it off as a "bumiputera administration" in which case it can be claimed by the non-Muslim natives of East Malaysia. Alas, the Orang Asli indigenous to the peninsula do not even figure in the equation.

Non Malays have been gradually cleansed from the public sector with only a few remaining now in crucial and inevitable sectors such as teaching in vernacular schools. The Orang Asli have been totally excluded.

Umno ultra nationalists defend majority-race dominance as justifiable opposed to the minority-race dominance previously in South Africa under apartheid. They're pretending their systemic racism is not discernible to the rest of the world even if the minorities in Malaysia are resigned to this supremacist order of public affairs.

The public sector should reflect the country's plural society or in other words, set the example and no longer display the same 'ethnic imbalances' blamed on the divide-and-rule policy under British colonial rule.

Not a 'reasonable' apportioning

Mahathir and his ultras claim their affirmative action differs from apartheid. Yet the end result of the affirmative or rather discriminative action is the monopoly of all aspects of socio-economic life by a single politically dominant ethnic majority. One example of the 1Malay administration at work is the annual Public Service Department (JPA) scholarship disbursement where top non-Malay students appear to have been systematically sidelined.

Even though Article 8 (2) of the Federal Constitution states that all citizens are eligible if suitably qualified by educational standards to enter any branch of the public service, and there can be no discrimination on grounds of race, religion and the like, in reality, the Malay ultras have ignored this constitutional provision.

The public sector can declare that it is devoid of racial discrimination only if its staff composition reasonably reflects the ethnic composition of the country and its intake based primarily on merit. The competence, integrity and efficiency of personnel must take precedence over one's skin colour and ancestral status.

In 1967, the Malays accounted for 68 percent of all civil servants (Supian Ali and Mohd Zainuddin: p.162). Chinese accounted for 16 percent and Indians 15 percent. In 1968, Malays outnumbered non-Malays only in two (administrative services and legal services) out of nine public service areas, and accounted about half of the uniformed services manpower (Mohamed Suffian: p.297). Nonetheless, many top administrative jobs, legal officer and technical posts were held by the Chinese and Indians.

Under clause (2) of article 153 in the constitution, it is the responsibility of the Yang Dipertuan Agong acting on Cabinet advice to ensure the reservation for Malays and natives of Borneo a "reasonable proportion" of positions in the federal public service. The constitution also prohibits any deprivation of a person of any public office held by him; and public servants all races of all levels must be treated impartially (Mohamed Suffian: p.294).

The constitution compels that any preferential treatment must still be reasonable to all ethnic groups and merit take precedence. The implementation of preferential policies has to be transparent.

In 1978, the American court ruled in Regents of University of California v. Bakke that merit must take precedence over ethnicity in the implementation of affirmative action, and reverse racism as well as racial quotas are strictly forbidden.

Strictly speaking, racial quotas have been found by the courts to be unconstitutional and not regarded as affirmative action in the United States. Instead racial quotas were the main feature of apartheid in South Africa.

READ MORE HERE

 

Starving the people because of politics?

Posted: 17 Jun 2011 02:13 PM PDT

Shafie on the other hand had long been rumoured to be the main candidate to take over Musa as Chief Minister. But he was out of the reach of Musa's long and powerful hands because Shafie was and is a federal minister. Perhaps the only way Shafie's influence could be controlled was by blocking development funds allocated through Shafie to Sabah. With such projects being blocked and not implemented, Shafie could at least be kept in check and have his influence limited among the Umno members in Sabah.

Daniel John Jambun

The latest revelation of problems within Umno Sabah is a cause for worry and dismay for many reasons. If the internal politicking, popularity war, and battle for power were just rumours all this while, they have now been revealed to be real-life drama, and revealed not by the opposition, but the Umno leaders themselves. The battle royale is the order of the day, and at what terrible costs to the people of Sabah!

The revelation by Datuk Khairy Jamaluddin, and later by Datuk Shafie Apdal and Datuk Rahim Ismail, that there is indeed a cold war gong on inside the Sabah Umno, speaks volumes about many shocking realities. Among these are, Sabah Umno is no longer a solid entity – it is cracking at the seams; Datuk Musa Aman no longer commands the respect and loyalty of the leaders and members of Umno in Sabah; there is intense dissatisfaction with the leadership hence the silent calls for change within Umno Sabah; and there are at least two major groupings or factions in Umno Sabah. And by the look of it there is no way this factionalism is ever going to be resolved because Kuala Lumpur is most likely to be backing one faction because of the longstanding effort to force a change in Sabah Umno's leadership.

 

Umno has learned a lot from what had transpired before and after the recent Sarawak election. Taib was a reason for the BN losses in many areas because the old man has been in the seat too long. Surely, if not for the constant intimidation, fear, daylight bribery and obvious vote rigging, the election result would have been totally different altogether. These lessons from Sarawak are now possibly being applied to Sabah for many reasons.

 

The outspoken stance by Rahim Ismail is not new. After the budget presentation by the Chief Minister last year, Rahim questioned the rationale of the state budget, accusing a certain part of it having a reversal in meaning because a liability was factored as an asset – a possible case of creative accounting. He said "On the state's estimated revenue of RM2,747.9 million in 2011 which is less than the estimated RM3 billion for this year, I am interested to learn that the difference in budget for 2010 was due to the state government issuing RM544 million worth of bonds .... please explain why the issuance of bonds is considered as the state's revenue when it is in fact a liability" (Borneo Post, Nov. 25, 2010).

 

This request for an explanation was never responded to. The root of this confrontation was Musa's decision to drop Rahim from the cabinet because Rahim was seen as the main challenge to Musa at one time. So you reap what you sow, the ghost of history comes back to haunt the present.

 

Shafie on the other hand had long been rumoured to be the main candidate to take over Musa as Chief Minister. But he was out of the reach of Musa's long and powerful hands because Shafie was and is a federal minister. Perhaps the only way Shafie's influence could be controlled was by blocking development funds allocated through Shafie to Sabah. With such projects being blocked and not implemented, Shafie could at least be kept in check and have his influence limited among the Umno members in Sabah.

 

Because of this action, which is unthinkable and shameful, the people are paying a heavy price. It is like what the Malay proverb says: Gajah sama gajah berperang, pelanduk mati di tengah-tengah (when two elephants start fighting, the mousedeer dies in between them). Having millions of ringgits of development fund blocked is clearly a form of cruel betrayal of the people's trust. It is a case of sabotaging the people's right to development, an inhuman act which has no mercy or conscience – all done for the sake of power and politics! Someone should proceed to calculate the losses in monetary terms and seek a remedy for the people who have been denied their development rights.

 

Rahim has said in his letter to the editor last Sunday that the proof of the sabotage can easily be obtained from the local authorities. As such he and Shafie should reveal the full list of projects which had been blocked. The people have a right to know because those projects were meant for them.

 

If it's true then Musa must stand accountable for the detriment to the welfare of the people of Sabah in a saga perhaps without precedence or parallel. If this was happening in the developed countries, the whole thing would have been a full-blown scandal with calls for Musa to take responsibility and resign without delay – all because of the selfishness, immorality and inhumanity of what is being done or not done. No wonder then that the poverty rate in Sabah has been getting from bad to worse, with the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer.

 

While development fund is being denied us, on top of the problem of development funds slashed through unbelievable kickbacks, the people are sinking deeper and deeper into the frightful sinkhole of inflation. Even urban poverty has increased with the already low income earners losing their purchasing power because of the frequent increases in commodity prices as a result of the subsidy cuts.

 

With this sorry man-made economic obstacle, Sabah is certain to miss the opportunity to become a developed state by 2015 as promised by Musa himself. For the same reason the blockage of funds also caused the unseen and incalculable economic spin offs and trickle-down effects. I find it also quite incredible that Datuk Ewon Ebin as the Minister of Rural Development came to Musa's defence so fast. Rahim stands by his statement, making Musa's and Ewon's denials their words against Rahim's -- words which have a strong smell of the truth.

 

Note that the LDP had raised all sorts of attacks against Musa (beginning with Datuk Chong Kah Kiat's resignation as Deputy Chief Minister in 2007), there was a quarrel about the Umno Sabah building in which Rahim, as the building committee member was seen as disgruntled (but he later relented saying "As far as Sabah Umno is concerned, I can assure you that everything is above board"). Datuk Marcus Mojigoh made his anti-Musa statement, which was published as a front-page news, lambasting Musa for monopolizing certain projects, and Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan has made 27 police reports against Musa which the then BPR brushed aside as having "no case". There is the perception also that the Chief Minister is involved too much in business to be able to perform to his maximum as the state's top executive, and that his business interests are putting him in a conflict of interests as the Chief Minister.  

Obviously, it is not just the opposition who wants a change in the leadership of the state. If even Umno's top leaders are hopping mad, imagine how the opposition feels about the state of things in Sabah!

 

Bersih: PAS pledges free legal service 'all the way'

Posted: 17 Jun 2011 02:11 PM PDT

(Harakah Daily) - PAS Youth's Law and Human Rights Unit has pledged free legal representation to anyone arrested for the charge of illegal assembly during the upcoming Bersih rally next month.

"We will give legal representation to those detained from the moment of their arrest up to the appeal process in the highest courts, free of charge," said its chairman Ahmad Zamri Asa'ad Khuzami.

In a response to a threat by deputy Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar that police would make "preventive arrests" of those behind the rally, Zamri said the statement only revealed Khalid's ignorance about Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.

"We sympathise with Malaysians who have to put up with a deputy police chief who is ignorant of the law and who does not understand the people's basic right which is fundamental in a democracy," Zamri said.

Zamri said Malaysians must stand firm to defend their rights and not be cowed by threats, and urged the public to join the 2.00 pm rally on July 9 in Kuala Lumpur.

The rally is the second major rally called by the electoral reform group Bersih after its 2007 rally attended by more than 50,000 people in the capital.

Earlier, UMNO's sister organisation Perkasa said its supporters would hold another gathering to "clash" with rally participants. Both groups have also lodged more than 400 police reports calling on police to stop the rally saying such street protests would disrupt businesses.

However, in a break from its own stand against street demonstration, UMNO Youth leader Khairy Jamaluddin announced that his men would join Perkasa in expressing support for the current electoral system opposed by Bersih.

Meanwhile, Juham said any attempt to make "preventive arrests" would go against basic principles of the criminal justice system.

"Does such a statement (by police to make preventive arrests) mean that the police will invoke the Internal Security Act to detain innocent people?" asked Zamri.

He said as the guardian of public interest, Khalid should not have made such a threat.

Saying people have the right to peaceful assembly, Zamri said the police had no right to arrest them unless they were involved in crime.

He added that even Section 27 of the Police Act was aimed at ensuring peace during a gathering and not to deny people's right to gather.

 

Pas spooks Umno on Islamic state

Posted: 17 Jun 2011 02:05 PM PDT

The long overdue PAS decisions on Islam meant that Umno, principally, and MCA in tow, would no longer be able to use PAS as the bogeyman to intimidate non-Muslims

It was DAP stalwart Karpal Singh who once thundered that "Malaysia will only be an Islamic state over my dead body." Karpal need not have been that melodramatic. The Federal Constitution is a secular one despite Article 3 reading that "Islam is the religion of the Federation." There's separation of church and state in Malaysia and other religions can be practiced in peace and harmony.

Joe Fernandez, Free Malaysia Today

There has been some good news from PAS in the last few days for diehard opposition alliance, Pakatan Rakyat, supporters. The party finally dropped its quest for an Islamic state in Malaysia.

It's also even considering dropping the term Islam altogether from its name.

It's ironic considering the fact that Umno had at one time proposed that no party in Malaysia should be allowed to use the term Islam in its name.

That was enough to raise the heckles at the PAS headquarters while the party faithful vowed a Holy War (Jihad) in retaliation. Umno put its tail between its legs and backed down in a humiliating defeat.

The latest developments at PAS no longer make de facto PKR chief Anwar Ibrahim and his party the glue that brings together the Islamists and DAP in an "unholy union of sinners and saints". It was like forcing oil and water to mix and provoking claims from Umno that "this (PAS-DAP) is a marriage of convenience that would not last."

It was DAP stalwart Karpal Singh who once thundered that "Malaysia will only be an Islamic state over my dead body." Karpal need not have been that melodramatic. The Federal Constitution is a secular one despite Article 3 reading that "Islam is the religion of the Federation." There's separation of church and state in Malaysia and other religions can be practiced in peace and harmony.

The long overdue PAS decisions on Islam meant that Umno, principally, and MCA in tow, would no longer be able to use PAS as the bogeyman to intimidate non-Muslims into submission and to vote en bloc for the ruling Barisan Nasional.

PAS had always been about Islam the faith unlike Umno which, like most political parties in the Muslim world, continues to flog Islam the Politics.

Umno had perennially painted visions of hand-chopping and stoning to death, among others, in a PAS-run Islamic state in Malaysia. In an Islamic state, non-Muslims would lose most of their rights including the equality that they now enjoy and would in fact be inferior in status in every aspect to Muslims, Umno further keeps warning the infidels or non-believers (kafir).

Women, in an Islamic state, would be reduced to virtual sex slaves as evident in the tenets of the recently-inaugurated Obedient Wives Club (OWC) where the motto is "to be prepared for sex and nothing else at any time of the day and night."

The better alternative

The latest take on Islam from PAS comes in the wake of political developments in the Middle East. These democratic developments have relegated the militants, Al Qaeda in particular, to the backwaters as their dreams of bringing back the caliphate spanning an Islamic Empire remains a non-starter.

That doesn't mean that PAS recognises that there are no longer any issues in the Muslim world over Islam.

The back to the Quran movement continues, albeit living on hope and wishful thinking, in order to re-interpret the Holy Book of the Muslims to make it contemporary and, thereby, relevant. This involves however ditching the four Hadiths, Traditions of the Prophet, in order to allow the Quran to be re-interpreted or, alternatively, risk irrelevance like Confucianism.

The Chinese philosophy, introduced by Confucius after dredging deep into the country's past, enslaved China for generations and centuries in rigidity unparalleled in world history and paved the way for domination by western colonialist and imperial powers. The Muslim World is still suffering the same fate since the Europeans discovered a sea route to the east to circumvent the former's control of the land routes.

The return to the Quran will allow the emergence of an Islamic state in every sense of the world. An Islamic state is one where God is the Head of State, the Quran is the Constitution, and the Syariah – Path of God – forms the basis of the legal system. By this reckoning, no Muslim-majority country in the world qualifies as an Islamic state. But the question remains: Who will bell the cat?

Parties like PAS, meanwhile, have to carry on even as they reckon with a world where Islam the Politics has eclipsed Islam the Faith. An additional worry in Malaysia is that almost half the population is non-Muslim and in Sabah and Sarawak, overwhelmingly non-Muslim with the Christians predominating.

READ MORE HERE

 

Website attacks part of Bersih rally, says Rais

Posted: 17 Jun 2011 11:43 AM PDT

(The Malaysian Insider) - KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 — Information, Communications, and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim today expressed belief that yesterday's mass attacks on local websites may be connected to the upcoming Bersih rally.

Earlier, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili told reporters that initial investigations showed 90 per cent of attackers who participated in the attacks were based in Malaysia.

Today, Rais described the cyber attacks as politically-motivated and intended to disrupt the workings of the government, but did not provide details as to how the denial of service attacks were related to the July 9 rally pushing for electoral reforms.

"If for example a land authority website is hacked, then property transactions will be interrupted. The same goes for banking and others; these cyber attacks are strange and, sadly, politically motivated," he said in a press conference today.

Rais also said the cyber attackers will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and urged those involved to not damage the country out of anger towards the government.

Operation Malaysia, launched by the international hacker group known as Anonymous, had succeeded in bringing down its main target, malaysia.gov.my, at about 4am yesterday.

But it also spawned attacks on other sites, with the government stating that 60 per cent of the estimated 200 sites belonged to the federal administration.

READ  MORE HERE

 

Feudalism rules

Posted: 16 Jun 2011 07:11 PM PDT

But if you want to retain the Monarchy and continue with Malaysia's system of Constitutional Monarchy then learn how to work with the Rulers. Talk to them. Dialogue with them. Learn how to get their blessing before you embark on anything. Don't act first and make announcements before you get the blessing of the Rulers.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Penang to go ahead with mosque polls

(Bernama) - The Penang government will not budge from its decision to carry out the election of mosque officials as it is accordance with the laws, said its Religious Affairs, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Abdul Malik Abul Kassim.

He said the proposed election adhered to Section 104(a)(b) of the State of Penang Enactment 2004 and 4(1) Congregation Committee and Mosque Officials Requirements (Penang).

"The new procedure introduced by the Penang Islamic Religious Council is an improvement of existing regulatory procedures adopted by the previous state government," he told reporters Monday.

Commenting on calls for the state government to get the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong before holding the mosque polls, Abdul Malik, said the new procedure accorded congregators the right to nominate candidates through mosque committees to the council before getting the consent of the king.

Abdul Malik said the mosque congregation committees would decide whether the congregators were eligible to vote and the state government would set up the congregators' database after the election.

After nomination was closed last Tuesday, 193 out of 200 mosques had sent the nomination lists, he said, adding that this showed the proposed election had received an overwhelming response from congregators.

Meanwhile, Penang Umno Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman said the state Umno had sent an appeal letter to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong through Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, to oppose the move.

"I hope the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the head of Islam will prevent the mosque polls from taking place as it could divide the Muslims," said Zainal.

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

King orders halt to Penang mosque polls

(The Malaysian Insider) - Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin has ordered Penang to call off its controversial mosque elections, the state government said today.

Penang religious affairs, domestic trade and consumer affairs committee chairman Abdul Malik Kassim said the decision was relayed to him by Penang Islamic Council (MAIPP) head Ellias Zakaria earlier today.

"The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has ordered the state mosque elections to be postponed," Abdul Malik said in a statement.

The mosque elections were supposed to be held this weekend.

Abdul Malik said an official statement would be made after a meeting with the MAIPP.

Penang announced earlier this month that the selection of mosque committees in the state would be made through elections this year, in place of the previous method.

Malay rights groups like Perkasa has opposed the move, saying it would only divide the Muslim community in the state.

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

Itulah, jangan cakap besar. Kan dah kena tarik balek kenyataan awal?

When the Penang State Government, or more accurately EXCO Member Abdul Malik Abul Kassim, made his announcement earlier this week, I was quite amused. I said to myself: let us watch what happens. I bet he will be made to eat his words and would have to 'tarik balek' what he initially announced.

We may think that Malaysia is a Constitutional Monarchy. We may think that the Agong acts on the advise of the Prime Minister and the State Rulers on the advice of the Menteri Besar (Chief Minister). The truth is, the State Rulers and Agong do have certain powers that the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, or even Umno cannot take away from them.

Okay, you may say that Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak is using the Agong. You may say that the Agong is just doing what Umno wants him to do. You may say that this is not really what the Agong wants but what Umno wants. Well, in that case, if this is Umno talking and not the Agong talking, then defy His Majesty. Refuse to comply with what the Agong wants and just go ahead with the mosque elections.

The bottom line is, the opposition should stop cakap besar. Don't think that all this sabre-rattling can frighten the Monarchy. The opposition needs to learn how to engage the Monarchy instead of trying to threaten it.

Take Selangor as an example. I told some of the DAP Selangor leaders that they should stop acting like 'Communists' by demonstrating anti-Monarchy tendencies. I even introduced them to some members of the Selangor Royal Family and arranged a few dinners so that they could develop some fellowship.

This anti-songkok thing is stupid, I told them. If the dress code when entering the palace is to use a songkok then what is so wrong in using it? A songkok has nothing to do with Islam. Christians in Indonesia also use songkoks, as do some Hindus in India (which was where the songkok came from in the first place).

DAP must learn to accommodate the palace. They must not be too antagonistic towards the palace. If the palace offers DAP leaders awards (pingat and gelaran) or even datukships just accept them. Don't decline them because you are opposed to symbols of the Monarchy. That would be like telling the Rulers to go to hell. And that is not how you develop a good relationship with the Rulers.

I hope this Penang mosque election fiasco has taught the opposition a lesson. If you wish to defy the Agong by going ahead with the Penang mosque elections then go ahead. No problem. You can even declare that if Pakatan Rakyat takes over the federal government the Monarchy will be abolished and Malaysia will be turned into a Republic.

But if you want to retain the Monarchy and continue with Malaysia's system of Constitutional Monarchy then learn how to work with the Rulers. Talk to them. Dialogue with them. Learn how to get their blessing before you embark on anything. Don't act first and make announcements before you get the blessing of the Rulers.

This piece is not about me being pro-royalty. Yes, I know, many are going to say I am talking this way because I am also a member of the royal family. But it is not that at all. It is about what I wrote earlier with regards to politics being about perception.

The perception being created is that the opposition has no respect for the Monarchy and is defying the Rulers. The perception being created is that the opposition is at odds and is in conflict with the Rulers. Considering that the majority of the voters are Malays and the majority of the seats are Malay seats and without Malay support the opposition can't form the next federal government, this is a perception that does not help the opposition cause.

That is the bottom line. That is the message I am trying to send to the opposition.

Don't give Umno ammunition to use against the opposition. Don't allow Umno to swing the Malays on the basis that the opposition is anti-Monarchy and pro-Republic. Don't allow Umno to capitalise on this perception.

In Perak, the Malays already think that the opposition is anti-Sultan. And that may hurt the opposition in the next general election.
 

 

Your Friday sermon

Posted: 16 Jun 2011 05:52 PM PDT

The government is worried that the BERSIH march of 9th July may end up like the historical Tahrir Square of Cairo incident. I doubt it. The Egyptian government of Hosni Mubarak was evil. The Malaysian government of Najib Razak is not. Only evil governments can fall through street action. Just governments do not fall that way.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Himpunan Bersih bercanggah nilai, etika Islam

Menurut Yadim, usaha untuk mengadakan perhimpunan itu adalah percubaan untuk mengheret rakyat ke kancah kemelut politik yang lebih besar.

(Free Malaysia Today) - Yang Dipertua Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (YADIM) Datuk Aziz Jamaludin Mohd Tahir mendakwa perhimpunan Gabungan Pilihan Raya Bersih dan Adil (Bersih 2.0) pada 9 Julai ini merupakan sesuatu yang bertentangan dengan nilai dan etika Islam.

Read more here: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/06/17/himpunan-bersih-suburkan-anarkisme-bercanggah-nilai-etika-islam/

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

YADIM, an Islamic missionary movement, said that the planned BERSIH march of 9th July 2011 violates Islamic values and ethics. But then what are Islamic values and ethics?

In chapter Ali Imran, verse 104 of the Quran, it says: "Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: They are the ones to attain felicity."

Datuk Aziz Jamaludin Mohd Tahir of YADIM just gave his personal opinion and view. And this personal opinion and view echoes that of Umno and the government.

Incidentally, 500 to 600 police reports have already been made against BERSIH with regards to the 9th July rally.

Aziz Jamaludin, however, did not offer proof or quote any verses from the Quran to support his opinion. And, as they say, opinions are like arseholes -- everybody has one.

Well, I have quoted a verse from the Quran -- chapter Ali Imran, verse 104 above -- and it appears that what the Quran says is opposed to what Aziz Jamaludin says.

So, is the Quran wrong or is Aziz Jamaludin wrong? If Aziz Jamaludin is right then definitely the Quran must be wrong.

The Quran, in the verse above, has clearly defined what are Islamic values and ethics. And these values and ethics are amar makruf, nahi munkar.

This means a group of us must arise to uphold what is right and oppose what is wrong. This is our duty as Muslims. Anywhere that we may see violations, transgressions, evil, fraud, abuse of power, corruption, persecution, racism, or whatever, we must expose it, shun it, avoid it, oppose it, fight it, eradicate it, etc. There is no compromise on the matter. There are no two ways about it. We must become an enemy of the enemy of the people.

Denying the people their right to free, clean and fair elections is a violation of Islamic values and ethics.

Denying the people their right to a government of their choice is a violation of Islamic values and ethics.

Denying the people their right to a just and corrupt-free government is a violation of Islamic values and ethics.

Violating the Federal Constitution of Malaysia is a violation of Islamic values and ethics.

Imposing Rule by Law instead of Rule of Law is a violation of Islamic values and ethics.

Persecution, selective-prosecution, racism, cronyism and nepotism are a violation of Islamic values and ethics.

Manipulation of the judicial system is a violation of Islamic values and ethics.

And the list goes on and on.

Is Aziz Jamaludin saying that all those Muslims who rose up to oppose their governments in the Middle East are un-Islamic?

Is Malaysia going to now declare that all those new governments in the Middle East are tahud governments and Malaysia will not recognise them and will not enter into any diplomatic relations with them?

Will the Ambassadors of the these countries be summoned to Wisma Putra to be told that they will have to close their embassies and their staff given 24 hours to leave Malaysia?

Will Malaysia close all its embassies in these countries and recall its diplomatic staff?

Will Malaysians be banned from travelling to these countries just like they are banned from travelling to Israel?

Note that these Muslim countries also had their own 'BERSIH marches' when they realised that the election system had failed and change can no longer come through the ballot box but only through taking to the streets.

The government is worried that the BERSIH march of 9th July may end up like the historical Tahrir Square of Cairo incident. I doubt it. The Egyptian government of Hosni Mubarak was evil. The Malaysian government of Najib Razak is not. Only evil governments can fall through street action. Just governments do not fall that way.

 

What were you saying again, YB Datuk Zulkifli Noordin?

Posted: 16 Jun 2011 04:08 PM PDT

Art Harun

I read the Malaysian Insider report that YB Datuk Zul Noordin had called to prevent the planned BERSIH rally on July the 9th.

By the way, I did not know that the YB had been bestowed a Datukship. I am sure he deserves it. Congratulations YB Datuk.

YBDZN (short for Yang Berhormat Datuk Zulkifli Noordin – I learn to shorten things from PEMANDU), for the uninitiated, stood in the 2008 GE in Kulim under the PKR banner. His political tagline was, "it is time to change, new hope."

poster_lores

During the campaign, he repeatedly reminded the voters to use their vote wisely. He implored them to use their "sacred hands" to choose a candidate who was commanding and not to chose a devil masked as an angel. This was what he wrote on his blog on 27th Februuary 2008:

"Undilah calon yang berwibawa, bukan jerangkung bertopeng dewa."

I admire his tenacity and conviction, I must say.

He asked the people to vote someone who was clean, someone who was not corrupted or corruptible. He wanted a stronger opposition to fight abuse of power; to fight against corruption and to fight for a better Malaysia. He asked the people to vote for a responsible representative who would  fight for the people's rights and whatever things which are closed to the people's heart. Love this!

tn_UNDI[1]

However, unfortunately, perhaps while suffering a momentary lapse of refinement, he was also prone to a bit of theatrical indulgence such as displayed by this, which appeared on his blog on 5th March 2008 titled "Orang kata KJ macam beruk…":

beruk_or_khairy

That was most unfortunate. But hey, the man has his opinion.

As he was feeling the heat of the election campaign – which was understandable, as he was a rookie of sorts – he developed a dislike against the then Suruhanjaya Pilihanraya (SPR). It looked like the "macam beruk" blog post was not the last showing of his penchant for name calling.

This was evident in his post, titled, almost inevitably, "SPR Barua BN." Wow. For a person who describes himself as the "servant of Allah" and who always fight for Islam, he was very Islam in his language. But hey, the man has an opinion, right?

In that post, YBDZN berated SPR for cancelling the usage of the indelible ink in the 2008 GE. He wrote:

"Memang kita sedia maklum mengharapkan ketelusan daripada SPR samalah seperti mengharap gajah dapat melepasi mata jarum."

Then in April 2008, he advocated freedom of expression by speaking, not once, but three times, about a planned gathering called "Black 14" as a show of support for Anwar Ibrahim. His three posts on that subject appeared here, here and here.

READ MORE HERE

 

M’sian women sending the wrong messages

Posted: 16 Jun 2011 03:37 PM PDT

The PM and his wife appear to have several overseas trips per year and the frequency with which they break off from their official functions for private purposes is seen as corrupt.

Lately, Rosmah Mansor, the wife of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak was again in the spotlight, together with her husband for alleged misuse of public funds. Rosmah, members of her family and an entourage of over 200 people, ostensibly termed officials, combined an official trip with the wedding of Rosmah and Najib's daughter.

Mariam Mokhtar, Free Malaysia Today

Recently, a few Malaysian women, who with their feckless and frivolous nature, made a mockery of the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, have undermined all that women have achieved.

At a time when the nation is on an austerity drive, some women appear to act without discipline.

Whilst women around the world and women of the non-Muslim faith share equal rights with their male counterparts, it appears that some Muslim women in Malaysia appear to want to be deprived of their rights.

Who are these women who have sent out mixed messages? One is the wife of a minister but is itching to be the head of state. Another is a minister who has a penchant for spending, whilst the last is a woman who represents a group who believe that wives should 'obey, serve and entertain' their husbands.

These women are guilty of grossly abusing the positions they hold. Their actions have sparked controversy and attracted condemnation from all quarters.

Most women in the nation have to keep strictly to a budget to maintain their families. However, these women have used taxpayers' money to fund their lavish lifestyles or barmy ideas. When women have struggled to gain the right to work, be educated, be financially independent and have self-worth, some women have decided to reduce themselves to sexual playthings.

Lately, Rosmah Mansor, the wife of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak was again in the spotlight, together with her husband for alleged misuse of public funds. Rosmah, members of her family and an entourage of over 200 people, ostensibly termed officials, combined an official trip with the wedding of Rosmah and Najib's daughter.

Observers say that the same thing happened on an earlier trip to the USA when Rosmah and Najib used their official trip to attend their daughter's graduation ceremony.

Perhaps it is not uncommon for those on business trips to combine their trip with a short holiday after they have conducted their official meetings.

However, the PM and his wife, appear to have several overseas trips per year and the frequency with which they break off from their official functions for private purposes is seen as corrupt, by the public.

It does not help when there is no transparency over these trips and the full and detailed costs are never divulged. What have they to hide if everything is above board?

Naturally they would be horrified to go on a privately funded leave and be asked to break off in the middle to attend to some official function somewhere. They would not hesitate to claim travel expenses and be compensated for the inconvenience.

Rosmah's political ambition

Rosmah appears to have political ambitions with the way she is alleged to 'intrude' in the workings of various departments, the way she goes on overseas trips and represents the government of Malaysia, as on her recent trip to the Middle East and Bangladesh.

Few will forget how she seemed to take charge of the evacuation of the Malaysian students in Egypt during the recent uprising in the country.

Many will wonder about the cost of her treating the airlines as a personal taxi service. On an official trip to the Middle East she returned midway through, to attend the wedding of the Chief Minister of Sarawak, before resuming her middle-eastern tour.

Rosmah's alleged lavish spending on these official trips is legendary and again, taxpayers must balk at how they have to foot the bill for her shopping sprees and the transportation of her gewgaws to Malaysia.

In the last week, Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen was alleged to have spent RM1.8 million to set up a Facebook page, which she has since denied and said instead that the money had been spent on a full social media branding campaign.

Yen Yen is not new to controversy either, for she is a politician who seems unable to shake off her image as a big-time spender. She chalked up a hefty travel bill of RM5 million in three months, ostensibly "promoting Malaysian tourism" by going on a worldwide overseas junket.

Yen Yen can't have forgotten the humiliation in Parliament, last year, when she was called a "tourist minister" rather than the tourism minister.

Meanwhile, the formation of the Obedient Wives Club (OWC) whose vice-president Dr Rohaya Mohamad, drew condemnation from most sectors of the public except, of course, from the Perak Mufti Harussani Zakaria,

Rohaya said that women should be "good wives" by acting like first-class prostitutes and please their husband. She also blamed women for men's social ills.

She said, "If you look at the world today, women are already being treated as sex objects … in magazines, on TV … so why can't they be sex objects to their husbands? It is legal and permitted by God.

"A good wife is a good sex worker to her husband. What is wrong with being a whore in bed for your husband?"

READ MORE HERE

 

‘M’sia was slow in probing Iranian-linked companies’

Posted: 16 Jun 2011 03:20 PM PDT

Washington was also concerned over Malaysia's snail-paced move to replace its IAEA envoy who was sacked for voting against a resolution against Iran.

Just a week ago, another US diplomatic cable leaked by WikiLeaks revealed the attempt by an Iranian-linked Malaysian company, Electrics Component Limited, to purchase TRS-500 gyroscopes used for guiding missiles from China.

Syed Jaymal Zahiid, Free Malaysia Today

Washington was concerned with Malaysia's slow progress in its probe into Malaysian companies suspected of illegal transshipment activities involving Iran, a US diplomatic cable revealed.

The cable, leaked by whistleblower site WikiLeaks and published in news portal Malaysia Today today, said Foreign Affairs Ministry deputy secretary general Zainol Abidin Omar was told to "redouble its effort" after he revealed that nothing concrete was found yet from the probe, launched following US pressure for action on the listed companies.

"'We have requested security agencies to initiate their investigations,' but added that, thus far, 'the investigation has not been able to unearth any activities that are in contravention to UN resolutions'," Zainol was quoted as saying in the cable.

This followed the emphasis made by US diplomats Robert G Rapson and Poloff Nathan that the US has "strong concerns" about the companies listed and their activities, and urged the Malaysian government to work harder.

Just a week ago, another US diplomatic cable leaked by WikiLeaks revealed the attempt by an Iranian-linked Malaysian company, Electrics Component Limited, to purchase TRS-500 gyroscopes used for guiding missiles from China.

The US said that ECL was linked to Iranian firms "Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group (SHIG), which is Iran's primary developer of liquid propellant ballistic missiles, and Heavy Metal Industries, a front company for the tactical missile developer Ya Mahdi Industries".

Both SHIG and Ya Mahdi Industries are sanctioned under United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1737, the cable said, adding that the gyroscopes, used in ballistic and cruise missiles as well as unmanned aircraft, are prohibited for export to Iran under the same resolution.

It also said that ECL had links with another Malaysia-based front company Skylife Worldwide Sdn Bhd.

US doubts IAEA envoy replacement plan

The cable also disclosed Washington's concern over the Malaysian government's snail-paced move to replace its International Atomic Enforcement Agency (IAEA) envoy who was sacked for voting against a resolution against Iran.

Zainol had disclosed to the US diplomats that Mohd Arshad Manzoor Hussain was still the "interim" chairman of the IAEA Board of Governors despite pledges by the Najib administration to replace him immediately last year.

The delay of Arshad's replacement was due the "sensitive" nature of the issue, said Zainol, added the US cable.

The cable revealed US' dissatisfaction with the latter's reply which said that Zainol was "coy in providing a direct answer".

READ MORE HERE

 

Here We Go Again

Posted: 16 Jun 2011 01:14 PM PDT

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Hakim Joe

Malaysia possesses submarines that cannot dive but are able to sail faster than a sampan going upstream. Likewise, we are also buying super expensive helicopters that can possibly out-fly and out-maneuver Superman in flight (in theory only).

Now we are looking at fighter jets to replace the ageing MIG-29N Fulcrum in 2015 and the budget could be in excess of RM6 billion.

Here we go again.

French aerospace company Dassault Aviation is planning to set up an office in Kuala Lumpur within the next few months with the intention of winning this lucrative contract from the Malaysian Government. On offer is their Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) Rafale at an estimated cost of 100 million Euro a pop (depending on who you ask). A squadron of a 12 aircrafts will cost in excess of 1.2 billion Euros (RM5.2 billion without optional extras like Krell Sound System, Liebherr fridge, Bosch reverse sensor or Prometheus dashboard cigar lighter).

Not to be out done, British defense company BAE Systems (who already has a large office in Kuala Lumpur) is offering a better deal. For an estimated RM5.5 billion, BAE Systems will sell to RMAF 10 units of their Tranche 3 Typhoon fighter/interceptor.

Now, how is this a better deal as compared to the Rafale? The Frenchies are offering 12 units whilst the Pommies are offering 10 units. The Frenchies deal cost RM5.2 billion whilst the Pommies deal cost RM5.5 billion. The Rafale is a MRCA whilst the Typhoon is NOT a MRCA.

What BAE Systems is also offering are another 20 units of Tranche 1 Typhoon FOC (gratis, as is basis) that the Royal Air Force is retiring from active service, kind of a "Buy 1 Free 2" offer. Technically, these aircrafts are not entirely free, as the RMAF will need to pay to fit specific items like the communication systems and other support items to be compatible to its existing ground control systems.

Boeing is also in the picture with its offer of the FA-18F Super Hornet (5th Generation) at USD57 million a piece. Cheap? Oops…the USD57 million is only for the chassis alone, not even the paint job. The real cost per unit after installation of the engine, avionics, pylons, radar, etc. approaches USD125 million a unit (without ordnance, training or support) minimum.

However, Boeing is the most optimistic that they are capable of securing this contract as RMAF is already using the FA-18E (4th Generation) and the Malaysian pilots are familiar with the aircraft (hence less training required) plus the important fact that they have appointed three (yes, three) Malaysian companies to do the lobbying for them - Composites Technology Research Malaysia Aero Composites (CTRM AC), SME Aerospace (SMEA), and Spirit AeroSystems. Likewise, of the four potential suppliers, only Boeing has made an official visit to Putrajaya this year to promote their latest aircraft to the former Defense Minister. The other three haven't even applied for their visas.

Composites Technology Research Malaysia Aero Composites is a wholly owned subsidiary of Composites Technology Research Malaysia Sdn Bhd. Based in Batu Berendam, Melaka, CTRM AC is a government-linked company with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated as its major shareholder.

SME Aerospace, based in Sungai Buloh, manufactures aircraft parts, components and assemblies for customers worldwide and is a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Aerospace & Defence Industries Berhad.

Spirit AeroSystems Malaysia Sdn Bhd, based in Kuala Lumpur, is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc. [NYSE: SPR]

The fourth and final offer is from Sweden's SAAB with its JAS 39 Gripen MRCA aircraft at USD60 million a pop even though this offer is considered to be the least successful of the entire lot and the cheapest.

For those detractors that think that the purchase of military aircrafts is not viable due to Malaysia's economic outlook and that we are still financing the current fleet, think again. As of April 2011, a Request For Quotation (RFQ) has been issued to the four manufacturers.

But then again, when and what has economy and cost to do with the purchase of military hardware here in BolehLand? BTW, the submarines still refuse to submerge underwater.

FELDA Ada Potensi Besar Jatuh Bangkrap, Pinjam Wang KWSP RM6 Billion

Posted: 16 Jun 2011 01:41 AM PDT

Felda hari ini mengaku membuat pinjaman RM6 bilion daripada Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja namun menegaskan agensi itu tidak bermasalah membayar semula pinjaman itu.

Timbalan Menteri Di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Ahmad Maslan memberitahu Parlimen, Felda mencatat keuntungan RM1.197 bilion tahun lalu dan dan nilai keseluruhan syarikat itu adalah RM19.18 bilion.

Bagaimanapun Ahmad Maslan tidak dapat memberi penjelasan kenapa, Felda perlu membuat pinjaman RM6bilion jika kedudukan kewangannya kukuh.

Ketua Pembangkang Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim meminta kerajaan Umno-BN menyatakan sama ada RM6 bilion itu digunakan oleh anak syarikat Felda, Felda Global Ventures untuk melabur dalam syarikat milik asing.

Pelaburan itu, menurut Anwar, menyebabkan Felda menanggung kerugian berkumpul RM500 juta dari tahun 1997 hingga tahun lalu.

Malah katanya hal ini mengakibatkan timbul pelbagai persoalan mengenai kelemahan dalam pengurusan dana Felda dan apakah pinjaman yang dibuat bertujuan untuk menampung kerugian agensi terbabit.

"Siapa yang beri kebenaran? Adakah Menteri Kewangan dirujuk dan apa jadi dengan pemimpin-pemimpin korporat yang terlibat dalam kes ini?

"Kalau anda terus bergolak dengan undang-undang dan secara berterusan membuat keputusan bertanggungjawab, Felda akan diterima.

"Dan saya persoalkan keputusan untuk mengambil kerja konsultant. Tidak ada rekod dari segi pengalaman atau kepakaran dalam pelaburan dan teknologi urus niaga perindustrian," ujar beliau.

Ahmad sebelum ini gagal untuk memberikan jawapan kepada Anwar kerana tidak mempunyai maklumat penuh mengenainya.

Pinjaman RM6 bilion oleh Felda itu didedahkan oleh Pengerusi Anak Peneroka Felda Kebangsaan (Anak) Mazlan Aliman pada bulan lalu, namun ia tidak disahkan oleh Felda sehingga kenyataan Ahmad hari ini.

Tahun lalu, Ahmad mengaku, juga di Parlimen, bahawa rizab Felda susut daripada lebih RM4 bilion pada tahun 2004 kepada RM1.35 bilion tahun 2009.

Peneroka Felda dilihat sebagai "simpanan tetap" Umno ketika pilihanraya dan sebarang kritikan terhadap pengurusan Felda sering mengundang tindakan padah daripada pemerintah.

Tahun lalu, lidah rasmi Parti Keadilan Rakyat, Suara Keadilan diharamkan dan disaman kerana mendakwa Felda mungkin bangkrap jika terus menanggung kerugian akibat pemborosan dan pelaburan yang tersasar.

Sementara itu, Anwar turut menyangkal keterangan Ahmad kononnya Felda mencatatkan keuntungan tinggi, sebaliknya ujar beliau, agensi itu mampu memperoleh keuntungan berlipat ganda sekiranya pengurusan lebih telus.

READ MORE HERE

 

WIKILEAKS: US concerns regarding Malaysian companies suspected of illegal transshipment activities

Posted: 16 Jun 2011 01:00 AM PDT

Following up on PM PDAS Countryman's January 14 meeting with the Malaysian Ambassador to Washington about the missing F-5 engines case (ref E), DCM reiterated to Zainol the seriousness with which we view this issue and that we look forward to a full report/accounting by the GOM. This was necessary to ensure the US has the "fullest confidence" in Malaysia's ability to handle and account for sensitive defense equipment. 

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 KUALA LUMPUR 000049

 

SIPDIS

 

FOR EAP/MTS, ISN, PM AND INR

 

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2030

TAGS: PREL, KNNP, PARM, IAEA, MNUC, PGOV, IR, MY

SUBJECT: MALAYSIA: MFA VIEWS ON NON-PRO, IAEA, AND EXPORT CONTROL LAW

 

REF: A. 09 STATE 126209 -- U.S. APPROACH TO NPT CONFERENCE

     B. 09 STATE 128736 -- NEXT STEPS WITH MALAYSIAN ON

        PROLIFERATION

     C. 09 KL 917 -- EINHORN MEETINGS IN KUALA LUMPUR

     D. 09 KL 977 -- GOM STATEMENT ON IAEA VOTE

     E. STATE 5003 -- PM A/S MEETING WITH MALAYSIAN

        AMBASSADOR

 

Classified By: Political Counselor Brian D. McFeeters for reasons 1.4 b and d.

 

Summary

1. (S) The DCM met with MFA Deputy Secretary General Zainol Abidin Omar on January 15 to convey Ref A talking points and to discuss a range of other counter-proliferation and export control-related issues (refs A and B).  Referencing special information that was provided to the GOM in early-November by S/SANAC Einhorn, Zainol said that the GOM was still looking into Malaysian companies suspected of illegal transshipment activities involving Iran, but otherwise no concrete actions had been taken. 

DCM urged the GOM to "redouble" its efforts in this area.  Zainol advised that his government was still deliberating internally the disposition of dual-use components and equipment that were seized by Malaysian authorities on December 25 from a Middle East-bound vessel.

Regarding a new Export Control law, Zainol said that it was now under near-final review at the Attorney General's office, but he offered no timeline on when the bill might be presented to parliament.  On the fate of their Ambassador (Arshad) to the IAEA, Zainol indicated that naming of a successor was a sensitive issue and that it may take several weeks (or longer) for a final decision. 

Zainol did state that, in the interim, Arshad was still Chairman of the IAEA Board of Governors.  DCM encouraged the GOM to move quickly on a replacement to clear up the "confusion" at the IAEA on Arshad's status. 

Zainol welcomed the Jan 28 visit by ISN acting Assistant Secretary Van Diepen and delegation.  He confirmed that the GOM would participate in EXBS-sponsored training in March and expressed interest in sending officials for additional export control-related training at the University of Georgia in April.  DCM briefly raised the missing F-5 engines case.  End Summary.

2. (C) DCM Rapson and Poloff Nathan met with Ambassador Zainol Abidin Omar, the Deputy Secretary General in charge of multilateral affairs at MFA on January 15. 

(Note: Zainol is the no. 5 ranking officer in the MFA after the Foreign Minister, two Deputy Ministers and the Secretary General. End Note). 

Also in attendance from the MFA were Under Secretary for non-proliferation Bala Chandra Tharman, Principal Assistant Secretary for non-proliferation Shazryll Zahiran, and Principal Assistant Secretary for United States affairs Muhammad Radzi bin Jamaluddin.  The discussion was cordial and went for an hour-plus.

3. (S) The DCM recalled Special Advisor for Non-Proliferation Einhorn's November 4 meeting with MFA Secretary General Rastam (ref C), during which Einhorn provided the MFA a special list of companies of concern that were engaging in transshipment activities with Iran, and asked for a status update on any GOM decisions or actions with respect to the listed companies. 

Zainol replied "We have requested security agencies to initiate their investigations," but added that, thus far, "the investigation has not been able to unearth any activities that are in contravention to UN resolutions."  The DCM emphasized that the U.S. has "strong concerns" about the companies listed and their activities, and urged the GOM to "redouble" its efforts in this area.  Zainol acknowledged this request and said the GOM would "welcome any additional information on those companies."  He noted that the Foreign Ministry has the inter-agency lead on non-proliferation issues, and that bilateral requests for cooperation and assistance on these types of issues should be "funneled through the MFA."

Update on the Christmas Day Seizure

4. (S) DCM thanked and briefly queried about the status of the shipment of dual-usage parts and equipment seized by the GOM from a middle east-bound vessel over the Christmas day holiday. 

Zainol replied that all the information they can share has been separately channeled to the relevant U.S. agencies.   Zainol did note that they (the GOM) are still conducting their internal investigation on whether or not the equipment and parts seized were of dual-use concern as the USG is alleging. 

(Comment: Zainol declined to offer any info on current disposition of the seized shipment, although his comments clearly implied that the consignment was still under GOM control.  Moreover, he provided no indication that the GOM would be reaching out to the UN Security Council for guidance on evaluation and analysis and handling of the seized shipment as had been indicated to us through liaison channels.  End comment.)

Export Control Law in Final Stages, but...

5. (C) Zainol confirmed that the GOM "is in the final stages" of drafting the export control law bill, and said that the draft is currently with the Attorney General's office.

Zainol did not want to speculate when the AG's office would finish its review and when the bill would be presented to parliament, given, he said, that there are a range of other "urgent" issues on the PM, AG's, and Parliament's plate such as review and revision of the  controversial Internal Security Act (ISA). 

Zainol opined that the process could "take some time" as the AG's office needs to consider how an export control law would tie into and affect existing laws. Zainol concluded by noting that once the proposed bill was finalized, it "would be introduced to parliament at the appropriate time." 

DCM thanked Zainol for this update and recalled the high priority both the PM and Foreign Minister placed late last year on early passage of the export control law.  He noted that the USG stands ready to assist the GOM, including through the provision of training and technical assistance (see para 8, below).

Van Diepen Delegation Visit

6. (SBU) The DCM previewed the January 28th visit of ISN acting Assistant Secretary Van Diepen and delegation, thanking Zainol for agreeing to meet with the A/S and for assembling an interagency team on the Malaysian side for that meeting at MFA.  The DCM confirmed that we are also seeking separate appointments for the delegation at MITI, the Attorney General's offices and the PM's office. Zainol said he look forward to the discussions with A/S Van Diepen and welcomed further engagement with the U.S. on non-proliferation and export control issues.

IAEA and the Status of Ambassador Arshad

7. (C) The DCM  asked Zainol for clarification on the status of Malaysia's Ambassador to the IAEA (and co-current Chairman of the IAEA Board of Governors) Arshad  (Ref D), noting that there have been some confusing signals of late emanating from various sources about his recall and the naming of a successor. 

Zainol was coy on providing a direct answer, and would only say that "at the moment, we are unable to say anything," other than that he (Arshad) "is still chair of the IAEA Board of Governors" until a new Ambassador is identified. 

Zainol explained that there is a delay because "the nomination of a new ambassador is very sensitive," adding that "the process takes a few weeks." The DCM recalled the Foreign Minister's public comments on this subject last month and recent senior level communications we have received from the GOM.

Training and Enhancing Engagement

8. (SBU) Zainol welcomed increased interaction and engagement between the USG and GOM on the non-proliferation front. He confirmed that the GOM planned to participate in an EXBS-sponsored non-proliferation workshop in March 2010, and was interested in sending two candidates to the University of Georgia within the next few months for more specialized and extensive export control-related training. 

Zainol commented that the MFA has been preparing for the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington this April, which PM Najib will attend. DCM Rapson noted USG interest in having Malaysia's Attorney General visit Washington for discussions on a range of bilateral issues, including the export control law.

Missing F-5 Engines

9. (C) Following up on PM PDAS Countryman's January 14 meeting with the Malaysian Ambassador to Washington about the missing F-5 engines case (ref E), DCM reiterated to Zainol the seriousness with which we view this issue and that we look forward to a full report/accounting by the GOM.  This was necessary to ensure the US has the "fullest confidence" in Malaysia's ability to handle and account for sensitive defense equipment. 

Zainol replied that "we are seriously concerned" and that the GOM "fully understands that this is an obligation we have to undertake," but also added that "my department is only concerned with nuclear non-proliferation" and that "we (MFA) are not the lead on the issue." 

When asked about those arrested for their alleged involvement with the F-5 engines, Zainol replied that the issue "is now before the court, so it's difficult to offer any further comment."

KEITH

 

How it all began

Posted: 15 Jun 2011 07:30 PM PDT

Is demonstrating part of Malay culture? Umno says no. Maybe it used to be no 500 years ago. But it became Malay culture back in 1946 when they opposed the Malay Union. And if not because of this demonstration there would not be an Umno around today. Umno was born against the backdrop of the 1946 demonstration. So a demonstration is the father of Umno.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

SCENE ONE: British Malaya. Kampong Baharu, Kuala Lumpur. 1946.

Said: Assalamuailakum!

Rahman: Mualaikumsalam. Ah, Said, what brings you here? Come in.

Said: Ay Rahman, are you going to the demonstration tomorrow?

Rahman: Demonstration? What demonstration?

Said: We are getting together to demonstrate against the government. We are going to oppose the plan to set up the Malayan Union.

Rahman: But I thought the Malayan Union is a fait accompli. Haven't the Rulers already endorsed it?

Said: Yes, but the Rulers were tricked by Sir Harold MacMichael. They did not know that the setting up of the Malayan Union will not only erode the powers of the Rulers but that of the Rakyat as well. So we are going to oppose it.

Rahman: But won't that mean we shall also be demonstrating against the Rulers?

Said: No, we shall in fact be defending the powers of the Rulers. We are not trying to accuse the Rulers of selling out the Rakyat. We are taking the position that MacMichael tricked the Rulers. So the Rulers are as much victims as the Rakyat. Raja Uda, Datuk Panglima Gantang, Nik Kamil and Datuk Kamaruddin have already spoken to the Rulers and Their Highnesses have sanctioned the demonstration. The Istana is also sending representatives to join the demonstration. The Rulers are with us, Rahman.

Rahman: I'm not sure, Said. Demonstrating is not our Malay culture. And I am wary about opposing the government.

Said: Alamak, Rahman, we can no longer be feudalistic. All over the world the people are opposing their governments. Our neighbours Indonesia and the Philippines have already gained independence. India is soon going to be independent. And they are gaining independence because the Rakyat dared oppose the government. Malaya will never gain independence unless we dare oppose the government.

Rahman: But still, Said, demonstrations are a show of defiance and dissent. We Malays are not like that. Malays are a tolerant and subservient race. We never oppose the powers-that-be even if they are evil and unjust. That is not what Hang Tuah taught us.

Said: Rahman, Hang Tuah is outdated. That is something that is 500 years old. Today Malays must be like Hang Jebat.

Rahman: I am shocked that you say this, Said. Are you saying that Hang Jebat is the hero and not Hang Tuah?

Said: Exactly! Look, Rahman, tomorrow is going to be the beginning of the New Malay, the Melayu Baharu. Don't you want to be a part of history? We are going to see history being made tomorrow. Do you want to just be a spectator and watch history being made rather than be a participant in the making of history?

Rahman: Said, I work for the government. You sell nasi lemak. You have nothing to worry about. I have to think of my job and my family.

Said: If we all just think of ourselves and not of the nation when is Malaya ever going to see self-rule? We all need to make sacrifices. I sell nasi lemak because I refuse to work for the government. I don't recognise this government so how can I work for it? I choose to sell nasi lemak although I can take the easy way out and work for the government like you.

Rahman: You are different Said.

Said: What is so different between you and me? I also have a family to feed just like you. But I refuse to collaborate with the government. If I work for the government that means I agree with what the government is doing. I will never work for the government unless we first see a change of government. I would rather suffer and earn pittance by selling nasi lemak than live a comfortable life on a salary earned from a government I am opposed to.

Rahman: (sighs)…You are always the dissident, Said.

Said: That is because I am a Muslim, Rahman. But I follow the true principles of Islam. In Islam if we collaborate with evil then we are also evil. We must oppose evil, Rahman. That is what Islam asks us to do. If you are a true Muslim at least join us for the demonstration tomorrow. Maybe you are not yet ready to resign from your government post. Never mind. But at least oppose the government by joining us tomorrow. Be a true Muslim.

Rahman: Okaylah Said. You have convinced me. I will be there. And let whatever happens happen. If I get sacked from my post I will accept that as God's will.

Said: Rahman, you will not regret it. Tomorrow is the beginning of Malay Nationalism. After this we need to talk to the Chinese and Indians to ask them to join us in the fight for Merdeka. We can't do it on our own. We need the support of the Chinese and Indians as well. That has to come.

SCENE TWO: British Malaya. In front of the Majestic Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. 1946.

AND AS A DIGRESSION: TO REMIND YOU HOW IT ALL BEGAN IN AMERICA

CRNciryImqg

SEE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRNciryImqg
 

Understanding the Malay mind

Posted: 14 Jun 2011 10:49 PM PDT

In the minds of these people, if you whack the government then you are taking money from Anwar and if you whack the opposition then you are taking money from Najib and if you whack both sides: WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU TAKING MONEY FROM? I'M CONFUSED!

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Back in the 1960s life was simpler and less complicated. That was of course in the days before May 13, the infamous Umno-engineered race riot of 1969. I was then in the Victoria Institution in Kuala Lumpur, a mixed-race school.

Honestly, I can't remember whether there were more Malays or non-Malays in that school. It is not because my memory is bad but because we did not stop to think about it. We did not care a damn. That is why I can't remember whether we had more Malays or non-Malays in that school.
 
Our jokes back then were very racial. But that did not bother anyone. Never mind whether we were Malay, Chinese or Indian. We would roar with laughter at the jokes even though the brunt of that joke was our own race.

I remember one joke about someone needing a brain transplant and he was asked what brain he wants -- Malay, Chinese or Indian. He was told that the Chinese brain is the cheapest because it was overused -- banyak guna otak memikir macam mana nak tipu orang. The Indian brain was a bit twisted so they would not recommend it. The Malay brain is the most expensive because Malays seldom use their brains.

Back then, in the 1960s, we thought that was very funny. Today, they would make a police report against you if you told that joke in public.

But don't they say that many a true word is said in jest? Is it really a joke or for real? If you read and hear what Malays say you would imagine that it is not really a joke after all but very true.

I get pro-government Malays asking me how much Anwar Ibrahim is paying me to whack the government. Then I get anti-government Malays asking me how much Najib Razak is paying me to whack the opposition. Then a third group of Malays tell me that they are confused because I whack BOTH the government and the opposition. So which side am I taking money from?

You see, to most Malays, it is all about money. Whatever you are doing in life must be about money and cannot be for any other reason. So they want to know how much you are being paid and who is actually paying you.

Most Malays scream "Allah Akbar!" But that is only what is on their lips. In their hearts it is something else. Their hearts are not synchronised with their lips. In their hearts they scream "Ringgit Akhbar!" They sujud (prostrate) to money.

That is why they always look at things from the aspect of money. And that is why they ask you how much you are being paid. The Umno Malays will ask you how much Anwar is paying you. The opposition Malays will ask how much Najib is paying you.

Most Malays are not capable of looking beyond money. To look beyond money is too complicating and sakit otak nak memikir (it hurts the brain to think). So they simplify it. They conclude that it must be about money and that solves the problem. No need to sakit otak to think beyond that.

That is why the otak Melayu is more expensive than the otak Cina or otak India. The otak Melayu is very seldom used. So goes the joke from the 1960s.

What went wrong with the Malays? In the 1960s and earlier, if you study history and research the Malays of that era, many sacrificed and contributed to society without being motivated by money. They fought for the good of society and died poor. Many could not even afford a tombstone (batu nisan) when they died. That was how poor they were. And these were people who did so much for their race and country.

No one asked them how much they were being paid. The British never asked those Malays who fought for Merdeka how much Umno was paying them.

People like Tunku Abdul Rahman, Bapa Merdeka (the Father of Independence), could not even afford to pay his income tax when he retired. Being a member of the Kedah Royal Family, he was reasonably wealthy in the beginning. But he sold most of his property to finance Umno. So he died a poor man.

No one asked the Tunku how much he was being paid. No one asked him how much money Umno was giving him. In fact, not only was Umno not giving him any money, he was the one who gave Umno money. And he spent all his money in the struggle for independence for his country.

But that has since changed. Today, no Malay would do what Tunku Rahman did. They will only do something if they get paid. They would only act if they were rewarded with money.

And that is why most Malays just can't believe that you are not motivated by money. If you do something it must be for money. If you whack the government then Anwar must be paying you. If you whack the opposition then Najib must be paying you. And if you whack both the government and the opposition then these Malays would get very confused because they are not sure who is paying you.

To be fair, however, it is not just the Malays who think this way. Even the Chinese and Indians (and 'lain-lain') have caught this very contagious Malay disease. I have friends (or those who used to be my friends) in England who also think like Malays. One-time friends of mine (Chinese, Indians and 'lain-lain' included) in Malaysia, Australia and many other places have also caught this Malay disease.

In the minds of these people, if you whack the government then you are taking money from Anwar and if you whack the opposition then you are taking money from Najib and if you whack both sides: WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU TAKING MONEY FROM? I'M CONFUSED! 

 

Banyak cakap hot air just like fart

Posted: 14 Jun 2011 07:44 PM PDT

Sad to say, however, Malaysians banyak cakap (talk a lot). Like fart, Malaysians are just a load of hot air. And, like fart, the hot air is noisy and smelly. If talking were an Olympic event, Malaysians would sweep all three medals -- gold, silver and bronze. Because that's all Malaysians do -- talk a lot or banyak cakap.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Hishammuddin Hussein wants to stay neutral. He is not going to get involved in the tussle between BERSIH and PERKASA. One is organising the march on 9th July 2011 while the other opposes the march and has indicated it may organise a 'counter-march'.

The Police, however, have threatened to take action. The Police, which comes under Hishammuddin, are not going to stay neutral. They are going to embark on 'preventive detention'. This means they may detain some people, probably those involved in organising the march, before the march to thwart the attempt.

The government realises how dangerous it is to allow the march to go on. To a certain extent the November 2007 march, BERSIH 1.0, had an affect on the March 2008 general election. They are worried that the BERSIH 2.0 march may also affect the next general election, whenever that may be held -- probably on 11 November 2011 or 11-11-11 according to some estimates.

Whatever it is, developments in the Middle East have shown that when people take to the streets this can be bad news for the ruling elite. Those who walk in the corridors of power fear people's power. They know that when the people unite that spells doom for the powers-that-be.

And BERSIH 1.0 united the people as will BERSIH 2.0 if it is allowed to go on.

All through history it is proven that 1% of the people rule over 99% of the people. This is true anywhere in the world and whichever era you may look at. That is what power is all about. It is about 1% of the people dominating the other 99%. And when the 99% rise up and unite then that is the end for the rule of the 1%.

Analyse any country and any era, the most recent to the farthest in history. Whether it is the French Revolution, The American Revolution, the Russian Revolution, the Chinese Revolution, the Cuban Revolution, the Iranian Revolution, or whatever, when the 99% revolt the 1% is in deep shit.

So the people must never be allowed to take to the streets. Taking to the streets unites the people like what we saw in Egypt recently. Jews, Christians and Muslims, who may be sworn enemies for more than 1,000 years, suddenly become comrades-in-arms when they are on the streets. So they must be kept off the streets. And this is why BERSIH 2.0 is dangerous and must be thwarted. BERSIH 1.0 has shown us that.

So the government is in a panic. Malaysians must never unite. A united Malaysian will end the rule of the 1% over the 99%. History has taught us that.



Our Lords (Tuan) and one-time Colonialist masters taught us well. Were we not a British colony and the recipients of a British education? And did the British not prove that 1% could rule over 99% all over the world as long as the 99% remain divided?

When the 99% in India united, the British had to beat a hasty retreat back to England. When the Malays, Chinese and Indians of Malaya united under the Alliance Party, the British had to concede to independence or Merdeka for Malaya.

That is a fact of history. And we have learned well from the British. We know that the British divide-and-rule strategy perpetuates the rule of the 1% over the 99%. Only when the 99% unite and cease being divided will the 99% become a danger to the 1%.

191 Malaysians rule over the 28 million Malaysians. That is even less than 1%. The 191 Malaysians are all Umno division leaders, the Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his Deputy Muhyiddin Yassin being two of those 191.

These 191 Umno division leaders choose their party President and Deputy President. And the President and Deputy President are elected into office uncontested (menang tanpa tanding) in an annual general assembly attended by less than 3,000 people.

So, 191 people choose the top two leaders of this country and just over 2,500 confirm them into office. Which means, these 191 division leaders and 2,500 delegates decide the future of the entire nation of 28 million Malaysians.

But this can only continue as long as the 28 million Malaysians do not unite and do not take to the streets. Only then can the 191 Umno division leaders and 2,500 Umno delegates continue to rule this country of 28 million. The British Colonial masters have taught us this. And the Indians in India have taught us this.

So Malaysians must never be allowed to unite and must never be allowed to take to the streets in a show of unity. Or else this will end the rule of the 1% over the 99%.

In November 2007, during BERSIH 1.0, the government failed to prevent the march and that resulted in the March 2008 'disaster' for the ruling elite. If the BERSIH 2.0 is not stopped, and if the people take to the streets and unite, then assume that the next general election will be a repeat of the March 2008 'disaster' for Barisan Nasional.

Sad to say, however, Malaysians banyak cakap (talk a lot). Like fart, Malaysians are just a load of hot air. And, like fart, the hot air is noisy and smelly. If talking were an Olympic event, Malaysians would sweep all three medals -- gold, silver and bronze. Because that's all Malaysians do -- talk a lot or banyak cakap.

Let's see how many Malaysians take to the streets on 9th July 2011. Let's see how many of those banyak cakap Malaysia Today readers take to the streets on 9th July 2011.

The BERSIH 2.0 organisers are aiming for a crowd of 300,000. I dare bet that less than 100,000 will be there. In fact, even 100,000 can be considered too high. If they can get 50,000 on the streets that in itself can be regarded as a success.

And because of this nothing will change. The next elections will be called and Barisan Nasional will still win and will still be the federal government.

Can Pakatan Rakyat retain the four states now under its control? Can it get back Perak? Can it add Negeri Sembilan to its list? Can it win back the 82 seats it won in the last general election? Can it increase its one seat in Sabah and one seat in Sarawak to 20 out of a total of 57 for the two states? Can we see Pakatan Rakyat win at least 100 Parliament seats leaving Barisan Nasional with just 120 or so?

In short, will the next general election see the emergence of a two-party system and a strong opposition?

Or will Pakatan Rakyat see only Kelantan and Penang still under its rule? And will the 82 seats it won in March 2008 be reduced to 50? And will Barisan Nasional sweep East Malaysia like it did in March 2008?

In short, will the next general election see the opposition fortunes turn and our dream of a two-party system and a strong opposition dashed?

Yes, that is what BERSIH 2.0 is all about. So, jangan banyak cakap. As Nike says: JUST DO IT! Not what Umno says: JUST DUIT! I am tired of reading all your comments in Malaysia Today, which are merely lepas geram and maki hamun. That is mere verbal diarrhoea. It is mainly masturbating or 'syiok sendiri'.

Get off your arse and do something. Stop shouting and start acting. And if we do not see 300,000 on the streets on 9th July 2011 then we might as well call it a day. I might as well stop wasting my time and close down Malaysia Today. Clearly Malaysia Today's readers are just a bunch of hot air and no action.

That is what fart is: bising dan busuk tapi tak berguna satu sen.

 

WIKILEAKS: Syed Mokhtar al Bukhary's foray into Iran

Posted: 14 Jun 2011 01:00 AM PDT

SKS is small operation controlled by Syed Mokhtar al Bukhary, one of Malaysia's wealthiest industrialists with a Forbes Magazine estimated net worth of $2 billion. Much of Syed Mokhtar's personal wealth has been acquired in dealings with the GOM and GOM-linked corporations. He controls Malaysia Mining Corporation, DRB Hicom, Malakoff, and Gas Malaysia among other significant Malaysian operations.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 KUALA LUMPUR 000059

 

SIPDIS

 

STATE FOR EEB/ESC THAMMANG

STATE FOR EEB/TFS CBACKEMEYER

STATE FOR NEA/IR RWADHWANI

 

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2020

TAGS: ECON, EFIN, ENIV, ENRG, EPET, ETTC, IR, KNNP, MY

SUBJECT: MALAYSIA: SKS VENTURES EXPLAINS ITS IRAN INVESTMENTS

 

REF: A. 09 STATE 121808

     B. KUALA LUMPUR 0037

 

Classified By: Econ Counselor Matt Matthews for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

 

1.  (C) Summary: SKS Ventures (SKS) CEO Abang Iskandar Muas (Iskandar) met with Econoff January 19 to discuss SKS plans to develop the Golshan and Ferdowsi gas fields (G&F) in Iran.

Iskandar said that the GOM had initially negotiated the deal with the GOI and handed the project to SKS just prior to signing.  Iskandar told us that development of the G&F fields is going slowly because sanctions impeded National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) ability to perform basic due diligence functions.  He also stated that NIOC has been extremely difficult to work with and that the initial buyback service contract signed in Dec. 2007 is the only commercial agreement between SKS and NIOC. 

SKS's only investment over the past two years since the announcement was limited to staff time from their 15 employees and air tickets for meetings with a total value under $1 million, according to Iskandar.  He was pessimistic on prospects for the deal and said that SKS is considering pulling out altogether. 

However, he emphasized SKS would need GOM approval prior to exiting the transaction because Malaysian Trade Ministry and Foreign Ministry officials had encouraged SKS to enter into the deal in the first place and had reconfirmed GOM support for trade cooperation with Iran at a recent meeting. 

Iskandar also denied reports of SKS participation with NIOC in a refinery projects in Syria and Indonesia and downplayed its deal with NIOC which is under review in Malaysia.  End Summary.

2.  (C) Comment:  SKS is small operation controlled by Syed Mokhtar al Bukhary, one of Malaysia's wealthiest industrialists with a Forbes Magazine estimated net worth of $2 billion.  Much of Syed Mokhtar's personal wealth has been acquired in dealings with the GOM and GOM-linked corporations.  He controls Malaysia Mining Corporation, DRB Hicom, Malakoff, and Gas Malaysia among other significant Malaysian operations. 

Post believes Iskandar is a credible interlocutor that provided an important window on the GOM's role in the deal and SKS current thinking on the transaction. Iskandar seemed genuinely frustrated that the G&F deal turned out to be an empty business proposition due to NIOC incompetence and Iran sanctions.  Other oil and gas industry contacts have confirmed the small size and scope of the SKS operation.    End Comment.

SKS Ventures

3.  (C) Econoff met January 19 with SKS Ventures (SKS) CEO Abang Iskandar Muas (Iskandar) to discuss the SKS intentions to develop the Golshan and Ferdowsi gas fields (G&F) in Iran and implications under the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA).

Iskandar mentioned early in our conversation that Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) Senior Director Wong had called him January 15 informing him that the embassy had been trying to contact him and he needed to meet with us. Econoff delivered ref A points and offered additional background on our information request. 

According to Iskandar, SKS has 15 full time employees and works on projects outside of Malaysia for Syed Mokhtar.  Iskandar is an experienced O&G industry professional, having worked for Shell Oil USA (based in Houston) for fifteen years in Sarawak, Saudi Arabia (where he was VP for Finance and Human Resources), and Kuala Lumpur prior to assuming his current position with SKS two and one half years ago. 

Iskandar fondly reminisced of his frequent travel to the U.S. for business and family vacations prior to assuming his position at SKS.

Golshan and Ferdowsi: G2G Agreement

4.  (C) Iskandar said the G&F deal grew out of government-to-government negotiations between Malaysia and Iran during 2007.  The GOM brought SKS to the table late in the negotiations, according to Iskandar, finalizing a buyback service contract between SKS and National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) in December 2007. 

He added that SKS entered into the agreement based on the GOM's policy of expanding trade cooperation with Iran and the belief that the business climate for oil and gas (O&G) in Iran was improving during 2005-6. 

Iskandar said that the initial business strategy was for SKS to plan the project, NIOC to perform physical due diligence (appraisals, seismic analysis, feasibility studies, etc.), and, once the project was ready to start, sell controlling interest, at a profit, to an international oil company that could bring resources to develop the fields.

Iskandar commented, "We have no wells, no drilling rigs, no facilities, no experts, and no technology" to implement a project the size of G&F.  His explanation as to why the Iranians would enter in to a transaction the size of G&F with such a small entity was, "in order to be friendly to the government (of Malaysia)."

NIOC Difficulties

5.  (C) Working with NIOC, according to Iskandar had been "extremely difficult."  He added, "we should have taken a lesson from Petronas" claiming that Petronas will not deal with NIOC any longer because NIOC still owed a substantial amount of money to Petronas from its buyback service contract for South Pars Phases 2 and 3. 

Iskandar said that NIOC has made no progress on its due diligence obligations at G&F due to international contractors refusing to work in Iran because of sanctions.  He complained that SKS and NIOC also have not reached any commercial agreements on the project in the last two years. 

Iskandar stated, "We have no idea how we would be paid.  NIOC has not agreed to LNG and we have no interest in selling gas domestically.  Iran uses most of their gas to inject into their oil fields to get more oil or to produce heavily subsidized electricity." 

He listed numerous other problems plaguing the project related to Iran sanctions such as the inability to import LNG technology or hire expat expertise, a low likelihood that Iranian LNG could be consistently sold on the open market, and NIOC's lack of access to financing.

SKS Ready to Walk Away

6.  (C) Iskandar described the SKS agreement with NIOC on G&F as "barely hanging on" and that SKS is currently deciding whether to stay in or pull out, and added, "The decision will come sooner rather than later."  He viewed the buyback service contract as having "no commercial value" at this time. 

He noted though that Syed Mokhtar's close connections to the Malaysian government mean SKS will not move on a G&F decision without policy direction from the GOM.  "We do not want to be on the wrong side of the government and we have not heard from PM Najib", according to Iskandar.  However, he added that SKS has "no money in the ground" in Iran, because the firm did not pay an initial "signing bonus" as the buyback service contract did not carry any vested rights to the gas. 

He also stated that SKS management is aware of the change in the international political environment with regard to Iran and is "not entrenched," implying SKS would quickly drop the transaction if permitted by the GOM.

Another View of the MITI Meeting

7.  (C) Iskandar offered a different account of the recent meeting between MITI and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) officials and officers from the three Malaysian companies listed in ref A.  Iskandar said that after the companies answered MITI queries on their Iran investments, the companies, especially Petronas, pushed back at MITI and MFA asking "What is the government's stance on trade cooperation with Iran?" and "Should we adjust our investment strategies?"

MITI responded that the GOM still supports trade cooperation with Iran, according to Iskandar.  (Comment: The MFA account of the meeting (ref B) was similar to Iskandar's but omitted the companies' questions and MITI's response.  End Comment.)

Other Announcements Inaccurate

8.  (C) Toward the close of the meeting, Iskandar addressed recent Iranian and Malaysian press announcements of SKS participation in other transactions with NIOC.  He stated that the GOM asked SKS to commission a feasibility study on a project with NIOC. It involved a refinery project in Kedah with a pipeline across the Malaysian Peninsula to Terengganu.

Iskandar commented that the pipeline is economically unwarranted and an Iranian partner likely makes the refinery unfeasible.  He added that recent announcements of SKS participation in a refinery project in Syria with Iranian and Venezuelan partners and SKS participation in an Indonesian refinery project with Pertamina and NIOC are blatantly false.

He said that the first SKS had heard of either project was in press reports.  He explained that SKS never issued denials of participation in the deals in order to avoid embarrassment in case the government was involved.

KEITH

 

Why Najib must hold the 13th GE this year instead of 2012

Posted: 13 Jun 2011 06:50 AM PDT

One does not hold an election in a recession year. And we know that it takes some time to recover from a recession. Some economists believe that 2012 is going to be a recession year. The UK is already seeing a decline in property sales and house prices have come down. This means Najib must hold the 13th General Election this year, maybe sometime in October or November after the Budget, or else Barisan Nasional is going to be kicked out. Is Najib prepared to place a bet that my assumption is wrong?

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Rosenberg Says 99% Chance of Another Recession by 2012

In a Bloomberg video David Rosenberg, chief economist at Gluskin Sheff & Associates, says there is a 99% Chance of Another Recession by 2012. Rosenberg also talks about the outlook for the U.S. economy.

Selected Quotes

Bloomberg: How Certain are you that we may be headed for a recession

Rosenberg: I think that by 2012, I would give it a 99% chance. I say that because as an economist, you have to be part historian. When you have a manufacturing inventory cycle recession, they are usually separated 5 years apart. But when you have a balance sheet recession, credit contraction, asset deflation (for example residential real estate), the downturn tends to be separated every 2 to 2.5 years. ... Economists call this a soft patch. It's not like this is a soft patch. Basically, when all the stimulus is gone, you get to see what the emperor looks like disrobed. It's not a pretty picture.

No Double Dip

Rosenberg goes on to say it's a second recession, not a "double dip" and more stimulus is coming once the "Fed sees the white eyes of the economy".

Given that there is no incentive in Congress for more stimulus (nor should there be), Bernanke will have a tougher time, this time, unless there is a significant drop in oil and food prices.

David Rosenberg Interview on U.S. Economic Outlook

David Rosenberg, chief economist at Gluskin Sheff & Associates, talks about the outlook for the U.S. economy. Rosenberg, speaking with Betty Liu, Jon Erlichman and Michael McKee on Bloomberg Television's "In the Loop," also discusses fiscal policy and banking regulation. Bloomberg's Ian Katz also speaks. (Source: Bloomberg)

SEE THE VIDEO HERE: http://www.bloomberg.com/video/70808782/

http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2011/06/rosenberg-says-99-chance-of-another.html

 

Ruslan Kassim: another Munafiq identified

Posted: 12 Jun 2011 10:59 PM PDT

So you see, Islam has already established the system of consensus and elections of leaders and committees and so on. So what the Penang government is doing is extremely Islamic. The people decide on their leaders and committees. And this is done through consensus and elections.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin



Perkasa tells Penang Malays to say no to mosque polls

Perkasa wants the Malays in Penang to oppose the state government's plan of electing mosque committees, as the right-wing group believes that it will only divide the Muslim community here.

Perkasa information chief Ruslan Kassim said elections would adversely affect the sanctity of the mosques and unity among the Muslims due to power struggles, the creation of factions, and animosity.

"The action of the state government to have mosque committee elections is unwise and is only politically motivated," Bernama quoted him as saying in a statement Monday.

The Penang government announced last week that the selection of mosque committees in the state would be made through elections this year to replace the previous method.

Ruslan said elections were implemented in Kelantan in the 1960s and 1970s, but were subsequently stopped as they had caused friction and divided the Muslim community there.

This report is dated 13th June 2011

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


Now read this report on Ruslan Kassim dated September 1998

The days before the Umno general assembly of June 1998, a book-length poison pen letter entitled '50 reasons why Anwar cannot become the next prime minister' (50 Dalil mengapa Anwar Tidak Boleh Jadi PM), made its debut in the Malaysian political scene.

But unlike most previous poison-pen letters, the 50 Dalil had an author as well as a publisher. It carried a by-line Khalid Jafri, ex-sports editor of Utusan Malaysia, editor-in-chief of the now defunct Harian National tabloid newspaper, an undischarged bankrupt.

Delegates arriving at the Umno general assembly had a copy of the poison book included in the party documentation handed over to them in the complimentary bag. This happened despite the passing of an interlocutory injunction by a high court judge only a day earlier, against the distribution and dissemination of the defamatory book. It was something quite odd and many at the assembly were trying to put two and two together.

The Umno Youth leader from Negri Sembilan, Ruslan Kassim, had done a little checking with the Registrar of Companies, which linked the book's publishers with the disgraced former Chief Minister of Malacca, Abdul Rahim Tamby Chik and his wife, Zabedah Abdullah.

Ruslan Kassim had also heard from the Federal Territory Umno that the party secretariat had been used to distribute the book. This pointed at the party secretary general, Sabaruddin Chik.

Who is actually behind this drama, asked Negri Sembilan Umno Youth leader (Ruslan Kassim). But none of the two Chiks were willing to admit to anything.

Impact International, Vol. 28 No. 9 (September 1998)

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


Ruslan Kassim was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for this expose. Yes, he was punished by detention without trial for his allegation against the two Chiks -- the big Thambi whose small thambi got him into trouble, and Sabaruddin 'tukang kasut' (Malays would know why 'tukang kasut' so go ask a Malay what it means).

Ruslan Kassim swore that Anwar Ibrahim was a victim of fitnah. And when Parti Keadilan Nasional (now PKR) was launched he joined the party and became its Information Chief (Ketua Penerangan).

Yes, before he became the Information Chief of Perkasa, Ruslan Kassim was the Information Chief of what is now called PKR. But when he was the PKR Information Chief he sang a different tune and now, as the Information Chief of Perkasa, he sings a different tune.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, my dear readers, is what Islam calls a Munafiq.

Is Ruslan Kassim now telling us that he lied back in 1998 and that Anwar Ibrahim was not a victim of fitnah and that the '50 Dahlil' book was true? Or is he telling us that he did not lie back in 1998 but he can now accept that Anwar Ibrahim was a victim of fitnah and it no longer troubles him like it did back in 1998?

Either way, whichever the case may be, that makes Ruslan Kassim a Munafiq. He is opposed to the election of mosque committees because he just has the interest of Islam at heart, or so he tells us.

But then, if he is motivated purely by Islam and for no other reason, especially not for political reasons, how come what he is doing and saying does not demonstrate this?

From the Islam perspective, a Muslim who runs with the hare and hunts with the hounds is clearly a Munafiq. And this is what Ruslan Kassim is doing. He accuses Umno of defaming or fitnah Anwar. And he was detained for this allegation. But yet he is prepared to work with Umno in spite of what he thinks of Umno.

Anyway, Ruslan Kassim is either ignorant about Islam or is trying to misrepresent Islam. He is trying to suggest that electing mosque officials is counterproductive to Islam.

Actually the reverse is true. It was reported that it took three days for the people of Medina to bury Prophet Muhammad's body after he died. And the reason is because the Medina people were locked in three days of debate (some like the Shiah say dispute) to decide on the successor or Khalif to the Prophet.

Finally it as agreed that Abu Bakar would be the successor and only then could they bury the Prophet's body.

No, they did not have Umno or Jabatan Agama (religious department) then in Medina. And it was not Umno or the religious department who decided on the successor. It was the people. And the people voted on the matter to decide who should be the successor to the Prophet.

So you see, Islam has already established the system of consensus and elections of leaders and committees and so on. So what the Penang government is doing is extremely Islamic. The people decide on their leaders and committees. And this is done through consensus and elections.

To suggest that the Islamic system of consensus and elections is un-Islamic makes those who say so un-Islamic themselves. And if they propose something un-Islamic and pretend that it is Islamic this makes them into Munafiqs.

That is the bottom line.

 

WIKILEAKS: Anwar's second sodomy trial begins

Posted: 12 Jun 2011 01:00 AM PDT

Anwar's second sodomy trial is extremely controversial in Malaysia, seen by many as a political ploy to derail him and the opposition, and as a repeat of the 1998 sodomy trial.  In launching the trial -- and there were doubts there would be a trial --  the GOM appears to determined to pursue the charge notwithstanding the potential costs domestically and internationally. 

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

UNCLAS KUALA LUMPUR 000064

 

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

 

E.O. 12958: N/A

TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, MY

SUBJECT: OPPOSITION LEADER ANWAR'S "SODOMY II" TRIAL BEGINS

 

 1. (SBU) Summary:  After months of delay while his defense team submitted motion after motion ranging from a request to see all the evidence to outright dismissal, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's trial for alleged consensual sodomy with a former aide began in the Kuala Lumpur High Court on February 3. 

The prosecution immediately called to the stand the alleged victim, 25-year-old former Anwar aide Saiful Bahari, who described his relationship with Anwar and began a detailed account of the events of June 26, 2008 when the alleged sodomy occurred. 

At the defense's request, the judge stopped the testimony when Saiful was on the verge of describing sexual contact.  The testimony will resume in camera (without the public present) on February 4. 

Among the 70 members of the public observing the trial from the small gallery were opposition politicians, local and international Journalists, and diplomats from several embassies.  Polcouns and Pol staff attended the February 2 and 3 sessions.

2. (SBU) Comment: Anwar's second sodomy trial is extremely controversial in Malaysia, seen by many as a political ploy to derail him and the opposition, and as a repeat of the 1998 sodomy trial.  In launching the trial -- and there were doubts there would be a trial --  the GOM appears to determined to pursue the charge notwithstanding the potential costs domestically and internationally. 

While there may be many days and weeks to go before this case concludes, and there is potential for further delays, the GOM has so far allowed Malaysians and foreigners access to the proceedings.

Observers from the International Bar Association and International Council of Justice were seated alongside the attorneys in the front of the courtroom. The proceedings are being prominently covered in both the mainstream government-influenced media and the blogosphere, as well as in the international press.  End Summary and Comment.

3. (SBU) Anwar Ibrahim's trial began at 3:30 pm on February 3 after High Court judge Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah rejected lead Anwar attorney (and fellow opposition Parliamentarian) Karpal Singh's request for a stay to allow the Appeals Court to rule on a request to obtain the government's evidence before the trial. 

A clerk read the charges concerning the alleged incident aloud in front of Anwar, standing toward the rear of the courtroom, who said that the charges were "frivolous" and ordered by the prosecution's "political masters" before pleading not guilty.

4. (SBU) The prosecution immediately called 25-year-old former Anwar aide Saiful Bahari to testify, walking methodically through questions about his educational background, first association with Anwar (March 2008), and his job description.  Saiful, testifying in Malaysian, said he was paid RM 1,000 per month (about USD 270) to help with Anwar's schedule, carry his private cellphone, and manage his finances. 

At that point, Anwar leaned over to his wife, PKR politician Wan Azizah, and said "liar" in Malaysian.  The prosecution had Saiful describe in detail how he arrived at Anwar's condominium on June 26, 2008, and what happened next, presenting as evidence a one-page statement that Saiful had signed in front of police when he reported the alleged sodomy. 

The defense succeeded in having a reference to previous sexual contact between Anwar and Saiful expunged from the statement.  When Saiful had described how Anwar had allegedly asked him to have sex and then ordered him to undress in the bathroom, the defense requested that the remainder of Saiful's testimony be heard in camera.  The judge agreed to do so starting at 9:30 a.m. on February 4.

5. (SBU) In parallel with trial, Anwar's legal team continues to pursue motions to have the charges dismissed or to gain reviews of earlier decisions denying the defense access to the government's evidence.  If accepted, those motions could lead to renewed delays in the trial.

 6. (SBU) In the months before the trial, Anwar was careful to keep in touch both with prominent foreigners and Malaysian supporters.  On January 25, his People's Justice Party (PKR) International Bureau held a closed door briefing for diplomats about the trial, arguing that the GOM was determined to convict "the Prime Minister in waiting" to remove him from the political scene.  They also argued that there was clear medical evidence refuting the charges, and that the judiciary was being manipulated to ensure a conviction.

KEITH

 

Saya sokong Najib

Posted: 12 Jun 2011 01:00 AM PDT

So you see, Najib, what you said is true. Politics is about perception, not reality. And you need to be good at perception management. But your people are not. They are too arrogant and they think they are smart. I alone can makan all your people. Yes, Raja Petra Kamarudin alone can take on your entire team.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Dear Najib, I sokong you. Well, to be exact, I sokong your statement below as reported by Bernama.

Yes, politics is about perception, not reality, as you said. I am glad you now understand this. In fact, your people have been using this tactic themselves.

You see, recently I gave an interview on TV3 and they very cleverly presented it as if I am now endorsing you and supporting you and that you have bought me off and I am now an Umno Trojan horse.

That may be just the perception created by Umno or TV3. But many believed this because, as you said, politics is about perception, not reality.

Let me give you another example. Many believe you are somehow, directly or indirectly, involved in the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder. Whether this is true or not does not matter. That is the perception and, as you said, politics is about perception, not reality.

Many also believe that Anwar is innocent of both the Sodomy 1 and Sodomy 2 allegations plus he is not the man in the porn video. Again, whether this is true or not does not matter. That is the perception and, as you said, politics is about perception, not reality.

So you see, just on these two issues alone you and Umno lose. And I am yet to go into other issues like your wife's handbags that run into millions of Ringgit. And I have not even gone into her shoes, clothes and overseas shopping expenses yet. Your wife makes Imelda Marcos look tame by comparison. That, again, is the perception and can never be erased as much as it may be denied.

If I really wanted to get you, Najib, there are hundreds of issues I can raise. However, to be fair to me, I have picked and chosen only a few issues here and there. I have not really launched a crusade against you. If I did, you would suffer what Abdullah Ahmad Badawi suffered and you would go the way of the last Prime Minister -- into forced retirement.

The fact I have not attacked you enough is the reason why many say you have bought me off. But then these people are political novices who think they know politics but actually know nuts. That is why we need not bother with these dim-witted people. I call them bodoh sombong. Dah lah bodoh, sombong pulak.

Let me tell you why I do not wish for you to be forced out of office like Pak Lah before you. No, it's not because I love you. It is because I know that you are surrounded by stupid people. And I personally know many of these people. We used to hang out together in the days of the pre-March 2008 GE.

If you were to be forced out, then Muhyddin Yassin would take over as Prime Minister. And this would be more dangerous for the opposition.

I would rather you remain as Prime Minister until the next general election. Then the opposition has a better chance. If Muyhiddin takes over as Prime Minister before the next election then the opposition may suffer.

So you see, Najib, what you said is true. Politics is about perception, not reality. And you need to be good at perception management. But your people are not. They are too arrogant and they think they are smart. I alone can makan all your people. Yes, Raja Petra Kamarudin alone can take on your entire team.

So please don't flatter yourself when your people tell you that I am now your supporter because I no longer attack you too much. I don't attack you too much because I don't want you to fall and for Muhyiddin to take over as Prime Minister.

I personally know Muyhiddin's people. They are clever. I also personally know your people. They are not. So better we deal with you than with Muyhiddin.

Tell me, Najib, what is the best your people can do? So far they only know how to shout BABI. That's all, BABI -- Brother Anwar Bin Ibrahim. You think just by shouting BABI the opposition is going to fall?

Dear Najib, if you want to survive then you had better sack all your so-called advisers. Semua ego besar. Kepala bapak dia orang. Find better people or else you are finished. Remember, you said it: it's all about perception.

By the way, the answer is no! I do not wish to work for you if you sack all the idiots around you, not even if I come directly under Rosmah….if you know what I mean (pun intended).

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

Umno and BN need to work hard to raise public perception: Najib

(Bernama) - The Umno machinery needs to work hard and draw up new strategies to raise the perception and aspiration of the people concerning the Barisan Nasional (BN) government.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said in line with the current development in the mass communication technology such as the short messaging service (SMS), the social websites Twitter and Facebook, what was more important in politics was the perception and not reality.

"Politics is all about perception. Not the question of reality...the opposition knows how to play up perception and deny what is the truth. Even to get the DNA is turned down, the question on the Omega wristwatch has yet to be answered."

"That is why Umno and the BN must know how to influence the mind and aspiration of the people so that they will perceive Umno and BN as effective parties, the best and can champion the cause of the people compared to others who only know how to make promises but don't fulfill them," he said when opening the Ampang Umno delegates meeting, here.

Also present were the Selangor Umno Liaison deputy chairman Datuk Seri Noh Omar and Ampang Umno division head Datuk Ismail Kijo.

Najib said that as such, UMNO and the BN must strive for something that was more effective to show that it understood the aspiration of the people better so that the reality, perception and the people's sentiment favoured the party.

"The government had drawn up the Government Transformation Plan (GTP), we have a more detailed plan, a clearer road map unlike the opposition who only know how to make promises, the play up the promises but we cannot do so because we are the ruling party."

"We must be better than they (are), let the public perception be better than the others, if the people like the BN, then they will vote for it, but if they hate (the BN), then they will vote the other people to represent their constituency," he said.

Najib, who is also the Selangor Umno Liaison chairman, said Umno must always be prepared to face the coming general election, which could be held at any time this year, or next year or even 2013.

"We must be ready not only for the (election) dry run but must be ready for a better public perception and sentiment, this must be given priority," he said.

He said the party machinery should also pay attention to the party supporters as well as those who had yet to become supporters because Umno and the BN championed the welfare of all races.

 

The Munafiq named Zul Noordin

Posted: 11 Jun 2011 08:46 PM PDT

Zulkifli Noordin, the Kulim Bandar Baharu Member of Parliament, said, "Some Malays are willing to be used by this illegal gathering that is led by former Bar Council president Datuk Ambiga Sreevanasan. This is despite knowing the organisation has fought strongly against Islam."

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Islam has a word for Muslims who talk about defending Islam and yet go against Islamic teachings. Datuk Ambiga is in fact upholding Islamic teachings. She is opposed to election fraud. Zul, on the other hand, wants to uphold election fraud.

In this sense Ambiga is more Islamic than Zul. Zul, according to Islamic teachings, is a hypocrite or Munafiq.

For those Muslims and non-Muslims who may not understand the concept of Munafiq in Islam, allow me to deliver my Sunday sermon.

Munāfiq (n., in Arabic: منافق, plural munāfiqūn) is an Islamic Arabic term used to describe a religious hypocrite, who outwardly practices Islam, while inwardly concealing his disbelief (kafir), perhaps even unknowingly.

The term munāfiq in Arabic, Bengali and Urdu is primarily a non-religious term that refers to a person whose actions are different from and opposite to his thoughts, which he conceals. In the Qur'anic sense the term refers to a person who does not have faith, but pretends to. 

The Qur'an has hundreds of ayāt (verses) discussing munāfiqūn, referring to them as more dangerous to Muslims than the worst non-Muslim enemies of Islam.

The Qur'an states:

The Hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire: no helper wilt thou find for them;-

    —Sura 4 (An-Nisa), ayah 145, Qur'an[2]

According to the Hadith Sahih al-Bukhari, narrated by 'Abdullah bin 'Amr:

The Prophet said, "Whoever has the following four (characteristics) will be a pure hypocrite and whoever has one of the following four characteristics will have one characteristic of hypocrisy unless and until he gives it up.

1. Whenever he is entrusted, he betrays.

2. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie.

3. Whenever he makes a covenant, he proves treacherous.

4. Whenever he quarrels, he behaves in a very imprudent, evil and insulting manner."

According to the Hadith Sahih al-Bukhari Book 1 : Volume 2 : Hadith 32, narrated by Abu Huraira:

The Prophet said, "The signs of a hypocrite are three:

1. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie.

2. Whenever he promises, he always breaks it (his promise ).

3. If you trust him, he proves to be dishonest. (If you keep something as a trust with him, he will not return it.)"

And this is the Quran's word on hypocrites:

 

Surat Al-Munāfiqūn (Arabic: سورة المنافقون‎) (The Hypocrites) is the 63rd sura of the Qur'an with 11 ayat.

Surah 63 - Al Munafiqun - Ayat - 001 When the Hypocrites come to thee, they say, "We bear witness that thou art indeed the Apostle of God." Yea, God knoweth that thou art indeed His Apostle, and God beareth witness that the Hypocrites are indeed liars.

Surah 63 - Al Munafiqun - Ayat - 002 They have made their oaths a screen (for their misdeeds): thus they obstruct (men) from the Path of God: truly evil are their deeds.

Surah 63 - Al Munafiqun - Ayat - 003 That is because they believed, then they rejected Faith: So a seal was set on their hearts: therefore they understand not.

Surah 63 - Al Munafiqun - Ayat - 004 When thou lookest at them, their exteriors please thee; and when they speak, thou listenest to their words. They are as (worthless as hollow) pieces of timber propped up, (unable to stand on their own). They think that every cry is against them. They are the enemies; so beware of them. The curse of God be on them! How are they deluded (away from the Truth)!

Surah 63 - Al Munafiqun - Ayat - 005 And when it is said to them, "Come, the Apostle of God will pray for your forgiveness", they turn aside their heads, and thou wouldst see them turning away their faces in arrogance.

Surah 63 - Al Munafiqun - Ayat - 006 It is equal to them whether thou pray for their forgiveness or not. God will not forgive them. Truly God guides not rebellious transgressors.

Surah 63 - Al Munafiqun - Ayat - 007 They are the ones who say, "Spend nothing on those who are with God's Apostle, to the end that they may disperse (and quit Medina)." But to God belong the treasures of the heavens and the earth; but the Hypocrites understand not.

Surah 63 - Al Munafiqun - Ayat - 008 They say, "If we return to Medina, surely the more honourable (element) will expel therefrom the meaner." But honour belongs to God and His Apostle, and to the Believers; but the Hypocrites know not.

Surah 63 - Al Munafiqun - Ayat - 009 O ye who believe! Let not your riches or your children divert you from the remembrance of God. If any act thus, the loss is their own.

Surah 63 - Al Munafiqun - Ayat - 010 and spend something (in charity) out of the substance which We have bestowed on you, before Death should come to any of you and he should say, "O my Lord! why didst Thou not give me respite for a little while? I should then have given (largely) in charity, and I should have been one of the doers of good".

Surah 63 - Al Munafiqun - Ayat - 011 But to no soul will God grant respite when the time appointed (for it) has come; and God is well acquainted with (all) that ye do.

XPGU-AxwfHk

 

When the government turns on its people (part 2)

Posted: 11 Jun 2011 05:46 PM PDT

Hey, is it not Malay-Muslims who are trying to frame a dead Malay-Muslim Customs Department officer on charges of corruption and suicide? Is it not Malay-Muslims who arrested and charged the Malay-Muslim ex-Director of the CCID for "allegedly using a police aircraft and for allegedly not declaring his assets" (which he did) instead of the real criminal in this case -- a certain politically well-connected Malay-Muslim who ripped off Malaysia's national airline, MAS?

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Zulkifli Noordin, the Kulim Bandar Baharu Member of Parliament, wrote in the weekend edition of Utusan Malaysia:

"Some Malays are willing to be used by this illegal gathering that is led by former Bar Council president Datuk Ambiga Sreevanasan. This is despite knowing the organisation has fought strongly against Islam, organised the interfaith council and supported Lina Joy's apostasy."

"But to fulfil their lust for power, these Malays are willing to become insects blinded by the false light of power. Malay-Muslims will become weak and damaged due to their own dirty hands."

"Do Malays not have political power? The reality is that Malays have absolute power. We have absolute majority in Dewan Rakyat."

"With this absolute power, not only can we defend and empower Malays, we can uphold Islam."

"Instead, there were Malay-Muslims across history who have been ready to betray their own (race)."

"The biggest mistake made by Malays when they were too enthusiastic for independence and sacrificed Tanah Melayu citizenship to foreign races (Chinese and Indians)."

"This right was given along with the right to own land, determine the government and other rights. In the end, even though Malays became politically independent, they are still slaves in their own land."

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

One thing you will notice about Malaysia is that Malay-Muslims just love to scream about Islam and they just love to label this and that as un-Islamic or Kafir or whatever.

When they need to win an argument that they can't win, they will do a magic trick and pull the Islamic 'rabbit' out of their hat. That is the modus operandi of these Malay-Muslims who do this mainly because they are bankrupt of ideas.

Actually this is all a load of bullshit.

Hey, is it not Malay-Muslims who are trying to frame a dead Malay-Muslim Customs Department officer on charges of corruption and suicide? Is it not Malay-Muslims who arrested and charged the Malay-Muslim ex-Director of the CCID for "allegedly using a police aircraft and for allegedly not declaring his assets" (which he did) instead of the real criminal in this case -- a certain politically well-connected Malay-Muslim who ripped off Malaysia's national airline, MAS?

Please lah! Don't give me all this crap about enemies of Islam and about defending Islam and all that other bullshit. The real enemies of Islam are the Muslims while it is 'Kafir Laknat' like Robert Phang and Justice Gunalan Muniandy who uphold justice and come to the defence of Muslims being fixed up by other Muslims.

Yes, let me repeat that. Muslims are fixing up Muslims and it is the so-called 'enemies of Islam' who are coming to the defence of persecuted Muslims.

Can you see the irony of this whole thing and can you see now that Zul Nordin is talking through his arsehole?

Let us continue where we left off yesterday on the series: "When the government turns on its people" (see part 1 here). This is where we stopped:

His family and the Customs Union have objected to the MACC's smear campaign. That was why Malaysia Today ran the 4-part series on Ahmad Sarbaini's death to reveal that the MACC would not hesitate to smear the good names of the dead if necessary to support their suicide theory.

They could do all that because that is how the system works in Malaysia, the MACC and PDRM will help AG Gani Patail to fix the people who pose dangers to AG Gani Patail, and he will clear the MACC and Police of any wrongdoing.  

That was why on 31 May 2011, the MACC Operations Evaluation Panel (OEP) Chairman, Tan Sri Dr Hadenan Abdul Jalil, seized the opportunity to clear AG Gani Patail unconditionally at the same time that the MACC conditionally cleared Tan Sri Robert Phang.

Now, the language in clearing the two was very strange indeed:

"Kes siasatan terhadap Tan Sri Robert Phang, bekas Ahli Panel Perundingan dan Pencegahan Rasuah yang ditohmah telah cuba memberi sogokan kepada seorang Ketua Setiausaha Kementerian dan berpuas hati bahawa siasatan yang telah dijalankan tidak mencukupi keterangan untuk sebarang pertuduhan terhadap mana-mana pihak.

Kes siasatan terhadap Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, Peguam Negara yang ditohmah mendapat pembiayaan bagi menunaikan ibadah haji dan berpuas hati bahawa siasatan juga tidak menunjukkan keterangan bagi sebarang kesalahan jenayah."

Two days ago, the former Kuala Lumpur CID Chief, Dato' Mat Zain Ibrahim, sent an open letter to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak accusing Attorney-General Gani Patail of burying evidence of corruption by senior government leaders between 1994 and 1996 involving losses of at least RM12 billion in public funds.

Mat Zain also blasted Tan Sri Hadenan for clearing AG Gani Patail and cited a policy ruling by the MACC Corruption Prevention Advisory Panel (CPAP) that the MACC Act did not allow the OEP to review decisions made by the anti-graft body.

It is amazing that with so much documentary and photographic evidence of Gani Patail consorting with Shahidan and Vincent Lye, the MACC can still say that the AG "tidak menunjukkan keterangan bagi sebarang kesalahan jenayah" (no proof of any criminal offence). This contrasted sharply with the statement that Robert Phang "tidak mencukupi keterangan untuk sebarang pertuduhan" (not enough evidence to frame a charge against any party). 

Phang's conditional clearance is a warning that he has to behave himself because now the AG has the upper hand. The AG can always direct an investigation against Phang to be reopened.

That was what happened to Dato' Ramli Yusuff, the former Director of the CCID. Despite having been acquitted by the Sessions Courts and the High Courts, AG Gani Patial was not letting him off that easily.

Gani Patail has since appealed against Ramli's acquittals all the way up to the Court of Appeal.

These appeals are coming up on 20th June and 1st July respectively.

When Razak Baginda was acquitted for the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu, Gani Patail declared that there would be no appeal because the Sessions Court had made a finding of fact. Thus, Gani Patail will respect that finding of fact. 

Malaysia Today will now prove that Gani Patail's respect for the court is as selective as his selective prosecution. 

Malaysia Today has studied the full Grounds of Judgment by Justice Gunalan Muniandy in "PP v Dato Ramli Bin Yusuff" in Criminal Case No.: 61-31 -2007 -- pages 355 to 376, which forms part of a larger appeal record that runs into volumes and volumes of documents, and is too long to reproduce.

(Nevertheless, you can view five of the relevant scanned pages below).

Page 355 reads as follows:

"The material facts are mainly undisputed. This case has its beginning on 17.07.2007 upon the service of a "Notice To Disclose lnformation". [see Exhibit P. 1].

Exhibit P 1 was issued by the Deputy Public Prosecutor [DPP] named therein PW 34 (Anthony Kevin Morais).

A (Dato' Ramli) complied duly filing a Declaration of Assets dated [Exhibit P 4] and serving it on PW 34 on 17.09.2007 which was well within the stipulated deadline.

Exhibit P 1 was issued by PW 34 acting under the powers vested in the Public Prosecutor (PP) pursuant to s.32(1) of ACA '97 purportedly on the belief that there existed reasonable grounds that A had committed an offence under s. 11(a) of the Act, based specifically on No. Aduan: 098/2007 [Exhibit P 8].

On 01 -11.2007, A. was arrested and voluntarily gave a statement of Accused under 5.45(3), ACA, 1997, [Exhibit D. .111. Whether a prima facie case has been made out against A.

Then at pages 361 and 362, Judge Gunalen made a damning judgment against Kevin Morais:

 "…. the documentary evidence exhibited considered in their totality indicate manifestly that at the material time no sufficient and reasonable grounds existed to justify the belief that A. had committed an offence under S.11(a) of ACA, 1997. Investigations appeared to be ongoing at that point in time. Hence, I found that Exhibit P. 1 and P. 2 were invalid and bad in law for non-compliance with the express requirements of S.32(1)(a). ACA 1997 and thus, cannot found the present charges which ought to be held groundless. The reasons given by PW.34 for his satisfaction and belief that A. had committed the predicated offence were, in my finding, insufficient and unconvincing. This is regardless of whether PW.34 had acted mala-fide in issuing the notices which need not be addressed at this stage even though he appeared to have exercised his discretion in a rather casual manner by relying on the report of an officer who had hardly carried out any investigation. This officer had not even produced an iota of evidence that A. had actually received any bribe from MSC."

Despite, Judge Gunalan's crystal clear words that the MACC had fixed Dato' Ramli from the beginning and that DPP Kevin Morais was one of the co-conspirators to bring Ramli down, AG Gani Patail has insisted to appeal against Ramli's acquittals.

All this shows that if you have friends in the corridors of power, you will get preferential treatment. Otherwise, you will suffer selective prosecution.

The pages below show that even the judge considers Ramli a victim of fabricated charges and that the charges against him were mala fide.

Yes, this is a clear case of Muslims not upholding Islam and of Muslims trying to fabricate charges against fellow Muslims. And it takes non-Muslims, the 'enemies of Islam', to come to the defence of Muslims and to see justice done.

Islam, every Muslim will tell you, is about justice. Islam is a religion that propagates justice, these Muslims will scream. But it is Muslims who constantly and consistently perpetuate travesties of justice while the 'Kafir Laknat' plays the role of upholders of justice.

As they would say in the legal profession, I rest my case. And Zul Noordin, stop bullshitting! I trust the non-Muslims more than the Muslims to see justice done. And these court documents prove it beyond any shadow of doubt.

ADDENDUM

 

When the government turns on its people (part 1)

Posted: 10 Jun 2011 07:42 PM PDT

The Police standard response has always been that those who were shot dead were criminals. That seemed plausible when Indians were killed because even MIC has been lamenting that Indians need to turn to crime to earn a living. So you can blame Sami Vellu for this. He was the one who gave the Police the justification to shoot dead his fellow Indians.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

It is a historical fact that the people rise up in revolt to remove despotic governments and monarchies and then the very revolution they supported turns on them. Whether we go back hundreds of years or look at the most recent of revolutions the stories are all the same. The vehicle to remove the monster ends up becoming an even bigger monster.

And that is why I am not prepared to compromise on certain principles. Some tell me that these principles must be put aside for the meantime so that we can focus on removing Barisan Nasional from power.

I have said this before. I am not prepared to do that. I first want to know what type of government we are going to get in replacement to the government we are going to remove. Is it going to be a better government or just the same of the old thing? Is it just going to be old wine in a new bottle?

I think this is a reasonable question and justified anxiety. I have not forgotten that many now in the opposition were once part of the system that has reduced Malaysia to what it is today. They were once the problem rather than the solution to the problem.

I have been monitoring what has been happening in Kelantan the last 21 years since 1990. We may have had Nik Aziz Nik Mat as the Menteri Besar since 1990. But many of those under him are the same old corrupt people.

The problem with this is the body does not move in the same direction as the head. In fact, those in government try to sabotage the very government that they work for.

Was this not also true in Perak? Is this not also true in Selangor, Penang and Kedah? Are not the new political masters having a hard time trying to keep their officers in check and getting them to toe the line?

This is what I fear.

Let's look at the MACC. It used to be called the ACA. It used to be under Hussein Onn, then Dr Mahathir Mohamad, then Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, and now Najib Tun Razak. A change of name and four Prime Ministers later and it is still the same old shit. There is no change.

And what about the Royal Malaysian Police or PDRM? How many IGPs have we had since Tun Haniff Omar? Have we seen things get better of have they in fact become worse?

Honestly, will we see a better MACC or PDRM even if Anwar Ibrahim becomes the new Pakatan Rakyat Prime Minister? Was not Anwar in Umno and the government for 17 years and a good portion of that time as Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister?

I am worried that Anwar will never be able to control or change the MACC or PDRM. It may be the other way around. MACC or PDRM may instead control Anwar like what happened for 17 years when he was in government and was the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia.

Let us look at the MACC and PDRM today, 53 years after we kicked out the 'tyrant' British Colonialists and gained independence on 31 August 1957. Was the British government so much worse than the Umno government of today?

The MACC and PDRM are in competition to kill innocent Malaysians without fear of retribution. Human Rights group, Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram), expressed outrage that not a single Police officer has been held accountable for the deaths of 88 people killed in police shootings last year alone.

Suaram also accused the Police of targeting a specific ethnic group, the Indians (so some of what HINDRAF says is actually very true).

The Police standard response has always been that those who were shot dead were criminals. That seemed plausible when Indians were killed because even MIC has been lamenting that Indians need to turn to crime to earn a living.

So you can blame Sami Vellu for this. He was the one who gave the Police the justification to shoot dead his fellow Indians.

Then the picture changed.

This 'standard answer' no longer sounds credible when 14-year-old Form III student Aminulrasyid Amzah was shot dead some 100 metres from his Shah Alam house at 2.00am on 26 April 2010 after coming back from watching the football match between Chelsea and Stokes at the neighbourhood Mamak stall with his friends.

The Police then subjected his 15-year-old friend, Azamuddin, to three grilling interrogation sessions to force him to change his story.

Aminulrasyid's mother too shocked by grief could only show his picture

The same thing happened in the recent Glenmarie killings of three Malay youths.

Muhammad Hanafi Omar, 22, Muhammad Shamil Hafiz Shapiei, 15, and Hairul Nizam Tuah, 20, were gunned down by the police.

The Police said that the shooting happened in a high-speed car chase in the wee hours of November 13. Pathologist reports, however, suggest they were shot at close range while they were in a kneeling position.  

Lawyers for Liberty headed by N. Surendran are demanding an open and transparent investigation and they have alleged that it is cold-blooded murder a la execution.

"My brother's death did not make sense. He is not a criminal. My family is in a state of shock how this could happen. When we saw his body, there were bruises on his face. Was he beaten up before they killed him? The Police must answer," said Khairul Nizam's sister, Norhaliza Tuah. 

LFL lawyers, Fadiah Nadwa and N. Surendran

The MACC's record is just as 'impressive'.

Since Teoh Beng Hock is Chinese, thus the MACC wanted Malaysians to believe that it was plausible for a Chinese to commit suicide and that Beng Hock jumped out of the 13th floor of the MACC Selangor Office.

But that theory became difficult to sell when Ahmad Sarbaini was also killed in similar fashion seeing that he is Malay-Muslim and not kafir-Chinese.

Ahmad Sarbaini 's dead's body two hours after he arrived at the KL MACC Office

Even as Ahmad Sarbaini's family was burying his dead body, the MACC already started a smear campaign that he was the mastermind of the 3B case (RM3 billion) and that he was a very corrupt Customs officer with billions in his bank account.

His family and the Customs Union have objected to the MACC's smear campaign. That was why Malaysia Today ran the 4-part series on Ahmad Sarbaini's death to reveal that the MACC would not hesitate to smear the good names of the dead if necessary to support their suicide theory.

Ahmad Sarbaini's grieving family at his burial

They could do all this because that is how the system works in Malaysia. The MACC and PDRM will help AG Gani Patail to fix the people who pose dangers to the 'system' and he will clear the MACC and PDRM of any wrongdoing.  

That was why on 31 May 2011, the MACC Operations Evaluation Panel (OEP) Chairman, Tan Sri Dr Hadenan Abdul Jalil, seized the opportunity to clear AG Gani Patail unconditionally at the same time that the MACC conditionally cleared Tan Sri Robert Phang.

Part 2 to be continued tomorrow.

 

Matlamat menghalalkan cara

Posted: 10 Jun 2011 05:33 PM PDT

Today you no longer know who are the people behind these fitnah campaigns. Don't always assume that the 'other side' is the culprit behind these campaigns. You might be shocked to know that it is the 'same side' doing it. It could be the opposition people slandering their own opposition comrades. Then again it could be Umno people doing it, knowing very well that it will backfire on Umno and become a political liability to Najib.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Matlamat menghalalkan cara means the end justifies the means. Basically, halal becomes haram and haram becomes halal -- the permitted becomes forbidden and the forbidden becomes permitted.

Considering that most Malaysians believe in God -- whether they are Muslims, Christians, Buddhists or Hindus -- this makes it extremely surprising, if not shocking.

Take Islam as an example. The Quran specifically mentions that we may not forbid what God has permitted and vice versa. Yet this is the very thing that those who profess the religion of Islam do, in total violation of the Quran.

The Quran also tells Muslims that they should not alter the word of God. Yet the do exactly that -- they alter the word of God by forbidding what is permitted and permitting what is forbidden.

For example, Islam makes it mandatory for all Muslims to practice amar makruf, nahi munkar. This means you must uphold good (or the truth) and oppose evil. But try doing this in Malaysia and see what happens.

If you were to uphold the truth (by criticising the government) you would get arrested and charged in court or you would be detained without trial under the Internal Security Act.

And Islam is supposed to be the official religion of the Federation of Malaysia, mind you. Podah! Malaysia is no better than Russia, China or Israel.

Well, that is because we have a bad government, you might say. But then this 'Islamic culture' not only applies to criticising the government. If you criticise the opposition or opposition leaders, they can't arrest and charge you or detain you under the ISA, but they would certainly spread stories that you have been bought off by Umno.

So the opposition is no better when it comes to not honouring amar makruf, nahi munkar. It is just that they have no power to arrest or detain you so they slander you instead.

Would the opposition allow amar makruf, nahi munkar if it becomes the federal government? Maybe if Lim Guan Eng or Nik Aziz Nik Mat becomes the Prime Minister they would but I am not sure about the rest of the Pakatan Rakyat leaders.

They are saying that I started criticising the opposition since the fallout between Zaid Ibrahim and Anwar Ibrahim soon after the Hulu Selangor by-election. They attribute this to me being pro-Zaid. Therefore, since Zaid is now anti-Anwar, I too have become anti-Anwar.

This is not about being pro-anyone or anti-anyone. It is about being anti-dirty tactics.

I am not pro-Zaid even though he is my friend (I have refused to join his party although I still socialise with him). I am also in that same spirit not anti-Anwar (I still support him as opposition leader although he no longer talks to me or contacts me). It is just that I am anti-internal sabotage and I don't like what some PKR leaders or party insiders did during the Hulu Selangor by-election.

If you can remember, at that time I wrote an article whacking Umno for the doctored photograph of Zaid and the beer bottle. I accused Umno of fitnah (slander) for distributing that fake photograph of Zaid with the beer bottle in his hand.

Then, to my shock, I discovered that it was not Umno who did this foul deed but someone high up in PKR. When I found out about this I just kept quiet (which is not quite the Islamic thing to do and opposed to amar makruf, nahi munkar).

I decided to not shake the tree lest something falls out of the tree. I did not want to name the person even though I know who he is.

Now some unknown people are distributing the Mat Sabu sex scandal VCDs. I heard the next campaign is to spread the story that Mat Sabu is a closet Shiah follower and anti-Hadith as well. That will of course hurt Mat Sabu pretty bad and may affect Muslim support for PAS.

I hope Umno is behind this next Mat Sabu slander campaign because if they are then they are very stupid indeed. It is going to backfire terribly. The Datuk T drama backfired terribly. It was a move that hurt Umno more than it hurt Anwar. And this Mat Sabu slander exercise is going to hurt Umno again.

But is it really Umno that is behind the Mat Sabu sex scandal VCD and the Shiah-anti-Hadith campaign that they are about to launch? My Deep Throats in Umno say it is not their people who are doing this and the Umno people too are puzzled as to who is behind it.

According to the Umno people they suspect that someone in the opposition is doing this. If this is true then these people are very clever. The Mat Sabu sex scandal VCD and the Shiah-anti-Hadith exercise are going to backfire badly on Umno. And the 'beautiful' thing is even Ummo is puzzled about what is going on and is being caught with their pants down.

Or is it really someone from Umno who is doing this and they are doing it knowing that it will backfire on Umno and will therefore be a huge problem for Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak?

Yes, that is another possibility. The 3M team of Mahathir-Muhyiddin-Mukhriz knows that by sabotaging Mat Sabu with the sex scandal VCD and the Shiah-anti-Hadith story it is going to hurt Najib.

So you see, all is not what it appears to be. This is just like Hitler burning the Reichstag building in Berlin on 27th February 1933. And wasn't Hitler one of the greatest propaganda strategists of his time?

What is halal and what is haram? It no longer matters. What matters is that the end justifies the means -- and never mind if the means is halal or haram.

If you were to bring a bottle of wine to the home of a Muslim he or she would get very upset. Wine is haram and they do not want it in their home. But if you were to bring a 'red packet' containing thousands of ringgit to the home of a Muslim that is not a problem.

A bottle of wine cannot. Haram! Bribes can. Not haram.

How does the mind of these Muslims work? The majority of those accepting bribes are government officers and Umno politicians who are supposed to be Muslims. They get very upset if you bring a bottle of wine to their homes but they would welcome, in fact, insist, on bribes.

And they would gleefully fitnah another Muslim and distribute sex VCDs of other Muslims for the purpose of political power. Haram becomes halal for the sake of gaining political power.

Today you no longer know who are the people behind these fitnah campaigns. Don't always assume that the 'other side' is the culprit behind these campaigns. You might be shocked to know that it is the 'same side' doing it.

It could be the opposition people slandering their own opposition comrades. Then again it could be Umno people doing it, knowing very well that it will backfire on Umno and become a political liability to Najib.

In fact, there are some in Malaysia's intelligence agencies who don't trust Shazryl Eskay Abdullah, one of the three members of the Datuk T gang. The 'official' story going around is that Eskay was once a close friend of Anwar who has since sold him out.

Some in Malaysia's intelligence agencies do not think so. They think that Eskay is still close to Anwar and that he is involved in the porn video exercise to hurt Umno. And it has, in fact, hurt Umno badly, in particular Najib.

Najib may now have to delay the next general election. Initially it was supposed to be in July. And then they said it would most likely be in November (11-11-11) after the budget. The latest I heard is it may be delayed further, to next year, because Umno is worried that all these 'scandals' may have backfired on Umno.

Yes, it is getting very confusing indeed. We are hearing all sort of things and we are hearing that so and so is behind all these. But all is not what it appears and those alleged to be behind all these things are equally confused.

Nevertheless, it just proves that Malaysian politics is getting more complicated by the day. You think you can read what is happening but that is no longer true. They aim at a certain target but the real target is another one altogether.

Rahim Thambi Chik is Dr Mahathir's man. Could it be that Datuk T's real target is not Anwar but Najib, as what some suspect? Considering the Anwar porn video has backfired on Najib this could be true. Or was Rahim tricked by Eskay, who is still Anwar's comrade?

I really no longer know. But one thing I do know is that Malaysia's politics is not as simple as you may think. It is very complicating. The targets are not that identifiable any more. They hit Anwar and Mat Sabu but their real target could actually be Najib.

 

WIKILEAKS: Malaysia-based firm involved in guidance systems of ballistic missiles, cruise ...

Posted: 09 Jun 2011 01:00 AM PDT

In December 2009, the United States shared with China information regarding attempts by the Malaysia-based firm Electronics Component Limited (ECL) to buy TRS-500 gyroscopes from the Chinese firm VibTel Industrial Co. Inc. (Ref A). These gyroscopes, which are controlled by the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and China's missile-related export controls, would be suitable for use in the guidance systems of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

S E C R E T STATE 010900

 

SIPDIS

 

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/03/2035

TAGS: MTCRE, PARM, PREL, MNUC, ETTC, KSCA, IR, CH, MY

SUBJECT: (S) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR CHINA ON THE MALAYSIA-BASED COMPANY ELECTRONICS COMPONENT LIMITED

 

REF: A. 09 STATE 130917

     B. 09 BEIJING 003476

 

Classified By: ISN/MTR DIRECTOR PAM DURHAM, REASON: 1.4 (C).

 

1. (U) This is an action request.  Embassy Beijing, please see paragraph 4.

2.  (S) Background/Objective: In December 2009, the United States shared with China information regarding attempts by the Malaysia-based firm Electronics Component Limited (ECL) to buy TRS-500 gyroscopes from the Chinese firm VibTel Industrial Co. Inc. (Ref A).  These gyroscopes, which are controlled by the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and China's missile-related export controls, would be suitable for use in the guidance systems of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles. 

We requested China investigate this information because ECL is associated with a network of Iranian-controlled front companies that procure sensitive goods on behalf of a number of Iranian entities of proliferation concern.

3.  (S) Chinese officials agreed to investigate this information, but asked for additional details on ECL's relationships with firms in Iran (Ref B).  To support their efforts in this case, we would like to inform them that ECL is part of a network of Iranian-controlled front companies that includes the Iranian firm Shahin Sefid Esta and the Malaysia-based front company Skylife Worldwide Sdn Bhd. 

This network procures sensitive goods on behalf of a number of Iranian entities of proliferation concern, including the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1737-designated entities Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group (SHIG) and Ya Mahdi Industries.  We want to provide this information to Chinese officials and emphasize that we believe the transfer of this controlled equipment to a company linked to UNSCR-designated entities would be prohibited pursuant to UNSCR 1737.

4.  (S) Action Request:  Request Embassy Beijing approach appropriate host government officials to deliver talking points/non-paper in paragraph 5 below and report response.

Talking points also may be provided as a non-paper.

5.  (S) Begin talking points/non-paper:

(SECRET//REL CHINA)

--In December 2009, we shared with you information regarding attempts by the Malaysia-based firm Electronics Component Limited (ECL) to buy TRS-500 gyroscopes from the Chinese firm VibTel Industrial Co. Inc.

--TRS-500 gyroscopes are controlled by the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and China's missile-related export controls, and can be used in the guidance systems of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

--We also noted that ECL is associated with a network of Iranian-controlled front companies that procure sensitive goods on behalf of a number of Iranian entities of proliferation concern.

--In response to this information, you agreed to look into this matter, but asked if the United States could provide additional details on ECL's relationships with firms in Iran.

--We now want to provide you with additional information indicating that ECL is part of a network of Iranian-controlled front companies that includes the Iranian firm Shahin Sefid Esta and the Malaysia-based front company Skylife Worldwide Sdn Bhd.

--This network procures sensitive goods on behalf of a number of Iranian entities of proliferation concern, including the Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group (SHIG), which is Iran's primary developer of liquid propellant ballistic missiles, and Heavy Metal Industries, a front company for the tactical missile developer Ya Mahdi Industries.

--Both SHIG and Ya Mahdi Industries are sanctioned under United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1737.

--Additionally, the TRS-500 gyroscopes are controlled items that would be prohibited from being exported to Iran under UNSCR 1737.

--We hope this information is useful in supporting your efforts in this case and assists your ability to prevent the transfer of these gyroscopes by VibTel Industrial Co. to ECL.

--We look forward to future cooperation on nonproliferation issues and to hearing the results of your investigation into this activity at the earliest possible time.

End talking points/non-paper

6.  (U) Washington POC is ISN/MTR John Paul Herrmann (Phone: 202-647-1430).  Please slug any reporting on this issue for ISN/MTR and EAP/CM.

7.  (U) A word version of this document will be posted at www.state.sgov.gov/demarche.

CLINTON

 

Still say that 60% of what Malaysia Today writes are lies?

Posted: 08 Jun 2011 08:55 PM PDT

In a filings with Bursa Malaysia yesterday, Ho Hup said the High Court had found that the company's previous board of directors had acted in breach of their duties to Ho Hup by committing Bukit Jalil Development to the JDA, and that Pioneer Haven had knowingly assisted in those breaches. Ho Hup entered into the JDA (via Bukit Jalil Development) with Pioneer Haven on March 16 last year, when Ho Hup was still under the management of former deputy chairman Datuk Vincent Lye.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Only 40% of what Malaysia Today writes is true, said Mukhriz Mahathir, the future Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia when Muhyiddin Yassin goes up to become Prime Minister -- if they can successfully oust Najib Tun Razak.

Yes, that's right, there is a move to oust Najib. And there are hidden hands in Umno who are trying to force Najib's hand to call for the next general election on 11 November 2011.

That's 11-11-11, a very auspicious date indeed.

But the intelligence agencies do not agree. They are trying to convince Najib that if he calls for the general election this year rather than 2012 or 2013, then Barisan Nasional will suffer what it did in March 2008 and Najib would suffer what Abdullah Ahmad Badawi suffered soon after that -- he would be ousted from office.

But then it is not up to Najib. It is not even up to Malaysia's intelligence agencies. It is up to Rosmah Mansor. And she would like to stretch her term -- yes, that's right, her term -- a little longer in case they fall flat on their face and have to leave office.

An ex-Prime Minister's wife would not be able to receive loads of Birkin bags as presents from Vincent Tan at USD120,000 a piece. And she does not have all the colours yet.

Ask Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. He can tell you how shabbily he is being treated as an ex-Prime Minister by people who control Berjaya, YTL, Ho Hup, etc.

At one time these people were grovelling at Mahathir's feet. Now they won't give him the time of day. Such is the fate of ex-Prime Ministers and Rosmah is not about to suffer that same fate.

The 3M team of Mahathir, Muhyiddin and Mukhriz can only kick out Najib -- like what happened to Abdullah Badawi -- if Barisan Nasional performs badly in the general election. But if there is no general election then there is no excuse to kick Najib out.

That is the bottom line.

Anyway, back to the 40% true and 60% lies that Mukhriz said about Malaysia Today. Let us recap on some of the 'lies' we have spun thus far involving the Attorney-General, Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail.

When you are a friend of Gani Patail, you can buy yourself immunity from prosecution. That is why Tan Sri Tajuddin Ramli, former Chairman of Malaysia Airlines (MAS), is a free man despite having caused MAS to suffer losses to the tune of billions of ringgit.

The national carrier almost went bankrupt if not for a government bailout. However, instead of charging Tajudin, Gani Patail charged the Police CCID Director, Dato' Ramli Yusuff, who had recommended that Tajuddin and his associates be prosecuted.

When Malaysia Today revealed that Tajudin's proxy, Shahidan Shafie -- the ex-police inspector who was charged for bribery when he was OC Secret Societies in Johor Bharu -- is a close friend of Gani Patail, and that they went to Mecca together, the MACC quickly cleared the AG.

And do you want to know why?

This is because the usual 'you scratch my back, I scratch your back' deal has been struck between the MACC and the AG who will now make the Police tailor its investigations to show that Ahmad Sarbani had committed suicide.

That will be the evidence presented to the Coroner at the Inquest to ensure a finding that the cause of death was suicide.

Tabung Haji's documents show that Shahidan went to perform the Haj as Gani Patail's family

When Malaysia Today exposed that Gani Patail dabbled not only in national politics but also in corporate politics -- to tilt the balance of power in a corporate tussle involving Ho Hup Bhd -- Gani Patail went to Ho Hup's office as a show of support for his friend, Datuk Vincent Lye, who was having a shareholders' fight with Datuk Low Tuck Choy, better known as Dato' TC Low.

AG Gani Patail with Vincent Lye at Ho Hup's office

Dato' TC had alleged that Gani Patail's friend, Vincent Lye, tried to fleece Ho Hup Bhd by defrauding the company to enter into a lopsided and disadvantageous contract with Malton Bhd.

Vincent Lye had signed a deal to surrender Ho Hup's 60-acre freehold land in Bukit Jalil worth RM4.2 billion to Malton. After signing that contract, Vincent Lye was sacked by the company's shareholders in an EGM.

However, instead of charging Vincent Lye for fraud, and to tilt thing things in Vincent Lye's favour, Gani Patail charged Dato' TC Low -- for a very minor technical offence -- in order to disqualify him from being a director in the company.

Yesterday, the High Court confirmed that what Vincent Lye did was wrong and declared that the contract entered into by Vincent Lye was null and void.

So there you are. Which 60% of this story is a lie?

Anyway, read The Star news report below:   

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Ho Hup wins suit, court declares deal null and void, firm can revamp

The Star, Wednesday, June 8, 2011

PETALING JAYA: After more than a year of litigation, the Kuala Lumpur High Court has finally ruled in favour of Ho Hup Construction Co Bhd by declaring null and void a joint development agreement (JDA) between the latter's 70%-owned subsidiary, Bukit Jalil Development Sdn Bhd, and Pioneer Haven Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned unit of Malton Bhd.

The finalisation of the court decision would enable Ho Hup to proceed with its financial regularisation plan, which had been delayed pending the outcome of the suit.

Ho Hup had been working to regularise its financial condition since being listed as a Practice Note 17 (PN17) company in July 2008.

"With the JDA reversed, the full development rights of the valuable, prime piece of land would revert back to our subsidiary Bukit Jalil Development," Ho Hup executive director Derek Wong said in a statement yesterday.

"This means we can fully leverage on this prized asset to restructure the company's debts and regularise our operations and financial condition," he said, adding that the company would now focus on finalising details of its PN17 regularisation plan and submission to the authorities.

Ho Hup made a requisite announcement of its PN17 regularisation plan in early March 2011 involving the restructuring scheme for creditors for the company as well as that for Bukit Jalil Development. Ho Hup and Bukit Jalil Development reportedly had outstanding debts worth RM329.2mil in the form of secured and unsecured loans as to date.

In a filings with Bursa Malaysia yesterday, Ho Hup said the High Court had found that the company's previous board of directors had acted in breach of their duties to Ho Hup by committing Bukit Jalil Development to the JDA, and that Pioneer Haven had knowingly assisted in those breaches.

"Significantly, the High Court found that the JDA, was in substance, a disposal of Bukit Jalil Development's 60-acre land bank, and as such, required the approval of shareholders under section 132C of the Companies Act."

"As no such approval was obtained, the joint development agreement and other associated instruments were null and void for contravening the law," it said, adding that the High Court had ordered the private caveat lodged by Pioneer Haven be expunged."

Ho Hup entered into the JDA (via Bukit Jalil Development) with Pioneer Haven on March 16 last year, when Ho Hup was still under the management of former deputy chairman Datuk Vincent Lye.

The deal was supposed to see the partners jointly develop the freehold land in Bukit Jalil into a mixed commercial and residential project.

Substantial shareholder Datuk Low Tuck Choy, who was also a former managing director of Ho Hup, as well as several other shareholders, had objected to the deal, claiming that their approval was not sought.

Shareholders who objected the deal also believed that it would be more profitable to Ho Hup if the company had opted to sell or develop the land on its own.

Now that the JDA has been declared null and void, Ho Hup indeed would have the option to develop Bukit Jalil on its own.

According to Wong, the masterplan to develop the Bukit Jalil site into a mixed commercial and residential project had been conditionally approved by City Hall.

"The land is within a prime location and will be developed in six phases over 10 years with an estimated gross development value of RM4.2bil," he said in the statement.

"We are looking at a sales launch, possibly in the fourth quarter."

 

A political party is just like our car, a mere vehicle

Posted: 08 Jun 2011 01:00 AM PDT

If it works, keep it. If it breaks down, change it. Make it work for us. Don't become a slave of our vehicle. And make sure that politicians understand that this is how we are going to play the game from hereon. We need to be ruthless and mercenaries. Then we will get a good deal. If not we will get a raw deal. And that will make us worse than prostitutes.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Many people do not understand what slavery and bondage mean. There are many forms of slavery and bondage. We have sex slaves. Economic slavery. Then we have mental bondage.

Mental bondage in itself comes in many forms. Denying the people an education or a proper education is one form of mental bondage. Uneducated people can't think for themselves and their minds can be manipulated.

Then we have another form of mental bondage perpetuated by religion. Much in religion is about reducing us to slaves. We are told what we are allowed to think and most times we are not allowed to think. And we are told we must not rationalise but accept the unproven based on 'faith'.

Faith is the word used to explain the absence of evidence.

Economic slavery is another very popular and effective form of slavery. If people are too economically independent then they become a political problem to the ruling elite. Better the people are poor and dependent on the government. Then they become compliant. (Does the NEP ring a bell?)

Developed countries see changes in government every election or every few elections. Poor countries see the same government for decades, sometimes for 50 years without change.

Then there is another form of bondage and slavery, which I want to talk about today. And this is political slavery.

We are told that only Umno can look after Malay interests, or only PAS can safeguard Islam, or only PKR and DAP can guarantee us multiculturalism, or only MIC can protect the Indians, or only MCA can defend the Chinese, or whatever.

Actually, the truth is, Umno, MCA, MIC, PKR, DAP, PAS, Gerakan, PPP, PBB, SNAP, SUPP, LDP, PRS, SPDP, UPKO, PBS, PBRS, KITA, PRM, PSM, MDP, SAPP, BERJASA, HAMIM, (all the two dozen or so political parties in Malaysia) have only one purpose in mind. And that purpose is to seek power.

They are all political parties, nothing more and nothing less. And the job of political parties is to get into power.

Let's not believe the bullshit that they are here to serve us. Political parties serve themselves. And they use us to get into power.

Many working-class Malaysians suffer and struggle to pay for their motorcar. Sometimes half their salaries or more go towards paying and maintaining their car or cars. Why is this so?

A car is merely a convenience. It is a vehicle to get us from point A to point B. It is a tool to enable us to go to work. So why are we working for our car instead of making our car work for us?

It appears like we are tools of our cars instead of our car being a tool for us. We should not be emotional and sentimental about our car, a mere vehicle for our convenience. But that is not how most Malaysians view it. And that is why we work for our cars instead of making our car work for us.

A political party is also a tool. It is a convenience. It is merely a vehicle to enable us to get from point A to point B.

So we should not also be emotional and sentimental about political parties. Being a tool or vehicle, we should make the political parties work for us. We should not work for the political parties.

A political party must serve us. It is there merely to fulfil a purpose. And this purpose is to run the country the way we want it to be run.

It does not matter which political party we give that job to, just like it does not matter what car we drive. A political party, just like our car, is a convenience, a mere vehicle to help us achieve our objective.

A political party, like our car, is not the objective. It is a means to an end.

Let us not be emotional or sentimental about political parties, just like we should not be about our car.

If our car can do the job we keep it. If it breaks down we repair it. From time to time we service it to prevent it from deteriorating or breaking down. If it becomes a problem we get rid of it and buy a new one. If a better model or make comes along we get rid of our old and problematic car and opt for the latest.

That is how we should treat our cars. And you should not suffer by working long hours just to pay for your car. A car enables us to get to work. We should not work so that we can pay for the car.

And we should not burn all our salary just to pay for the car.

That is also how we should treat political parties. If it works, we keep it. If it breaks down, we get rid of it. If it can do the job, fine. If not, then why bother with it?

We must use political parties. We should not allow political parties to use us. Political parties want only one thing, to get into power. And they will use us to get into power. So we must be smart enough to use them instead.

We know what political parties want. That is fine with us. But we should make them work for it. We should turn them into our slaves. Make them crawl on the ground and beg and kiss our feet. We should not instead become their slaves.

At least prostitutes know what to do. They know you want their pussy. So they open their legs and let you have what you want. But you have to pay for it because what they want is your money. And they make sure you pay dearly for it.

Prostitutes do not open their legs and then pay you money as well. You pay. So why are we allowing political parties to screw us and then we pay them on top of that instead of making them pay? That makes us worse than prostitutes.

And we have the cheek to look down on prostitutes when they are smarter than us?

I am not emotional or sentimental about any political party. If they do the job I expect them to do then they get my support and vote. If not then I trade in this old and problematic 'car' for a new one.

(Incidentally, since 1974 to 1994 I voted for PAS is Kampong Kolam in Terengganu and since 1999 till 2008 I voted for PKR in Subang USJ9).

Anwar Ibrahim has changed 'cars' before when the old one broke down. So has Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah. The first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman did the same thing, as did the third Prime Minister Hussein Onn, and his father before him, Onn Jaafar.

Dr Mahathir Mohammad changed 'cars' many times. Rais Yatim, Shahrir Samad, and many cabinet ministers -- as did many PAS leaders, party presidents included -- went that same route.

So you see, if it works, keep it. If it breaks down, change it. Make it work for us. Don't become a slave of our vehicle. And make sure that politicians understand that this is how we are going to play the game from hereon. We need to be ruthless and mercenaries. Then we will get a good deal. If not we will get a raw deal. And that will make us worse than prostitutes.

 

WIKILEAKS: Perak episode sets a dangerous precedent

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 01:00 AM PDT

A well-financed political coalition could persuade members of Parliament to support the other side, shifting power through undemocratic means, as many allege occurred in Perak. Before this Federal Court decision, the assembly would have instead been dissolved for fresh elections, but now the sultan can legitimize the takeover without voter input.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 KUALA LUMPUR 000092

 

SIPDIS

 

FOR EAP/MTS AND INR

 

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/19/2019

TAGS: PGOV, PREL, KJUS, MY

SUBJECT: COURT DECISION ON STATE POWER PLAY ENDS LEGAL BATTLE, BUT SETS WORRISOME PRECEDENT

 

REF: A. 09 KL 342 -- PANDEMONIUM IN PERAK STATE ASSEMBLY

     B. 09 KL 78 -- NAJIB LEADS TAKEOVER IN PERAK

     C. KL 20 -- WHAT IS GOING ON IN MALAYSIA?

 

Classified By: Political Counselor Brian D. McFeeters for reasons 1.4 b and d.

 

Summary and Comment

1. (SBU) Malaysia's Federal Court, the highest level in Malaysia's judicial system, announced on February 9 that the Sultan of Perak had the legal authority to appoint a new Chief Minister in his state, as he did in February 2009, after concluding that the ruling National Front (BN) coalition commanded the majority of seats in the Perak state assembly. 

The case effectively ends the Perak constitutional crisis, which has been simmering since three opposition politicians declared themselves independents friendly toward BN, tipping the balance of seats in the state assembly toward BN (refs A and B). 

The Sultan came under unprecedented scrutiny because replacing a Chief Minister is not specifically mentioned in the state constitution.  The opposition coalition People's Alliance (PR) announced that they would no longer contest the issue as they had vigorously done for the past year, and instead work alongside the BN for the benefit of the people of Perak, if certain conditions were met. 

A recent independent poll confirmed that most Perakians believe that the only way to fairly resolve this crisis would be to hold snap elections in the state, which the BN has announced they will not do prematurely.

2. (C) Comment:  This Federal Court decision in the BN's favor raises renewed questions about the independence of the Malaysian judiciary, already in question in connection with the Anwar Ibrahim trial and other cases (ref C). 

While the GOM argues that the decision is based on a sound interpretation of the Perak constitution, opposition figures disagree and argue the decision legitimizes political maneuvering to change the results of democratic elections, setting a dangerous precedent by implying that the King could remove the Prime Minister, without a no-confidence motion in Parliament. 

A well-financed political coalition could persuade members of Parliament to support the other side, shifting power through undemocratic means, as many allege occurred in Perak.  Before this Federal Court decision, the assembly would have instead been dissolved for fresh elections, but now the sultan can legitimize the takeover without voter input.  End Summary and Comment.

The February 9 Decision

3. (U) The Federal Court ruled on February 9 in a unanimous 5-0 vote that the Sultan of Perak, Azlan Shah, had the authority to appoint a new Chief Minister if he believed that a different political coalition commanded the allegiance of a majority of seats in the state assembly. 

In announcing its decision, the Federal Court confirmed that the Sultan was correct in his February 6, 2009 decision to verify that veteran politician Zambry Abdul Kadir, a member of UMNO (the United Malays National Organization -- the dominant political party in the BN) had the support of a majority of the members of the state assembly, replacing Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin. 

The switch in support came after three members of the People's Alliance simultaneously declared themselves to be independents friendly to the BN in early February 2009, a maneuver that is widely believed to have been driven by the BN.  Zambry's attorney Cecil Abraham went to great lengths to stress that "this decision is binding on the state government and the federal government."

Predictions and Reactions

4. (C) Poloff and Pol Specialist visited Perak from February 1-3 (to be reported septel) and discussed the (then upcoming) February 9 Federal Court decision with politicians and attorneys familiar with the case.  Nizar's lead lawyer Chan Kok Keong told Poloff ahead of the February 9 decision that he was certain the judges would rule in favor of Zambry. 

He opined that it would not be a "constitutional decision" but rather "a political decision."  Chan pointed out that when he and his legal team were making their submission at the Federal Court, all five judges "were extremely hostile" to them. Chan added that by ruling in Zambry's favor, the Federal Court "will be rewriting its own decisions and the constitution." 

Former Chief Minister Nizar told Poloff that a ruling in favor of Zambry would result in "the Prime Minister or the Chief Minister holding office at the pleasure of the King or the Sultan."  Nizar added that this would set a "dangerous precedent."  DAP Vice President and Member of Parliament from Perak Kulasegaran also told Poloff ahead of the decision that the courts would favor Zambry because "the political stakes are too high for Prime Minister Najib."

Poloff also spoke with Zambry's political secretary Abdul Rahman and the assembly speaker S. Ganeson; both expressed confidence that the court "will make the right decision" by ruling in favor of Zambry.

5. (U) After the February 9 decision, BN Chief Minister Zambry was quoted in the media on saying he was thankful for the court's decision, adding that "hopefully all parties can accept this decision and this political crisis in Perak can finally be put to rest." 

Prime Minister Najib appealed for everyone to respect the court's decision, commenting "We have to accept the decision of the country's highest court.  The issue and saga of who is the right Chief Minister of Perak has been decided, and I hope they (the opposition People's Alliance) accept this decision."   

National opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim slammed the decision, claiming UMNO "does not have the courage to face the people" in elections. Democratic Action Party leader Lim Kit Siang called the verdict "legalization of BN's coup d'etat."  Former de facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim called the decision "warped legal reasoning" done for "political expediency."

Nizar: Will Work with UMNO in Perak, but with Conditions

6. (SBU) Former Chief Minister Nizar convened a special meeting of state PR leaders on the day of the Federal Court's ruling, announcing that the opposition would give its full cooperation to the BN government in Perak.  He said, "for the good of Perakians, we have decided to become a strong opposition in the state assembly and lend our services to the Barisan National government in implementing policies that are good for the people." 

Nizar, however, caveated that the opposition would only give its full cooperation if Zambry's government agreed to four conditions. 

First, they must allow opposition parties to use public premises for the purpose of hosting functions; second, they must give memberships to opposition assemblymen to special committees; third, they must provide all opposition assemblymen with allocations of RM 150,000-RM 200,000 (approximately $40,000 to $55,000 USD) per year; and fourth, the BN must base its administration "on the principles of honesty, integrity, transparency, justice, and welfare."  Chief Minister Zambry responded on February 10 by stating "we have never discriminated against them on the allocations, so no need for conditions.  We must help the public.  That's the yardstick." 

(Note: The BN traditionally only grants "development funds" to constituencies held by BN representatives.  Just prior to the takeover last year, former Minister in the PM's department Ahmad Zahid Hamidi -- who is now the Minister of Defense -- announced that each BN assemblyman would receive RM 300,000, while the other constituencies would receive nothing.  End Note.)

Poll: Decide Through an Election, not a Court Decision

7. (U) The independent Merdeka Center announced results of a poll taken of Perak voters on February 5, in conjunction with the one year anniversary of the BN's takeover of the state.

Among the key findings of the poll: 74% of the respondents feel that fresh state elections are the best way to resolve the political crisis in Perak; 65% of respondents believe the Perak political crisis remains a relevant issue after one year; and 60% place a higher priority on having a democratically elected government than on improving the economy.

Looking Ahead

8. (SBU) Although it appears that both sides want to move ahead, there are still two pending legal cases that could, theoretically, result in a shift in power.  The first case involves a lawsuit by former state assembly Speaker Sivakumar, who was not initially removed from his position until after the first state assembly session under Zambry was conducted.  As speaker, Sivakumar held the power to suspend people for contempt; during the first meeting in April 2009, he suspended Zambry and six others for assuming their new positions before the initial court decision (Nizar v. Zambry) was complete. 

Although it is unlikely the courts will find in favor of Sivakumar, if they do it is possible that his authority to suspend Zambry and six others will stand, thereby giving Nizar the majority of seats again.  The second case concerns the alleged resignations of the three state assemblymen who defected from the PR.  Just prior to the defections, Nizar claimed that the three had resigned from the state assembly, and held undated letters of resignation from each as proof. 

The Election Commission, however, did not accept these letters as legitimate and refused to call for elections to replace the three.  The PR filed a lawsuit for the letters to be recognized as legitimate, currently under judicial review at the Federal Court.  All legal decisions on this lawsuit thus far have rejected the PR's assertions.

KEITH

 

Kredit: www.malaysia-today.net
 

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