Ahad, 2 Oktober 2011

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Oh yeah?

Posted: 01 Oct 2011 06:01 PM PDT

If God exists within time, which is His creation, then this means He is subjected to His creation, which is time. If God is not subjected to His creation, which is time, then God certainly has to exist outside time. That means time does not exist for God. It only exists for us. That is why we live and we die. We have a beginning and we have an end. There is no beginning and no end for God. God does not die.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

written by Somali, October 02, 2011 09:46:26

You writing with full prejudice of Hudud Law and I wonder if you're a real Muslim who lack of knowledge of that kind of law. I'm not a PAS follower but to be frank Hudud Law is a God Law and you have responsibility to understand the law even though you're not practising them. Innalililah to Zainah & RPK

 

written by apai70, October 02, 2011 10:13:07

Astaghfirullah, If your are a true Muslim I believe u should repent coz what u have written indicates your ignorance. Masyaallah.

 

written by Burhan Deen, October 02, 2011 12:26:25

You have reserved your ticket to hell, who do you think you are. You claim to be a Muslim but you are munafik of the worst degree

 

The three comments above appeared below the article 'No hudud please, we're Malaysians', which was written by Zainah Anwar and published in The Star. I picked them up to talk about them today because, first of all, one of the comments also mentioned me and, secondly, because they appear to be comments by people 'knowledgeable' about theism and about what God wants.

Okay, so let's talk about theism then!

God is eternal. God is omnipotent. God is omniscient. The theists (which would include Muslims) believe that these are but just some of the attributes of God.

This means God has no beginning and no end. God is not controlled by His power, but has complete control over it. God knows all things, which can be known, past, present, and future.

These are amongst the many attributes of God, which all theists whether they are Jews, Christians or Muslims agree on (who says that the Jews, Christians and Muslims can't come to an agreement?).

Theists also believe that in the beginning God created the entire universe, with us humans in it. And theists believe that all this will come to an end one day -- the end of time or akhirat (akhir meaning the end).

Going by this belief, that means God also created time. Time exists because God created the beginning and the end. If there were no beginning and no end then time would not exist.

Now, God is not subjected to His creations. In fact, the reverse is true. His creations are subject to God. God has absolute power and control over His creations. And this would, of course, mean time as well.

Going by this belief it would make sense since God is eternal. There is a beginning and an end for the entire universe. But there is no beginning and no end for God. We live and we die. God does not live and die. God is eternal.

Okay, so if God is eternal and there is no beginning and no end for God, and if God is not subjected to His creation, in this case time, where does God exist then? Does God exist within or outside time?

If God exists within time, which is His creation, then this means He is subjected to His creation, which is time. If God is not subjected to His creation, which is time, then God certainly has to exist outside time. That means time does not exist for God. It only exists for us. That is why we live and we die. We have a beginning and we have an end. There is no beginning and no end for God. God does not die. God is eternal.

In that case, since time does not really exist, where do we humans exist then? We existed in the past (yesterday). We exist in the present (today). And we may exist in the future if we do not die tonight (tomorrow). But God did not exist yesterday (because there is no time for God). God will not exist tomorrow (for the same reason). God only exists today (ever present).

This means that yesterday and tomorrow do not exist. What exists is only today. In fact, even today does not exist because today would be 24 hours and 24 hours is also time. So even today does not exist. What does exist is just one single point in time.

If there is no such thing as time but we feel we are living in time (we have a beginning and we have an end) that means what we feel is merely an illusion. Time does not exist so therefore we also do not exist in time. We exist in just one point in time, not throughout time.

Can Somali, apai70 and Burhan Deen, the all-knowing who know exactly what God wants, then please explain our existence? We think we exist in time but time does not exist. We think we were born some time in the past and will die some time in the future and will travel through time from beginning to end but there is no past and no future. So, if time does not exist, then please explain where we are now.

Once Somali, apai70 and Burhan Deen explain this to us we can then go on to the next level, discuss what God wants.

Over to you Somali, apai70 and Burhan Deen.

 

Kredit: www.malaysia-today.net

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

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Dr M: Early polls could break Umno

Posted: 02 Oct 2011 01:31 AM PDT

(The Malaysian Insider) - Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today factionalism and internal sabotage continues to plague the ruling coalition's lynchpin, Umno, and warned that having national polls too soon may cost the party dearly.

This is the second time in recent months the former prime minister of 22 years has advised Barisan Nasional (BN) to hold off holding an early general election — previously predicted to take place during the November school holidays — by saying the time was not ripe.

The country's fourth PM told reporters in Kota Kinabalu on May 7 the government has plenty of time to carry out its plans and choose suitable candidates to field for the 13th general election, adding it could stretch this until 2012.

The current mandate expires only in 2013 but political parties have been in election mode since the Sarawak state poll last April.

"If the general election is held now, Umno may lose big because the support and spirit has faded," Dr Mahathir was reported as saying today by Bernama Online.

"Umno still has factions and the split is still critical. If there is awareness, a sense of gratitude and unity, BN can win," the state news agency quoted him further.

Still-influential at 86, the politician urged his Umno colleagues to return to the party's original fight to protect religion, race and country by casting aside self-interest to win the general election.

He advised Umno members to overcome their disappointment at not being picked for the general election, saying they still stood to gain in other ways.

BN lost its customary two-thirds parliamentary majority and four states, including wealthy Selangor and Penang, in Election 2008.

READ MORE HERE

 

WIKILEAKS: KHAIRY AND UMNO YOUTH FOCUS ON FTA, PALESTINE IN JULY 18 LUNCH WITH AMBASSADOR

Posted: 02 Oct 2011 01:00 AM PDT

In response to the Ambassador's question, Khairy said he believed UMNO would not provide live transmission of its 2007 convention in order to avoid the controversy of last year (when live broadcast of UMNO's chauvinistic rhetoric provoked concerns among non-Malays). He explained that UMNO and the other parties had to be seen as aggressively defending the interests of their respective ethnic groups, but behind closed doors "the parties don't talk like that to each other."

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Classified By: Ambassador Christopher J. LaFleur for reasons 1.4 (b and d).

Summary

1.  (C) Khairy Jamaluddin, influential son-in-law of PM Abdullah, underscored his oft-publicized concerns about the FTA, in particular regarding agriculture and government procurement, during the Ambassador's July 18 lunch for leaders of UMNO Youth, an important component of the dominant United Malays National Organization party. 

Khairy took exception to any attempt to adjust long-standing government preference policies for ethnic Malays and argued that an FTA would tip the terms of trade unfairly in the U.S. favor.  The Ambassador attempted to dispel misconceptions about the rice trade and impact on Malay preferences, while encouraging Khairy to focus on an FTA's long term positive effects to the Malaysian economy.  Khairy described the Malay grassroots concern over Palestine.  He also explained UMNO's process for selecting candidates.  Another leader confirmed current UMNO Youth Chief Hishammuddin's intention to seek an UMNO vice president position. 

UMNO Youth leaders expressed their support for U.S. Embassy public affairs programming, such as the English language teaching assistants, joint cultural activities and the International Visitor Program.  If PM Abdullah remains in office long enough, the astute and palpably ambitious Khairy may well be able to consolidate his political position and become a long-term force in Malaysian politics.  End Summary.

Lunch for Youth Leaders

2.  (SBU) The Ambassador hosted a lunch on July 18 for UMNO Youth leaders, led by UMNO Deputy Youth Chief Khairy Jamaluddin, the ambitious and influential advisor to his father-in-law PM Abdullah Badawi.  UMNO Youth Secretary Abdul Rahman Dahlan and seven other Youth leaders accompanied Khairy, while A/DCM, polchief, econoff and FSN political specialist joined the Ambassador.

Khairy Highlights FTA Concerns

3.  (SBU) Much of the lunch conversation revolved around the proposed U.S.-Malaysia free trade agreement (FTA).  Khairy underscored his oft-publicized concerns about the FTA, in particular regarding agriculture and government procurement. He said Malaysian rice farmers remained anxious about the possibility of increased competition from U.S. rice imports.

The Ambassador countered that an FTA was unlikely to make U.S. rice much more competitive in Malaysia, given Malaysia's preference for rice varieties not typically grown in the U.S., as well as continued strong competition from other Asian suppliers.  He added that the U.S. and Malaysian agriculture sectors were largely complementary and thus should both benefit from an FTA. 

Responding to Khairy's concern that U.S. sanitary/phytosanitary measures constituted a non-tariff barrier that would impede Malaysian agricultural exports, the Ambassador assured him that negotiators were working to ensure the harmonization of such measures under the FTA to the benefit of exporters in both countries.

4.  (C) Khairy underscored the particular sensitivity within Malaysia on the inclusion of government procurement in the FTA.  Long-standing preference policies for ethnic Malays were a key component of such procurement, and the government could not accept any attempt by the U.S. to limit such policies.  The Ambassador responded that the oft-repeated assertion that the U.S. intended to seek changes or even abolishment of the preference policies was not true, adding that the U.S. also incorporated preference policies within its own federal government procurement programs that it would seek to preserve under the FTA.  He asserted that Malaysia could benefit substantially from access to the significant U.S. government procurement market that would come with an FTA.

5.  (C) Khairy briefly raised a number of other concerns about the FTA.  He claimed U.S. investors would have a leg up on Malaysians under the FTA in any potential investment dispute; econoff countered that the FTA would include dispute settlement provisions that would be similar to those used by the WTO, and that were designed to be impartial and applied infrequently.  Khairy alleged that an FTA would turn the terms of trade in the U.S.'s favor, and attract U.S. investors who would reap substantial profits on the backs of ordinary Malaysians, similar to what he claimed had occurred in Singapore following implementation of its FTA with the U.S. 

The Ambassador encouraged Khairy to focus instead on the long term positive effects to the Malaysian economy from an FTA with the U.S, such as the growth of higher-paying jobs and the training of young Malaysians in the new, higher-value-added industries that were precisely those Malaysia needed to attract in the face of growing competition from rapidly developing Asian neighbors.  While Khairy signaled he remained skeptical, he concluded that he could agree to an FTA "in principle" but insisted that the details of any agreement would be critical.

Grassroots Concerns about Palestine, Middle East

6.  (C) Beyond the FTA, Khairy explained that at the UMNO grassroots constituents continued to be concerned about events and trends in the Middle East, with Palestine and Iraq as key issues, along with the War on Terror and U.S policies.

He said he had read the latest National Intelligence Estimate report on Iraq and added the report contends that Iraq war has increased Islamic radicalism, and has made the terror threat around the world worse contrary to U.S. policy objectives.  UMNO members believe Malaysia, as OIC Chairman, should play a more "influential" role in the Middle East. Khairy, however, expressed his disappointment that, "Washington does not seem to consider and take note of Malaysia as a moderate voice." 

The Ambassador explained U.S. policy toward Palestine, and highlighted the importance of responsible governments assisting countries like Afghanistan and Iraq to overcome their formidable difficulties.  He emphasized that as a successful Muslim-majority country, Malaysia could assume an important role in this regard.

UMNO Internal Developments

7.  (C) Khairy explained that UMNO Youth leaders are currently involved in the UMNO divisional meetings that would elect delegates to the annual UMNO general assembly in November.  Fortunately, UMNO did not face the same contentious issues as last year, Khairy said, a clear reference to Mahathir's challenge in 2006.  In response to the Ambassador's question, Khairy said he believed UMNO would not provide live transmission of its 2007 convention in order to avoid the controversy of last year (when live broadcast of UMNO's chauvinistic rhetoric provoked concerns among non-Malays).  He explained that UMNO and the other parties had to be seen as aggressively defending the interests of their respective ethnic groups, but behind closed doors "the parties don't talk like that to each other."

8.  (C) Khairy explained UMNO's internal procedures for selecting national and state-level candidates, describing a process of bargaining between UMNO divisions, chief ministers in each state, and the Prime Minister/UMNO President who holds the final say.  He commented that there would not be much "horse trading over seats" among UMNO's coalition partners for the coming general election as all parties would adhere to the seat allocations from the 2004 general election.  He argued that UMNO's concessions to its non-Malay coalition partners, such as nominating a Malaysian Indian Congress party member to run in a Malay majority area, represented laudable inter-ethnic politics, but this went largely unappreciated by outside observers.

9.  (C) Youth secretary Abdul Rahman Dahlan stated that current UMNO Youth Chief Hishammuddin Tun Hussein would very likely vie for a seat as one of three UMNO vice presidents, thus vacating the top position in UMNO Youth.  Hishammuddin currently is making the rounds to officiate at UMNO divisional meetings to better establish his credentials for a vice presidential slot.

Interest in Public Affairs Programming

10.  (U) The Youth leaders expressed interest in the Embassy's successful English Language Teaching Assistant program in the state of Terengganu, and hoped the program could be expanded to other states.  They also valued the U.S. International Visitor Program and appreciated that the Embassy had sent a number of their members to the United States for under this mechanism.  They recalled U.S. Embassy support for a recent cultural event and hoped for more joint cultural activities in the future.  The Ambassador encouraged close contacts between UMNO Youth and Embassy offices, and the Youth leaders said they wished to continue the dialogue with U.S. diplomats.

Comment

11.  (C) UMNO Youth represents a pivotal group in Malaysian politics, as it serves as the springboard for most future UMNO leaders and acts as the party's most aggressive defender of Malay rights and privileges.  This was our first meeting with Khairy since he led a rambunctious street demonstration against Secretary Rice's visit nearly one year ago. 

Khairy's well-publicized opposition to some US policies notwithstanding, the reality is that our scheduling of this event was delayed by his extended vacation in the United States this summer (and his wife, the PM's daughter, remained behind to take a seminar).  There is no question that this classic son of the cosmopolitan Malay elite is carefully shaping his political profile to bolster his efforts to take over the UMNO Youth leadership, faux street radicalism included.  In this, he follows the well-worn course of other ambitious young Malay politicians, including Hishammuddin and past UMNO Youth President, and now Deputy PM, Najib.

However, Khairy has even greater need to reinforce his street cred with the Malay grassroots to counter the enmity of many more senior UMNO politicians resentful of Khairy's meteoric rise and oft-rumored manipulation of his father-in-law.  In this respect, it was obvious that UMNO Youth officials did not include Mukhriz Mahathir in their delegation, despite his position as international relations bureau chief, owing to the rivalry between Khairy and Mahathir's son.  Mukhriz' absence was further evidence that the Mahathir family's political strength has waned following the former-PM's failure to depose his successor last year.

12. (c) Although Khairy unquestionably owes the speed of his ascent largely to his marriage, the fact remains that he is one of the most articulate and politically astute operators of his generation.  The Oxford-educated Khairy comes across as well-spoken and well-read, but also as sharp-edged and unnecessarily acerbic,especially in addressing familiar targets of Malay intellectuals (such as U.S. Middle East policy).  At the same time, he frequently voices admiration about U.S. democracy and closely follows U.S. political developments (as well as other facets of American life; his most recent newspaper column was a paean to the Apple iPhone he acquired in LA last month).  However, at 31, Khairy has yet to acquire the ease, self-confidence and political polish exuded by current Youth Chief (and Education Minister) Hishammuddin.  If PM Abdullah continues in office for several more years, as now appears likely, Khairy may well have enough time to consolidate his position.  If so, this palpably ambitious young man could be a major factor in Malaysian politics for decades to come.

13.  (C) Not surprisingly, Khairy approaches the FTA with an eye on the potential near-term implications to his political ambition, rather than the more intangible long-term benefits that an FTA would bring to Malaysia.  His skepticism about the FTA is politically popular, and contrasts with the government's infrequent and somewhat hapless attempts to promote the FTA (leaving the Embassy in the position of having to explain to Malaysians why the FTA will benefit Malaysia).  Although we do not expect Khairy to abandon his public skepticism, we believe he will be more amenable to standing aside following the next elections and we will continue to push our views with this influential group of UMNO Youth leaders.

LAFLEUR (July 2007)

 

How to solve the Philippines’ claim on Sabah

Posted: 01 Oct 2011 09:22 PM PDT

The stance of the current Sultan, Kiram III, is to set aside all these historical issues and make a proposal for a resolution to the claim on Sabah by setting off from the current situation and to negotiate for a solution which will be of long-term political and economic benefits to both governments.

By Onn Ariffin
Special Advisor to His Royal Highness, Paduka Mahashari Maulana al Sultan Jamalul D. Kiram III ibni Al Marhum Sultan Punjungan Kiram Al Sultan Shariful Hashim, Sultan of Sulu.

In my previous statement on the matter of the 49-year-old Philippines' claim on Sabah which was published in the Daily Express on June 21, I had indicated that the Philippines' claim on Sabah arose out of the Power of Attorney issued by the 32nd Sultan of Sulu, Sultan Esmael Kiram, to claim Sabah on his behalf in 1962.

I also proposed that the problem be resolved once and for all by both governments (of Malaysia and the Philippines) giving the authority to the reigning heir of Sultan Esmael Kiram, His Royal Highness Paduka Mahashari Maulana al Sultan Jamalul D. Kiram III ibni Al Marhum Sultan Punjungan Kiram Al Sultan Shariful Hashim, to negotiate with both governments.

Background

To have a clearer overview of the situation, we all need to be reminded that the long- standing dispute of who is right and wrong about whether North Borneo was ceded or leased to Britain remains unresolved, although the Phillipines' side may claim legitimacy of their stance that North Borneo was leased based on the annual lease payment to the heirs of the Sultanate of Sulu.

There are also the contentious issue of Spain acquiring sovereignty over North Borneo in 1878 when it signed the protocol of March 7, 1885 with Germany and Great Britain recognizing Spanish sovereignty over "Jolo and its dependencies," as well as the Macaskie Dictum of 1939, in which the heirs of Sultan Jamalul Kiram filed a suit case in the court of Borneo for the purpose of collecting the money due to them under the 1878 Grant.

We know that in the early 1970s civil war started in the southern Philippines which resulted in the outpouring of refugees to Sabah. The southern region's instability, the rise of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), its breakaway group the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Abu Sayyaf, which collectively, influenced the creation of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Regardless of these developments, the southern region continues to face economic limitations which during the previous four decades have encouraged the migration of people from the region to Sabah, causing among others, the current prickly problem of illegal immigrants in Sabah.

The Sultan's Proposal for Solution

The stance of the current Sultan, Kiram III, is to set aside all these historical issues and make a proposal for a resolution to the claim on Sabah by setting off from the current situation and to negotiate for a solution which will be of long-term political and economic benefits to both governments. In his sincerity to achieve this resolution, His Majesty Sultan Kiram III has taken some three important steps:

(1) He had undertaken to revoke, on September 4th, 1967, and September 17th, 1987 the services of the lawyer who was appointed to arbitrate in the matter between him with the Philippines and Malaysian government. This termination also in effect invalidated all proposals and action made by the Attorney Ulka T. Ulama for the heirs of the Sultanate. This has come into effect regardless of Ulama's continues denial of the revocation and persistence of making representation to the Philippines government, pretending to still maintain the position of legal counsel to the Sultanate;

(2) He had revoked the Power of Attorney issued to the Philippine government to institute the claim on Sabah on behalf of the Sultanate. This action, therefore, reinstates the power to claim Sabah for the Sultanate, and no longer within the authority and jurisdiction of the Philippines' central government; and

(3) He had sent a Letter of Offer, dated February 8, 2011, to negotiate on the claim over Sabah with the Malaysian government, through His Excellency Dato' Seri Dr. Ibrahim Saad, Ambassador Plenipotentiary, the Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines. Unfortunately, to date, the Malaysian government, or the Ambassador, is yet to respond.

His Majesty is making what we hereinafter refer to as the Kiram III Proposal, that he, on his sole authority, shall drops the claim on Sabah on the terms and conditions that the Malaysian government commits to a long-term program of participating in the development of Southern Philippines.

Rationales for the Proposal

The Kiram III Proposal for solution to the Sabah claim, is made on the sound rationales
that:

1. The drop in the claim will remove the long-standing thorn in the flesh of the diplomatic relation between Malaysia and the Philippines;

2. Any further neglect, apathy and procrastination on the process towards a solution to the claim will only result in the continuance of the dilemma and the negative socio-economic impacts for both countries and for the region, or ASEAN and BIMP-EAGA in general;

3. The ensuing agreement for economic collaboration between Malaysia and the ARMM will open the restive region into a peaceful and progressive region because:
a. The MNLF and the MILF, given important roles in the development process of ARMM, will have little purpose in continuing with their militant struggles, and should lay down their arms and reap benefits in the bountiful promises of the development agenda of their land;
b. The region has a huge wealth of natural resources (fertile lands, pristine jungles, seas and a substantial oil reserve of 125 billion barrels in Southern Cebu) which collectively promises the explosion of numerous industries – aquaculture, agriculture, timber, tourism, oil exploration and processing, manufacturing, shipping, aviation, banking and finance, etc.

4. The annual lease payment made to the nine heirs of Kiram has become a cruel joke on the payees due to the ridiculous amount of RM5,000 (five thousand ringgits), the value of which had shrunk to almost nothing due to more than a century of inflation. This payment, while meaningless in terms of monetary value, is also an insult to the dignity of the payees, as well as a crafty method on the part of the Malaysian government to prolong, on the cheap, the status quo of the claim over Sabah;

5. With a drop in the claim followed by laying down of arms by militant groups and the development of the ARMM as a new region of rapid economic growth, the current migration of people from there to Sabah in search of more lucrative livelihood will cease, removing a four-decade socio-economic burden for Sabah;

6. The establishment of peace in the ARMM will pave the way to the creation of a new government which will be autonomous from the Philippines' central government. In fact, a number of Philippines congressmen had espoused the establishment of a constitutional monarchy – on the same pattern as Malaysia's system of government – and not a republic, for the ARMM.

Proposed Development Approach

His Majesty proposes that the South be developed by opening up opportunities for foreign direct investments (FDIs) to neighbors, with priority being offered to Malaysian government-link companies (GLCs), e.g. Malaysia's Federal Land Development Agency (FELDA), Petronas, Maybank and CIMB Bank, Telekom, Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Sime Darby, Proton and Perodua, UMW and even the media giants, Astro and Media Prima.

These which can all be apportioned opportunities, roles, and lands for their ventures. Such a new opening FELDA will give Malaysia a greater leverage and competitive advantage in the regional and global palm oil production industry, in which Indonesia has made tremendous leaps ahead of Malaysia with the opening of new plantations in Kalimantan.

Petronas Carigali Sdn. Bhd. will of course be offered the priority to undertake oil extraction contracts in the area. The various other industries which will begin virtually from scratch will without doubt lead to a long-term economic boom, worth in the hundreds of billions of dollars.

The South will be a new center of vibrant economic activities, a region of prosperity and progress, which will be a total departure from
its militant past. At a time when the world is facing numerous economic challenges – with America predicted to fall under the weight of its national debt, with the Eurozone countries buckling under its debt crisis, with China rising as the new economic dragon – the South is without doubt set to become the new economic magnet to which economic giants will gravitate to reap its many bounties.

Such a development will not only bring prosperity and peace to the South but will also create a new trend for a more progressive ASEAN as well as the revival and the expansion of the BIMP-EAGA which aims to increase trade, tourism and investments with and outside the sub-region by (1) Facilitating the free movement of people, goods, and services, (2) Making the best use of common infrastructure and natural resources, and (3) Taking the fullest advantage of economic complementation.

With Malaysia's leading role sealed in the proposed Agreement for the Drop on the Philippines' Claim on Sabah, there is no reason why Malaysia would hesitate on the Kiram III Proposal knowing the tremendous win-win result of such an historic agreement. We urge therefore that the Malaysian's ambassador to the Philippines responds positively to pave the way for initial discussions on the matter, all for the sake of a mutual long-term and incalculable socio-economic benefits.

PR Hudud Laws vs BN Hooded Laws

Posted: 01 Oct 2011 07:31 PM PDT

Masterwordsmith Unplugged

The next GE is round the corner and instead of mulling over what we want, many have gone off-track debating about Hudud. Seriously, what do Malaysians want? We don't want Hudud but do we want a corrupt government?

Remember that voting for Pakatan Rakyat is NOT a fast track to the implementation of Hudud. Neither is there the certainty that we will get Hudud if we vote PR. In reality, PAS will not have enough seats to implement Hudud even if they want to do so.

PAS will be contesting only one-third the 222 seats and they need two-thirds to change the laws in Parliament. Even if they win ALL the seats they contest, it's still one-third. Chances are they will win maybe half the one-third.

But for sure, we WILL get a corrupt government if we DON'T vote for Pakatan Rakyat.

To put it simply, if it come down to voting for Hudud versus corruption, which do we want?

If we hate or fear Hudud so much, then let's reject PR. Then, let's vote the status quo and continue to 'enjoy' the same recipe of racism, discrimination, abuse of power and corruption IF we feel that this may be better than the risk of getting Hudud.

Remember Albert Einstein's words:  Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Before we continue to be swept away by the strong waves of debate, remember that the certainty of Hudud is NOT there.

If we choose to do the same thing, walk down the same path in our voting,  the likelihood that racism, discrimination, abuse of power and corruption we will certainly get, no doubt about it.

Think carefully about what we want. Are we being influenced by the uncertainty of Hudud to capitulate in favour for the certainty racism, discrimination, abuse of power and corruption?

Is that what we want? Think carefully. If so,  then reject PR and vote BN and face the guarantee of being afflicted by the same social malaise that we have been facing for decades - discrimination, abuse of power and corruption.

Are we being blinded so much by the hooded flaw in the hudud debate that we cannot see the wood for the trees?

READ MORE HERE

 

E&O AGM: Orchestrated to concert perfection

Posted: 01 Oct 2011 07:11 PM PDT

Another Brick in the Wall

Eastern & Oriental Berhad's Annual General Meeting was held on Friday. One major item on the agenda was the nomination of ECM Libra Financial Group Bhd's representatives to the Board of Directors and the re-election – or as the term used by the Bernama report, reappointment – of E&O chairman Azizan Abdul Rahman, managing director Terry Tham, and two other directors.

Bernama reported that 75% of the shareholders present rejected ECM Libra's nomination, while 90 to 95% overwhelmingly voted for the reappointment of Azizan, Tham, Henry Chin, and Vijay.

That seemed like business as usual.

The same report quoted E&O Deputy Managing Director Eric Chan Kok Leong as claiming that shareholders gave overwhelming support for the collaborative agreement with Sime Darby Berhad (Sime Darby).

That is a business-as-usual, sanitised, positive remark from any businessman and corporate man.

With some knowledge of how AGMs and EGMs are staged and handled in Malaysia, shareholders may not have received the proper answers and most answers are sanitised. In any AGM and EGM of PLCs, there is more at work behind the scenes than meet the eye.

Despite the claim of support, Chan said, "The energy is high. They (shareholders) have more questions than usual." What were the questions raised by the floor? How were they answered? Were they handled satisfactorily? Was there any suppression or diversion of issues raised by the floor?

The Chairman is Azizan, the controversial husband to the Chairperson of Securities Commission, Tan Sri Zarinah Anuar.

Read the Bernama report first:

E&O shareholders reject nomination of ECM Libra's nominees

September 30, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR: Eastern & Oriental Bhd (E&O) shareholders today rejected ECM Libra Financial Group Bhd's nominees – Mahadzir Azizan and Leong Kam Weng – to the company's board of directors.

About 75% of the shareholders who attended the property developer's annual general meeting (AGM) here, voted against ECM Libra's request, E&O deputy managing director Eric Chan Kok Leong told reporters.

Mahadzir is currently a director of ECM Libra, Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Bhd, ECM Libra Investment Bank Bhd, Libra Invest Bhd and several other companies, and is a member of the investment committee of Amanah Raya REITS.

Leong sits on the board of directors and audit committee of TA Enterprise Bhd and TA Global Bhd.

As of Sept 22, ECM Libra holds 6.3% of E&O, making it the second largest shareholder after Sime Darby Bhd which owns 30% equity interest.

Sime Darby acquired its stakes from E&O managing director Terry Tham (12.2%), Wan Azmi Hamzah (9.1%) and GK Goh Holdings of Singapore (9.5%) on Sept 9 for RM766 million or RM2.30 per share.

After the sale, Tham still has 5.1% while Wan Azmi and GK Goh hold 2.9% and 3.5% respectively.

Chan said about 60% of the shareholders of E&O attended the AGM which lasted about four hours.

He said between 90% and 95% of the shareholders voted for the reappointment of E&O chairman Azizan Abdul Rahman, managing director Tham and two other directors – Henry Chin Poy Wu and Vijayaratnam Thamotharam.

"We received overwhelming support from the shareholders. The energy is high. They (shareholders) have more questions than usual," he said after the AGM.

Chan also said E&O would hold its first meeting with Sime Darby in October to identify areas that both parties could work together.

"We've signed a collaborative agreement with Sime Darby. We'll call for the first meeting next month in accordance with the agreement," he said.

E&O and Sime Darby signed the three-year collaborative agreement on the same day share sale deal was concluded.

Chan said the group was now focusing on promoting E&O's unique brand proposition as a true lifestyle developer.

He added that the strategic corporate recognition attained by the group from its sales and marketing collaboration with Mitsui Fudosan Co Ltd – the joint venture with subsidiaries of Khazanah Nasional Bhd and Temasek Holdings Pte Ltd to develop an iconic wellness township in Iskandar Malaysia – as well as the entry of Sime Darby would provide vital impetus for the group to move forward with its growth strategy. - Bernama

Did shareholders ask about insider trading?

All three parties involved in the sale of the 30% block to Sime Darby had existing shares in the company and bought some shares prior to the announcements of a share sale agreement and a collaborative agreement.

It is widely known that Chairman Azizan bought 100,000 shares on August 16th, about two weeks before the announcement. Some commentator defended Azizan with the argument that he has all along been holding few million shares in the Company. So what?

All members of the Board of Directors with shares in the company are confined to buying and selling shares in the company to within certain periods. Those "windows" are before and after a General Meeting, important price sensitive announcements, etc. It is unthinkable and almost impossible that the Chairman was not notified or alerted of an impending major corporate move two weeks before the announcement.

Not only that, Azizan also bought 100,000 and 50,000 shares on April 1st and April 6th respectively. That was less than six months before the announcement. If one refers to the simple chart below, that was the time of the initial market effort to "push" the shares

READ MORE HERE

 

Dr Mahathir: Umno members must return to original struggle

Posted: 01 Oct 2011 07:08 PM PDT

(Bernama) - Umno members must return to the party's original struggle for the sake of religion, race and country by casting aside self-interest, to win the general election.

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said this was the only way to cure the "backstabbing" disease within the party.

"Previously, Umno members sacrificed anything, including pawning their jewellery, to help the party but now their posts are for landing contracts and to become candidates.

"If the general election is held now, Umno may lose big because the support and spirit have faded," Dr Mahathir told reporters after presenting a talk, 'Bicara Negarawan,' at the premier gathering of Federal Village Development and Security Committee (JKKKP) members here Sunday.

Some 2,000 JKKKP chairman and secretary from the state attended the one-hour talk. Also present were Kedah Umno liaison chairman Datuk Paduka Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah and his deputy Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir.

Dr Mahathir, however, said Barisan Nasional could win big at the general election if Umno's disease could be cured.

Asked whether the time was right for general election, he said: "It is unsuitable as lot of things need to be done and Umno is not strong enough."

"Umno still has factions and the split is still critical. If there is awareness, a sense of gratitude and unity, Barisan can win.

On PAS' plan to implement hudud law, Dr Mahathir said they had to resort to this as "they feel that they will lose."

"The country consists of a multi-religious population. If 100% are Muslims, there is no problem.

"Nik Aziz wants to implement hudud only for Muslims and this is not fair. Islam demands justice in all matters."

 

Karpal: DAP never agreed to hudud in T'gganu, Kelantan

Posted: 01 Oct 2011 07:05 PM PDT

(The Star) - DAP chairman Karpal Singh said he is surprised over the statement by Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat that the party had agreed in principle to the hudud legislation which was passed in Kelantan and Terengganu in 1999 and 2003 respectively.

"We never agreed in principle to the legislation," he said at a press conference at his office here Sunday.

"We have nothing against PAS. On larger issues, we are on one mind.

"But we find that PAS' stand on hudud is inconsistent with the Federal Constitution," he said.

Karpal said DAP leaders had made it clear during a meeting with Pakatan Rakyat leaders on Wednesday that the hudud law was not in line with the Federal Constitution.

Asked about his absence at the 60th PAS anniversary celebration in Kepala Batas, Karpal Singh said he did not attend as he was unwell.

"I informed DAP headquarters that I could not attend the function.

"It is not a deliberate attempt on my part to skip the event," he said.

 

Oh yeah?

Posted: 01 Oct 2011 06:01 PM PDT

If God exists within time, which is His creation, then this means He is subjected to His creation, which is time. If God is not subjected to His creation, which is time, then God certainly has to exist outside time. That means time does not exist for God. It only exists for us. That is why we live and we die. We have a beginning and we have an end. There is no beginning and no end for God. God does not die.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

written by Somali, October 02, 2011 09:46:26

You writing with full prejudice of Hudud Law and I wonder if you're a real Muslim who lack of knowledge of that kind of law. I'm not a PAS follower but to be frank Hudud Law is a God Law and you have responsibility to understand the law even though you're not practising them. Innalililah to Zainah & RPK

 

written by apai70, October 02, 2011 10:13:07

Astaghfirullah, If your are a true Muslim I believe u should repent coz what u have written indicates your ignorance. Masyaallah.

 

written by Burhan Deen, October 02, 2011 12:26:25

You have reserved your ticket to hell, who do you think you are. You claim to be a Muslim but you are munafik of the worst degree

 

The three comments above appeared below the article 'No hudud please, we're Malaysians', which was written by Zainah Anwar and published in The Star. I picked them up to talk about them today because, first of all, one of the comments also mentioned me and, secondly, because they appear to be comments by people 'knowledgeable' about theism and about what God wants.

Okay, so let's talk about theism then!

God is eternal. God is omnipotent. God is omniscient. The theists (which would include Muslims) believe that these are but just some of the attributes of God.

This means God has no beginning and no end. God is not controlled by His power, but has complete control over it. God knows all things, which can be known, past, present, and future.

These are amongst the many attributes of God, which all theists whether they are Jews, Christians or Muslims agree on (who says that the Jews, Christians and Muslims can't come to an agreement?).

Theists also believe that in the beginning God created the entire universe, with us humans in it. And theists believe that all this will come to an end one day -- the end of time or akhirat (akhir meaning the end).

Going by this belief, that means God also created time. Time exists because God created the beginning and the end. If there were no beginning and no end then time would not exist.

Now, God is not subjected to His creations. In fact, the reverse is true. His creations are subject to God. God has absolute power and control over His creations. And this would, of course, mean time as well.

Going by this belief it would make sense since God is eternal. There is a beginning and an end for the entire universe. But there is no beginning and no end for God. We live and we die. God does not live and die. God is eternal.

Okay, so if God is eternal and there is no beginning and no end for God, and if God is not subjected to His creation, in this case time, where does God exist then? Does God exist within or outside time?

If God exists within time, which is His creation, then this means He is subjected to His creation, which is time. If God is not subjected to His creation, which is time, then God certainly has to exist outside time. That means time does not exist for God. It only exists for us. That is why we live and we die. We have a beginning and we have an end. There is no beginning and no end for God. God does not die. God is eternal.

In that case, since time does not really exist, where do we humans exist then? We existed in the past (yesterday). We exist in the present (today). And we may exist in the future if we do not die tonight (tomorrow). But God did not exist yesterday (because there is no time for God). God will not exist tomorrow (for the same reason). God only exists today (ever present).

This means that yesterday and tomorrow do not exist. What exists is only today. In fact, even today does not exist because today would be 24 hours and 24 hours is also time. So even today does not exist. What does exist is just one single point in time.

If there is no such thing as time but we feel we are living in time (we have a beginning and we have an end) that means what we feel is merely an illusion. Time does not exist so therefore we also do not exist in time. We exist in just one point in time, not throughout time.

Can Somali, apai70 and Burhan Deen, the all-knowing who know exactly what God wants, then please explain our existence? We think we exist in time but time does not exist. We think we were born some time in the past and will die some time in the future and will travel through time from beginning to end but there is no past and no future. So, if time does not exist, then please explain where we are now.

Once Somali, apai70 and Burhan Deen explain this to us we can then go on to the next level, discuss what God wants.

Over to you Somali, apai70 and Burhan Deen.

 

Singaporean Kling following Chinese Ways

Posted: 01 Oct 2011 05:01 PM PDT

By John Doe

The above sounds absurd !! Under UMNO, the above sounds illogical, yet, that is exactly and accurately describing the first King of Malacca. I dare not call him a Sultan because we now know from Sejarah Melayu that Raja Secander Shah never converted to Islam.
According to Sejarah Melayu, it was his great-grandson Sultan Kichil besar who became the 1st Muslim King of Malacca. (Read HERE) He was NOT the first Muslim King of Malaya, because Malaya already had Kedah, Terengganu, Beruas, and so on. They existed hundreds of years before Malacca was born. ( Read HERE ) (before I get slandered again, I'm using Malaya to refer to the geographical Malaya)

In yesterday's Article, (Read HERE ) i quoted the Ming Shi Lu, (official translated version by Prof Dr Geoff Wade of NUS). You can easily obtain the original Chinese manuscripts to read it, should you understand Chinese. I call your attention to the following exact transcript recorded by Emperor Yong Le on the 11th Nov 1405. And I quote:
"...He (Bai-li-mi-su-la) wants his country (Malacca) to become like the divisions within China and to follow Chinese ways.."

Why should this Keling from Singapore want to follow Chinese ways at all? After all, he is already a GOD. As all Hindu Kings are Gods anyway. And if Raja Secander Shah was already a God, then there would be absolutely no need to suck up to the Chinese Emperor, who is only the "Son of Heaven". The Ming Shi Lu called the King of Malacca as "Bai-li-mi-su-la". Most translate this to be Pa-Ra-Mes-Wa-Ra. Except that it does not accurately "translate" well.

If one were to look at the records dated on the 26th May 1434, one would immediately notice that the Malaccan King's name is given as "Xi-li Ma-ha-la-zhe". This translates accurately as Seri Maharaja. The phonetic "Pa La Me Sua La" would have been a much closer and accurate transcript. Can some of my Indian Friends please help with this? What would Bai-Li-Mi-Su-La" most closely approximate? Use Hindostani if you wish. Even Pali or Sanskrit would also work as well. Those were the languages of the region. Regardless, it contradicts Sejarah Melayu's name of Raja Secander Shah. Perhaps Sejarah Melayu is wrong? Perhaps the Ming Dynasty records are wrong? Unless you tell me that Raja Secander Shah had a split personality, and decides to use 2 completely different names !! (btw, Paramesvara is a common name used for Deceased Hindu Kings. Call it a favourite posthumous name, if you will) What is the alternative then?

Let's see if we can make sense of the records. Like a good detective, let's put together what we know. Firstly, Raja Secander Shah would have made a lousy Hindu. He did not build his Mount Mehru, like the Kings of Angkor, or Borrobudor. Since both were in the 6th and 8th century, it meant that the technology was already around during Malacca's time. We also know that Lembah Bujang's architecture was around 1400 years before Raja Secander Shah reached Muar. So either Raja Secander Shah was incredibly inept, or he was spectacularly lazy. 

On the other hand though, he could have faithfully practised "Chinese Customs and followed Chinese Ways" as recorded by Yong Le. hence, the Bukit Cheena, as we see today is vestigial of just that. I've screamed and shouted about the complete lack of evidence of any Malaccan King. I've also screamed and shouted about the complete lack of any Muslim graves either. I've also demonstrated that either the Hang Jebat Series of graves are NOT their actual graves, or they have to be Buddhist, either from Thai Lopburi or Sri Lanka. (Read HERE ) Perhaps all the "Cheena Buildings" in Malacca were indeed built by Raja Secander Shah. You must remember that it was Bai-Li-Mi-Su-La who asked to be a part of China, and not that China conquered them, as clearly shown by the Ming records, and I quote:
"...you, king of the country of Melaka, came to Court and made known your sentiments. He said that your land is in harmony, the people are healthy, things are abundant, the customs are pure and splendid, that you cherish virtue and admire righteousness and wish to become like a division of China, so that you will be superior to the other border regions, and you would forever remain our subordinate state and annually carry out your tribute duties..."

Hence, subsequent Kings of Malacca, despite converting to Islam, continued to build Mosques in the Chinese Style, in the style of the ones found in and around Malacca today. You see, Malacca paid tribute to China for the entire Malaccan Sultanate till the Portuguese colonized it.



It is perhaps fitting that i tell you a story which i heard. UMNO was said to have told the Malays the following:
"Zheng He came to Malacca, and the Muslim Malays converted him to Islam"
I didn't know whether to laugh, or to cry.

We know from the same records that Malacca continued to be a part of China and dutifully paid their Tribute Duties at least until the 2nd Jan 1509. An extract is as follows:
"...The tribute envoy Huo-zhe Ya-liu and others from the country of Melaka departed on their homeward journey, but as their ship had been damaged by a typhoon, they requested that the Guang-dong Provincial Administration Commission be instructed to repair it for them..."

This means, that despite Zheng He's expeditions being stopped, Malacca was still a part of China for over 100 years, and was willingly "following Chinese Ways"... till at least 1509. Zheng He would have also made sure that Bai-Li-Mi-Su-La would have kept his promise and adhered to "Chinese Ways". For those of you who have been to Hue or Hoi Ann in Vietnam, you would have immediately noticed how "Chinese" the buildings look. (Vietnam was under Chinese rule for over 1,000 years, for those who do not know) Is this what we have all been "overlooking" all this while? Perhaps the original buildings to the north of the Stadhuys was built by Raja Secander Shah. Maybe it was rebuilt by the Dutch to preserve the original style?

Below is a picture of Hoi Ann. And yes, you would have almost thought that it was Malacca, except that this river is 15 times wider than the Malaccan River.

Raja Secander Shah's Palace should have looked like the picture below, if he were to obey the Son of Heaven's command, Yong Le.
 

Lastly, and perhaps sadly, (contrary to Sejarah Melayu) there is absolutely no mention of any Hang Li Po, Hong Li Poh, or any princess given away to be betrothed to any King of Malacca recorded in the Ming Shi Lu. Her origins is a complete unknown. Her ancestry is also a complete unknown. If UMNO wants to use Ming records to "validate" Malacca, then UMNO has to admit that Hang Li Po does NOT appear anywhere in the Ming Shi Lu. UMNO also has to admit that, according to the very same records, Malacca "belonged" to China for 100 years, throughout the entire Malaccan Sultanate. How sad... too bad.

In conclusion, perhaps all the Hindu Graves on Pulau Besar do indeed contain the remains of the Early Hindu Royal Malaccan Family, and the setup of the township of Malacca closely resembling Hoi Ann of Vietnam were indeed built by Raja Secander Shah. Perhaps Raja Secander Shah wore Fine Chinese Silk Garments, as those were his personal gifts from Emperor Yong Le. Perhaps Hang Jebat and gang were from Sri Lanka (or Lopburi), and were Buddhists (unless the graves presented by Tourism Malaya are fake).

Perhaps we will never know, unless and until we get rid of the incompetent racist UMNO, and start doing some real ground-research beyond recorded history. Because as far as written History goes, UMNO's version of history is like drinking soup with a fork. FULL OF HOLES !!!


Footnote:
*Be careful of your toilets clogging when you flush Malayan History Textbooks in your Jamban.

Go on, take a peek at Nik Aziz’s hudud and see if you still want to remain silent on this issue

Posted: 01 Oct 2011 04:57 PM PDT

The People's Parliament

Malaysiakini yesterday reported that Nik Aziz hopes to see a 2/3 majority secured in Parliament so that hudud can be implemented throughout the country.

More troubling, Malaysiakini's Susan Loone quoted Nik Aziz as saying that at a "recent meeting between Pakatan Rakyat leaders in Selangor, the DAP, that fiercely opposed the law, had accepted Kelantan's proposal to enact it within the state".

I sent the following sms to several DAP leaders this morning : Mkini yday reported that DAP has acceded to hudud being implemented in Kelantan. True or false?

Replies came back fast and furious.

Charles Santiago : False

Hannah Yeoh : Not True.

Ronnie Liu : Not true. hudud remains as a dream for PAS and we must respect that as a fact, but it is not a shared dream of my party for our society is a multireligious one.

Tony Pua : To be polite, completely inaccurate.

Lim Guan Eng : False

Karpal Singh : Not true

Guan Eng called me a little while ago to say that he spoke at the 60th anniversary PAS meet in Kepala Batas last night, where, before a large audience, he reiterated DAP's stand of opposing the implementation of hudud.

"There is no provision for the implementation of hudud in Pakatan's common policy or the Buku Jingga. I repeated before the crowd what I have said previously. If hudud is implemented, I and the rest of the DAP leadership will resign our party posts", Guan Eng said.

Guan Eng's word is good enough for me.

DAP remains the proverbial 'Rock of Gibraltar' in defending our secular nation.

READ MORE HERE

 

PAS: Do not fear hudud

Posted: 01 Oct 2011 04:43 PM PDT

The party, marking its 60th anniversary celebrations yesterday, continues to argue its case for the implementation of hudud.

However, the fact that he stressed was that PAS does not see any political benefit of working with Umno for now, has given rise to the fact that it was opened to the possibility of working with anyone if the outcome of the next general election did not favor either ruling federal coalition of Barisan Nasional (BN) or Pakatan.

Hawkeye, Free Malaysia Today

PAS has echoed its battle cry for the coming general election and it is no longer just about welfare, corruption, the economy or piousness; it is on adopting hudud and qisas law.

To mark its 60th anniversary celebrations as a political entity with arguably the biggest number of dedicated grassroots members in the country, PAS went back to its roots as a fundamentalist Islamist party with influences steeped in traditions of the fellow Iranian and Turkish Islamist parties.

PAS ensured that the syariah punitive laws of hudud and qisas took center stage at the gathering yesterday to mark the auspicious PAS 60th anniversary celebrations, where some 2,000 delegates attended.

Despite much disdain over the issue among the non-Muslim community, particularly led by political representatives of MCA, DAP, MIC and Gerakan, PAS has pushed ahead with its fundamental desire to have hudud enshrined as part of the syariah court system.

Led by its two famous personalities, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and spiritual adviser Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, the two devoted a length of their speeches towards defending the concept of hudud.

Their cries of "thou are holier than you" when it comes to hudud probably drown out the voices of Erdogan (progressive) although the group's leaders, former secretary-general Kamarudin Jaafar, vice-presidents Husam Musa and Mahfuz Omas as well as veteran PAS intellect Subky Latiff were  given platforms to recollect their thoughts about PAS 60th birthday.

The audience was seemed spell-bound as the speakers outlined PAS' history and predicted a future where it is here to stay in the Malaysian political context and with Pakatan Rakyat's help, they could govern the country federally by next year.

Cooperation with Umno?

There were two common themes raised at the one-day event, which was held at Kepala Batas; the party was founded there in 1951 by a group of Islamic clerics led by the late Syeikh Abdullah Fahim, the paternal grandfather of former premier and ex-Umno president Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The first theme was PAS would continue to champion hudud regardless of the level of opposition including from fellow Pakatan partner, DAP, as well as the indecisive stance of the multi-racial party- PKR.

The second was that PAS' stand that Umno was its arch enemy for now and perhaps in the forseeable future, unless the latter drops its nationalist ideology and embrace Islamist principles as a bedrock of its political struggle.

Nik Aziz, who was a young cleric when PAS was first formed, was asked if PAS would ever make peace with Umno.

The 82-year-old who spoke astutely and reassuringly at the event, said he cannot ever imagine that PAS would reunite with Umno but that, in the future, one may never know.

"I know you (who you are Umno) …," he said in reference to whether PAS may eventually join forces with Umno, especially with the hudud issue playing in the background.

However, the fact that he stressed was that PAS does not see any political benefit of working with Umno for now, has given rise to the fact that it was opened to the possibility of working with anyone if the outcome of the next general election did not favor either ruling federal coalition of Barisan Nasional (BN) or Pakatan.

Do not fear hudud

PAS observer Mohd Sayuthi Omar pointed out that Nik Aziz seems to have grown younger, now that he is insisting on the adoption of hudud in the country despite the persisting obtacles.

Kelantan PAS secretary Mohd Zaki Ibrahim said barring unforseen circumtances, Nik Aziz could continue leading them for at least one more term despite that he may touch 90 in the next few years.

READ MORE HERE

 

Increase in Kinabatangan voters raising eyebrows

Posted: 01 Oct 2011 02:09 PM PDT

By Queville To, FMT

KOTA KINABALU: The unexpected high voter-to-population ratio in the Kinabatangan region on the east of Sabah has raised concerns that non-citizens have made it into the new electoral rolls.

Sabah DAP which sounded the alarm said the ratio had risen to as high as 68% and was abnormal.

MP for Kota Kinabalu Hiew King Cheu noted that a check on the electoral roll revealed that registered voters in Kinabatangan is around 22,000 from a total local population of 32,638, which which makes the population-to-voter ratio at 68%.

"This is very high when compared with many other areas in Sabah. The normal voters-to-population ratio is between 20% to 35% only.

"For example in Beaufort, it is 28,000 voters to 70,000 people (36%), for Penampang, it is 36,000 voters to 130,000 people (28%), and for Beluran it is 20,000 voters to 110,000 people (18%) only.

"It is not possible for a constituency to have 68% of the population registered as voters. Normally, many kampung folks and their young ones are not registered as voters and also many of them are working away from the area. This is even more obvious in Kinabatangan area.

"We cannot understand the situation in Kinabatangan. Maybe someone can explain the high voters- to-population ratio to us."

 

READ MORE HERE.

BN is too big for us but we can cooperate, says Kita chief Zaid Ibrahim

Posted: 01 Oct 2011 02:05 PM PDT

(Bernama) - KOTA BARU: Parti Kesejahteraan Insan Tanah Air (Kita) can cooperate with Barisan Nasional in certain matters although it will not be joining the coalition, said its president Datuk Zaid Ibrahim.

He said although Kita had not been offered to be part of Barisan, it was not impossible to establish such cooperaton with Barisan or any other party, except in the general election and in policy matters.

"Whatever it is, Kita will not join BN which is already big, even if offered," he said after delivering a talk at his residence here.

Zaid said Kita was prepared to contest in the general election although it had not yet prepared a full list of candidates.

He hoped the selected candidates would be accepted by the people, especially in Kelantan, to provide the party an opportunity to correct the mistakes of PAS, which he said had failed to develop the state under its rule since 1990.

"Kita wants to boost Kelantan's economy so that it will be strong like previously and where people's problems like lack of water supply and employment were given priority," he said.

On the hudud issue which is still being harped by Kelantan Pas, Zaid said PAS should be focusing on more important matters than on something which he felt would not be implemented.

Zaid said Pas had raised again the hudud issue to actually win back public support in facing the coming general election and not to implement this Islamic criminal law.

 

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WIKILEAKS: KHAIRY AND UMNO YOUTH FOCUS ON FTA, PALESTINE IN JULY 18 LUNCH WITH AMBASSADOR

Posted: 02 Oct 2011 01:00 AM PDT

In response to the Ambassador's question, Khairy said he believed UMNO would not provide live transmission of its 2007 convention in order to avoid the controversy of last year (when live broadcast of UMNO's chauvinistic rhetoric provoked concerns among non-Malays). He explained that UMNO and the other parties had to be seen as aggressively defending the interests of their respective ethnic groups, but behind closed doors "the parties don't talk like that to each other."

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Classified By: Ambassador Christopher J. LaFleur for reasons 1.4 (b and d).

Summary

1.  (C) Khairy Jamaluddin, influential son-in-law of PM Abdullah, underscored his oft-publicized concerns about the FTA, in particular regarding agriculture and government procurement, during the Ambassador's July 18 lunch for leaders of UMNO Youth, an important component of the dominant United Malays National Organization party. 

Khairy took exception to any attempt to adjust long-standing government preference policies for ethnic Malays and argued that an FTA would tip the terms of trade unfairly in the U.S. favor.  The Ambassador attempted to dispel misconceptions about the rice trade and impact on Malay preferences, while encouraging Khairy to focus on an FTA's long term positive effects to the Malaysian economy.  Khairy described the Malay grassroots concern over Palestine.  He also explained UMNO's process for selecting candidates.  Another leader confirmed current UMNO Youth Chief Hishammuddin's intention to seek an UMNO vice president position. 

UMNO Youth leaders expressed their support for U.S. Embassy public affairs programming, such as the English language teaching assistants, joint cultural activities and the International Visitor Program.  If PM Abdullah remains in office long enough, the astute and palpably ambitious Khairy may well be able to consolidate his political position and become a long-term force in Malaysian politics.  End Summary.

Lunch for Youth Leaders

2.  (SBU) The Ambassador hosted a lunch on July 18 for UMNO Youth leaders, led by UMNO Deputy Youth Chief Khairy Jamaluddin, the ambitious and influential advisor to his father-in-law PM Abdullah Badawi.  UMNO Youth Secretary Abdul Rahman Dahlan and seven other Youth leaders accompanied Khairy, while A/DCM, polchief, econoff and FSN political specialist joined the Ambassador.

Khairy Highlights FTA Concerns

3.  (SBU) Much of the lunch conversation revolved around the proposed U.S.-Malaysia free trade agreement (FTA).  Khairy underscored his oft-publicized concerns about the FTA, in particular regarding agriculture and government procurement. He said Malaysian rice farmers remained anxious about the possibility of increased competition from U.S. rice imports.

The Ambassador countered that an FTA was unlikely to make U.S. rice much more competitive in Malaysia, given Malaysia's preference for rice varieties not typically grown in the U.S., as well as continued strong competition from other Asian suppliers.  He added that the U.S. and Malaysian agriculture sectors were largely complementary and thus should both benefit from an FTA. 

Responding to Khairy's concern that U.S. sanitary/phytosanitary measures constituted a non-tariff barrier that would impede Malaysian agricultural exports, the Ambassador assured him that negotiators were working to ensure the harmonization of such measures under the FTA to the benefit of exporters in both countries.

4.  (C) Khairy underscored the particular sensitivity within Malaysia on the inclusion of government procurement in the FTA.  Long-standing preference policies for ethnic Malays were a key component of such procurement, and the government could not accept any attempt by the U.S. to limit such policies.  The Ambassador responded that the oft-repeated assertion that the U.S. intended to seek changes or even abolishment of the preference policies was not true, adding that the U.S. also incorporated preference policies within its own federal government procurement programs that it would seek to preserve under the FTA.  He asserted that Malaysia could benefit substantially from access to the significant U.S. government procurement market that would come with an FTA.

5.  (C) Khairy briefly raised a number of other concerns about the FTA.  He claimed U.S. investors would have a leg up on Malaysians under the FTA in any potential investment dispute; econoff countered that the FTA would include dispute settlement provisions that would be similar to those used by the WTO, and that were designed to be impartial and applied infrequently.  Khairy alleged that an FTA would turn the terms of trade in the U.S.'s favor, and attract U.S. investors who would reap substantial profits on the backs of ordinary Malaysians, similar to what he claimed had occurred in Singapore following implementation of its FTA with the U.S. 

The Ambassador encouraged Khairy to focus instead on the long term positive effects to the Malaysian economy from an FTA with the U.S, such as the growth of higher-paying jobs and the training of young Malaysians in the new, higher-value-added industries that were precisely those Malaysia needed to attract in the face of growing competition from rapidly developing Asian neighbors.  While Khairy signaled he remained skeptical, he concluded that he could agree to an FTA "in principle" but insisted that the details of any agreement would be critical.

Grassroots Concerns about Palestine, Middle East

6.  (C) Beyond the FTA, Khairy explained that at the UMNO grassroots constituents continued to be concerned about events and trends in the Middle East, with Palestine and Iraq as key issues, along with the War on Terror and U.S policies.

He said he had read the latest National Intelligence Estimate report on Iraq and added the report contends that Iraq war has increased Islamic radicalism, and has made the terror threat around the world worse contrary to U.S. policy objectives.  UMNO members believe Malaysia, as OIC Chairman, should play a more "influential" role in the Middle East. Khairy, however, expressed his disappointment that, "Washington does not seem to consider and take note of Malaysia as a moderate voice." 

The Ambassador explained U.S. policy toward Palestine, and highlighted the importance of responsible governments assisting countries like Afghanistan and Iraq to overcome their formidable difficulties.  He emphasized that as a successful Muslim-majority country, Malaysia could assume an important role in this regard.

UMNO Internal Developments

7.  (C) Khairy explained that UMNO Youth leaders are currently involved in the UMNO divisional meetings that would elect delegates to the annual UMNO general assembly in November.  Fortunately, UMNO did not face the same contentious issues as last year, Khairy said, a clear reference to Mahathir's challenge in 2006.  In response to the Ambassador's question, Khairy said he believed UMNO would not provide live transmission of its 2007 convention in order to avoid the controversy of last year (when live broadcast of UMNO's chauvinistic rhetoric provoked concerns among non-Malays).  He explained that UMNO and the other parties had to be seen as aggressively defending the interests of their respective ethnic groups, but behind closed doors "the parties don't talk like that to each other."

8.  (C) Khairy explained UMNO's internal procedures for selecting national and state-level candidates, describing a process of bargaining between UMNO divisions, chief ministers in each state, and the Prime Minister/UMNO President who holds the final say.  He commented that there would not be much "horse trading over seats" among UMNO's coalition partners for the coming general election as all parties would adhere to the seat allocations from the 2004 general election.  He argued that UMNO's concessions to its non-Malay coalition partners, such as nominating a Malaysian Indian Congress party member to run in a Malay majority area, represented laudable inter-ethnic politics, but this went largely unappreciated by outside observers.

9.  (C) Youth secretary Abdul Rahman Dahlan stated that current UMNO Youth Chief Hishammuddin Tun Hussein would very likely vie for a seat as one of three UMNO vice presidents, thus vacating the top position in UMNO Youth.  Hishammuddin currently is making the rounds to officiate at UMNO divisional meetings to better establish his credentials for a vice presidential slot.

Interest in Public Affairs Programming

10.  (U) The Youth leaders expressed interest in the Embassy's successful English Language Teaching Assistant program in the state of Terengganu, and hoped the program could be expanded to other states.  They also valued the U.S. International Visitor Program and appreciated that the Embassy had sent a number of their members to the United States for under this mechanism.  They recalled U.S. Embassy support for a recent cultural event and hoped for more joint cultural activities in the future.  The Ambassador encouraged close contacts between UMNO Youth and Embassy offices, and the Youth leaders said they wished to continue the dialogue with U.S. diplomats.

Comment

11.  (C) UMNO Youth represents a pivotal group in Malaysian politics, as it serves as the springboard for most future UMNO leaders and acts as the party's most aggressive defender of Malay rights and privileges.  This was our first meeting with Khairy since he led a rambunctious street demonstration against Secretary Rice's visit nearly one year ago. 

Khairy's well-publicized opposition to some US policies notwithstanding, the reality is that our scheduling of this event was delayed by his extended vacation in the United States this summer (and his wife, the PM's daughter, remained behind to take a seminar).  There is no question that this classic son of the cosmopolitan Malay elite is carefully shaping his political profile to bolster his efforts to take over the UMNO Youth leadership, faux street radicalism included.  In this, he follows the well-worn course of other ambitious young Malay politicians, including Hishammuddin and past UMNO Youth President, and now Deputy PM, Najib.

However, Khairy has even greater need to reinforce his street cred with the Malay grassroots to counter the enmity of many more senior UMNO politicians resentful of Khairy's meteoric rise and oft-rumored manipulation of his father-in-law.  In this respect, it was obvious that UMNO Youth officials did not include Mukhriz Mahathir in their delegation, despite his position as international relations bureau chief, owing to the rivalry between Khairy and Mahathir's son.  Mukhriz' absence was further evidence that the Mahathir family's political strength has waned following the former-PM's failure to depose his successor last year.

12. (c) Although Khairy unquestionably owes the speed of his ascent largely to his marriage, the fact remains that he is one of the most articulate and politically astute operators of his generation.  The Oxford-educated Khairy comes across as well-spoken and well-read, but also as sharp-edged and unnecessarily acerbic,especially in addressing familiar targets of Malay intellectuals (such as U.S. Middle East policy).  At the same time, he frequently voices admiration about U.S. democracy and closely follows U.S. political developments (as well as other facets of American life; his most recent newspaper column was a paean to the Apple iPhone he acquired in LA last month).  However, at 31, Khairy has yet to acquire the ease, self-confidence and political polish exuded by current Youth Chief (and Education Minister) Hishammuddin.  If PM Abdullah continues in office for several more years, as now appears likely, Khairy may well have enough time to consolidate his position.  If so, this palpably ambitious young man could be a major factor in Malaysian politics for decades to come.

13.  (C) Not surprisingly, Khairy approaches the FTA with an eye on the potential near-term implications to his political ambition, rather than the more intangible long-term benefits that an FTA would bring to Malaysia.  His skepticism about the FTA is politically popular, and contrasts with the government's infrequent and somewhat hapless attempts to promote the FTA (leaving the Embassy in the position of having to explain to Malaysians why the FTA will benefit Malaysia).  Although we do not expect Khairy to abandon his public skepticism, we believe he will be more amenable to standing aside following the next elections and we will continue to push our views with this influential group of UMNO Youth leaders.

LAFLEUR (July 2007)

 

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