| WIKILEAKS: FURTHER MALAYSIA RESPONSE TO TANCHON COMMERCIAL BANK ACCOUNTS Posted: 21 Sep 2011 01:00 AM PDT 
Both the FIU and Maybank would like to see on the evidence supporting the alleged link between Tanchon and Maybank so that Bank Negara can confirm whether such a relationship exists. They also requested information on the process for correcting USG records of suspicious transactions. If Bank Negara confirms that there is no relationship between Maybank and Tanchon, they would like to ask that this allegation be expunged from the record. THE CORRIDORS OF POWER Raja Petra Kamarudin 
1. (C) Econoff met with Koid Swee Lian, Director of Bank Negara's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and FIU official Rahman Abu Bakar June 2 at their request to discuss the alleged relationship between Tanchon Commercial Bank and Malayan Banking Berhad's (aka Maybank) Singapore branch (Ref A). The FIU also invited Shamsul Bahrin Baharuddin, Maybank's Head of Compliance Risk Management and Abdul Alim Mahmood, Senior Relationship Manager for the Americas, who presented Econoff with a letter detailing their internal investigation and categorically denying any relationship between Tanchon and Maybank Singapore or Maybank Malaysia. Both the FIU and Maybank officials reiterated their earlier requests for more information regarding the alleged relationship so that they may investigate deeper. They also expressed concern that this issue is remains open even though they requested information substantiating the allegation over a month ago. Specifically, they do not want this allegation to come out publicly nor do they wish to be surprised should the U.S. government be contemplating such an action. As they have found no ties between Maybank and Tanchon, FIU once again requested that the U.S. government expunge this allegation from the record. 2. (C) Both the FIU and Maybank remain very concerned about this case. Maybank explained to Econoff that it had not found any relationship between Maybank's Singapore branch and Tanchon. They also explained Maybank's policy regarding correspondent banks. (Note: the talking points per Ref B referred to Tanchon's "correspondent relationship with Malaysian Banking Berhad Singapore Branch." End Note.) Maybank explained that its corporate regulations require any branch entering into a correspondent relationship to seek Maybank headquarters approval. There is no record of the Singapore branch ever making such a request nor has Maybank found any record of a relationship between Tanchon and the Singapore branch. 3. (C) Action Requested: Post reiterates the request made in Ref A. Both the FIU and Maybank would like to see on the evidence supporting the alleged link between Tanchon and Maybank so that Bank Negara can confirm whether such a relationship exists. They also requested information on the process for correcting USG records of suspicious transactions. If Bank Negara confirms that there is no relationship between Maybank and Tanchon, they would like to ask that this allegation be expunged from the record. In view of our close working relationship with the FIU, and the importance of this relationship for our counterterrorism finance cooperation with Malaysia, post once again requests Washington guidance for responding to this request. LAFLEUR (June 2006) |
| Fantasizing Hang Li Po Posted: 20 Sep 2011 10:22 PM PDT By dUMNO Of COURSE !!! I am DUMNO !! I AM sexist !! but it seems time and again, Malaysians keeps voting us back into power, so that we can sap your money, and make off with all the wealth of this country. See you next elections !!! Haiya... you stupit Chinese simply think that Hang Li Po was this Darling drop-dead gorgeous Babe from Cheena. She maybe she looked like the one below? What if this was Hang Li Po? 
People like to romanticise what all these Princes and Princesses looked like, and what if this was Hang Li Po's Son?
And his brother looked like this? 
Don't laugh. What if the Sultan of Malacca found this to be attractive? Why does everyone think of all Prince's and Princesses as having sexy bodies like the one below?  None of Malaysia's Sultans do, and the closest is the one which got away was her - Manohara: 
How come no Sultan got a hold of Miss Indonesia? 
Tak laku? Maybe, because people from the past used to love fat women. Look at all the Renaissance paintings. They had mostly fat women in it. In fact, the Masai Tribe rates women according to size, so a skinny one like Miss Indonesia was rather useless, and is rated as 5 cows. But BIG MOMMA Hang Li Po above would have been worth 40 cows !!
Sexist?
Of COURSE !!! I am DUMNO !! I AM sexist !! but it seems time and again, Malaysians keeps voting us back into power, so that we can sap your money, and make off with all the wealth of this country. See you next elections !!! |
| Blogger Umno gelar Muhyiddin 'anak paria' Posted: 20 Sep 2011 08:18 PM PDT 
Muhyiddin digelar sebagai anak paria, penyamun besar dan perosak Umno. Lebih hodoh lagi, Zaharin yang juga Setiausaha Umno Bahagian Bandar Tun Razak mendakwa beliau ada maklumat bahawa Muhyiddin terbabit hendak menjatuhkan Perdana Menteri, Dato' Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak. Mohd Rashidi Hassan, HARAKAH DAILY "DI BAWAH pentadbiran Muhyiddin Yassin, Umno Wilayah (Persekutuan) sudah jadi macam parti mak bapak dia..Dia buat apa dia suka..Kerana dia penyamun besar yang berselindung atas nama nasionalisme Melayu dan Islam..Maka dilantiknya jawatan kanan Umno bahagian bdr tun razak semuanya banduan politik wang."
"Muhyiddin Yassin itu anak paria," tulis Setiausaha Umno Bahagian Bandar Tun Razak, Zaharin Mohd Yasin yang juga bloger Sang Kelembai dalam laman Facebook (FB) beliau.
Beliau menulis lagi, "16 September 2011 bermula konspirasi hendak menjatuhkan PM Najib oleh Muhyiddin Yassin, dgn perlantikan setiausaha dan bendahari bekas banduan politik wang dan seorang yd diadukan melanggar perlembagaan Umno, maka dengan sendiri Parlimen Bandar Tun Razak yg dinamakan sempena bapa PM Najib dgn mudah akan dimenang oleh pembangkang. Maka Muhyiddin Yasin akan minta PM Najib letak jawatan saperti yg pernah dia lakukan kpd Abdullah Hj Ahmad."
Apa yang ditulis Zaharin menunjukkan politiking dalam Umno memang hebat. Sentiasa panas dan bergolak. Selalunya kemelut dalaman Umno tidak diketahui rakyat kerana ia dapat disembunyikan oleh media tali barut Umno. Bila dibongkarkan satu-persatu mereka kata, ianya hanya ibarat 'ribut dalam secawan kopi.'
Ribut dalam Umno kali ini memang hebat dan tidak dapat dibendung. Ia diluahkan dan didedahkan secara terbuka oleh bloger-bloger dan facebookers Umno. Laman sosial FB menjadi tempat mereka melepaskan geram terhadap seteru politik dalam Umno.
Zaharin begitu berani mengambil risiko menghentam dan mengecam Timbalan Presiden Umno yang juga Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Muhyiddin digelar sebagai anak paria, penyamun besar dan perosak Umno. Lebih hodoh lagi, Zaharin yang juga Setiausaha Umno Bahagian Bandar Tun Razak mendakwa beliau ada maklumat bahawa Muhyiddin terbabit hendak menjatuhkan Perdana Menteri, Dato' Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak.
Dalam tulisannya di laman FB, Zaharin berkata, beliau akan mendedahkan hal tersebut tidak lama lagi.
Zaharin melepaskan geramnya kepada Muhyiddin dipercayai kerana terdapat usaha TPM selaku Pengerusi Umno untuk meletakkan 'orangnya' menggantikan beliau sebagai Setiausaha Umno Bahagian.
Malah dalam laman FBnya, Zaharin terus menyerang Muhyiddin kerana melantik orang-orang bermasalah dan yang jelas terbabit dalam politik wang seperti Dato' Mokhtar Samad dan Amil Salleh di bahagian tersebut.
Menulis mengenai Zaharin bukan bermakna menyokong beliau. Sebab Zaharin memang jenis out-spoken. Dalam posting beliau selalu menyerang PAS dan Pakatan Rakyat. Timbalan Presiden PAS, Mohamad Sabu dan Ketua Umum KeADILan, Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim sering menjadi 'ulam' beliau.
Saya ketepikan soal serangan Zaharin terhadap Pakatan Rakyat buat seketika. Yang penting sekarang bukan soal Zaharin sebagai penulis dalam blog atau FB. Beliau ada jawatan. Selaku Setiausaha Umno Bahagian dan Setiausaha BN Bahagian, kuasanya agar besar dan berpengaruh. Beliau juga terbabit sebagai AJK Umno Wilayah Persekutuan.
Oleh kerana itu serangan dan kecaman beliau terhadap TPM memang ada weight yang tersendiri. Sebab apa seorang yang berjawatan sanggup menyerang Timbalan Presiden Umno yang juga Pengerusi Umno negeri? Kata-kata yang dihamburkan pula bukannya kritikan biasa.
Gelaran 'anak paria' terhadap Muhyiddin yang berbangsa Melayu dan beragama Islam adalah sedahsyat-dahsyat gelaran. Jika ada kalangan orang India pun tidak setuju jika ungkapan paria digunakan kepada mereka walaupun ia ada dalam kamus mereka, inikan pula orang Melayu-Islam menerima geralan sedemikian.
'Anak paria' yang dikatakan Zaharin bukan sekadar paria, dia adalah penyamun besar, pembela golongan rasuah dan bermasalah dalam Umno. Lebih dahsyat lagi 'anak paria' itu dituduh merancang hendak menjatuhkan PM kesayangan Zaharin.
Sudah tentu serangan Zaharin terhadap Muhyiddin tidak dapat diterima juak-juak Muhyiddin. Melalui blog Cucu Tok Selampit mereka menyerang Zaharin dan menggesa Umno memecatnya.
Zaharin kata blog tersebut sebagai politikus yang tidak bermaruah. Zaharin dituduh menyerang bekas PM, Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dan kemudian mencium tangan Abdullah selepas mendapat habuan yang dikehendaki. Gambar Zaharin memeluk dan mencium tangan Abdullah juga disiarkan mereka.
Bloger Umno yang marah dengan Zaharin mendakwa beliau menjalankan politik 'peras ugut'. Zaharin didakwa memeras ugut ahli politik (termasuk TPM), kemudian mereka diminta 'menghulurkan habuan' jika serangan terhadap mereka hendak dihentikan.
Bloger Umno yang tidak puashati dengan kecaman Zaharin terhadap Muhyiddin, terus menyerang beliau dan mendakwa Zaharin mempunyai kelaku yang amat buruk. Kata mereka Zaharin tidak layak menjadi ahli Umno kerana banyak komen-komennya merosakkan Umno.
Membaca komen-komen yang diposting mereka naik tergelak dibuatnya. Macamlah mereka yang duduk dalam Umno suci macam Malaikat Jibril.
Saya tidak perlu cenderung untuk membela sesiapa dalam Umno dalam perbalahan ini. Mereka hendak tuduh, hendak kata apa pun kepada seteru mereka, itu urusan mereka. Hanya mereka sahaja yang tahu dan faham perangai orang-orang Umno.
Yang jelas, tujuan saya mengutarakan isu ini, lebih kepada untuk menyedarkan rakyat dan mendedahkan kepada rakyat, bahawa Umno itu memang hodoh dan teruk. Perbalahan dalaman mereka memang teruk dna tidak mampu dibaiki lagi.
Persoalan yang harus dijawab oleh Umno hari ini bukan soal siapa Zaharin, atau apa buruk baik kelakunya. Yang tidak boleh dinafikan orang Umno ialah, didakwa wujudnya satu usaha yang didalangi Timbalan Presiden Umno untuk menjatuhkan Presiden Umno. Itu isu yang sebenarnya.
Yang menuduh atau membangkitkan isu ini bukan orang PAS. Bukan juga orang Pakatan Rakyat. Yang menuduh Muhyiddin hendak menjatuhkan Najib adalah dari kalangan Umno sendiri. Apa yang dibuat Muhyiddin, siapa penyokongnya dan bagaimana cara beliau hendak jatuhkan Najib, kita tunggu pendedahan dari orang Umno seterusnya.
Cuma yang hendak kita katakan kepada orang-orang Umno-BN, kami dari Pakatan Rakyat, sama ada yang meneraju negara itu Najib atau Muhyiddin, tidak penting bagi kami. Asalkan sahaja nama mereka Umno-BN, kami bertekad akan tumbangkan mereka pada PRU yang akan datang. Insya Allah. |
| Zaid shows Najib the way forward Posted: 20 Sep 2011 08:09 PM PDT 
The Kita chief says it is crucial for Najib to get support of senior ministers and implement the reforms as soon as possible. (Free Malaysia Today) - Kita chief, Zaid Ibrahim, has generously outlined a roadmap for Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to make good his decision to revoke Emergency laws and repeal the Internal Security Act (ISA). Zaid was among the first to applaud the decision and even went as far as to apologise to Najib for underestimating his political will, especially in rescinding the ISA. Bu in his latest blog post today he noted that the announcement itself is not a game changer and that Najib needed to ensure that the reforms are carried out properly and without delay. "Public opinion of him will reach new lows if people see him as uncertain or not serious about his plans, or if scrapping the ISA is just a rebranding or vote-grabbing exercise," Zaid said. "Any delay in implementing the changes will also embolden the hawks in Umno to assert themselves, which will make any progress even harder to achieve." The former de facto law minister then put forth a host of suggestions that he believed would strenghten and support Najib's initiative in order to spur "the first real change in a long time in Malaysia's history". The first was to establish a Justice Ministry outside of the department of the Prime Minister's Office, which Zaid observed was "already bloated". "If the PM were to place matters of law and justice under a separate ministry, he would be telling the people that his priorities are ensuring that just laws and justice for all are the pillars of political and social reform," Zaid said. "This is what the country needs now." Controversial decisions The second recommendation was to adopt the British Cabinet practice where the Attorney-General is a Cabinet Minister which would allow for his presence in Parliament to explain some of his more controversial decisions. "This sense of accountability will put the government in good light," Zaid said. "More importantly, the weekly meeting among the Attorney-General, the Home Minister and the Justice Minister will help coordinate the several overlapping matters of law involving the three ministries." The third recommendation involved the Umno Information Unit going on an "overdrive" to explain the necessity of this political transformation. Zaid pointed out that after 40 years of explaining why the ISA was needed to preserve peace and even Malay political power, it would take considerable time to explain why it is no longer required. But the biggest challenge, he predicted, would be getting the support of Umno's senior stalwarts. "These individuals may be the PM's most ardent supporters but they may also have other ideas on how democratic reforms and the rule of law should be implemented," he said. "Their statements generally are sometimes less than supportive, even hostile. This must not be the case here." Zaid added that the public would be closely following statements made by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Aziz; Information, Communications and Culture Minister Rais Yatim; Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein; and Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin regarding the reforms. "Opponents of this change can stuff things badly for the PM, so it's better to deal with them post-haste," he said. "Their arguments remain the same. They will say the 'liberals' who are pushing for change have not experienced the race riots or the harsh time during the Emergency." READ MORE HERE |
| Najib, Rosmah to set aside subpoenas over Anwar's sodomy trial Posted: 20 Sep 2011 07:47 PM PDT 
(Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, are applying to set aside subpoenas asking them to be defence witnesses in Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's ongoing sodomy trial. Their lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik said he would file the application today at the High Court. On Aug 8, High Court Judge Datuk Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah who presided over the trial, had granted Anwar's application to interview witnesses offered by the prosecution, including Najib and Rosmah. At the close of its case, the prosecution offered 71 witnesses, including Najib and Rosmah to be defence witnesses. In the first sodomy case in 1998, then prime minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad (now Tun) who was subpoenaed, had applied to set it aside and the court granted his application. On May 16, Justice Mohamad Zabidin ordered Anwar to enter his defence after ruling that the latter's former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, the complainant in the case, was a truthful and credible witness. Anwar, 64, pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court on Aug 7, 2008, to committing carnal intercourse against the order of nature at the Desa Damansara Condominium in Bukit Damansara between 3.10 pm and 4.30 pm on June 26 of the same year. |
| Is it a crime to have a different point of view from Barisan Nasional/UMNO? Posted: 20 Sep 2011 07:25 PM PDT 
Charles Santiago The criminal defamation charge against PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu at the Butterworth Sessions Court this morning was trumped up to serve the political aims of the Barisan Nasional. By challenging the official account of the 1950 Bukit Kepong incident at a ceramah in Tasek Gelugor on Aug 21, Mat Sabu has opened discussions into a section of our history that needs to be reviewed. Just how proposing an alternative view of history can lead to a criminal charge is anyone's guess. The writing of history should be an academic one. History should be as objective as possible with little or no intervention from any party that wants to tweak it to suit their needs and goals. It is not the job of the government to write history - that should be left in the hands of the academics, historians and the public through agreed and established processes. If Barisan Nasional feels it has the right to determine what our history should be, then we should close down the history departments in our universities. The job of the government is to make sure we, as a society, learn from history and move forward. The initiative to explore alternative perspectives on history should not be stifled due to self-serving interests. Mat Sabu's only crime in this case is that he is a leading member of PAS which is increasingly perceived as an alternative to UMNO. The fact that this charge, which challenges the freedom of speech guaranteed in our Constitution, came just days after the Prime Minister announced a string of "reforms" involving restrictive laws says a lot to the commitment, sincerity and spirit in which the announcement on the eve of Malaysia Day was made. |
| The next level Posted: 20 Sep 2011 06:34 PM PDT 
If Najib is sincere and honest about reforms, then he should invite the opposition (or at least those from the civil society movements) to sit down with the government to discuss the new laws. And if the opposition too is sincere and honest about reforms, it should stop screaming about who should take the credit for the repeal of the ISA and try to approach the government to ask to be part of the team that is going to formulate the new laws to replace the ISA. NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin For decades we have been fighting for the repeal of the Internal Security Act (ISA) -- at least I have, for about 35 years since the 1970s (that was about the time the government detained Anwar Ibrahim, Dr Syed Husin Ali, and others who opposed the government). By then, the ISA - a weapon used to combat terrorism and the Communist Terrorists (CTs), had been around for about 14 years. No one had any objections to the ISA before that. But once it was no longer used to combat terrorism or the CTs, but instead was used against student leaders, university lecturers, activists, and those viewed as dissidents or anti-establishment, then the ISA began to attract attraction. Finally, after half a century, the government is considering repealing the ISA -- although it was indicated that a new law would be introduced to replace the ISA (and we do not know yet how this law is going to look like and whether it will be better or worse than the ISA). But what are we doing? What is the opposition doing? Everyone is arguing about whether the repeal of the ISA is proof that Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak is walking the talk and is serious about his reform agenda or whether this is proof that the government has admitted defeat and is repealing the ISA because of the pressure from the opposition. The government is taking credit for the repeal of the ISA. The opposition is also taking credit for the repeal of the ISA. It's all about who should be credited for the ISA finally being abolished. Is anyone sitting down to sort out what the new law is going to look like? Yes, the ISA is going to be repealed. But there is going to be a new law to replace it. Should we not be more concerned about this instead of whether Najib or the opposition should take the credit for the ISA being repealed? I have said this before and I am going to say it again. Both the government and the opposition must become more matured and open. Yes, BOTH the government and the opposition. If Najib is sincere and honest about reforms, then he should invite the opposition (or at least those from the civil society movements) to sit down with the government to discuss the new laws. And if the opposition too is sincere and honest about reforms, it should stop screaming about who should take the credit for the repeal of the ISA and try to approach the government to ask to be part of the team that is going to formulate the new laws to replace the ISA. On another issue, I have received 'hate-mail' from people who allege that Malaysia Today has been 'compromised'. Umno has bought off Malaysia Today, they say. These people argue that in the past Malaysia Today focused on revealing corruption and the wrongdoings of those who walk in the corridors of power. Now we no longer do that (actually we still do). I suppose these types of people just love to read about scandals. And that is all they are concerned about -- to be entertained with stories of scandals. But Malaysia Today is not in the entertainment business. We are not here to entertain you. We are in the business of seeing change in Malaysia. Honestly, if Malaysia Today publishes more stories about corruption and scandals, is that going to make you any more a hard-core opposition supporter than you already are? Those who come to Malaysia Today are already BN-haters. You can see this from the comments. The BN-lovers do not come to Malaysia Today. So whom would I be trying to convert? The BN-haters? The BN-haters would still hate BN never mind whatever I say. No amount of reports about corruption and scandals would make the BN-haters any more haters of BN than they already are. We need to reach those who DO NOT come to Malaysia Today. And since they already DO NOT come to Malaysia Today, then we have to find a way to go to them instead. The mountain must go to Muhammad, as the saying goes. And we are doing just that, trust me. But we are not doing that through Malaysia Today because they DO NOT read Malaysia Today. We are currently talking to some people to come out with a Bahasa Malaysia version of Malaysia Today. Everything will be in Bahasa Malaysia and it will be a totally different site. There are many Malay-educated readers, even those from towns in the Malay heartland, who read Blogs. But they do not come to 'English' Blogs like Malaysia Today. They only read 'Malay' Blogs. So we need to create a 'Malay' version of Malaysia Today. And this is in the cards. Then there are many Malay-educated Malaysians in the rural areas who do not access the Internet at all. They do not even own a computer. So we need to reach them through other means. And that plan has already been launched. I will not tell you what it is just yet in case the government shoots us down before we can take off. But rest assured that hundreds of thousands of ringgit is being poured into this new project to reach the rural, non-internet savvy population. We are trying to raise the money for this project even as you read this. Now, back to Malaysia Today. Malaysia Today is now seven years old. We started life on 13th August 2004 soon after the March 2004 election 'disaster'. The first few years were spent in exposing the wrongdoings of the government and in trying to convince you that we need change. Those who come to Malaysia Today are already convinced we need change. I cannot convince you any more than you are already convinced. Exposing the wrongdoings of the government is not going to convince you any further. We need to now take this to 'the next level'. What we are now attempting to do is NOT to convince you that we need change or ABU (Anything But Umno/Asal Bukan Umno). That you already know. We want to talk to you about what type of change we should be looking at. It is not enough we scream and shout that we need change. We must also be clear in our minds about what type of change we should be seeking. And my piece on the Bill of Rights is one of many examples of how we are trying to do this. We must not be naïve and think that as long as we kick our Barisan Nasional then all our problems will be over. They thought that as well when they kicked out Charles I of England, King Louis XVI of France, President Batista of Cuba, Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, Shah Rezā Pahlavi of Iran, etc. What they got in the end was an exchange of one tyrant for another. No, I am not saying that Pakatan Rakyat will be a tyrant or that it will prove worse than Barisan Nasional. I am saying that Barisan Nasional will never be kicked out and Pakatan Rakyat will never take over unless we, the people, do that. So let's be clear about one thing. Pakatan Rakyat will never be able to kick out Barisan Nasional. It will be we, the people, who can do that. So we, the people, have a say in what type of government we want as a replacement to the current government that we have. This is what I mean by 'the next level'. The next level is to teach you what you should be looking at. The next level is to teach you what you should expect. The next level is to teach you what you should demand. Enough with all this 'Barisan Nasional is corrupt and should be ousted' talk. We all know that. We do not need further convincing. What we should focus on now is to make sure that what we get in exchange is really something better and not just the same old wine in a new bottle. And let's start with the new law that is going to replace the ISA. Why have we not heard anything from the opposition other than arguments about whether Najib or the opposition should take the credit for the repeal of this draconian law? Who cares who should take the credit? We want to know what it is going to be replaced with. That is 'the next level'. |
| Solid waste management or sordid waste management? Posted: 20 Sep 2011 05:51 PM PDT I am waiting for the day to see if there is a "Syarikat Perkhidmatan Polis Malaysia Sdn Bhd" or "Sarekat Perkhidmatan Angkatan Tentera Malaysia Sdn Bhd" with a 50 years concession or something like that to boot. By Lee Wee Tak Despite a lot of hard selling by the deputy prime minister in the Sun and the NST, I am still skeptical that we tax and rate payers will be getting a rakyat diutamakan deal out of the 22 years concession granted to Alam Flora Sdn Bhd, SWM Environment Sdn Bhd and Environment Idaman Sdn Bhd pertaining to waste management.
Tan Sri Sabaruddin Chik, an ex-cabinet minister, sits on the board of SWM Environment Sdn Bhd; Alam Flora Sdn Bhd* is owned by DRB-HICOM while Environment Idaman Sdn Bhd is a JV Company between Metacorp Berhad and UEM Environment Sdn. Bhd. The impression of strong links to BN administration past and present is impossible to shake off. For instance, via Environment Idaman Sdn Bhd, Metacorp Berhad will now be milking off from 1 more public service, i.e. on top of the existing highway toll concession it is enjoying. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Kuala Lumpur – Seremban Expressway is a main expressway in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This 8 km (4.9 miles) expressway linking Kuala Lumpur in the north to Seremban, Negeri Sembilan in the south. ….. this particular stretch of road is not managed by PLUS Expressway Berhad, but rather by Metramac Corporation (MetaCorp) - consequently the toll rate at Sungai Besi toll plaza includes an extra payment to cover the Kuala Lumpur-Seremban Expressway. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 3 concessionaires can take the agreement and nice newspaper cutting to get bank loans to finance their operations; hence interest expense/income to bankers will be another layer added onto what we pay for another public service. What is more laughable is this remarkable and customary self contradiction, extracted in The Sun: Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung said, however, that the privatisation of solid waste management under the Solid Waste and Urban Cleansing Management Act 2007 that came into effect on Sept 1, will not incur additional charges for consumers He said assessment collected by local councils would also not be raised. "The rates paid by the people to local councils will be the same and there will be no additional charges. Any extra charge will be borne by the government," he said during the signing of the agreements Dear minister, isn't the government funded by tax payers? Do we not pay for the ever skyrocketing national debts and budget deficits? It is just a question of whether our right pocket or left pocket is being hit. Whatever festival discounts given by super normal profits earning highway concessionaires are compensated according to the lopsided day light robbery toll concession agreements anyway. One cannot rely on the same line to pick up a girl in the same bar all the time, I was once told. Can the minister please disclose to the public the terms and conditions in the 22 years agreement concerning the "extra charges"? The connected private companies need to make profits otherwise not required by public institutions. The extra charges would probably mean interest to banks, directors' remuneration, more flashy branding expenditure, dividends required by shareholders, retained profits in the company, plus income tax levied on the profits of the company – all these to be paid for by the RM8 per month, and perhaps also some back door compensation not made known in the press report. To add salt into injury, Speaking at the signing ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said through the concession agreements, the government hoped the effectiveness of solid waste collection services will improve in terms of quality and regularity. The DPM is indirectly saying that the local authorities run by BN are incompetent and inferior hence confirming the incompetent culture cultivated by successive BN administration, and quality service could only be available to tax and rates payers at a higher price. Instead of being castigated for unsatisfactory performances, the underperforming civil servants are perhaps be elevated to "pihak pemantau yang berkuasa", and in a position to listen to the pleas, excuses and perhaps more, from the concessionaires. Did the BN administration just add on another level of bureaucracy and another space for "direct discretionary negotiations" between little Napoleons and private entities? For MPs and ADUNs, it would be more work. Previously, upon the complains by residents, the YBs may need to forward their complaints to the relevant local authorities but now, perhaps the YBs have to communicate and follow up with the local authorities plus the concessionaires. The DPM did not say whether there would be cost savings for the benefit of tax and rates payers via reduction of civil servants no longer carrying on the work. We should see some benefits to us because the argument for privatization is reduction of cost and improvement of quality. Why not focus on efficiency and effectiveness of civil servants, rather than keeping them while outsourcing public services to profit seeking connected private companies? I am waiting for the day to see if there is a "Syarikat Perkhidmatan Polis Malaysia Sdn Bhd" or "Sarekat Perkhidmatan Angkatan Tentera Malaysia Sdn Bhd" with a 50 years concession or something like that to boot. |
| Reforms smokescreen? Posted: 20 Sep 2011 05:45 PM PDT I would go so far to submit that no one was detained under the ISA based purely on political beliefs or alignment. By Douglas Tan Credit must be given to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for announcing the abolition of the infamous Internal Security Act, the lifting of three states of emergencies and along with that the Emergency Ordinance. It is our hope that without these laws, detention without trial in Malaysia shall now forever be confined to the annals of history. The Prime Minister has won his plaudits, most noticeably from the United States, and rightfully so. I mean why not give the man credit for what he appears to be doing, even if it is for the wrong reasons? If our nation, which has been plagued by oppressive laws even before independence, can boast ourselves to be a progressive democracy, the detention of political leaders, NGO heads not forgetting newspaper reporters has to been gotten rid of. Naturally this optimism of reforms have been dampened somewhat by his announcement that there shall be two alternative laws which would then place preventative measures in place to counter terrorism, safeguarding public order and put in place race relations legislation. The fear is that these laws may be sufficiently ambiguous for politicians to be detained without trial under the purview of these new laws. Datuk Seri Nazri announced that these laws would not be repressive, but as I know the learned Minister would understand that this is wholly dependant on the scope of these laws and their enforcement. Furthermore, the two safeguards Nazri mentioned are sufficiently ambiguous that they can be subject to abuse. The first safeguard is that one cannot be detained on the basis of political belief. The second is that extended detention can only be approved by the courts. The first safeguard is purely the subject of interpretation. Where the police would see fit to charge a politician giving a ceramah regarding views that he or she may have about religious practice, under the new law they can be detained. I would go so far to submit that no one was detained under the ISA based purely on political beliefs or alignment. Looking at the history of ISA detention, it is more as to what they had said, written or done which had landed them in hot soup with the government, not so much their political leanings. When elements of speeches can be taken out of context and the charges framed to interpret those elements as subversive, inciting racial hatred or disruptive to public order, charges under the new laws can certainly be laid. Perhaps the second issue, which is the judiciary, would be of another concern. This would be a safeguard only if we knew our judiciary was an independent body. With the farce of the Anwar Ibrahim case continuing, public opinion would not favour the judiciary to protect the interests of the public rather than the government of that day. If we were to have an independent and competent judiciary, our legal system would flourish. Would there still be bias? Certainly. However, we shall be assured that there would be no element of coercion for judges to make decisions pleasing to their political masters. In order for the Prime Minister to prove the sincerity about the reforms to be made, he should also ensure that there should be stringent laws forced against any interference in the judicial process. Judicial reforms would additionally have a positive impact on the economy and boost foreign investor confidence. Perhaps the subsequent string of attacks on the opposition parties was not particularly fair. Yes, Najib is responsible for announcing the abolition of the ISA, but the constant pressure from the Opposition, NGOs and the Rakyat certainly led to the action finally being taken. Smear campaigns are certainly part of politics and Pakatan Rakyat has to quickly re-brand and re-position themselves for the upcoming elections. There is no doubt that the Prime Minister's image has improved as a result of this, but will it be a political smokescreen or is it possible that the Barisan Nasional leadership can actually show some forward thinking? We will be watching closely. |
| Kek Lok Si Temple destruction of Ayer Itam River Posted: 20 Sep 2011 05:31 PM PDT By Lim Cheok Siang Jimmy
How can the people of Penang allow this development? Development? It is destruction!!!!! Obliterating further the natural heritage of Penang. Is this not environmental destruction of the worst kind? River pollution downstream. Why were the rocks allowed to be destroyed? If there is anything one could do to hold the Authorities responsible they should be brought to face the music. It was irresponsible of MPPP to allow this to go ahead! Of course they could stop it. Is there some reason why this destruction has to happen? The ancient rocks painted by many old artists of Penang. Khaw Sia used to live round the corner. The temple has expanded so big and so fast that one begins to wonder whether it is about religion or big business? Kek Lok Si was started humbly. Its roots very clearly set out as the fundamental philosophy of fitting in with Nature. Nature was supreme in the founding Foochow Monks' philosophy. Their monastery outside Foochow was built among rocks. So was the original Kek Lok Si. This type of insensitive development must stop. The MPPP must assume responsibility for such destruction. The view of the Temple as one approaches Ayer Itam from the junction to Penang Hill train station is appalling. All the newer additions to it are out of scale. Dwarfing the original structures including the pagoda. The recently opened Goddess of Mercy Kwan Yin pavillion built at the cost of, I was told, RM40 million, not including the statue, is not only offensive to the eye but also money mis-spent. It is of course a great attraction for the proletariats but then, good taste has never been their inclination. Call me elitist ... it is good common sense that counts. China's long history is so full of good tastes and fine lifestyles. Malaysian Chinese are generally descendants of peasants; I am one of them. Being born with bad taste does not mean that you have to continue to consume it. Can people the likes of the monks, Board of Trustees and their consultants crawl out of the gutter of bad environmental taste and contribute towards the preservation and conservation of whatever little that this little Island has? In this respect, as the custodian of Heritage both man-made as well as natural, PHT should organise a meeting to discuss this issue for members who feel strongly about the destruction of a priceless natural setting of ancient rocks and trees. In the event that PHT is short of manpower, a "KLS Watch Group" could be formed. It is time for the Local Authority to take stock of their social and environmental responsibilities. I think gone are the days of Local Government running rough shod over the environment for the benefit of a few people. That site adjacent to an Old Temple was God's gift to the People of Penang. The Temple in its destruction of these rocks, old trees and stream deemed to be gifts from God, is not setting a good example for us mortals who look toward these religious institutions for our salvation. What would the high priest and the chairman of the Kek Lok Si Board and their architect (oh, almost forgot the engineers too), have to say when they meet God and is asked "Why did you destroy my gifts to people of Penang to enjoy?" I'll hate to be in their shoes ... Goddess Kwan Yin may perhaps show them mercy for their destruction. It is essential that PHT should be vigilant from being influenced by people with vested interests or those with hidden agendas about preservation and conservation. Organisations that are well established tend to become entrenched as they become 'gentrified'. Gentrification is getting well endowed and becoming pompous perhaps?? It also means that you are no longer in good condition or fit. Putting it another way, you are not "Lean and Mean". That is why whenever you have a new change in Government, it is good ... until they start to get 'gentrified'. PHT should not be like many NGOs that have lost their objectives and wallow in their "Gentrification". More people should get together to see how the message can get across. Perhaps shome external help? That is what Penang likes ... outside ideas.
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| Branding guru calls Najib’s PR efforts an ‘absolute scam’ Posted: 20 Sep 2011 04:47 PM PDT 
(The Malaysian Insider) - The creator of the nation branding concept has called the prime minister's use of British publicity firm FBC Media to burnish Malaysia's image abroad an "absolute scam" and a waste of public funds. Simon Anholt, who pioneered the use of nation branding as a way to measure, build and manage a country's reputation, said that while public relations was needed in the private sector, it was "highly suspect" that a country could up its standing using the same means. "There's a great deal of evidence around us to show what a waste of taxpayers' money this is," he told BFM Radio in a phone interview this morning. "First of all, the countries that tend to spend most money on these PR campaigns to fix their image tend to be the rogue nations. "If you look at the countries that have spent the most money on ambitious PR campaigns, they're the places that are most despised and it hasn't done anything to fix their image at all." Anholt pointed out that media studies has known for decades that the media cannot change people's perception of a country from worse to better or vice versa but could only raise the profile of its existing image. For this reason, he said "the last thing" a country with a bad image should do is engage in public relations as increased media coverage would only remind the rest of the world what a "problematic" country or government it was. "So I'm afraid I think the whole thing is an absolute scam and a shocking and indefensible waste of taxpayers' money," he said. Anholt stressed that governments needed to understand that when they engaged in foreign policy, economic development or international relations, they risked damaging the reputation of their country, which was worth "much, much, much more" than all other tangible assets combined. It was the "sacred responsibility" of governments today to ensure their country's good name was preserved and handed down in the same condition, if not better, he said. Anholt added that countries could only make themselves more relevant to the rest of the world by becoming more useful, and suggested Malaysia tackle shared global issues like climate change, women's rights, terrorism and financial instability to improve its reputation. READ MORE HERE |
| The charge against Mat Sabu Posted: 20 Sep 2011 04:42 PM PDT 
ART HARUN Mat Sabu is charged today for criminal defamation. I have not read the exact charge. However from various reports, apparently he is charged for criminally defaming the police, soldiers or their families. I don't want to say much about the charge as I don't want to be hauled up for making comments while the case is going on and thereby breaching the sub-judice rule (actually I think sub-judice rule is not even applicable in Malaysia, but that's another issue). We now see it fit to even abolish the ISA and Emergency Ordinance for the sake of freedom and liberties. We now see it fit to repeal the Printing Presses and Publication Act to restore freedom of speech to the people. However we cannot even treat opposing views and different interpretation of historical events or facts with respect and civility. On this score, I am against all the police reports against Mat Sabu as well as against Professor Zainal Kling for their respective statements and opinions. A mature society and democracy should be able to deal with differing opinions calmly and of course, intellectually. There are various other people who should be charged for sedition. I don't have to list them out here. But they are not so charged. I wonder what has happened to the investigation on the Christian conspiracy and why it has taken such a long time to complete. I am not in support of what Mat Sabu has said. I have to make this clear. In fact I am not in love with PAS either. This post is simply about the law. I know a thing or two about the law of defamation, having done about 10 defamation cases involving some prominent personalities and establishments in my career. This is all I have to say about defamation: READ MORE HERE |
| Who Are The Sultans? Posted: 20 Sep 2011 04:17 PM PDT By John Doe I've written so much about Malacca. I've quoted and quoted till the cows came home, and still Malaysians don't get it. One of my longer pieces, "Demise of Malacca" had its Bibliography almost as long as the piece itself, and some people who made comments asked for the source(s) instead. Are Malaysians that blind? Do they not know what is a bibliography? ( http://www.malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/letterssurat/35605-the-demise-of-malacca ) Google this and read all those nonsensical comments made in other copy-paste-blogs, and see if one can identitfy who UMNO's cybertroopers are.
Let's go back to Sejarah Melayu today, and look for the identity of the Sultans of Malacca, in "Parameswara is a certified Keling".
Sejarah Melayu clearly describes how Parameswara was a Keling from Singapore, with much reference to his Hindustani roots to Alexander the Great. Or was it "Alexander the Gay?" ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvRWUCfAPs0 )
I hate quoting from Wiki, no academician in his right mind would. No academician quotes from Blogs either. However, here is the ONE TIME, which I will make a reference to Wiki, and it is in relation to Srivijaya. Search "Srivijaya" under Wiki, (as some UMNO blogger insisted that I do.) What does the Srivijaya Wiki-Entry state? "No modern Indonesians, not even those of the Palembang area around which the kingdom was based, had heard of Srivijaya until the 1920s..." Note that at every "important point" it's missing a real reference. See if you can count how many "citation Needed" there are in this entry. The majority of the quotes comes from "Munoz, Paul Michel (2006). Early Kingdoms of the Indonesian Archipelago and the Malay Peninsula" Great guy as he is, few people know that Munoz is actually a retired French Sailor living in Singapore. If you want Munoz to be the MAIN reference to a "Glorious Melayu Kingdom, but am sorry that I cannot offer you any tangible evidence for it", then so be it. I will quote however, from one of the very links contained in this particular Wiki entry, and here is it's link:
It came in, under entry number 4 of the Wiki Srivijaya-References section. This is an "edu site". And the big name present is Prof Dr Peter Bellwood, of ANU. So this must be good, right? And I quote: "... Now, apart from the absence of any trace of Old Malay literary works, we also find hardly any architectural remains from the Śrīwijaya period.... Considering the fact that there are also no traces of literary works from this great empire, the conclusion seems to be that either the greatness of Śrīwijaya is merely another myth, comparable to that of Prapañca's Majapahit (Supomo 1979), or that the rulers of Śrīwijaya had entirely different priorities ... "
Apparently, even from their own "arsenal of references", it becomes clear that Srivijaya could have very well been a myth, as claimed by their "certified panel authors". So, there, you have it. My ONE AND ONLY ONE reference to Wiki, and it's only to bash the entry black and blue.
So, bite the bullet, and source your info from either "dot edu" sites (meaning certified institutions of education), or take it from real books themselves. You can ceremoniously flush Malaysian History Textbooks into the Jamban, because they are nothing but full of crap. Just look at how Museum Negara displays tags errors in my Retarded Museum Negara piece: And note how I questioned "Why is the Sultan of Johor classified in the Penjajah Section of Museum Negara".
UMNO called the Malaysian Sultans "Children of Prostitutes and Beggars" when they made the remark about "Pendatangs" ( http://www.malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/guest-columnists/37699-beggars-and-prostitutes ) Some blog writer classified the Sultan as "Sultan dan Raja mereka (Malaysia) sama 'kaum' dengan orang gaji Indonesia-nya." translated as "The Sultans of Malaysia are of the same race as the servants whom Malaysians employ".
To answer the titled-question, "Who are the Sultans of Malacca?" If one chooses to use Sejarah Melayu as reference, then one must come to the conclusion that the Sultans are descendants of "Alexander the Gay", (or is it Alexander the Great Gay?), heavily mixed with Kling, and Chinese, and Turkish, and should be called "Sultan Truly Asia". Is this what Ketuanan is about? Want to throw Sejarah Melayu out? Sure, along with it goes a huge lot of myths, such as the Sultan's marrying Hong Li-Po, because she is certainly NOT mentioned in ANY Ming Dynasty records. So, again, who is Hong Li-po again? A Prostitute? That would certainly justify UMNO's calling of "Prostitutes and Beggars". Unfortunately, they did not know that they were calling the Sultanate just that. UMNO would indeed be calling the Sultanate, as "Children of Prostitutes and Beggars". How does one spell "Les Majeste" again? Fortunately ISA is being deconstructed, however, we will wait to see how Malaysia can use the new laws to arrest these name-calling UMNO-guys.
In the meantime, assuming Sejarah Melayu is correct, I can imagine a drooling Saiful gleefully collecting pictures of "Alexander the Gay", and placing them next to pictures of Malaysian Sultans, with his lustful thought that they are really of ONE AND THE SAME BLOOD !! Enough with all this nonsense !! Let's get rid of Allahyarham-UMNO once and for all, and reach for the REAL History instead. In the meantime, I must get back to my research.
Shalom |
| MACC officers held for RM1 mil ‘robbery’ Posted: 20 Sep 2011 04:14 PM PDT 
The trio are alleged to have taken the money from money changers who were about to board a flight to Singapore. (Free Malaysia Today) - Three Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) senior officers have been arrested in connection with an extortion-cum-robbery case involving RM1 million. The alleged victims were said to be three money changers from Singapore. According to a source familiar with the case, the money changers were at KLIA last Thursday night to board a flight to Singapore. The source said the trio were carrying foreign currencies amounting to about RM2 million which they had declared to the customs authorities. "When they alighted from the satelite train, the money changers were confronted by five men who identified themselves as MACC officers. "The trio were then taken to a nearby eatery, where the MACC officers had demanded for US$100,000 from each money changer. "When they refused, the officers took them to a toilet, where there are no CCTV cameras, and opened the bags containing the cash. The officers then took three bundles of US$100,000. "The officers also warned the money changers not to report the matter," claimed the source. READ MORE HERE |
| Ucapan PM Najib: beri yang tidak beri Posted: 20 Sep 2011 04:08 PM PDT SAKMONGKOL AK47 Saya telah memberi ulasan keatas ucapan PM Najib yang di buat menjelang tarikh pengujudan negara Malaysia. Mereka yang tidak ada modal untuk berhujjah- biasalah akan mengeciskan tulisan tersebut sebagai luahan dendaman. Bagaimana kita melayani respons seperti itu? Ulasan one-liner mereka tidak perlu di pedulikan. Tidak ada fikiran yang signifiken yang boleh kita berikan kepada ulasan one-liners. Saya tidak akan memohon maaf keatas kedangkalan fikiran orang seperti ini. Mereka bertanggung jawab keatas kedangkalan mereka sendiri. UMNO tidak perlukan orang jenis ini. Mereka sudah di luar redemption dan saya tidak terdaya mengobah pandangan cetek mereka walhal saya telah mengajak pembaca budiman untuk memberikan hujjah balasan yang rasional. Demikian juga, pembaca yang sedemikian tidak akan dapat mengobah persepsi saya bahawa saya merasakan ucapan tersebut tidak ada nilai luar biasa. Tolong buktikan kesilapan saya. Jangan tuduh saya takde kerja lain asyik hentam Najib, hentam adik beradik Najib dan hentam bini Najib. Kebenaran nya ialah mereka gagal membentangkan hujjah untuk meyakinkan kita dan bayangkan kesan nya keatas rakyat yang membaca yang menunggu nunggu penhujjahan yang bernas dari para juak UMNO. Maka, elok kita ulangi beberapa persoalan supaya menyenangkan kefafahaman mereka. Mudah mudahan, belakang parang di asah, lama lama akan tajam. Sudah sampai masa nya, pembaca Melayu khasnya, mengraduankan diri dari membaca makian dan hamunan, celaan, dan penghinaan dan sebagainya. Minda orang Melayu tidak berkembang membaca hasil picisan dan sastera kuning tersebut. Besar mana bahagian rakyat negara ini yang tertakluk dengan pembubaran ISA? Adakah ISA menjadi faktor penting dalam kehidupan harian rakyat yang berdepan dengan harga barangan yang kian meningkat? korapsi yang meluas, urusniaga kerajaan yang di rahsiakan tapi menguntungkan mereka yang terpilih? Saya juga menyebutkan perihal harapan rakyat untuk mendengar pengistiharan yang membawa perubahan substantive kedalam kehidupan harian mereka. Tapi ini tidak beberti pembubaran ISA tidak penting. Kenapa ianya tidak di istharkan dalam parlimen sebab ISA melibatkan pasa asasnya orang politik? Itu medium penyampaian yang lebih tepat. Disana kita boleh debatkan, jika ISA di mansuhkan, bagaimana dari segi undang undang kita menangani ancaman yang ertakluk dibawah ISA selama ini? Bagaimanakah hak seseorang, terutama yang mempunyai fahaman politik yang berbeza di lindungi oleh undang2? Cara terbaik ialah mereka di hadapkan untuk membela diri di bawah akta tertentu dalam mahkamah terbuka. Tidak ada sesiapa yang lucut hak kebebasan peribadi kecuali ia di hukum oleh undang undang dalam mahkamah terbuka. Jika kita mahu isitiharkan sesuatu yang berani dan menggegarkan dalam media umum seperti siaran TV, rakyat sebenarnya mengharapkan perkara yang melibatkan kehidupan seharian mereka. Orang Melayu misalnya mahu melihat apakah program konkrit untuk merealisasikan agenda ekonomi Bumiputera. Jika kita telah pun mengistiharkan bahawa wadah mencapai agenda tersebut ialah Model Ekonomi Baru- atau market driven affirmative action, apa jadah nya komponen MEB tersebut? Adakah penjualan asset stratejik negara merupakan cara terpenting meliberalisasikan ekonomi Malaysia? Pertukaran saham MAS dengan saham Air Asia mendekatkan lagi pencapaian agenda ekonomi Bumi? Jika kita letakkan pemimpin dalam GLC yang tidak berjiwa Melayu yang bangga pula dengan pemujaan mereka kepada factor 'merits' sampai bila pun, agenda tersebut tidak akan tercapai. Sebab itu, saya mengharapkan ucapan PM akan melibatkan antara lain pengistiharan kita bubarkan Khazanah Berhad dan saham yang mereka pegang dan portfolio pelaburan yang ada dalam tangan mereka di pindahkan kepada institusi Amanah Pelaburan Bumiputera. READ MORE HERE |
| More Kita members criticise their president Zaid Posted: 20 Sep 2011 02:34 PM PDT (Bernama) - KUALA LUMPUR: Temperatures are rising in KITA as more members of the Central Executive Committee criticise its president Datuk Zaid Ibrahim for his "unethical and unconstitutional" sacking of three CEC members recently. In an e-mail to Bernama, CEC member Mohd Zahrein Zakariah said he would call for an extraordinary general meeting as a legal way of urging Zaid to step down. Central secretary Abdul Latif A Tambi, treasurer Rashid Azad Khan and CEC member Muhammad Firdaus Christopher were said to have been dismissed without any "substantial reason" via e-mail and short messaging system. "There is no bickering in KITA. There are only those who have decided to go against the principle on which KITA is built, and they include the party chief, Zaid Ibrahim," he added. In an organisation declaring itself democratic, dissent must be heard, not shut out, Zahrein said. Zaid was reported to have said that Firdaus was unhappy over cuts in the operational budget of the party, while it is understood that Abdul Latif was dismissed because he refused to give the KITA website password to the president. Firdaus, however, denied that the disagreement between them was over the operational budget. "That's just a smokescreen to divert from the real issue, which is how the party is being run. "I was only questioning the way he conducted party matters since he always tended to make decisions without referring to the rest of the CEC," Firdaus said. CEC member and coordinator for the Federal Territory Dr Rajaratnam Gopal Pillai said Zaid had never listened to advice from the CEC and the grassroots. "I have repeatedly advised Zaid to look into the grievances of the CEC and to keep the committee intact, failing which there was a high probability that the party would implode," he said. Setting up the party nine months ago, Zaid had said KITA would be critical but constructive and focus on issues of interest to the people, and would not oppose for the sake of opposing. He pledged to strive to make KITA the number one opposition party, and be very different from PAS, the DAP and PKR. But if the internal problems are not resolved, observers believe that KITA may not be ready for the coming general election. - BERNAMA |
| Mat Sabu claims trial, bail set at RM15,000 Posted: 20 Sep 2011 12:04 PM PDT By The Malaysian Insider BUTTERWORTH, Sept 21 — PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu has claimed trial to a criminal defamation charge of glorifying communist guerrillas at the Sessions Court here this morning. The court set bail at RM15,000. If found guilty of the offence under Section 500 of the Penal Code, the PAS leader face up to two years jail and/or a fine. Mohamad, who is popularly known as Mat Sabu, was alleged to have defamed policemen and soldiers who defended the Bukit Kepong police station in a 1950 attack by communists. The maverick politician also faces an alternative charge of defaming family members of the policemen and soldiers. Mohamad had also surrendered himself to police at 8.30pm last night and was released on police bail half an hour later. Umno's Utusan Malaysia had first accused the maverick politician of glorifying Ahmad Indera in an August 27 report that quoted Mohamad as saying that the communist leader was a true hero. Twenty-five policemen were killed in the attack on the Bukit Kepong police station in 1950. The daily and Malay hardliners in Umno have repeatedly called for Mohamad to be charged over the comment with some even insisting that the PAS leader be stripped of his citizenship. READ MORE HERE. |
| ISA repeal gives Pakatan the edge Posted: 20 Sep 2011 10:52 AM PDT 
By B Nantha Kumar, FMT PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's repeal of the Internal Security (ISA) Act is a victory for the opposition and a slap to Umno lackeys and pro-establishment bloggers who have been championing its continued existence. For decades, the opposition has been campaigning for the abolishing of the ISA, and no prime minister has ever "succumbed" to the pressure. But Najib is different, or is he? Last Friday, in conjunction with Sept 16 Malaysia Day celebrations, Najib announced the repeal the ISA. A week earlier, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said the government had no intention of doing so. Najib's announcement on the abolishing of the ISA was followed by his statement that the 1960 Act will be replaced by two other soon-to-be legislated acts. Although rumblings of Najib's previous inconsistencies, political "gimmick" and "farce" are filtering the grapevine, political pundits have nevetheless welcomed the move. ISA was enacted in 1960 in a bid to curb communism in Malaysia. The act allowed for indefinite detention without trial. In the years following the enactment, the act became a tool for Barisan Nasional's hold on the power seat despite agreements between the Malaysian government and the Malaya Communist Party (CPM) in 1989. The agreement was signed in Hatyai,Thailand. It was a clear indication and acceptance that Malaysia was free from the Communist threat.
No impact on people But to the BN, the 1960 Act was a "weapon" of choice used to intimidate and instil fear. The opposition party leaders often accused the BN government of using the ISA for its own political interests, to catch anyone who is not in line with government ideology. A case in point is the October 1987 Operasi Lallang exercise where some 106 people were detained under the ISA and the publishing licences of two newspapers The Star and Sin Chew Jit Poh and another two weeklies The Sunday Star and Watan were revoked. In the following years, the ISA was used to detain Hindraf leaders, famous blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin, parlimentarian Teresa Kok and local Chinese daily journalist Tan Hoon Cheng. This aside, there have been several other incidents that have made the ISA a matter of public concern to a point that on Aug 1, 2009, tens and thousands of Malaysians took to the street to protest against the controversial act. But now that Najib has announced the repeal, the question of "impact" is upmost in most minds. To begin with, the decision to repeal the ISA will have little value in the rural areas. BN can forget about making it a campaign issue in rural areas. The rural community is not interested in national politics. It's the day-to-day bread and butter issues that matter to them. New challenges But the repeal of the act is of interest to the urban community. Having said this, the reality is that the scrapping of the ISA will have no impact on urbanites because many of them are already opposition supporters. So the repeal of ISA will give opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat an upperhand. Pakatan has been consistently calling for the elimination of the ISA. It could be even said that almost every week, the opposition party leaders talk about the cruelty of the ISA. Repealing the ISA gives the impression that the opposition is now "more" powerful to the point that it can compel nation's prime minister to abolish the act. READ MORE HERE |
| Seri Perdana belongs to Umno? Posted: 20 Sep 2011 08:55 AM PDT By The Malaysian Insider According to a report filed by the state news agency, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today met members of the Association of Former Members of Social Welfare Development and gave them an election pep talk. But what he said shows what hubris can do. We hope that the Bernama reporter got it wrong; we dearly hope so. According to a report filed by the state news agency, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today met members of the Association of Former Members of Social Welfare Development and gave them an election pep talk. But what he said shows what hubris can do. He told them that they have to help Barisan Nasional (BN) defend Putrajaya. (Defend from whom exactly? The millions of illegal immigrants swarming the country or the legitimate Opposition who received the support of close to 50 per cent of Malaysians in West Malaysia?) He then went on to say that Seri Perdana belongs to the Umno president and Barisan Nasional leader. Fact is, Seri Perdana, like the rest of Malaysia, belongs to Malaysians and we choose who occupies Seri Perdana. Surely this prime minister, fresh from coming to terms with people power and bending to the will of the people in announcing the abolishment of the ISA, knows this fact well. But it does appear that after being in power so long, small details seem to escape Umno leaders. Like the fact that they serve us; that they don't own us or any of the real estate. Putrajaya and Seri Perdana were built with public funds (even if it was Petronas that financed it), not with the subscriptions of Umno members. This is what the Malaysian electorate must remember: the country belongs to us and we should put the most suitable people in Putrajaya. Length of previous stay should not be a consideration. |
| Change....What Change? Posted: 20 Sep 2011 08:43 AM PDT By Masterwordsmith Since March 2008, there has been so much talk about about change but do we really know what change we want to see? Most have just been saying KICK OUT BN. That is not change. It is merely setting the platform for change. To be able to change, the rakyat and politicans need to deliberate over the type of constructive changes that we want to see in our country without lamenting that it is impossible but believing that together, we can do it. Even though we claim to have a two-coalition system (albeit not formally), the dominant coalition has shaped the political landscape to their advantage - almost transforming our system into a "single party in power" with the alternative coalition standing in the shadows and sometimes screaming for attention. When abuse occurs, the rakyat are the biggest losers. The inefficiency and lack of accountability of various departments leading to outlandish expenditures on nonsensical items, both big and small, must be stopped. It is downright irresponsible spending with no returns to $$$. Some have no qualms about grabbing whatever they can while they can because they can. We must report any abuse of power! There is a lot that needs to be done. Those who have not been performing up to mark must not be allowed to contest in the next GE. Period. We have to put in place worthy leader to make that change happen.
Many of us believe that voting for the Opposition is the only way to bring about change. That is just the starting point. If the Opposition has the interests of all at heart, I hope that their election machinery is oiled and cranked up in readiness for immediate action. Stop the mud-slinging! The Opposition must lead the way help to restore respect to politics from the current gutter politics.
While writing this post, I was chatting with Antares via Skype. He said: "The negative traits that BN represents happen to be the lowest common denominator of the human ego - arrogance, greed, wanna be top dog, live in palaces, buy sex, luxury yachts, private jets. It is these attributes that make every jumno contractor aspire to live like some brain dead ruler." The good news is that we don't have to suffer all those negative traits much longer as we have the next GE before us. The opportunity to change the entire government is in our hands. Being highly connected via the net and telephony systems, we have become highly social beings who can be better prepared to change. It is up to us to be part of that wheel of change that is spinning.
READ MORE HERE.
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| Pak Lah admits should have been forceful with reforms Posted: 20 Sep 2011 08:40 AM PDT (The Malaysian Insider) - KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 21 — Tun Abdullah Badawi has admitted he was not tough enough his reforms and changes while in office, however, insisting last night that he was "very clear with the reforms" he wanted as prime minister. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz had said that unlike Abdullah, Datuk Seri Najib Razak was clear about his reform agenda when taking office including reviewing the Internal Security Act (ISA) which is to be repealed now. "In regards to the statement made by Dato Seri Nazri Aziz regarding my reform plans, I want to state that I was very clear with the reforms I wanted to bring," Abdullah said in a three-paragraph statement last night, adding that there would be those who will support or oppose the changes. "However if a leader is clear in his mind that what he wants to do is right, he must see it through. Perhaps when I was in office I should have been more forceful about it considering the resistance I was facing. "This is what I hope Dato' Seri Najib would do if he is clear with what he wants," said Abdullah (picture), who was in office from October 2003 to April 2009. The former prime minister took office vowing to be more open and liberal while announcing a slew of economic corridors and projects. He took a hands-off approach to the media and promised to stamp out corruption and abuse of power among enforcement agencies while investigating scandals involving the police force and judiciary. Under his time, the Abdullah administration initiated several new laws to give more bite to fight graft including setting up the powerful Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to replace the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA), a Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) to nominate judges and the Enforcement Agencies Integrity Commission (Siap) to investigate offences by enforcement agencies including the police. But most of his initiatives floundered and Abdullah squandered his overwhelming 91 per cent support in Parliament won in 2004 to losing the customary two-thirds parliamentary majority and four more states in Election 2008. Abdullah, who ceded power to Najib on April 3, 2009, advised his successor on Monday to persevere against hardliners who might block plans to repeal a slew of security and media laws announced last Thursday. But Nazri said Najib did not face much internal resistance to his plans to repeal the ISA because the prime minister made his intentions clear when taking office in 2009, but added the prime minister must still consider the views of conservative and pressure groups within the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.
READ MORE HERE.
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| Towards a brave new Malaysia Posted: 20 Sep 2011 08:34 AM PDT 
By Karim Raslan, The Star Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak may have appropriated core Pakatan Rakyat issues with his Sept 15 civil liberties announcements, but more crucial is whether Malaysians are ready to face up to the challenges. PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak surprised Malaysia on Sept 15. In one fell swoop, he appears to have turned the civil liberties agenda into a Barisan Nasional initiative. Announcing plans to abolish and/or amend the Internal Security Act (ISA), the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) as well as other laws, Najib has cleverly appropriated core Pakatan Rakyat issues. In doing so, he has also demonstrated that Umno is capable of renewal. Indeed, the party of Merdeka – as I've always argued – is infinitely more diverse than many realise or wish to acknowledge. After all, it ranges from figures such as Deputy Minister of Higher Education Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah at the moderate end of the spectrum to hardliners such as Deputy Education Minister Dr Puad Zarkashi. Moreover, in times of crisis, the party has the ability to adapt, discarding outdated thinking quickly and effectively. In this respect, its internal discipline and sense of common purpose allows for sudden shifts in direction by its leaders. Of course, the same leaders then have to be able to win elections with these new policy initiatives – and win big at that. Losing is not an option. It's also important to bear in mind that Umno members possess a strong sense of self-preservation. Party members are not lemmings leaping to their doom. On the face of it, the PM's bold move returns Umno to the moderate centre-ground. Alhamdullilah! This is a major relief. Nonetheless, there's a lot of work left to be done and the PM's credibility will be utterly destroyed if he fails to make good on the Sept 15 announcements. For a start, Najib will have to work hard and fast to repeal and replace these laws. He must prove that he can walk the talk. He must also head off the sceptics within Umno's right wing. So, while the move is to be applauded, ordinary Malaysians need to keep lobbying and pushing for change. We cannot let up or Barisan will revert to inertia. As a writer, however, I'm most concerned with what will happen to the media. A functioning democracy needs a free and independent press and the PPPA has been a long-term stumbling block to both. First off, I, along with most Malaysians, want more details. I totally disagree with the need for newspaper licences. The very concept is wrong-headed. Second, access to and ownership of the media are also critical. We need all sides of the political debate (Barisan and Pakatan) to be given fair and equal coverage. Malaysians can only make informed decisions about who to vote for if they're properly informed. It's worth bearing in mind that blanket media coverage of BN leaders has been a major turn-off. Whoever thought we needed to watch the PM wishing the country Selamat Hari Raya again and again was wrong. With the media, less is more, especially when you have nothing to say. The current order also makes BN politicians lazy and high-handed when dealing with journalists and editors. But a freeing up of the media will force BN cadres to change – let's call it political Darwinism. The Singapore Government is also experimenting with liberalisation. During its recent general election, Singapore's ruling PAP allowed its press some latitude in their coverage of the opposition. While the opposition made substantial gains, the ruling party still won because ordinary Singaporeans saw the candidates for what they were and still felt safer with the PAP. There's no reason to assume why the same couldn't happen here, all the more so if the Prime Minister maintains his humility and candour. At this stage, I must add that I would personally like to see Najib go head-to-head with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in a live, no holds barred debate during the next polls. Such a debate would give Malaysians the chance to see who has a better vision for the country. Besides, Umno leaders really need to overcome their pathological fear of Anwar's supposed superhuman rhetorical skills. The man is not invincible. Then Information Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek faced him back in 2008 and came out of the encounter very creditably. Umno politicians also have to realise that constant communication and media coverage is the order of the day. Those who are not up to the exposure and pressure should be dropped – Barisan is better off without them. Certainly, if I had my way I'd dump over 80% of the present Cabinet. Most are ill-equipped for present-day challenges. Also, reporters are stakeholders to be engaged, not hirelings to be ordered about. Treat them with respect and the returns will be considerable. Remember that the media, however tetchy and irritating, is the voice of the people. At the same time, Malaysia's mainstream media will now have to up its game. With Najib's reforms, there'll no longer be any excuse to not provide the critical news, investigative reporting and analysis that Malaysians crave. We are tasked to serve the people and not our erstwhile political masters. Najib has opened the door to a new world. We know most of his Barisan Nasional colleagues are ill-prepared. The tougher question is this: are we – the Malaysian people – ready for what's to come? |
| WIKILEAKS: 2006 UMNO GENERAL ASSEMBLY: ABDULLAH OVER MAHATHIR Posted: 20 Sep 2011 01:00 AM PDT In what one prominent newspaper editor privately called "the beginning of his own cult of personality," Abdullah orchestrated his entrance into the grand assembly hall as a prophet coming to address his people. As Abdullah entered the hall, the audience began singing a well-known Muslim hymn commemorating the Prophet Mohammed's entrance into Medina. Privately, local journalists and some Middle-eastern diplomats were astonished and somewhat offended that Abdullah would equate himself with the Prophet, though newspapers failed to report his entrance procession. THE CORRIDORS OF POWER Raja Petra Kamarudin
1. (C) Summary: The United Malays National Organization's (UMNO) General Assembly marked Prime Minister's Abdullah consolidation of power within UMNO and the clear political defeat of his predecessor Mahathir Mohamad after months of public attacks by Mahathir. Mahathir did not attend the assembly due to timely health reasons, but he remained the elephant in the room that everyone knew was there but no one wanted to mention. A week prior to the assembly, Mahathir suffered from a "minor heart attack" and later refused to see a visiting Abdullah. Prior to the assembly, Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi declared he would not be a one-term prime minister and threatened the party leadership not to take him for granted. A local editor claimed Abdullah is trying to build a new cult of personality, as Abdullah evoked comparisons to himself and the Prophet Mohammed. Mukhriz Mahathir assumed his father's role as Abdullah's chief critic at the assembly, but faced a political backlash for his disloyalty to the party leader. This is the first in a series of reports covering the 57th UMNO General Assembly which was held in Kuala Lumpur, November 13-17. End Summary. Mahathir avoids the dance 2. (C) Less than a week before the convocation of the UMNO General Assembly, former prime minister Mahathir Mohamed admitted himself to the National Heart Institute with complaints of chest pains. Deemed to have suffered from a "minor heart attack", Mahathir remained hospitalized until November 14, one day prior to Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi's opening of the 2006 UMNO General Assembly. Conveniently, Mahathir's health provided an excellent excuse not to attend the assembly and face a possibly hostile reception with little or no opportunity to present his own criticism of Abdullah. Given Abdullah's control over the party and its rules of order, the Prime Minister was certain to use the the assembly to reaffirm his position of leadership. Mahathir's loss as a party delegate in his long-time constituency of Kubang Paso in September (ref A), in the face of strong machine politics, was evidence enough that he no longer controlled the party he once led for 22 years. 3. (SBU) A survivor of heart bypass surgery in 1989, Mahathir's "faulty ticker" created an unassailable and face-saving excuse not to attend the assembly he fought so hard to crash. However, his hospitalization did not bring any semblance of death-bed forgiveness or reconciliation. The day after his admission to the hospital, Abdullah paid a visit to the hospital to greet his predecessor, only to be shooed away by doctors and advised that Mahathir could not see Abdullah as he was sleeping and was not able to have visitors. Mahathir was not going to attend the assembly, but he was not about to reconcile his differences with Abdullah either. "I am not a one-term prime minister" 4. (SBU) In the run-up to the assembly, Abdullah gave an exclusive interview to an UMNO-linked newspaper, Utusan Malaysia, which headlined Abdullah's declaration: "I am not a one-term prime minister." Dispelling rumors that he would not seek a second term, or conjecture that Mahathir's attacks had weakened his resolve, Abdullah went on to say, "I will not run away. I am here to stay. I have long term plans and I will ensure that these plans are implemented." Abdullah acknowledged that Mahathir's attacks were "no longer about the bridge or his other projects. He has begun a total fight against me and the government." In a closed door meeting with party leaders the following day, Abdullah advised party officials that it was becoming increasingly difficult to be nice, but warned that he could certainly be otherwise if pushed too far. As one attendee remarked, "Abdullah's main message was 'don't take me for granted.' He showed us he was firmly in control." Najib sets the tone for the assembly 5. (U) Opening the early sessions of the General Assembly for UMNO Wanita (Women), Puteri (Young Women) and Pemuda (Youth), Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy President of UMNO, Najib Tun Razak, declared the policy that would preside throughout the entire assembly: "The tradition in UMNO has been the complete loyalty to our leaders. We must be united behind Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, our party President and Prime Minister." Najib praised Malaysia's past leaders, but warned "there is great apprehension when the leaders we cherish begin to squabble. And the worry increases when the opposition tries to take advantage. . .Quarrels will only lead to disunity." While never mentioning Mahathir by name, Najib made it clear that past leaders would always be honored and revered, but "disunity" would not be tolerated. Four days later his closing remarks Najib reiterated the party's undivided support for Abdullah in a traditional Malay poem: ". . .This is Pak Lah's era . . .our country he has changed; our religion he has honored, our race he has defended. . .We give him our support. . .in the name of religion, race and country." Building a cult of personality 6. (C) In what one prominent newspaper editor privately called "the beginning of his own cult of personality," Abdullah orchestrated his entrance into the grand assembly hall as a prophet coming to address his people. As Abdullah entered the hall, the audience began singing a well-known Muslim hymn commemorating the Prophet Mohammed's entrance into Medina. Privately, local journalists and some Middle-eastern diplomats were astonished and somewhat offended that Abdullah would equate himself with the Prophet, though newspapers failed to report his entrance procession. 7. (C) Equally telling were the verses Abdullah had recited from the Holy Quran before delivering his key-note address. The readings were from Surah 49. Al-Hujurat, verses 6 - 13, and carried a clear message that UMNO attendees should reject Mahathir and embrace Abdullah. "O you who believe! If an evil person comes to you with any news, verify it, lest you should harm people in ignorance. . . And if two parties among the believers fall to fighting, then make peace between them both. But if one of the outrages against the other, then fight you all against the one which outrages till it complies with the command of Allah. . .Let not a group scoff an another group, it may be that the latter are better than the former. . .Nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. How bad is it to insult one's brother after having faith. And whosoever does not repent, then such are indeed the wrong-doers." The readings from the Holy Quran lasted nearly 20 minutes, and it was commonly heard uttered among visitors and the media that not even PAS (Malaysia's conservative Islamic opposition party) read that many verses at their annual meeting or dared compare their leader with the Prophet. Abdullah wishes Mahathir a speedy recovery 8. (SBU) The subtle use of the Quranic verses aside, press reports all applauded Abdullah for "avoiding any mention" of Mahathir. Many had expected Abdullah to launch a few veiled salvos at Mahathir, but what they heard were the soft words of their Prime Minister urging the attendees to "pray to the Almighty so that Tun Dr. Mahathir has a speedy recovery. Let us also pray that Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah (Mahathir's wife) and members of her family be given the strength and patience to see through this difficult period." The son carries on the fight 9. (C) Just the day before Abdullah's speech, Mahathir had received a long ovation from the UMNO Youth delegates when it was mentioned he had that day returned home from the hospital. Moreover, Mahathir's absence did not ensure the assembly avoided the fracas he had long ago begun. Standing in as his father's proxy, Mukhriz Mahathir was quick to criticize Abdullah's performance. Echoing what many others mumbled but no others dared utter, Mukhriz called Abdullah's key-note address disappointing. "I think it's an address he delivered last year. I was hoping for something new. Perhaps he has other ideas," Mukhriz told reporters. (Abdullah's keynote speech will be reported septel.) 10. (C) Mukhriz's comments brought quick rebukes from UMNO Youth President Hishamuddin Tun Hussein and threats that Mukhriz risked being expelled from the UMNO Youth Executive Committee. However, no one took the threats seriously, and many continue to speculate that the 42 year old Mukhriz will run for one of the 25 positions on the UMNO Executive Committee during the next election cycle, guaranteeing his name will remain in the lime-light, and ensuring his father's issues with Abdullah do not merely fade away. Comment 11. (C) The UMNO General Assembly demonstrated Abdullah's consolidation of his party power base and signified defeat for Mahathir's attempt to bring Abdullah's leadership to an early end. Abdullah made it clear that pretenders would not be welcome if they tried to unseat him before he was ready to step down, and DPM Najib responded dutifully as the head cheerleader. Mahathir's absence from the assembly was convenient, if not well planned, and prevented any rumors or threats of a division within Malaysia's dominant political party. Mahathir's criticisms of the current administration will not quickly fade away, and will still attract tremendous interest from the public at large, but it is apparent they will have less traction after Abdullah's successful defense and consolidation of his own authority as leader of Malaysia's dominant political party. LAFLEUR (November 2006) |
| Mat Sabu arrested over alleged Bukit Kepong remarks Posted: 20 Sep 2011 12:32 AM PDT 
(The Star) - PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu has been arrested by police in connection with his alleged remarks on the Bukit Kepong incident. Mohamad, or Mat Sabu, had voluntarily gone to the state police headquarters at 8.30pm before he was detained. He was released on bail at 9.05pm. Mat Sabu is expected to be charged for criminal defamation under Section 500 of the Penal Code on Wednesday. |
| Our way of saying ‘thank you’ Posted: 19 Sep 2011 11:55 PM PDT To coincide with our latest move to liberalise the policy on comments and allow unregistered readers to comment, I thought I would share with you some of our statistics (and hope that this will frighten Umno a bit). Maybe you can look at the following Google Analytical statistics on our Unique Visitors. Unique Visitors means one-time visitors and not total visits, which most certainly would be much higher since many readers come into Malaysia Today many times a day. NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin 
This was the total number of Unique Visitors for the half-year period of 1st January to 30th June 2008. The 12th General Election was held in March of that same year. 
This is the figure for that same period this year – 1st January to 30th June 2011. You can see that the number of Unique Visitors has remained the same. 
This was the figure for that same period last year -- 1st January to 30th June 2010. Again, there was not that much change. 
For the period of 1st January this year till yesterday (19th September 2011), this is the total number of Unique Visitors. 
And this was the total number of Unique Visitors for that same period last year – 1st January 2010 till 19th September 2010. We have not suffered any drop in readership in spite of tightening the control on comments (as what we promised the MCMC when they agreed to unblock or unban Malaysia Today in September 2008). The readers stayed loyal to Malaysia Today even though they could only read without commenting. Maybe it is time we repaid this loyalty by loosening control on comments. I just hope you will not abuse this privilege (yes, privilege, not right) by posting comments that may get Malaysia Today blocked or banned again. Anyway, it is your call. |
| GLCs Under Fire? (A Most Important Posting) Posted: 19 Sep 2011 09:30 PM PDT Malaysia-Finance Blogspot Savvy market watchers would have noticed a quite deliberate sell down in GLCs and related counters. Yes, markets are depressed, yes... foreign funds are doing another selling wave. But isn't it a bit out of the ordinary to see GLCs being sold down persistently? The ones being hammered: Sime Darby (understandably), but others are getting whacked as well, Petronas Chemical, Axiata, MRCB, UEM Land, CIMB, AirAsia (new link up now can be considered as related GLC counter), ... even Kencana, IJM, SP Setia ...
Coffee shop talk would have you believe that it could be an aggregation of various factors:
1) Unpalatable corporate governance issues
2) Cashing up owing to upcoming elections
3) Downgrades in property and oil and gas sectors Foreign funds vote with their shares. Recent corporate governance issues have been very unpalatable. Some even say that certain parties are trying to push through certain deals prior to the elections, at all costs. Besides the Sime Darby-E&O deal, the AirAsia-MAS deal was a sour note ... not many mainstream media or analysts dared to mention that CIMB was advising both parties??!! What kind of crap is that? Its like a court case where the prosecutor and defending lawyer are from the same firm. Please show me ONE other case in global corporate M&A transactions whereby one investment bank advises both sides.
You'd think there would be more support from local funds, in fact PNB and EPF have been having to up their stakes in indexed stocks over the last 3 years owing to lessening participation of other investing groups (private and foreign investors alike). Take any of the top 20 indexed stocks and mark out how much Khazanah, EPF and PNB collectively hold.
That IS NOT A GOOD THING!!! A vibrant, liquid and transparent exchange is needed for it to fulfil a proper capital markets' objectives. It has now come to a stage whereby local funds control the index ... the flip side is local funds are buying because NOBODY else wants to buy. READ MORE HERE |
| Unregistered moderated comments Posted: 19 Sep 2011 09:15 PM PDT In my negotiations with the MCMC, it was pointed out that the comments rather than my articles were the main problem. If I could assure the authorities that I will control or moderate the comments then they will consider unbanning Malaysia Today. I gave them my assurance that from that day on all comments would be 'controlled'. NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin Some of you may remember that at 6.00pm on 26th August 2008, Malaysia Today was blocked and for about two weeks no one in Malaysia could access the site. Those outside Malaysia could still read Malaysia Today though.
Over those two weeks, I met up with officials from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to try to get them to unblock Malaysia Today.
The complaint against Malaysia Today was not regarding any of my articles but about some of the comments that were posted in the site. We do not know who posted these comments. In fact, they could have even been posted by Umno cyber-troopers.
Nevertheless, the comments were considered offensive and, subsequently, Malaysia Today was 'banned'.
Now, who interprets whether the comments are offensive or not? Well, the government of course.
If Ibrahim Ali says that the Chinese are too much, biadap (insolent), and are inviting another May 13, to you and me that may be offensive but to the government that may be quite an acceptable statement.
Then, if I say that the Malays are backward because they are being held back by their religion, to you and me that may be a fact but the government may view that statement as an insult to Islam and will take action against me (which they did, mind you).
So it does not take much to get Malaysia Today banned. One 'planted' comment is all it takes and we all will lose Malaysia Today forever.
In my negotiations with the MCMC, it was pointed out that the comments rather than my articles were the main problem. If I could assure the authorities that I will control or moderate the comments then they will consider unbanning Malaysia Today.
I gave them my assurance that from that day on all comments would be 'controlled'.
Malaysia Today was subsequently unblocked. However, the following day, the police came to my house to detain me under the Internal Security Act. Of my many so-called 'crimes' that warranted my detention, some of them were the comments in Malaysia Today.
What I have never told you before (until now, that is) is that 26 other Malaysians also suffered retaliation. The police went to their house or office and confiscated their computer. They were also summoned to the police station. One person was charged under the Sedition Act.
Today, we are trying to relax things a bit. While you can still register to comment, whereby your comments get published immediately, you can also post comments without registering.
However, they will need to be approved first -- or rejected, as the case may be.
Why are we now relaxing things a bit? Because the next general election will soon be upon us and we may need to allow more discourse and debate.
Nevertheless, we still can't allow a total free-for-all. This would be giving a 'licence' to the Umno cyber-troopers to kill Malaysia Today with planted comments. And 2008 has shown us that this is not only possible but was in fact done before.
The problem with this, though, is that this may cause some delay because the moderators need to first read your comments before they will appear on the site. All our moderators are volunteers who can afford a mere few hours a day with so many other commitments to meet.
You can, of course, avoid this delay if you register. But if you do not wish to register then I hope you will bear with the delay. |
| Apabila kata-kata pemimpin tidak diyakini - masuk telinga kanan keluar telinga kiri Posted: 19 Sep 2011 08:37 PM PDT ASPAN ALIAS Orang tua-tua yang berilmu dan mempunyai 'wisdom' yang tinggi selalu berpesan, jika datang yang cantik dan yang nampak elok jangan terus di terkam kerana mungkin ada celaka di sebaliknya. Jika datang pula yang tidak elok dipandang jangan terus ditolak kerana mungkin ada kebahagian di sebaliknya. Maksud nasihat ini ialah supaya kita membuat penilaian dan penelitian dengan sebaik mungkin terhadap perkara yang di timbulkan dan jangan mengambil keputusan dengan terlalu cepat untuk menerima atau menolaknya. Ianya mesti dihalusi dan dipertimbangkan dengan sebaik mungkin agar kita tidak mudah tersilap dalam membuat sesuatu perhitungan dan keputusan dengan baik serta bijaksana.
Keputusan 'self congratulatory' DS Najib tentang pemansuhan ISA (Akta keselamatan dalam negeri) baru-baru ini juga mesti kita pertimbangkan dengan sebaik mungkin tentang ketulusan dan keikhlasannya kerana mahu tidak mahu keputusan itu merupakan keputusan politik bagi saya. Kita faham yang keputusan yang dibuat oleh PM Najib ini merupakan salah satu ikhtiar pihak pemerintah untuk mendapat perhatian rakyat dalam kita sedang menghampiri PRU yang paling mencabar bagi BN dalam sejarah kewujudan 'coalition' ini.
Itulah sebabnya kita kelihatan jelas yang tindakan Najib ini mendapat tentangan dari kumpulan 'hard-liner' dalam UMNO dan ini sahaja sudah menunjukan keputusan Najib itu merupakan keputusan yang tidak mendapat sokongan padu di dalam pihak kerajaan dan sebahagian penyokong-penyokong parti yang memerintah.
Perkasa dan ramai di antara individu pemimpin yang bercakap di belakang yang tindakan Najib ini memberikan tamparan kepada mereka yang telah mempertahankan ISA tetapi apabila membuat keputusan mereka menyatakan yang keputusan itu merupakan keputusan Najib seorang dan tidak pun dibawa kepada Mesyuarat Kabinet untuk mendapatkan 'endorsement' dari Jemaah Kabinet Negara.
Pengumuman beliau tentang pemansuhan ini telah di 'stage managed' dengan persediaan secara 'live' dari merata lokasi di seluruh negara untuk mendapatkan komen sokongan dari mereka yang telah diatur terlebih dahulu dan ianya hanya merupakan keputusan politik untuk mendapat 'popularity' semata-mata.
Kita memahami apa yang ada di dalam pemikiran Najib itu. Kita tahu beliau mahu di anggap sebagai hero pembaharuan dan mahukan kredit yang besar untuk menghadapi pilihanraya umum yang beliau ketuai buat kali pertama. Kita mesti juga ingat Najib telah mengambil begitu lama untuk mengadakan pilihanraya untuk mendapatkan sokongan rakyat terhadap kepimpinannya.
Yang kita ingat hanya Datuk Husein Onn sahaja yang mengambil masa 2 setengah tahun untuk mengetuai pilihanraya pada Ogos 1978 dahulu selepas mengambil alih kepimpinan dari biras beliau Tun Razak pada Januari 1976 dahulu kerana kematian PM kita yang kedua itu di sebuah klinik di Jalan Harly London akibat penyakit leukemia.
Perjuangan memansuhkan ISA ini merupakan perjuangan selama 40 tahun pihak pembangkang. Tunduknya Najib terhadap tekanan pembangkang adalah disebabkan rakyat sudah terang-terang mengalihkan sokongan terhadap pembangkang. Justru pada Najib memansuhkan ISA adalah tindakan untuk mendapatkan kredit dari perjuangan pembangkang sejak dulu lagi.
Apa yang amat menarik kali ini ialah akta yang akan dimansuhkan itu mahu dilakukan oleh Najib serta merta kerana mengikut intrepitasi Nazri Aziz akta itu hanya boleh dimansuhkan pada persidangan Parlimen bulan Mach nanti. Ada kah pilihanraya diadakan sebelum akta ini dimansuhkan sepenuhnya atau selepas pilihanraya. READ MORE HERE |
| ANNOUNCEMENT: Comments in Malaysia Today Posted: 19 Sep 2011 07:26 PM PDT 
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| The US have Area 51, we have Kod Negara 71 Posted: 19 Sep 2011 07:25 PM PDT This is BN's secret weapon for GE. JPN has a long list of nation code listed in their website. With such a darn detailed list, why JPN is using kod 71 to grant citizenship with people whose place of origin is unknown? By Lee Wee Tak The revelations for the past few weeks have been alarming. After Mismah gate, there is "aqua ICs" discovery by YB Anthony Loke and now even official Bangladeshi website is revealing the assault of citizen's right and democracy in Malaysia.
Mismah's PR card, with kod negara "71"
Mismah's IC with Kod Negara 71
"Aqua IC" where army husband's IC (ending with odd number) is recycled to register the wife as a postal voter hence the wife can vote as ordinary and postal voter.
One aspect of the intrigue is the nation code "71". According to this excellent write up, tens of thousands of voters in Penang are carrying IC bearing the nation code "71", indicating that they are born in overseas and the JPN are not able to trace their country of origin. If this happens in Penang, I am quite sure other states would be plague with this as well…Selangor perhaps? xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx GEORGETOWN - Seramai 13,114 pengundi yang didaftarkan di Pulau Pinang didapati pemegang mykad yang mempunyai kod bernombor 71 yang mana Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara sendiri tidak dapat mengesan negara asal mereka. Setiausaha Dewan Pemuda Pas negeri, Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden berkata, berdasarkan sistem dalaman yang diproses dari daftar pemilih yang diberikan Suruhanjaya Pilihanraya (SPR) milik parti itu mendapati, ada jumlah pengundi yang 'tidak kena' dalam senarai berkenaan. "Kod 71 tiada dalam senarai JPN dan berdasarkan kod yang diberikan JPN, nombor 71 tiada di dalam senarai jabatan itu. Terkini iaitu dari April hingga Jun 2011, seramai 166 pengundi di daftarkan memegang kad pengenalan bernombor kod 71 menjadikan jumlah keseluruhan ialah 13,114 orang. "Jumlah ini tidak boleh dikesan oleh JPN serta SPR dari mana mereka datang, negara asal mereka. Apa yang kita bimbang, kemungkinan besar ini usaha-usaha pihak tertentu untuk jatuhkan Kerajaan Negeri Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Pulau Pinang serta memanipulasi pilihan raya dengan memasukkan warga asing ke dalam senarai pengundi," katanya. Menurutnya, apa yang membimbangkan Pas, seperti yang didedahkan JPN sebelum ini, seramai 72,334 warga asing yang memohon untuk menjadi warganegara Malaysia yang mana daripada jumlah itu, Menteri Dalam Negeri, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein telah meluluskan 29,290 permohonan. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Incidentally, Mismah's IC is the ubiquitous but until now, unexposed "71". JPN has a long list of nation code listed in their website. I have did a count last week and list is a long and detailed one, allocating numbers to many nations which Malaysians would struggle to locate on an atlas, for example: Antigua & Barbuda (93), New Caledonia (83), Grenada (90) and Trinidad and Tobago (90). With such a darn detailed list, why JPN is using kod 71 to grant citizenship with people whose place of origin is unknown? Is it purely laziness on the part of JPN officers, or is Kod Negara 71 is a "very special" category by itself? |
| Amending the Constitution Posted: 19 Sep 2011 07:20 PM PDT By Hakim Joe Amending the Constitution is an extremely complicated undertaking as it is within the Constitution that is written the fundamental principles in which laws are enacted to govern a country. Amend a single paragraph of the Constitution and any legislation that is either directly or indirectly influenced by it will subsequently necessitate amendment(s) as well. When a country achieves independence in a democratic environment, the primary document that is prepared is the Constitution, not the laws, and from this Constitution rests the very foundation in which how legislations are enacted and how the country shall be ultimately governed. It is the definitive framework in which the winning political party utilizes to establish the government. It is the structural fabric in the determination of how the citizenry will be administered and it institutes the relationship between the Federal, State and Local Governments. The Constitution additionally separates the power of the
Executive Branch from the Judiciary and is the supreme law of the nation. As with our Constitution that is both a codified and an entrenched document, amending it will mean adherence to the procedures that are both complicated and onerous. It is also subjected to four categorization, as provided by Article 159 and Article 161[e], in which the Constitution can be amended by Federal Law. One, certain provisions may be amended only by a two-thirds (Article 159[3]) absolute majority in each House of Parliament (Dewan Rakyat & Senate) but only if the Conference of Rulers consents. Two, certain provisions of special interest to East Malaysia, may be amended by a two- thirds absolute majority in each House of Parliament but only if the Governor of the East Malaysian state concurs. Three, all other provisions may be amended by a two-thirds absolute majority in each House of Parliament (subject to the exception described in item four below), these amendments do not require the consent of anybody outside Parliament. Four, certain types of consequential amendments and amendments to schedules may be made by a simple majority (more than half) in Parliament. To amend an article within the Constitution, the determination of whether it is a technical amendment or fundamental amendment is of utmost importance. A technical amendment is made to further enforce and/or empower a law that has already been enacted whereas a fundamental amendment either changes the interpretation of a law or to repeal it completely. Repealing the Internal Security Act cannot be categorized as a fundamental amendment to the Constitution as Article 149 and Article 150 remains intact. However, an amendment to the two Articles above whereby preventive detention is disallowed would entail the automatic repealing of the ISA as the existence of this ordinance will contradict the Constitution, which is the supreme law. Also automatically repealed legislations include the Emergency (Public Order and Prevention Crime) Ordinance 1969, the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985 and the Restricted Residence Act 1933, all four laws that legally permit Detention Without Trial or what we call Preventive Detention (Exclusion of Judicial Review). Basically, to amend the Constitution whereby preventive detention becomes illegal, four laws are affected. Either the lawmakers vote to repeal these legislations altogether or amend it accordingly to remove the allowance of detention without trial. Similarly, to amend the Constitution whereby no special preferences or privileges are accorded any single race (Article 153) will entail the scrapping of any Affirmative Action plans and budgets allocated for it. MARA will have to open its gates to all Malaysians; public listed companies are not required to allocate 30 percent of their shares specifically to any one race; the Malay quota system will have to be abolished and anybody can rise to become a MB or PM. In conclusion, amendments to the Constitution are not simple affairs as compared to any amendments made to existing laws. When RPK decided to promote the Bill of Rights, shouldn't we at least look at the restrictions enshrined within the Malaysian Constitution that are preventing such a legislation to be implemented in this country? |
| Namewee from a Chinese perspective Posted: 19 Sep 2011 07:15 PM PDT 
It strikes me that Namewee expresses himself in a Chinese way you will not encounter from the likes of DAP 2.0's newly minted currency – called the Hasnah Yeop political coin. By Helen Ang Namewee is in the news again for his just released movie Nasi Lemak 2.0 and his reported attempt at getting a meeting with the prime minister. A controversy magnet, Namewee has also at the same time attracted the anticipated brickbats and belligerent threats from the usual suspects. 没 有 天 那 有 地 没 有 地 那 有 家 没 有 家 那 有 你 没 有 你 那 有 我 Lyrics from the classic hit 酒干倘卖无 in which a girl sings about her adopted father: "Without heaven how can there be earth, without the land how can there be home, without home how can there be you, without you how can there be me …" Namewee's rap in Negarakuku recalls to me some echoing words in almost the same cadences: 我 愛 我 的 國 家 有 國 才 有 家 有 家 才 有 我 站 在 這 邊 跟 你 大 聲 唱 歌 (Translation: I love my country, [only] when there is country there is home, [only] when there is home there is me, now [standing] here singing song loudly to you…)  DAP Christian politician Hannah Yeoh in tudung It strikes me that Namewee expresses himself in a Chinese way you will not encounter from the likes of DAP 2.0's newly minted currency – called the Hasnah Yeop political coin. It may surprise you that in his controversial Negarakuku released in 2007, Namewee begins the rap by professing his love for Malaysia to which he later adds the wry 這 個 國 家 我 佷 喜 歡 "this country I like very much". Namewee's ambivalence is genuine of the generally conflicted Chinese here rather than the one-dimensionality of the Firsters and their "I'm-more-Malaysian-than anyone else" chest thumping . Embedded in the Chinese language and thus its ethos (remember, 'bahasa jiwa bangsa') is the concept of jia 家 (home), around which form the words 'family' and 'country'. Hannah Yeoh with her God-walks-with-me tweets fawned over by 30,000 faithful followers is on a totally different plane from the Mandarin-and-Hokkien speaking Namewee who pursued his tertiary education in Taiwan. In fact, the Chinese school student unable to get a seat in local universities is one of Namewee's grouses aired in Negarakuku. Caring for the Chinese? Nah  Do note that the DAP does not take up the above type 'Chinese' issues.
Therefore it boggles the mind how the party's detractors (read: Utusan/Umno bloggers) still keep claiming that DAP favours the Chinese. In truth, its leaders favour whatever is advantageous for themselves first and foremost. Whatever it takes for them to retain and expand their clout (power has gotten to their heads) so that they can continue to enjoy the perks of office. After all, in Penang which DAP controls, Lim Guan Eng takes so much pride in awarding bumiputera contractors 98 percent to 100 percent of the state tenders (quoting the chief minister's own boast). Thus, rhetorically speaking, DAP should have no issues either if 98%-100% of local varsity places were to go to bumiputera. So how can we expect this Anak Malaysia-sloganeering party to membela nasib kami orang Cina when DAP is so plainly contemptuous of our Chinese ethnicity and at the same time so deceitfully eager to elevate the Malay race and religion in order to please a pivotal vote bank? The struggle of Umno, according to its founding principles, is to resuscitate the Malay ('Hidup Melayu!). The struggle of PAS is for Islam whereas MCA and MIC have 'Chinese' and 'Indian' in their party names respectively. What values do the DAP stand for? Read more at: http://helenang.wordpress.com/2011/09/20/namewee-from-a-chinese-perspective/ |
| Mat Sabu to face criminal charge over communist remarks Posted: 19 Sep 2011 05:51 PM PDT (The Malaysian Insider) - Mohamad Sabu will be charged in court tomorrow over remarks allegedly glorifying communist guerillas who attacked the Bukit Kepong police station in 1950. The PAS deputy president will be charged with public mischief under section 505 of the Penal Code in the Butterworth Sessions Court. Contacted by The Malaysian Insider, Mohamad's lawyer Hanipa Maidin confirmed that police have informed his client of the charge. "Yes, we have been informed of it. Mat Sabu and I will be there," he said. Umno's Utusan Malaysia had first accused the maverick politician of glorifying Ahmad Indera in an August 27 report that quoted Mohamad as saying that the communist leader was a true hero. Twenty-five policemen were killed in the attack on the Bukit Kepong police station in 1950. The daily and Malay hardliners in Umno have repeatedly called for Mohamad to be charged over the comment with some even insisting that the PAS leader be stripped of his citizenship. Mohamad's remarks have sparked debate over who were Malaysia's independence fighters. But Mohamad denies glorifying communists, saying he never mentioned "communism" in his speech. His Pakatan Rakyat (PR) colleagues have admitted that Mohamad's remarks had given their rivals in Barisan Nasional (BN) an opening to attack them. BN had been on the defensive for months following surging inflation and international condemnation of the government's crackdown on the July 9 Bersih rally. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced a raft of reforms last week to give Malaysians more freedom but Mohamad's prosecution may spark fears of a crackdown against dissent. READ MORE HERE |
| Hisham Rais Agrees with Ambiga, Credits M’sian Civil Society Over Abolishment of ISA Posted: 19 Sep 2011 05:39 PM PDT (Malaysian Digest) - Activist Hishamuddin Rais today echoed the statement made by former Bar Council President Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan saying that the civil society of Malaysia should be credited over the decision to abolish the Internal Security Act (ISA). According to him, after years of pressure from the civil society such as Suara Anak Malaysia (SUARAM), Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI) and BERSIH, the Act was finally abolished by the government under the Najib administration.
Hishamuddin also said that Najib should be ashamed of himself when the latter said that the decision was made by the Barisan Nasional solely and not based on other movement's pressure. "If he has some self respect, then Najib should thank the civil society for enlightening him to abolish the 1960 draconian law of ISA," said Hishamuddin when met by Malaysian Digest. Seeing the decision to abolish the ISA as an attempt to liberalize the country, Hishamuddin however said that nothing is concrete at the moment as the prime minister only made an announcement and nothing has yet been tabled in the parliament. "Let's not get overexcited about this, the country has seen the prime minister making flip-flop decisions over various government policies in the past. "For example on the gambling license which in the end doesn't go much further after all," said Hishamuddin. The activist admits that the announcement made by the prime minister is a quantum leap after Merdeka Review reported their poll results stating that Najib's popularity have been declining. "This can just be Najib's public relation practice that will make him popular in the rakyat's eyes. But that doesn't mean anything, as in Malaysia, the election doesn't go in the way like the presidential election in the United States. "Therefore, for me, if this is a public relation practice by Najib, it won't affect anything at all," he added. Hishamuddin also said that the call from PAS Deputy President, Mohamad Sabu for the government to pay compensation to those who used to be detained under the ISA as 'a very nice proposal', but stating an apology should have been more than enough. "An apology should be enough for me. It's in our tradition and norms that one must apologize after making a mistake," he said. "And if the government decides to make an apology for detaining me for two years in Kem Tahanan Kamunting (Kamunting detention camp), I would have welcomed it," he added. |
| Hisham Rais: Mat Sabu's Statement on Mat Indera Came in Perfect Timing Posted: 19 Sep 2011 05:38 PM PDT (Malaysian Digest) - PAS Deputy President Mohamad Sabu or better known as Mat Sabu's statement over on Mat Indera and Malayan independence struggles have come in a timely month, according to activist Hishamuddin Rais. According to him, the issue that was first brought by Mat Sabu comes in perfect timing that benefits the younger generation.
"The young generation, thanks to Mat Sabu and his Mat Indera debate, are now becoming more aware of this country's history.
"They are now talking about the history of Malaysia and strongly debating our historical facts and as a result will enlighten this country," said Hishamuddin when met by Malaysian Digest. According to Hishamuddin, the younger generations have now acknowledged that the Malayan independence struggles also consists of arm-movement in the likes of Angkatan Pemuda Insaf (API), Hizbul Muslimin and Parti Komunis Malaya (PKM) and not only championed by United Malay Organisations (UMNO) as deemed nowadays.
Therefore, he is supporting the call for history subject in schools to be revised but remains skeptical that the revision can be done under the current ruling class.
"Umno/BN will always wants them to be seen as the sole independence struggler in our schools history subject," said Hishamuddin.
"Until a new government is formed, I don't think at any stage that the history subject in school will be revised," he added. |
| Time to quit, Zaid told Posted: 19 Sep 2011 04:40 PM PDT Growing internal dissent against Kita chief culminates in a call for his resignation. (Free Malaysia Today) - The rising internal dissent against Kita chief, Zaid Ibrahim, has peaked with a top leadership member calling for his resignation today. Central executive committee member, Zahrein Zahari, said that Zaid's recent actions were in clear violation of the party principle and warranted his stepping down as party chief. Over the past week Zaid's reputation has slowly been torn apart as unhappy members have publicly flayed him for his alleged high-handedness, contempt for protocol and rash decisions. The sudden strife within a party that is three months shy of its first anniversary has taken many by surprise but Zahrein clarified in a press statement that talk of "internal bickering" were untrue. "There is no bickering in Kita," he said. "There are only those who decided to go against the principle which the party builds upon, and this includes Zaid." Zahrein explained that party members, especially the youth had joined Kita for its "fearless stand" against authoritarianism, promotion of grassroots democracy and an internal structure where decisions are made from the bottom-up. He pointed out that a democratic party should give room for dissent to be heard and debated as no leader is infallible be it Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim or Zaid himself. "We in Kita believe in building criticism, and we strongly advocate freedom of speech," Zahrein said. "I'm very sure Zaid has no problem swallowing this medicine with a pinch of salt." "Zaid may have started Kita but we gave spirit to it. He doesn't own Kita and Kita is not Zaid. Kita was built upon the same spirit in which Zaid walked out from PKR – a smack on their face and a fine reminder for us." Old must make way for the new Zahrein then took a dig at Zaid by stating that when the old get "nyanyuk or nyanyu" (senile), it is only right for the young to take the lead. He went on to urge young Malaysians to show the "old hard-headed" politicians how things should be done the right way and that this process should begin with Zaid. READ MORE HERE |
| KERAJAAN SAHKAN GANI PATAIL PALSU KETERANGAN Posted: 19 Sep 2011 04:27 PM PDT 
Dakwaan Musa Hassan telah memberi keterangan palsu dalam perbicaraan kes korupsi terhadap Anwar pada tahun 1998 hanya terkesan pada pertengahan tahun 2009. Ini berlaku apabila keterangan beliau berikan dalam perbicaraan kes Pendakwa Raya vs Ramli Yusuff di-Mahkamah Sesyen Kota Kinabalu dikatakan bertentangan dengan keterangan yang beliau berikan dalam kes korupsi Anwar tahun 1998. -- Mat Zain Ibrahim Kepada; YDH Tan Sri Ismail bin Haji Omar,IG, Ketua Polis Negara, Polis Di-Raja Malaysia. iho@rmp.gov.my Assalamualaikum wbt. KERAJAAN SAHKAN GANI PATAIL PALSU KETERANGAN 1. Surat ini merupakan lanjutan dan sebahagian daripada surat terbuka saya bertarikh 12.09.2011 bertajuk, "Kenyataan Tertuduh-Benarkah Anwar Dianiaya." 2. Musa Hassan telah mengeluarkan kenyataan balas menerusi akhbar Berita Harian pada 14.09.2011. Beliau telah menafikan semua dakwaan terhadap diri beliau dan Gani Patail. Beliau bukan setakat menyatakan dakwaan tersebut semuanya dusta, malah turut mengalihkan isu ini sebagai satu konspirasi jahat yang dipelopori olih Anwar. 2.1. Saya menyatakan bahawa sepertimana juga orang lain, Musa Hassan adalah berhak keatas pendapat sendiri dan juga kepada perbicaraan yang adil. 3. Walaupun begitu, beliau tidak sepatutnya tanpa usul periksa memperkecil kredibiliti blog-blog. Beliau sepatutnya sedar bahawa fakta-fakta yang tersiar berkaitan isu ini, adalah petikan keterangan saksi-saksi dalam laporan RCI Mata-lebam, nota prosiding Mahkamah, keterangan dalam kertas siasatan kes berkenaan dan termasuk keterangan beliau berikan sendiri serta Pernyataan Tuntutan yang beliau telah failkan dalam Mahkamah. Saya mengambil tanggung jawab sepenuhnya keatas kebenaran pendedahan yang saya buat. Mengapa isu ditimbulkan sekarang. 4. Soalan mengapa isu ini ditimbulkan sekarang sedangkan kes ini berlaku 12 tahun yang lalu,sepatutnya Musa Hassan tujukan kepada Tun Mahathir. Mengapa selepas 13 tahun baru Tun merakamkan memoirs beliau dalam A Doctor In The House. 4.1. Antara lainnya Tun Mahathir mendedahkan pula Musa Hassan yang memberikan taklimat yang meyakinkan beliau mengenai penglibatan Anwar dalam aktiviti homoseksual. Padahal beberapa tahun sebelum itu, Y.A.Bhg.Tun Mohammed Hanif Omar pernah mentaklimatkan beliau mengenai perkara serupa, tetapi beliau tidak mengambil berat maklumat tersebut. 4.2. Tentu ada sesuatu maklumat yang sangat istimewa yang Musa Hassan bentangkan hingga meyakinkan Tun.Diharap beliau tidak menuduh pula pendedahan dalam memoirs Tun ini juga adalah sebahagian daripada konspirasi yang dirancang olih Anwar. Isu dalam persoalan. 5. Saya wajar menekankan kepada beliau bahawa isu yang dibincangkan sekarang tidak ada kena mengena dengan isu politik. Malahan tidak ada langsung orang politik yang terlibat dalam dakwaan ini. Pendedahan yang dibuat adalah semata-mata berkaitan penjenayahan, keadilan awam (public justice) dan system keadilan jenayah itu sendiri. 5.1. Dakwaan terhadap Gani Patail dan beliau adalah kerana memberi atau mereka keterangan palsu terhadap Anwar. Serta persoalan sama ada Hakim Mahkamah telah mensabitkan kesalahan berdasarkan keterangan palsu yang diberi atau direka olih mana-mana saksi ketika perbicaraan,atau sebaliknya. 5.2. Kita tidak bolih membiarkan sebarang penganiayaan dilakukan terhadap mana-mana orang atau diatas apa sebab sekalipun.Bukan sahaja ia salah disisi undang-undang Negara, malah suatu dosa besar mengikut hukum Agama. Contoh kes lampau. 6. Kejadian dimana Mahkamah menjatuhkan hukuman gantung sampai mati terhadap seorang tertuduh berdasarkan satu sahaja keterangan palsu yang diberikan olih seorang saksi, pernah berlaku dalam sejarah kehakiman Negara ini. 6.1. Dalam kes bunuh Jean Perera Sinnappa dalam bulan April 1979, tertuduh S.Kartigesu, ketika itu seorang Pensyarah disebuah Maktab Perguruan di-Ceras KL, telah didapati bersalah membunuh bekas ratu cantik tersebut dan dijatuhkan hukuman gantung sampai mati. 6.2. Setelah lebih dua tahun S.Kartigesu merengkok dalam penjara menunggu masa untuk digantung,beliau telah dibebaskan olih Mahkamah Rayuan apabila seorang saksi, Jayatilake didapati memberi keterangan palsu dalam perbicaraan kes bunuh itu. 6.3. Sebaliknya Jayatilake pula dipenjarakan 10 tahun kerana memberi keterangan palsu, tetapi beliau telah meninggal dunia dalam penjara 2 tahun kemudian, ketika sedang menjalani hukuman. 6.4. Saya sarankan Musa Hassan membaca journal kes bunuh tersebut. Atau lebih pantas jika beliau mendapatkan butir sepenuhnya daripada Pegawai Penyiasat kes ini yang beliau kenal sangat. 7. Jika peristiwa seperti diatas bolih berlaku sebelum ini,maka kita harus menerima hakikat perkara serupa bolih berulang. Malah mungkin telah berlaku tetapi telah disembunyikan atau tidak dikesan olih sesiapa. Keterangan palsu terkesan. 8. Dakwaan Musa Hassan telah memberi keterangan palsu dalam perbicaraan kes korupsi terhadap Anwar pada tahun 1998 hanya terkesan pada pertengahan tahun 2009. Ini berlaku apabila keterangan beliau berikan dalam perbicaraan kes Pendakwa Raya vs Ramli Yusuff di-Mahkamah Sesyen Kota Kinabalu dikatakan bertentangan dengan keterangan yang beliau berikan dalam kes korupsi Anwar tahun 1998. 8.1. Undang-Undang telah menetapkan bahawa perbezaan diantara "Ya" dengan "Tidak" atau antara "Tahu" dengan "Tidak Tahu" atau antara "Ada" dengan "Tidak Ada" adalah cukup untuk mensabitkan sesaorang itu dengan kesalahan memberi keterangan palsu. Kredibiliti Musa Hassan lebih dicurigai apabila Hakim Mahkamah Sesyen Kota Kinabalu mendapati beliau sebagai seorang saksi yang diragui dan kesaksiannya ditolak. 8.2. Terbit daripada perbezaan dalam keterangan Musa Hassan yang dikesan itu, seorang Wakil Rakyat,Sivarasa Rasiah telah membuat laporan polis dalam bulan Mac 2010 terhadap beliau kerana kesalahan memberi keterangan palsu (perjury) dalam tahun 1998. 8.3. Memoir Tun Mahathir yang dikeluarkan mulai Mac 2011 pula secara kebetulan, menimbulkan beberapa persoalan berkaitan peranan dan kejujuran Musa Hassan dalam siasatan kes terhadap Anwar apabila rekod-rekod lama dinilai semula. 9. Jika seorang Hakim Mahkamah Sesyen bolih merakamkan dalam nota prosiding bahawa keterangan Musa Hassan tidak bolih dipercayai,sedangkan beliau ketika itu masih Ketua Polis Negara, maka tidak salah untuk mempersoalkan sama ada beliau telah berbohong atau tidak, ketika memberi taklimat kepada Tun Mahathir berkaitan Anwar. Siasatan SPRM. 10. Umum telah maklum bahawa dakwaan Anwar pada 1.7.2008 terhadap Gani Patail,Musa Hassan,Dr.Abdul Rahman Yusof dan termasuk saya sendiri (atas sifat Pegawai Penyiasat kes mata-lebam)kerana memalsukan keterangan telah disiasat olih pihak SPRM.Kemudiannya Peguam Cara Negara telah melantik 3 orang Ahli Panel Bebas terdiri daripada mantan-mantan Hakim Mahkamah Persekutuan dan Rayuan,sebagai DPP bagi meneliti kertas siasatan SPRM tersebut. 10.1. Pada 11.3.2009,iaitu lapan bulan kemudian, Menteri di-Jabatan Perdana Menteri telah mengumumkan di-Parlimen bahawa hanya dua orang sahaja iaitu, Gani Patail dan Musa Hassan dibersihkan daripada sebarang salahlaku. Walaupun demikian, seorang daripada Ahli Panel Bebas tersebut telah memutuskan terdapat keterangan salahlaku jenayah terhadap Gani Patail. 10.2. Tun Mahathir mempertahankan hujah beliau,bahawa walaupun Mahkamah Persekutuan telah membebaskan Anwar daripada pertuduhan meliwat atas sebab teknikal,Tun tetap mengatakan bahawa Anwar terlibat dalam aktiviti homoseksual kerana terdapat diantara Panel Hakim Mahkamah Persekutuan tersebut yang mengesahkan terdapat keterangan aktiviti homoseksual antara Anwar dan Sukma benar berlaku.Kerajaan akur dan menghurmati pendirian Tun sedemikian itu. 10.3. Dalam premis yang sama,walaupun Gani Patail dan Musa Hassan telah dibersihkan daripada sebarang salahlaku jenayah, namun fakta ada diantara Ahli Panel Bebas yang menyatakan, terdapat keterangan salahlaku jenayah olih Gani Patail dalam dakwaan ini, adalah tidak tergugat. Ringkasnya, keterangan Gani Patail telah memalsukan keterangan seperti yang didakwa adalah intact. 10.4. Tambahan kepada itu pula,produk pemalsuan itu sendiri dalam bentuk 3 laporan pakar yang dipalsukan berjumlah 65 muka surat itu sememangnya ujud.Malah bolih diperiksa olih rakyat jelata jika masih ragu dengan dakwaan ini.Saya ulangi kenyataan saya bahawa keterangan ini adalah lebih konklusif dari keterangan DNA. Pengesahan Panel Bebas dan Keputusan.. 11. Saya kemudiannya mencabar kesahihan perlantikan Ahli Panel Bebas olih Peguam Cara Negara dibawah peruntukkan CPC.Saya menegaskan perlantikkan itu sebagai tidak sah dari sudut undang-undang dan bahawa keputusan yang dibuat olih Panel Bebas tesebut adalah sia-sia,lantas menuntut keputusan tersebut diistiharkan null and void. 11.1. Bagaimanapun Kerajaan sendiri yang secara bersungguh-sungguh menentang cabaran itu, sehingga keperingkat Menteri di-Jabatan Perdana Menteri membuat "Ministerial Statement" yang panjang lebar di-Parlimen dalam bulan Disember 2010 bagi menerangkan pendirian Kerajaan terhadap perlantikkan Panel Bebas tersebut ketika menjawab soalan berkaitan isu ini. 11.2. Kerajaan telah mengesahkan bahawa perlantikan 3 Ahli Panel Bebas yang dilantik olih Peguam Cara Negara itu adalah sah disisi undang-undang dan demikian itu keputusan yang dibuat olih Panel tersebut juga adalah sah dan diperakukan. 12. Saya mengambil pengesahan tersebut, sebagai Kerajaan turut memperakukan dan mengesahkan keputusan salah seorang Ahli Panel tersebut yang telah mendapati Gani Patail terlibat dalam salah laku jenayah.Dengan demikian itu dakwaan bahawa telah berlaku pemalsuan keterangan dalam siasatan kes melibatkan Anwar adalah betul. 13. Soal sama ada tindakan undang-undang telah diambil atau akan diambil kemudian atau tidak akan diambil langsung, terhadap Gani Patail adalah perkara kedua.Motif beliau melakukan pemalsuan itu juga tidak penting. 13.1. Perkara utama dalam persoalan ini, ialah sama ada beliau telah memalsukan keterangan dalam siasatan melibatkan Anwar atau tidak.Jelas dalam hal ini,Kerajaan sendiri yang telah mengesahkan pemalsuan keterangan itu benar berlaku. 13.2. Dalam kata ringkas,secara sengaja atau teknikal, Kerajaan sendiri yang mengesahkan Gani Patail sebagai seorang penjenayah. "Covering up". 14. Seterusnya,meminjam kata-kata budiman Tun Mahathir, "Even I would be compromised,for if it was discovered that I knew and yet failed to take necessary action then I would be accused of covering up". (m.s.686 Memoirs).Kata-kata ini adalah selaras dengan peruntukkan dalam Kanun Keseksaan.Melindungi suatu kesalahan jenayah secara sendirinya, adalah satu salahlaku jenayah yang bolih dikenakan hukuman mengikut peruntukkan dalam Kanun Keseksaan. 15. Kini telahpun jelas,bahawa Jemaah Menteri,Jabatan Peguam Negara,SPRM dan Polis sedar bahawa Gani Patail telah disahkan melakukan salahlaku jenayah yang sangat serious. 15.1. Persoalan sekarang ialah bagaimana pula dengan tanggung-jawab masing-masing dalam mempastikan penguatkuasaan slogan "Rule of Law" secara "Without fear or favour" dan "no one above the law" yang saban hari masing-masing laungkan untuk didengar rakyat. 15.2. Siapa pula yang akan dipegang untuk mengambil tanggung-jawab "covering up" salahlaku jenayah ini yang telah disorokkan sekian lama. Pengetahuan Perdana Menteri. 16. Saya menegaskan PM Najib sendiri dipercayai sedar perkara ini sejak Oktober 2008 lagi.Saya yang mentaklimatkan beliau di-Kementrian Kewangan ketika beliau masih Timbalan Perdana Menteri. 16.1. Taklimat ini saya susuli dengan laporan bertulis bertarikh 19.2.2009 yang disertakan dengan bukti-bukti lengkap menjelaskan dakwaan ini.Saya menjangka beliau akan mengambil tindakan sewajarnya, apabila beliau mengambil alih jawatan Perdana Menteri. 16.2. Alasan kekurangan bukti sepatutnya tidak timbul lagi.Alasan 'standard',akan siasat lanjut juga, tidak relevan kerana Panel Bebas telah membuat keputusan dan Kerajaan telah mengesahkannya. 17. Saya menyatakan diperingkat ini, Penubuhan satu Tribunal atau Suruhanjaya Di-Raja Penyiasatan bukan lagi satu opsyen.Ini memandangkan kes prima facie terhadap Gani Patail dan mereka-mereka yang bersubahat dengannya,kerana kesalahan memalsukan beberapa keterangan dalam sesuatu penyiasatan telah dibentuk. Perkara am dan penutup. 18. Tun Mahathir menyatakan beliau tidak akan merelakan sesaorang yang tidak bermoral menjadi pengganti beliau sebagai Perdana Menteri.Saya percaya rakyat Negara ini pula tidak akan merelakan seorang Peguam Negara yang telah disahkan sebagai seorang penjenayah olih Kerajaan, terus menjadi pelindung hak kebebasan Rakyat dan Keadilan Awam. 19. Hanya beberapa hari yang lepas, Perdana Menteri telah mengumumkan pemansuhan ISA dan EO dengan menjanjikan akan menggubal undang-undang yang lebih sesuai demi memelihara kepentingan dan kebebasan rakyat, sambil menjamin keselamatan Negara. Pengumuman ini mendapat reaksi bercampur. 20. Bagaimanapun, sekiranya PM Najib terus menggunakan Gani Patail untuk mengepalai penggubalan undang-undang baru dan seterusnya,sedangkan Kerajaan beliau sendiri telah mengesahkan Gani Patail terlibat dalam salahlaku jenayah,maka samalah seolah PM Najib menghumbankan hak kebebasan dan nasib rakyat kedalam genggaman seorang penjenayah. 20.1. Jika ini berlaku, maka ianya bukan sahaja merupakan sebagai satu penderaan dan penganiayaan terhadap rakyat, malah terhadap Rule of Law itu sendiri. Salam sejahtera. Yang benar, Mat Zain Ibrahim 19 September 2011 |
| MCLM: Real reforms if BN is removed Posted: 19 Sep 2011 04:14 PM PDT 
The Barisan Nasional should have been serious about socio-political change after the 12th general election, says MCLM. (Free Malaysia Today) - Real reforms are only possible if a non-Barisan Nasional government comes to power, a human rights group said. Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM) president Haris Ibrahim said that if the BN was serious about socio-political change, it would have acted in the aftermath of the 12th general election. "If it's BN (that stays in power), then we can kiss this (reforms) goodbye. If they had listened… they would have… done it post 12th GE," Haris told FMT. "In order to do that, you need to have a strong prime minister… focused on (his) … five years (as premier), who'll say, 'I need to do these reforms.'" Haris also made a reference to past and present prime ministers, and alleged that they were more focused on calling for general election than on change. He made the claim after presenting the Rakyat Reform Agenda (RARA) at an MCLM-organised forum at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall last night. According to the group, the RARA covered four different points: - the 1963 Malaysia Agreement, including Sabah's 20-point and Sarawak's 18-point agreements;
- restoring of independence to Malaysia's institutions, including the judiciary;
- the repeal of local security laws, including the Internal Security Act (ISA) and the Sedition Act; and
- a revamp of affirmative economic policy, reborn as the racially blind Social Inclusion Agenda.
Speaking on the last two points, Haris said that both of the factors were being prepared by MCLM-affiliated parties for the benefit of non-BN political parties in the advent of a change of government.
Wholesale cheating Sabah and Sarawak's agreements as equal partners of the Malaysian Federation, he added, would be examined under an "honest" Royal Commission of Inquiry. The inquiry, Haris added, would look into the alleged "wholesale cheating" of the two East Malaysian states. All four points, he said, would be compiled into a concise document for these parties after Oct 27 as a set of guidelines for them to follow. "We'll send this document, a brief write-up of what it is… (so that) we can facilitate the leaders (of these parties) to a better understanding (of reforms)," he said. READ MORE HERE |
| Will Tenaga Nasional be split up? Posted: 19 Sep 2011 03:01 PM PDT By Fintan Ng, The STar
Speculation resurfaces as the utility faces additional RM3bil in costs PETALING JAYA: Speculation of splitting Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) up has resurfaced as the utility company faces an additional RM3bil in costs from having to look for alternative sources of fuel for power generation due to a shortage in gas supply. However, TNB president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohd Noh did not respond to StarBiz query on the matter. Analysts said there were a number of obstacles that would make any break-up of the company unlikely at the moment. They pointed out that fixed energy prices and power-purchase agreements signed with the independent power producers were among the main reasons why there would not be any imminent split-up. "This was mooted 10 years ago as part of a power-pooling structure where prices would have been deregulated and left to the markets," an analyst pointed out. TNB has three divisions, transmission, distribution and generation, of which the first two are the most profitable. The analyst said any break-up of TNB was highly unlikely as the political costs would be too high. "Due to the high costs of energy, letting prices gyrate may not be a good idea," he said. Furthermore, he said energy subsidies would only be entirely removed in 13 years (based on recommendations by the Performance Management and Delivery Unit that subsidies be gradually removed) while the power purchase agreements (PPAs) signed with the independent power producers complicated any move to restructure prices. "The Government will have to wait at least until 2016 when the first of the first generation PPAs expire," he said. Meanwhile, another analyst added that the idea of breaking up TNB was not feasible as long as the company's generation division did not have a cost pass-through mechanism. "It's difficult to see earnings visibility especially if there's more disruption to gas supply," he said, adding that there was also the question of whether the Government would allow the company to pass on the costs to consumers. HLIB Research analyst Daniel Wong, in a report, downgraded TNB shares to "hold" with a target price of RM5.10, based on discounted cash-flow estimates on continued disruption in gas supply and delay in tariff hikes. TNB closed 8 sen up at RM5.09 yesterday. "In the near term, TNB's margin will be eroded by higher fuel cost due to gas shortage (even if Petroliam Nasional Bhd maintenance is completed) as power demand increases while coal and hydro power capacity utilisation has been maximised," Wong said. He said the decision to implement a fuel cost-pass-through mechanism lay with the Government and was influenced by political, economic and social factors. Wong added that the proposal for fuel cost sharing during gas curtailment period was also pending Government approval. |
| Taib Named In UK Parliament Posted: 19 Sep 2011 02:55 PM PDT By Sarawak Report Knowledge and concern about the timber corruption associated with Sarawak's Chief Minister is now spreading to the UK. Last week his name was raised in the UK Parliament's upper chamber, The House of Lords, after a question had been asked of the Government to give an assessment of the impact of logging on indigenous people, plants and animal life. Present to answer the question was one of the Government Ministers from the Department for International Development (DFID), Baroness Verma. The Baroness answered that the UK Government is well aware of the concern about unrestrained logging and how it impoverishes around a billion people on the planet. Baroness Verma: My Lords, more than 1 billion people depend in varying degrees on the forests for their livelihoods with many more depending on the ecosystem services they provide. Some 350 million people who live within or adjacent to dense forests depend on them to a high degree for subsistence and income. Degradation and deforestation cause a loss of between $2 trillion and $4.5 trillion per year in ecosystems goods and services. Lord St John of Bletso  - Rainforest campaigner – Crossbencher (attached to no party) Lord St John
One of the best known campaigners for Rainforests in the Lords then raised the issue of Abdul Taib Mahmud and his effect on Sarawak and its people. To cries of "Hear, hear", he rose to ask: "My Lords, can the noble Baroness give any indication as to whether our Government will be following the moves by Switzerland and Germany to investigate money-laundering of the proceeds of timber corruption by the chief minister of Sarawak in Malaysia? What other measures are being taken to identify and sanction those large international logging companies which do not ensure best practice in sustainable logging?" The Baroness replied that although she could not respond on a particular individual, the mechanisms are in place to deal with timber corruption: "I would like to say to noble Lords that we are ensuring that we respond proactively to the difficulties we are all facing with this issue. The multinational companies that deal in illegal logging will find that the penalties for this will be severe." [link to the debate] Taib's assets in the UK  Ridgeford Properties' portfolio in London belongs to the Taibs The mention represents a set-back for the Chief Minister, whose family assets are extensive in the UK. Timber corruption campaigners have already prompted money laundering investigations in Switzerland and Germany, as referred to in the Lords debate. Last week also Canadian Government acknowledged that it too is aware of the fact that the Taib family have hundreds of millions of dollars of property assets in North America. While it has refused to confirm or deny any investigation at this stage, a top executive of Canada's Department of Justice told the Bruno Manser Fund that: "The RCMP(Royal Canadian Mounted Police)'s Integrated Market Enforcement Team is a group of highly acknowledged specialized investigators that are dedicated to ensuring that those who commit serious capital markets fraud offences will be discovered, investigated, prosecuted, and incarcerated in an effective and timely fashion" READ MORE HERE.
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| Bumis ‘typically’ sold government contracts for cars, houses, leaked study reveals Posted: 19 Sep 2011 02:53 PM PDT 
(The Malaysian Insider) - KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 — An unpublished Works Ministry study found that Bumiputera contractors as a rule sold their government contracts to buy luxury cars and houses apart from misusing payments received from the Treasury, according to a leaked US diplomatic cable. The cable, revealed by whistleblower website WikiLeaks, comes just after Putrajaya agreed to allocate RM8 billion worth of contracts in the country's most expensive infrastructure project, the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), which initially set strict rules for its contractors. The US diplomatic cable quoted a Works Ministry source as saying the "Study on Bumiputera Contractor Leakage" was the result of feedback from various industry sources on failed and successful projects. The report was used by then-Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to castigate failing Bumiputera businessmen in February 2007. "The current system of awarding lucrative government contracts to Bumis provides them with a strong economic incentive to simply act as agents, turning over as many projects as possible and taking a cut before handing each one off to a competent non-Bumi implementer. "This 'Bumi agent' system is firmly entrenched in Malaysia. Any effort to make reforms is likely to be resisted not only by well-established Bumis, but also by the non-Bumi implementers who have built up a network of well-oiled agent partnership," the US Embassy concluded in the report published by the Malaysia-Today news portal. The US and European Union have called for more transparency and equality in government procurement by Malaysia as part of the free trade agreement talks which have yet to be concluded. In the leaked cable, the US embassy reported: "The source said the study, which has not been released to the public, revealed that many Bumi contractors typically sold off their tenders for quick money, often to finance expensive cars and houses. The report also found Bumiputera contractors had misused payments received from the government to pay off creditors and that they often sought additional government tenders prior to completing the ones already awarded to them." "The official said contractors were irresponsible and had abused the trust given to them by the government which was meant to help Bumiputeras progress," it added. The US cable noted that then-Finance Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Izzudin Dali had disclosed new regulations that Bumiputera contractors seeking government tenders will soon be required to sign an official declaration promising not to sell or subcontract their tender to other races. "Violators will have their contracts and registrations terminated. Izzudin added that under the new rules contractors undertaking public infrastructure contracts will now be awarded only one project at a time and that projects will be distributed evenly among contractors in the same area or district," the cable said, quoting Izzudin's speech on February 16, 2007. READ MORE HERE |
| Increasing The Malaysian Talent Pool Posted: 19 Sep 2011 02:49 PM PDT By Mariam Mokhtar, Malaysian Mirror Prime minister Najib Abdul Razak praised Malaysians for their maturity and awareness of human rights, but to make Malaysia "the best democracy in the world", as he claims is his intent, will he be prepared to reward all talented Malaysians irrespective of race and religion? The nation is not short of talented people who come in all shapes and sizes, colours and creeds. A few have come from privileged backgrounds whilst many hail from more humble origins. However, when it comes to rewarding talent, only the Malays in Malaysia have a bite of the cherry, more specifically, only Malay men reach the top, and stay there. The statistics speak for themselves. Women do very well in Malaysian education; our schools, colleges and universities churn out many brilliant women scholars every year. Girls choose the more challenging subjects and excel, whilst the majority of boys, select subjects that are less demanding. Males lag behind and then present the lame, old excuse, that boys, are late developers. Isn't it time men stopped hiding behind prissy excuses? Some attribute the high attainment of women to the home environment where boys relax and are waited on hand and foot, whilst the girls have to help with the chores, take care of the younger siblings and cope with their schoolwork. Girls learn to manage their time properly and take on responsibility, at an early age. In Asian families, the boy is treated like a king and when he grows up, he expects this special consideration to be extended to him at most times, if not all the time. Most of us can identify at least one male family member who is a laggard and a bully, but whose actions are condoned by his mother. So, it seems that women who spoil and pander to their sons and husbands are at the root of the problems that our society has with men. Will Najib acknowledge the talents of women and give everyone a fair crack of the whip, irregardless of their sex? Will Najib in his desire to make Malaysia "the best democracy in the world", reward the Malaysians who are not Malay or Muslim? Will he finally acknowledge the struggles and achievements of the non-Malays and non-Muslims who have contributed towards the success of Malaysia? Or will these people be shunned as before and be forced to bid farewell to their families, their place of birth and bring their talent to another nation in which they will have to make a new home? Will Najib be open in mind and spirit and welcome the non-Malay, non-Muslim Malaysians to be committed, productive members of society? How many professionals and academics should we allow other nations to absorb at our expense? Talent isn't limited to those with brilliant academic minds. We have millions of non-Malays who swear allegiance to the King and country, but whose progress within the armed forces is limited and whose loyalty is often questioned. Will Najib open the doors of opportunity to these subjects and show that he is capable of providing them with "the best democracy in the world"? Several hundred thousand non-Malays and non-Muslim have already made the ultimate sacrifice when defending the nation. They were not the last non-Malay patriots, but who can blame the younger faithful citizens for refusing to enlist when they are told that they are second class citizens or immigrants? The Malaysian constitution assures each Malaysian the freedom to worship the religion of his choice. If Najib is sincere, will his policies reflect this and will he prevent the houses of worship and the holy books of other religions form being desecrated? Will he put a stop to forced conversions, body snatching and families being torn apart by our warped religious laws? Our current educational policies appear only to reward those from Malay/Muslim backgrounds. Scholarships and other educational opportunities are not based on merit and are not used to reward talent. There are allegations that some Malays do not have to repay their study loans or break the terms of their scholarship, without punishment. The increasing resentment felt by open-minded Malays, the non-Malays and non-Muslims is reaching fever pitch. Is it any wonder many refuse to return to their country of birth on completion of their studies? If Najib says we are mature and care about human rights, then will he put the interests of the people first? Can he reinstate good governance with an upright and honest judiciary and also an independent police force? Will he ensure that money politics remains a thing of the past and will he allow university and college students the right to vote and take a healthy interest in politics? Is he willing to match the rakyat's maturity and allow freedom of expression and freedom of speech amongst other things? Will the civil service, ministerial posts and the higher ranks of government departments and the GLCs be open to non-Malays, too? The rakyat will stand behind Najib in his desire for "the best democracy in the world", but perhaps he will find the most opposition from within the ranks of Umno. They have had the upper-hand for the past 54 years and may not be able to tolerate a more mature, liberal and democratic society. This might be the acid test that will precipitate another clash of wills within Umno: Will the hardliners support him, in his new found maturity, and endorse the candidacy of a non-Malay, non-Muslim and non-male for the highest post in the land – that of Prime minister of Malaysia? |
| Half-a-billion ringgit suits await Felda Posted: 19 Sep 2011 02:44 PM PDT (Harakah Daily) - More suits are coming in the way of embattled Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) as settlers now seek redress over the body's alleged manipulation in the grading of palm oil. Today, some 345 settlers from Jengka Pahang have joined the movement against Felda, bringing the total of those seeking legal redress to a whopping 1,056 to date. They signed up the lawyers appointment form to sue Felda Jengka of some RM510 million in compensation, claiming Felda had manipulated in the grading of palm oil. Felda is currently facing a string of lawsuits from settlers in Kelantan, Johor and Negeri Sembilan. Writing in his blog, PKR's Felda community and native bureau chairman Suhaimi Said said the amount was the biggest filed by Felda settlers. Suhaimi said settlers were demanding the return of oil palm rejected by Felda factories after lab results showed they were of 20 percent extraction grade quality. READ MORE HERE. |
| Najib rapped for denying people's role in ISA repeal Posted: 19 Sep 2011 02:41 PM PDT (Harakah Daily) - National laureate A Samad Said has taken prime minister Najib Razak to task for refusing to acknowledge it was the people's struggle for the abolishment of the Internal Security Act that prompted the latter to announce its repeal last week. "For the past 54 years, they never did think of abolishing the ISA. Suddenly, they received an inspiration and claimed it was not due to the demands especially from the youths who could no longer see the act in existence," said the activist Pak Samad (right) during a youth gathering in his honour at Central Market yesterday. He was reacting to a statement by Najib that his decision to repeal the ISA and other similar laws was "a decision made by the Barisan Nasional government because we listened to Malaysians who want this change", and not due to the role played by anti-ISA activists. According to Pak Samad, Najib could not have made such an announcement without pressure. "The Prime Minister over the last two, three days announced, 'Oh, it was us, we ourselves abolished ISA', but did not say it was those who pushed (for ISA's repeal) that had led it to change. If there were no pressure, I don't think (ISA will be abolished) as it is a very useful tool to suppress the people," he said. He also reminded that the ISA had been defended over the last 54 years by UMNO and Barisan Nasional. But in spite of denying their role, said Pak Samad, it was still a victory for the youth. 'Who defended ISA?' Earlier, PAS information chief Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man chided UMNO and hitherto pro-ISA leaders for claiming credit over the notorious act's abolishment, and made comparison to UMNO leaders' denial of non-UMNO and left-wing fighters who had struggled for the country's independence. "Where is the recognition to the contribution of those who had all along fought for ISA's abolishment?" asked Tuan Ibrahim. READ MORE HERE. |
| Molotov cocktails hurled at Mat Sabu's home Posted: 19 Sep 2011 02:39 PM PDT By A Ruban, The Star SHAH ALAM: Teenage miscreants hurled explosive materials, believed to be Molotov cocktails, at the entrance of PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu's house early Tuesday. According to Mohamad Sabu's son Ahmad Saiful Islam, 23, two teenagers were seen throwing the explosive materials at his home in Section 19 here. They fled when the neighbours were alerted. "They were school boys and they did not come in any vehicle. The neighbours helped put the fire out when the boys ran away. "The police arrived here about 30 minutes later," he said when met at the double-storey link house. Ahmad Saiful said only his sister, Nurul Huda Mohamad, 28, was at home at the time of the incident after midnight. Mohamad Sabu could not be reached for comment. Police have confirmed the incident. |
| Prosecution discredits Aussie expert Posted: 19 Sep 2011 02:35 PM PDT By Teoh El Sen, FMT KUALA LUMPUR: Australian consultant molecular geneticist Dr Brian Leslie McDonald cannot be considered an expert in the field of forensic DNA, said the prosecution in the Anwar Ibrahim Sodomy II trial today. "I'm very impressed with the doctor's credentials… (but) just because the witness can explain all the scientific terms, it does not make him an expert," argued lead prosecutor Solicitor-General II Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden. McDonald agreed to this, to which Yusof added: "That's what I'm saying, you're not an expert." McDonald, who was being cross-examined by the prosecution after completing his testimony yesterday, anwered "yes" when asked if his field of study included forensic DNA. He also agreed that the field of DNA had advanced and 20 years ago, when he obtained his qualifications in 1992, forensic DNA did not exist then. However, McDonald denied Yusof's claim that this rendered his credentials obsolete. Yusof: You have never been formally trained in forensic DNA testing? McDonald: No. Yusof: So you are not trained in extraction of DNA and its interpretation…? McDonald: (I am) absolutely. I have 30 years of experience Yusof: But do you have formal training? Did you attend a course? McDonald: When I started this, I actually conducted the courses (to train doctors to interpret findings). I am certainly trained as a scientist and as I said, forensic science itself as a field is a recent development. READ MORE HERE. |
| Utusan wants ‘spirit of ISA’ retained in new anti-terror laws Posted: 19 Sep 2011 02:08 PM PDT 
By Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 — Utusan Malaysia today joined political hardliners in pressing to preserve the "spirit of the Internal Security Act (ISA)" in the country's two new anti-terrorism laws as the push back began against Putrajaya's plans to repeal security laws. The Umno-owned daily reasoned that such preventive laws were now considered "universal practice", citing terrorism activities across the globe like the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York. The attacks, said senior news editor Zulkefli Hamzah in his column, had fuelled the international community's fears towards terrorism and subversive threats and made such preventive laws a necessity in any part of the world. "Surely, if the United States had to resort to enforcing laws allowing detention without trial, (Malaysia's) new (anti-terrorism) laws to be enacted soon should also play the role of the ISA, which is to protect the peace and security of the country," he wrote. He pointed out that former US President George W. Bush, who once reportedly criticised the ISA, had to "eat his own words" after the 2001 terrorist attacks and was forced to enact the Patriot Act to prevent further acts of terrorism in the country. "And after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced the repeal of the ISA, in conjunction with Malaysia Day — 54 years after Merdeka — what would Bush's reaction have been if he were still in power?" he asked. Zulkefli then attributed Malaysia's peace and prosperity to the 40-year existence of the ISA, saying that in comparison with other countries Malaysians were now mature enough and ready for the country to achieve developed nation status. "Do not deny that the ISA played a role in what we enjoy today," he said. With the ISA, he added, Malaysia and her neighbours Singapore and Brunei, both of which had also inherited the law, could successfully thwart terrorism and violent extremism to maintain public order. "Surely we all do not want parties to interfere with the country's transformation process," said Zulkefli. It has been barely a week since Najib caused ripples in the political landscape when he announced plans to repeal the ISA and reforms to several security and press laws but already signs of resistance have begun to surface. On Sunday, Datuk Ibrahim Ali, president of Malay rights group Perkasa, declared that his organisation would reject the two new anti-terrorism laws that would replace the ISA if they do not keep to the "preventive spirit" of the Act.
READ MORE HERE |
| WIKILEAKS: GOM Touts "Record" Manufacturing Investment Approvals for 2006; Rampant ... Posted: 19 Sep 2011 01:00 AM PDT The source said the study, which has not been released to the public, revealed that many Bumi contractors typically sold off their tenders for quick money, often to finance expensive cars and houses. The report also found Bumiputra contractors had misused payments received from the government to pay off creditors and that they often sought additional government tenders prior to completing the ones already awarded to them. THE CORRIDORS OF POWER Raja Petra Kamarudin
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION 1. (U) Summary: The GOM trumpeted figures showing total manufacturing investment approvals in Malaysia rose 48.1% in 2006 to a record RM 46 billion (USD 13.1 billion), and used this as proof the country remained internationally competitive. However, a closer look at the numbers reveals the investment trend in Malaysia is a lot less rosy. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abdullah publicly vented his frustration over a recent study showing 85% of government construction tenders awarded to ethnic Malays under the GOM's affirmative action program are being sold to non-Malays, defeating the purpose of the policy. In response, the GOM has vowed to get tough on violators. End summary. We're In the Money! 2. (U) Minister of International Trade and Industry Rafidah Aziz announced February 13 that Malaysia's total manufacturing investments approvals rose 48.1% in 2006 to an unprecedented high of RM 46 billion (USD 13.1 billion), from RM 31 billion projects approved in 2005. Of this amount, foreign manufacturing investment approvals accounted for RM 20.2 billion (USD 5.77 billion), an increase of 13.1% from the RM 17.9 billion (USD 5.11 billion) approved in 2005, while domestic investment approvals accounted for RM 25.8 billion (USD 7.37 billion), almost double the RM 13.2 billion (USD 3.77 billion) approved in 2005, primarily due to fourth quarter approvals for three large petroleum and petrochemical projects (see paragraph 5). 3. (U) The largest share of foreign direct investment approvals continued to be in the electronic and electrical sector, accounting for RM 8.6 billion (USD 2.5 billion) or 42.6% of the total. Japan emerged as the top investor for 2006 with RM 4.4 billion (USD 1.25 billion) in investment approvals, of which RM 1.5 billion (USD 430 million) will be in greenfield industries. [Comment: Japanese embassy economic counselor Takuya Sasayama told the press that the spike in Japanese FDI during the second half of 2006 may be the result of the Japanese-Malaysia Economic Partnership Agreement, which became effective last July. End comment]. The Netherlands came in second place with RM 3.3 billion (USD 943 million) in investment approvals, followed by Australia with RM 2.6 billion (USD 743 million). The U.S. slipped to fourth place with RM 2.5 billion (USD 714 million) in investment approvals, down from its number one position in 2005. About 60% of the U.S. company investment approvals will be re-investments by existing companies for expansion or diversification in the electronic and electrical sector. FTA "Just a Bonus" 4. (U) The surge in investment approvals exceeded the GOM's targeted average investment approvals of RM 27.5 billion (USD 7.8 billion) per year under the 15-year Third Industrial Masterplan. In press reports, Rafidah said "[d]espite the increasing global competition, Malaysia continues to attract global foreign investment outflows, reflecting the country's cost-competitiveness as a manufacturing and export base." She added the figures demonstrated that a failure to reach a free trade agreement (FTA) with the U.S. would not have an adverse impact on foreign direct investment (FDI) into Malaysia. "The FTA is just another bonus", she said. Hey, wait a minute... 5. (U) A closer look at the numbers reveals the sharp rise in Malaysia's investment approvals last year may not be sustainable. Three major domestic petroleum and petrochemical projects (SKS Development's RM 7.7 billion oil refinery in Kedah, Petronas' Methonal RM 2 billion plant in Labuan and Panca Intan's RM 1 billion petrochemical plant in Sabah) accounted for over 23% of the RM 46 billion in total investment approvals. In addition, large domestic bio-diesel projects accounted for RM 6.1 billion, or over 13.2%, of total investment approvals. [Comment. If these volatile energy sector projects are excluded from both the 2005 and 2006 numbers, Malaysia's total investment approvals would have risen only 1.4% for 2006, not the 48% touted by Minister Rafidah. Therefore, unless domestic companies continue to pump money into mega energy projects for 2007, it will be very difficult for Malaysia to sustain the high level of investment approvals seen last year. End Comment] 6. (U) Another dark cloud for Malaysia in last year's numbers is that fact that total investment approvals in the high value-added electrical and electronics industries (which in Malaysia are dominated by American high tech companies such as Intel and Dell), shrank 27.5% decline in 2006 to RM 10 billion from RM 13.8 billion in 2005. This, combined with Intel Corporation's recent decision to triple its investment for a new chip assembly and test facility in nearby Vietnam to USD 1 billion, could point to a gradual decline for investment in, or actual disinvestment from, Malaysia's highly prized ICT sector. Now Show Me the Money 7. (U) The RM 46 billion in investment approvals does not refer to actual investments in Malaysia but rather projects that have been given the green light from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA). According to MIDA, actual investments will normally be committed in the coming one to three years following approval. Of the 5,889 foreign projects approved by MIDA during the 2001-2006 period, 72.5% have commenced production while 21.8% are in various stages of planning and implementation and 5.6% have not gone forward at all. "Ali Baba" and the Bumi Thieves 8. (U) Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi expressed frustration and disappointment over findings from a recently released Ministry of Works report showing 85 percent of government contracts awarded to "Bumiputra" (ethnic Malays and indigenous Malaysian groups) contractors under Malaysia's affirmative action program end up being subcontracted to non-Bumiputra firms, a practice commonly referred to here as "Ali Baba". "They (Bumiputra) do not want to work, do not want to learn, and give little importance to the opportunities provided by the government...This approach will only make us hope and wait for aid and subsidies. Such a mentality thrives among the people, including Bumiputra petty traders and contractors," he said. Abdullah made the comments during a dinner speech on February 13th. 9. (U) In Malaysia, many government construction contracts are open only to Bumiputra owned businesses. Although the rationale for the policy is to bolster the competitiveness of Bumiputra contractors vis-`-vis contractors of other races, in practice many of the Bumiputra firms (the "Ali" in "Ali Baba", typically Malay Muslims) immediately subcontract the work to non-Bumiputra contractors (the "Baba", typically ethnic Chinese - the term comes from "Baba-Nyonya", a reference to descendants of marriages between Straits Chinese men and Malay women), enabling the Bumiputra contractors to quickly pocket profits but preventing them from acquiring the experience and expertise the policy was intended to engender. Abdullah said Ali Baba practices not only frustrated the GOM's policy aim of empowering Bumiputras but also undermined its broader Bumiputra agenda of ensuring Malaysia achieved progress and stability in the long term. You Can't Trust Anyone Anymore 10. (SBU) A source from the Ministry of Works told EconFSN that their report, entitled "Study on Bumiputra Contractor Leakage", was the result of feedback from various industry sources on failed and successful projects. The source said the study, which has not been released to the public, revealed that many Bumi contractors typically sold off their tenders for quick money, often to finance expensive cars and houses. The report also found Bumiputra contractors had misused payments received from the government to pay off creditors and that they often sought additional government tenders prior to completing the ones already awarded to them. The official said contractors were irresponsible and had abused the trust given to them by the government which was meant to help Bumiputras progress. Blacklist the Really Bad Bumis 11. (SBU) Separately, executive chairman Moehamad Izat Emir of the Malay Entrepreneurs and Merchants Association said payment is the main issue facing the contractors. He said that while Abdullah had directed the disbursing agency to pay the contractors within two weeks after completing the work, this often does not happen. He proposed that Bumiputra contractors be trained to upgrade their skills and suggested government-linked companies (GLCs) be required to support these contractors. Roslan Awang Chik of the Malay Contractors Association shared his view that "competency comes from exposure". He is puzzled why many well-known and qualified Bumiputra contractors were not being awarded government contracts while several unknown ones were. He suggested the government blacklist any contractors found to be selling their tenders. "They can be considered traitors", he said. Now Promise to be Good... 12. (U) In response to the controversy over the study, Ministry of Finance Secretary General Izzudin Dali announced on February 16 that under new regulations Bumiputra contractors seeking government tenders will soon be required to sign an official declaration promising not to sell or subcontract their tender to other races. Violators will have their contracts and registrations terminated. Izzudin added that under the new rules contractors undertaking public infrastructure contracts will now be awarded only one project at a time and that projects will be distributed evenly among contractors in the same area or district. 13. The GOM's practice of giving preferential treatment to Bumiputra contractors began as part of its New Economic Policy, an ambitious and controversial affirmative action program launched in 1971 following the race riots of the late 1960s. Although aimed at reducing the socioeconomic disparity between Malaysia's Chinese minority and its Malay majority, these policies have been only partially effective while often stirring resentment on the part of non-Bumiputra ethnic groups. According to the GOM's last census in 2000, Malaysia ethnic composition is 65.1% Bumiputra, 26.0% Chinese and 7.7% Indian. 14. (SBU) Comment. The current system of awarding lucrative government contracts to bumis provides them with a strong economic incentive to simply act as agents, turning over as many projects as possible and taking a cut before handing each one off to a competent non-bumi implementer. This "bumi agent" system is firmly entrenched in Malaysia. Any effort to make reforms is likely to be resisted not only by well-established bumis, but also by the non-bumi implementers who have built up a network of well-oiled agent partnerships. End comment. SHEAR |
| A Whiff of His Father’s Leadership Posted: 18 Sep 2011 11:13 PM PDT 
M. Bakri Musa As can be seen, a good policy is the best PR. Notice the favorable comments locally as well as in respected foreign media to Najib's latest initiative, and it did not cost the government a ringgit to get them! Focus on crafting enlightened policies, and the favorable publicity would ensue. In announcing the repeal of the Internal Security Act and other repressive laws, Prime Minister Najib Razak secures for himself an enshrined spot in Malaysian history. Of the many thoughtful comments on Najib's historic announcement, the one that struck at the heart of the issue was that by former Mufti of Perlis, Dr. Asri Zainul Abidin. He declared, "The ISA is an un-Islamic law. It infringes [upon] individual rights and can be easily misused by leaders, so repealing it was a very Islamic move." Amen! "Najib's announcement," Asri continued, "is more valuable than any bonus payment or salary increase because repealing the ISA means the restoration of human rights … which is more valuable than money." That is putting things in their proper perspective. I disagree however, with the Mufti's characterization of Najib's move as a "gift" to the people. When someone robs you of something and then returns it, that is no gift, merely restoring what is rightly yours. The ISA and other restrictive laws rob us of our precious possession, our freedom. That is Allah's gift to us, as enshrined in the Koran. It is not for mere mortals, no matter how exalted their earthly positions, to tamper. Nonetheless I do hear the Mufti. Good Muslims ought to be grateful for their blessings, however small. I want to be a good Muslim, and Najib's announcement is a huge blessing, so I am very grateful. Alham dulillah! Praise be to Allah! Missing the Islamic Visuals Najib and his policymakers must have deliberated for some time. Perhaps it was not a coincidence that only a week earlier Najib's younger brother, the head of a GLC bank, intimated the need for Malaysia to change lest it risks a Middle East type of upheaval. Significantly, he made it at the Malaysia-China Trade Investment Conference, but more on China shortly. Pursuing the religious theme, I was surprised that Najib and his advisors did not choose an occasion with some Islamic symbolism to make his momentous announcement. Not that there was anything wrong with choosing Malaysia Day. However, we just completed Ramadan only a fortnight ago. Surely Najib had decided then. Imagine if he had announced it on Hari Raya, which also coincided (more or less) with Merdeka Day. What better way to demonstrate and acknowledge the special blessings of Ramadan and live its spirit, as well as fulfill the aspirations of merdeka – freedom! Ramadan is after all about remembrance and return – remembrance on the origin of Islam and return to its essence, in Eboo Patel's pithy phrase. When Islam was revealed, it emancipated the Arabs from their Age of Jahiliyiah (ignorance); likewise, getting rid of the ISA would emancipate Malaysians, lifting us from our Age of Fear. As for the essence of Islam, our faith commands us to do good and forbid evil. Getting rid of ISA is getting rid of evil; it cannot be more Islamic than that! Imagine the powerful symbolic impact globally had Najib made the announcement at the end of Ramadan, coming as it was only a few days before the tenth anniversary of the horrible 9-11, and with it the inevitable hysteria of Islamophobia. Imagine the good that would do to the cause as well as image of Islam! One Muslim country bravely discarding its antiquated repressive laws, and doing so not in response to mass demonstrations or civil disobediences but as a normal turn of events. The contrast with America's renewed commitment to its Patriot Act and the Guantanamo detention camp could not be starker. Speaking of image, had I been the administration's public relations consultant, I would have arranged with the announcement a simultaneous release of some ISA prisoners. I would have alerted the news media so they could station their journalists and cameras outside the gate of Kamunting prison. Imagine the stunning and symbolic visuals! While Najib was making his announcement, the prisoners would emerge one by one into the arms of their eagerly awaiting loved ones. If there were to be a mosque nearby, I would superimpose the call of Azzan to the visuals. I would also have the producer put on a split screen; on one side would be the Prime Minister making his solemn announcement; on the other, the prisoners with their families joyously celebrating their freedom, with the takbir (affirmation to the greatness of Allah) superimposed as the background soundtrack. I cannot imagine a more powerful symbolism. Those tapes would also be great campaign materials! The Najib Administration forks out tens of millions to foreign consultants in an effort to spruce up its image. Alas those "documentaries" that supposedly portrayed Malaysia in good light, as well as the many "interviews" Najib landed on the international media, all turned out to be unmitigated fiascos. Those "journalists" and "interviewers" were nothing more than hired hacks. Yet when a rare and splendid opportunity arose as with the recent announcement, those highly paid public relations pros missed it! Perhaps that should not be a surprise. After all they are all foreigners and non-Muslims to boot; they could not possibly pick up on the Islamic nuances I alluded to earlier. However, their fumbling on the international stage where they are supposedly the experts cannot be readily excused. There is no justification for their lack of professionalism, if not downright unethical behaviors there. As can be seen, a good policy is the best PR. Notice the favorable comments locally as well as in respected foreign media to Najib's latest initiative, and it did not cost the government a ringgit to get them! Focus on crafting enlightened policies, and the favorable publicity would ensue. Even if you do not get any, a good policy is reward in itself. Your people will be grateful for it. A Whiff Of His Father In committing to repeal the ISA, Najib did something no other prime ministers before him had dared even to contemplate. And Najib had some mighty impressive predecessors. In so doing, Najib also demonstrated a whiff of his late father's great leadership qualities. The late Tun Razak did not hesitate to suspend parliament following the May 1969 race riots. Despite the howling protests at home and abroad, Razak was undeterred for he had a crucial job to do; restore peace and stability to a nation shocked by the horrors of that tragedy. And may Allah bless his soul, he accomplished his mission in short order. To those who would belittle that achievement, let me remind them that the 1969 riot coincided with the flare ups of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland. While Malaysians have been enjoying peace for the past four decades, those folks in Northern Ireland are still busy settling their deadly scores. To this day, Tun Razak remained unique in being the only leader in the world who grabbed power during a national emergency to pursue a much needed critical goal, and then willingly gave that power up once he completed his mission. No other leader could claim that. On the contrary, history is filled with leaders who had to be pushed or dragged out, or worse. Libya's Gaddafi and Syria's Assad are only the latest examples. I am not concerned with how Najib arrived at his decision; I am focused only on the decision. There is no shortage of skeptics out there, and they are not without their reasons. After all Najib's flip-flopping rivals that of his immediate predecessor. Even if those skeptics were to be proven right later, there would be no turning back. Najib has clearly declared his niat (intention) to repeal the ISA. In Islam, niat is what counts. We declare our niat before we pray, fast, give zakat or undertake the Hajj. If Najib fails to live up to his Nawaitu, then he has to answer not only to his Maker on the Day of Judgment but also more practically, to his political makers – the voters – right here on earth and now, as in the next election. Najib's Nixon-in-China Moment Najib's declaration last Wednesday reminded me of Nixon's pioneering 1972 trip to China. It took another seven years before America would send its first Ambassador to Beijing. Today, over 30 years later, we wondered why on earth it took America so long to recognize the obvious reality of this most populous nation. Regardless, America, China, and the world are now better for it. Nixon basked on the glory of his China trip and went on to win a landslide for his second term. Alas that triumph proved short-lived, for he was soon forced out of his presidency in shame on matters unrelated to his China initiative. Nonetheless his trailblazing China moment retained its luster in an otherwise blemished legacy. If Najib's Malaysia Day niat proves to be just that and nothing more, well, like Nixon, at least he will have that as his legacy, and only that. However, if it proves to be ikhlas (sincere) and only his first step, with many more courageous moves ahead, then greatness awaits him, as well as Malaysia. |
| Cik Siti Puan Rosmah Posted: 18 Sep 2011 11:08 PM PDT 
DARI JELEBU Cik Siti Puan Rosmah ini adalah sahabat baik kita yang perlu kita sokong. Hishamuddin Rais 
nota:
sedang kyusuk dan terdudoq
waduk melikok likok
tandan umalok yang sikok
kok kok kok
CIK SITI PUAN ROSMAH
Kita baru sahaja berhari raya. Masa saya kecik-kecik dulu raya – kami kanak-kanak menganggap hari raya ini satu bulan. Dari lojik kanak-kanak kalau kita berpuasa sebulan maka berhari raya pun wajib satu bulan juga. Jadi, minggu ini saya harapkan kita semua masih lagi berhari raya. Lalu, dihari baik bulan baik ini biarlah saya meminta maaf dari para pembaca sekelian.
Saya meminta maaf ini bukan kerana saya buang tabiat. Atau saya dapat seru untuk memulakan perjalanan ke Mekah. Juga bukan kerana saya ternampak Hantu Kopek ketika main mercun pada malam raya dahulu. Saya minta maaf ini kerana saya telah membuat satu kesilapan yang amat besar. Memang besar kesilapan saya ini. Ceritanya bagini : selama satu bulan – dibulan puasa – saya selalu mengidam hendak berbuka puasa dengan Rosmah berendam ...oopsss maaf dengan badak berendam sambil minum air tuak. Idaman saya ini gagal. Kerana kegagalan ini maka munculah kesedaran kepada saya bahawa selama ini saya telah silap kerana sebenarnya badak berendam...opps maaf ... sebenarnya Cik Siti Puan Rosmah Mansor bukan musuh. Kesilapan besar saya ialah menganggap Rosmah sebagai musuh. Ini silap yang betul betul silap. Saya sedar - habis sahaja para pembaca membaca ayat diatas maka pastilah ramai yang akan menuduh bahawa saya telah belot. Atau saya telah dibeli. Atau saya telah bertaubat. Wahai pembaca yang budiman. Sabar dahulu biar saya terangkan kenapa saya tidak lagi menganggap Rosmah Mansor sebagai musuh. Kesahnya bermula sebelum bulan puasa lagi. Saya mula mendengar cerita dari Haji Desas bin Lebai Desus. Dari hari ke minggu dari minggu ke bulan - cerita ini semakin kuat saya dengar. Mula-mulanya saya hanya terbaca dari laman dan blog yang terkenal sebagai laman fitnah dan tohmah. Tetapi bila saya lakukan kaji selidik maka saya dapati cerita dari Haji Desus ini bukan lagi desas desus tetapi telah menjadi fakta. Mula-mula dahulu saya mendengar bahawa Munyiddin Yassin amat marah kepada Cik Siti Puan Rosmah kerana beberapa kali Rosmah Mansor telah mengambil tempat dan kedudukan resmi Muhyiddin dalam hal pembelajaran. Rosmah seakan-akan telah menjadi Menteri Pelajaran. Telinga saya sendiri telah mendengar dari tim Muhyiddin tentang bagaimana Muhyiddin menyinga marah terhadap Cik Siti Puan Rosmah. Kemudian muncul pula berita tentang Cik Siti Pun Rosmah kita ini pergi ke Kazakhtan untuk meminang. Memang pelik - bak kata orang Melayu ini macam perigi mencari timba. Atau lebih tepat lagi macam lesong mencari antan. Ini bukan kerana anak perempuan Rosmah ini memiliki mulut seluas lubang lesong atau bakal menantu Rosmah ini memiliki anu sebesar antan. Ini tanda kehebatan pepatah Melayu – tepat lagi erotik Semua kesah-kesah ini cuba memburukkan Rosmah Mansor. Tak cukup dengan kesah lubang mencari antan tetiba timbul pula kesah besan Rosmah ini rupa-rupanya ada kaitan dengan Marlon Brando oopps...salah... bukan dengan Godfather Itali tetapi dengan mafia Russia. Tidak diketahui bagaimana berita ini terbocor dalam akhbar Kompas – harian terbesar di Indonesia. Nampaknya kempen membenci Cik Siti Puan Rosmah ini telah menular ke seberang. Kesah ini rupa-rupa tidak berhenti disini sahaja. Tup tup terbarai pula berita Cik Siti kita ini telah membeli sebentuk cincin berlian dari New York. Untuk saya berita cincin ini tak masuk akal. Cuba para pembaca renung dan fikirkan - munusabah kah Cik Puan kita yang berat badannya 143 kilo 75 gram ini mahu menambah setengah kilo lagi berat cincin ditangan? Mustahil. Dengan melihat semua ini, saya mengambil rumusan bahawa telah wujud satu perancangan yang licik lagi rapi untuk memburuk-burukkan Rosmah Mansor. Telah ada ajenda yang tersusun untuk memastikan Rosmah kita ini tidak tidur lena. Semua berita dan kesah-kesah ini adalah gangguan yang menjadikan Rosmahr tidak nyenyak tidur. Apabila Cik Siti Puan Rosmah kurang tidur maka berat badannya akan menurun. Inilah strateji jahat puak puak ini. Apabila Rosmah kehilangan berat badan pastilah rakyat jelata satu Malaysia tidak dapat mengenal mukanya lagi. Anak-anak yatim piatu yang selalu berteduh dibawah dagu Rosmah akan mencari kopek yang baru untuk berteduh. Kemudian - dua minggu sebelum berhari raya saya terbaca berita yang amat menakutkan. Berita ini melaporkan tentang bekas balaci Mahathir telah mula mengumpulkan satu pasokan politikus pencen untuk meminta Najib berundur. Kumpulan yang memanggil diri mereka Penawar Kaseh ini telah menerangkan bahawa salah satu dari kesilapan Najib Razak ialah Najib tidak ada keupayan untuk mengawal tingkah laku Rosmah Mansor. Apabila saya kumpulkan semua berita dan kesah kesah ini maka barulah saya sedar bahawa Cik Siti Puan Rosmah ini bukan seorang musuh. Cik Siti Puan Rosmah ini adalah sahabat baik kita yang perlu kita sokong. Para pembaca yang budiman kita tidak harus terikut-ikut dengan politik semasa. Jangan sesekali terpengaruh dengan jalur pemikiran yang menuduh Cik Siti Puan Rosmah kita ini seorang Mak Janda yang menggunakan khidmat bomoh kerana gila kuasa. Kesah kesah Nasi Kang Kang yang mula tersebar luas dikalangan Mak Cik Felda itu adalah fitnah semata-mata. Saya sendri tahu bahawa Cik Siti Puan Rosmah tidak meminati Nasi Kang Kang. Cik Siti kita ini adakah peminat setia Nasi Dagang dan Nasi Kerabu. Haji Desas bin Lebai Desus selalu bercerita tentang Rosmah Mansor ini adalah seorang Mak Janda Ligat sebelum berkahwin dengan Najib. Ini juga berita palsu. Ini berita fitnah yang cuba melukakan hati Cik Situ Puan Rosmah. Adalah fakta sejarah yang tidak boleh diubah-ubah bahawa ketika berkahwin dengan Najib dahulu Rosmah Mansor ini masih seorang anak dara. Istilah anak dara disini bermakna - 300 lelaki yang terawal itu tidak akan diambil kira. Read more at: http://tukartiub.blogspot.com/2011/09/minta-maaf-satu-kesilapan-besar.html |
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Unlucky: Mat Sabu's luck seems to be running out as he has been hit by another controversy. 
