Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- PKR: RPK ‘hired’ to smear Anwar ahead of Sodomy II verdict
- Haris quits MCLM over RPK’s comments
- Come back and shed light on bribery claims, Selangor urges Raja Petra
- RPK says detractors’ comments not important
- Najib’s ex-info chief joins DAP
- RPK says confident Anwar man in sex video
- ‘Frustrated’ voters will back BN in polls, says RPK
- RPK: “Anwar may become irrelevant”
- ‘Rights group not a third force’ - RPK
- Anwar morally unfit to become PM, says RPK
- Why bully a pastor?
- Najib likely to reshuffle Cabinet, push polls back
- Hasan Ali joins Jais raid
- Nanyang urged to withdraw reports and apologise
- We won't eat halal meat, say MPs and peers who reject demands to serve it at Westminster
- Opposition rapped for rejecting Act
- Many vying for DCM II post
- ‘Perkasa has no right to demand action’
- Analysts: Free Anwar Campaign 901 opposition ploy to dupe public
- Special police team to probe dumping of pig heads at mosque
- Ambiga is FMT’s newsmaker of the year
- Ambiga: I’m flattered and humbled
- ‘Datuk fixit’ charged with cheating NFC boss
- Ringgit set for first annual decline
- Anwar plans 'innocence' tour as trial verdict nears
- Harakah hits back at Hasan Ali
| PKR: RPK ‘hired’ to smear Anwar ahead of Sodomy II verdict Posted: 01 Jan 2012 10:31 PM PST (The Malaysian Insider) - PKR today sought to discredit Raja Petra Kamarudin as a "hired Umno blogger" and part of a larger plot to smear Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim ahead of the latter's sodomy trial verdict. The PKR de facto leader will learn the verdict on his sodomy charge on January 9. He is accused of sodomising a former aide, a charge he has vehemently denied and claims is a conspiracy to destroy his political career. Today, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution said Umno and Barisan Nasional were determined to see Anwar jailed, adding that the attacks against Anwar was meant to deflect from the government's financial scandals. "It should not be forgotten that Raja Petra Kamarudin, now more known as a 'hired Umno blogger', once made a sworn statement that (Datuk Seri) Najib (Razak) and (Datin Seri) Rosmah (Mansor) were involved in the brutal murder of Mongolian model Altantuya Shariibuu... "The latest are spins by Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian, Umno-owned media who ... pick and contort Raja Petra Kamarudin's statement on lies and allegations about Anwar's case in their front pages," Saifuddin said in a statement. The self-exiled blogger told Utusan Malaysia that Anwar was morally unfit to become prime minister as Malaysians could not accept a homosexual leading the country. Raja Petra did not explicitly call Anwar homosexual but said there was no room in Malaysia for someone who is gay and wants to become PM.
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| Haris quits MCLM over RPK’s comments Posted: 01 Jan 2012 10:19 PM PST Raja Petra Kamarudin's comments in mainstream daily NST, have "greatly undermined" the efforts of MCLM president Haris Ibrahim. (Free Malaysia Today) - Lawyer Haris Ibrahim has resigned as president of Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM). He cited the views expressed by MCLM chairman, Raja Petra Kamarudin (RPK), in a mainstream media yesterday, as his main reason. Haris said he was compelled to do so after reading Raja Petra comment's on MCLM's candidacy in the coming general elections and his view on 'people's revolution.' "In the circumstances, I find it impossible to continue to serve MCLM as its president." "I have communicated my decision to RPK through email, " he said adding that he had been aware of the interview but was not privy to its content until he read the report. Commenting on Raja Petra's views published by NST, Haris said he was saddened specifically by 'two parts' of the interview. "The two parts (of the interview) that have led me to the decision were that "MCLM had decided it would not field any candidates for the coming general election." "I can confirm now that no such decision has been made. (In fact) in December, 2010, in London, RPK announced the launch of MCLM's Barisan Rakyat independent candidate initiative." "In July, last year, MCLM announced the deployment of our first candidate, Dr Neduchelian, in the Kapar consitutuency," Haris said in his People's Parliament blog today. 'No idle threat' He also cited another reported comment by Raja Petra which he said 'greatly undermined' his efforts in the 'Anything But Umno' (ABU) initiative. "RPK is reported to have said that "the Egypt-style people's revolution was not an answer for Malaysia due to the delicate racial balance. They (Chinese voters) don't want Tahrir Square type of change." "These comments greatly undermine efforts I am making, albeit through MLCM, in the ABU initiative.
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| Come back and shed light on bribery claims, Selangor urges Raja Petra Posted: 01 Jan 2012 04:35 PM PST (The Star) - The Selangor state government is willing to pay the travel cost for blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin to come to state office to shed some light into his bribery claims. Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim's political secretary Faekah Husin said Raja Petra, who is currently living in self-imposed exile overseas, should be responsible for his statements and provide more information to his claims of corruption in the Pakatan Rakyat-held state. "He should not make wild accusations just to undermine the state government's efforts. We do sympathise and understand his disappointments of having to live in exile amidst personal problems, but making wild accusations will not help him return home. It will instead further dent his image," she said in a statement Monday. Faekah said providing further information was the least Raja Petra he could do to help the state government combat corruption, more so since he was of Selangor royal blood. "His accusations that there are corrupt practices in Selangor...are serious. We urge him to step forward to provide detailed information to the state government so that detailed investigations can be carried out. "We are willing to pay for his travel costs, The state has allocated RM15mil to combat corruption and abuse of power, an amount which has been included in the Selangorku Geran," she added. Raja Petra, a once close ally of Pakatan leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, recently gave an interview to selected mainstream media and an online portal where he spoke on a variety of issues, including Anwar's possible irrelevance, his sodomy trial and the state in Selangor. He claimed that corruption was still the same in Selangor and that people still had to pay "under table" money to get things done.
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| RPK says detractors’ comments not important Posted: 01 Jan 2012 04:31 PM PST (The Star) - Controversial blogger-in-exile Raja Petra Kamarudin has hit back at critics who have accused him of selling out to Barisan Nasional after he criticised Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in a recent interview with Mingguan Malaysia. In his latest post on his website, he said he had expected the barrage of criticism unleashed against him once the interview was published as "not many could accept the truth". Dismissing comments in various online portals where readers questioned whether he had sold out or turned traitor against Anwar, he said the vast majority of their comments did not matter to him. "The more important issue is, which category are you in? Are you amongst the less than four million Malaysians who voted Opposition in the last general election in 2008 or are you amongst the more than 11 million eligible voters who did not vote Opposition, did not vote at all, or did not even register to vote? "Yes, I value your comments, but only if you fall in the first category of all those various groups above. If not, then your comments are of no significance. And that would probably mean almost all if not all of those who are commenting," he wrote in his latest blog post Monday, questioning the majority of the commenters' true commitment towards asserting their political rights. Once a staunch Anwar supporter, RPK stunned many when he questioned whether Anwar was the best candidate to lead the country and said he "wasn't impressed" with Anwar's performance in Selangor. "Have there been many drastic changes in Selangor? Definitely not. The feedback we have received reflects that corruption still remains at the same level, no decrease," he said in the interview, which was also published in Berita Harian, The New Sunday Times and his online website Malaysia Today on Sunday. RPK pointed out that it had been three years since Anwar was appointed Selangor's economic advisor, and yet had gone for more than 60 overseas trips during that period instead of carrying out his duties. "We tell him, stay in the country and carry out your duties in Pakatan. More than 60 trips overseas is really too extreme," he said.
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| Najib’s ex-info chief joins DAP Posted: 01 Jan 2012 04:15 PM PST DAP scores a coup with Umno veterans and bloggers, including former Pulau Manis Umno rep Mohd Ariff Sabri Aziz. (Free Malaysia Today) - Former Pulau Manis Umno assemblyman Mohd Ariff Sabri Aziz and Negeri Umno veteran Aspan Alias (photo) have joined DAP. Having Ariff on board is a major coup for DAP because he was Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's information chief in his Pekan Umno division up until 2004. "If you want to know, yes, that is what we are doing (joining DAP). "I am impressed by DAP. They are principled, I like their professionalism. "I was with (Lim) Guan Eng at the bloggers conference last month. There is no fancy words, they are focussed on work … always thinking unlike our Umno people," he told FMT recently. Ariff's admission puts to rest weeks of wildfire speculations in pro-Umno blogs. He is also rumoured to be contesting under the DAP banner in the next general election. Ariff is touted to be contesting in Raub where MCA's Ng Yen Yen is incumbent. Ng is currently the tourism minister, and a MCA vice president. Warning to Umno's bloggers Gunning pro-Umno bloggers who have been maligning them both personally and professionally, an incessant Ariff (photo) said: "Why the paranoia? If we are not good, failed Adun (assemblymen), bankrupt politicians, it will be cinch for any winnable Umno candidates to beat us. "So, it's no cause of concern or a sleep depriver." "But be warned, you want to play ball, we play ball too, so stop telling lies about us and we can promise not to tell the truth about you (Umno)." Both Ariff and Aspan are not alone. There are increasing speculations of shifts within and out of Umno. DAP has been targeting 'thinking' Malays post-2008 GE to increase its support within the community. Onboard is Transparency International Malaysia founder Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim who is now the party's vice chairman and former Umno education minister Khir Johari's son Zairil. Zairil and party strategist Liew Chin Tong along with Youth chairman Anthony Loke have been tasked with wooing selected Malays. It was reported that the party leaders have been meeting "Malay opinion-makers in small closed-door discussions dealing with issues concerning Islamic state, hudud and Bumiputera affirmative action".
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| RPK says confident Anwar man in sex video Posted: 31 Dec 2011 06:05 PM PST
(The Malaysian Insider) - Raja Petra Kamarudin said today he was "90 per cent" sure the man in the Datuk T sex video was Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and that many of his friends believed in the authenticity of the video. The self-exiled blogger told Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia in an interview that he was initially unsure whether it was Anwar in the video, and that he was certain the latter would not be so "stupid to let himself get caught." "I feel that there are more people who believe in the video. Many of them, Anwar's close friends I met in the UK, Liverpool, Manchester ... they honestly say Anwar is (the one) in the video. "I think the person is Anwar. I am not saying 100 per cent but 90 per cent or more that is Anwar," he was quoted by Mingguan Malaysia as saying. Raja Petra said his opinion changed when Anwar had during a press conference denied knowing Datuk Shazryl Eskay Abdullah, one of the three men responsible for screening the video. The Malaysia Today portal editor claimed that Anwar had called him three years ago and asked him to help out a "friend" — Shazryl. "Anwar said the problem was that the government suspected Eskay smuggled me out of Malaysia. The government suspected I went to Langkawi and Eskay (a former Thai honorary consulate) made a Thai passport for me and smuggled me out to Thailand through Langkawi. "He (Anwar) said the government was causing problems for Eskay and that I had to explain things to clear his name," said Raja Petra. He said he then clarified the matter through a posting on his portal, stating how he left Malaysia, and that he did not know Shazryl. "That was three years ago. Now Anwar says he does not know Eskay ... this made me think and realise. I know Anwar knows Eskay, just say that you really know him. This is actually quite funny," added the blogger. Raja Petra said that the PKR de facto leader's outburst at a press conference during the Sarawak state election when asked about his Omega watch showed he had something to hide. "Yes, the fact is that if you need to lie, that means you have something to hide. You must be guilty." Anwar has repeatedly denied that he was the man seen having sex with a prostitute in the 21-minute video which was first aired to the media in cloak-and-dagger fashion by a mysterious 'Datuk T' at a prestigious hotel in April this year. It was later revealed that Datuk T referred to three notable public figures — former Malacca Chief Minister Tan Sri Rahim Thamby Chik, businessman Datuk Shazryl Eskay Abdullah and former Perkasa treasurer-general Datuk Shuib Lazim. The latest probe on the case was opened after investigating officer DSP Shanmugan Moorthy lodged a police report claiming Anwar committed the offence under section 182 of the Penal Code. The crime is punishable with a six-month jail term or a fine of RM2,000. Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin had recently said the probe on the sex video was complete and investigation papers handed over to the Attorney-General but the case was sent back to the police to include Anwar's statement. He has slammed the police for failing to act on a previous report he had lodged against the Datuk T trio where he accused them of criminal intimidation. He has also accused BN of masterminding the latest probe against him in the Datuk T sex video saga. The Opposition leader is also awaiting the verdict on his second sodomy charge, where he is accused of sodomising a former aide. The former deputy prime minister has vehemently denied the charge, saying that it is part of a ploy to destroy his political career.
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| ‘Frustrated’ voters will back BN in polls, says RPK Posted: 31 Dec 2011 04:25 PM PST
(The Malaysian Insider) - Many voters have become frustrated with Pakatan Rakyat's (PR) performance at the helm in four key states and will throw their support behind Barisan Nasional (BN) in the next general elections, Raja Petra Kamarudin said. In an interview published in Mingguan Malaysia today, the self-exiled blogger said the PKR-DAP-PAS pact was still stuck with the mindset of taking over Putrajaya by "default" as they were confident in being the only alternative to the ruling BN, and that they were using the same anti-Umno tactics to win over voters. "I am telling you, in the next election they [voters] will support the government. They say, in the next election they will not support the opposition because they are disappointed, dissatisfied, and not confident with the opposition. "Why the opposition is so confident of forming a federal government? On the basis of ABU (asalkan bukan Umno), of rejecting Umno?" he was quoted saying in an interview published today by the Umno-owned newspaper. Raja Petra (picture) pointed out that the same strategy was used back in 1999 by the short-lived opposition pact, Barisan Alternatif (BA) against former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed but failed when he retired and passed over the baton to Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi- resulting in BN's massive electoral win in the 2004 elections. "If you use the same strategy, what happens when people no longer hate Umno? You cannot start a relationship with people based on hate, it will not last," he added. He said infighting between different PR factions were evident in Penang, Selangor and Perak, and that will be why voters will "return to BN and forget Pakatan." Raja Petra claimed several Chinese businessmen in Selangor had complained to him that they still had to fork out "under-the-table" money in order to conduct businesses in the state, and that corruption was still rampant there. "I tell them I do not know what to say. They say, come elections, they will not vote for Pakatan.".
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| RPK: “Anwar may become irrelevant” Posted: 31 Dec 2011 03:34 PM PST
ASSESSMENT: Raja Petra faulted Anwar both for his ineptitude in improving the economy of the PKR-led Selangor state and for turning his latest sodomy trial, bogged down by prolonged delays, into a political circus. | |
| ‘Rights group not a third force’ - RPK Posted: 31 Dec 2011 03:28 PM PST
UNEASY: Raja Petra reveals Pakatan Rakyat's tactic in undermining capable candidates (NST) - SINGAPORE: PAKATAN Rakyat has allegedly been trying to undermine the emergence of a civil liberty movement as a "third force" in politics to avoid an erosion of its political base, Raja Petra Kamarudin claims in an interview. The self-exiled Malaysia Today editor said tactics deployed by Pakatan include discouraging capable election candidates, who had originally intended to contest as independents, but were later allegedly heckled by Pakatan leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to join its fray. Raja Petra said Anwar was uneasy when such capable candidates were endorsed by the Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM), a pressure group he (Raja Petra) founded in the United Kingdom. The group advocates good governance through civil liberties. "You (Anwar) want to cut the cake into two: Barisan and Pakatan and you don't want any third party involvement. "Oh, you (Anwar) are prepared to let them become independent before this. But when we (MCLM) approach them, you go: 'Oh, they must join the party'. "Is there any sincerity here? If that's the issue, then we (MCLM) are prepared to stay out," said Raja Petra." Raja Petra cited human rights lawyer, Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, as among the possible candidates whom had been courted by DAP many years ago, but he had refused because he preferred to run as an independent. He said he had recommended Malik Imtiaz and other names to Anwar before. However, Anwar insisted the candidates become members of an opposition party first. Raja Petra said MCLM had decided it would not field any candidates for the coming general election and denied any notion that the movement was a third force in the country's politics. He cited other organisations, which could merge as a third force, such as the United Borneo Front, Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia, Hindraf and even Bersih (Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections). Raja Petra further questioned Bersih's motives given its seemingly close links to Pakatan. "That has disappointed us a bit. That it is serving a Pakatan agenda, an Anwar agenda. "We don't want that. Bersih must be above it, not in it." | |
| Anwar morally unfit to become PM, says RPK Posted: 31 Dec 2011 03:17 PM PST
(The Malaysian Insider) - Popular blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin denounced Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as morally unfit to become prime minister, saying that Malaysians are unable to accept a homosexual to lead the country. Better known as RPK, the self-exiled editor of the Malaysia-Today news portal was quoted in an Umno-owned national daily as crediting Anwar's huge support to widespread public perception of the opposition leader as an "alternative" to the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN). It did not necessarily mean Anwar was a better leader or PM-designate, said the man who was once seen to sit in the PKR de facto chief's inner circle. "I don't care. If you say is Anwar gay? I say maybe. But you cannot become prime minister. That is the reality," said Raja Petra in an interview published today the Malay-language Mingguan Malaysia. Raja Petra did not explicitly call Anwar a homosexual but said there was no room in Malaysia for someone who is gay and wants to become PM. "In Australia, you can. You can be gay and even become a minister. In Malaysia you have to choose. I personally have no problems but if you want to become PM and be gay, in Malaysia you cannot. "I am not defending immoral behaviour but that is your choice. If you choose that you cannot have this. In [the] UK, Australia you can have both," he said. Anwar, 64, is currently awaiting his verdict on his second sodomy charge, where he is accused of sodomising a former aide. The High Court is scheduled to deliver its ruling on January 9. The former deputy prime minister has vehemently denied the charge, saying that it was part of a ploy to destroy his political career. In his harshest remarks against Anwar and Pakatan Rakyat yet, Raja Petra said the opposition pact needed to cut down on its campaign for Anwar, and that the fight for reform was beyond the political future of one man. Saying that PR had "bigger fish to fry", he stressed that the "future of this country does not depend on this one man." "I do not know if Anwar is guilty or not. For me the issue is not important. The question is, is he the best candidate to run the country? If you are a good person, you are surely 'clean'. But if you can't run the country, you can't, it's that simple." Raja Petra charged that Anwar's performance as Selangor Economic Advisor has been unimpressive, and that he spent too much time going overseas for functions and lectures at universities. The controversial blogger claimed he received complaints of rampant corruption in Selangor, saying that nothing had changed since PR took over from BN there. "We tell him [Anwar] stay in the country and do your job in Pakatan. More than 60 trips abroad is too much...it is as if he is running away not knowing what to do," Minguan Malaysia reported Raja Petra as saying. Raja Petra stressed that politics in Malaysia needed to move beyond national leaders like Anwar or even PM Datuk Seri Najib Razak and more on structure and ideas. "I think we do not need to talk about Anwar anymore. It is not about Anwar. When we talk politics, we talk about Najib-Anwar, Najib-Anwar. "What if Najib gets a heart attack like his father? What if something happens to Anwar? He is not young, he is older than me...we will get new leaders…we must move on," the blogger said.
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| Posted: 31 Dec 2011 10:01 AM PST (The Malaysian Insider) - So, the latest act by Ibrahim Ali and his band of Perkasa men is to lodge a police report against Reverend Dr Eu Hong Seng for raising concerns revolving Article 153 of the Federal Constitution. The way these Perkasa boys reacted makes one wonder, if the mentioning of Article 153 by any non-Malay is like committing a deadly sin. Then again, could we have expected anything less from the Member of Parliament for Pasir Mas? On that account, and true to his nature, he didn't disappoint — neither us nor his taskmasters. Our prime minister has only recently stated his intent to transform Malaysia to be the best democracy in the world; and yet — despite 54 years after Merdeka - we are instead left to rue individuals such as Ibrahim Ali, who take pleasure in being paragons of fear mongering, when pertinent issues surrounding Article 153 are highlighted. If national unity vis a vis nation-building is one of our goals, and the construction of Bangsa Malaysia is part of Vision 2020, then why should we cower from confronting stumbling blocks that stand in our way? I attended the CFM Christmas hi-tea gathering, and I heard Reverend Eu's speech, and amongst the things he mentioned in his speech was that, "in order to move forward as a nation, we must be willing to address impediments to our progress". Surely, that is a wise call for mature and temperate heads to come together and discuss our way forward. Reverend Eu further explained that the interpretation and more serious debates concerning Article 153 should be attended to by our parliamentarians. He also made it clear that ordinary Malaysians have no problem with the rights of the Malays and the Sultans as stipulated in our Constitution. Where he did call a spade, a spade, was in pointing out what many people unfortunately experience, at 'ground level', and that is in the context of the implementation of Article 153, where unfairness of treatment rears its ugly head. It was on this otherwise valid remark that Ibrahim Ali and Perkasa pounced upon. I would like to ask Ibrahim, at which point did Reverend Eu question Article 153, as the former purports that he did? Where was the "irresponsible provocation"? Should one deem it as irresponsible provocation, when another rightfully highlights weaknesses that permeate the system? In fact, wouldn't silence in the course of inequity, constitute a graver act of irresponsibility? It is within this context that Reverend Eu spoke of the precarious predicament of 'shifting rights' — a burdensome shadow under which many Malaysians have lived by and endured, hoping that their space wouldn't erode any further. Sadly, more often than not, that has not been the case. I stand in agreement therefore with Reverend Eu, that in the context of the implementation of Article 153 — yes, we do feel bullied. This is not a minority opinion, for many agree with Reverend Eu's forthright observation. This includes constitutional expert Prof Abdul Aziz Bari, who opined that Reverend Eu has not uttered anything seditious. Couple that with the support shown by MCA's Young Professional Bureau Chairman Datuk Chua Tee Yong, as reported by The Star on 31.12.2011, and it appears that Ibrahim and Perkasa are the ones who are isolated in their warped and immature outlook. As Aziz Bari reportedly told them, "grow up".
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| Najib likely to reshuffle Cabinet, push polls back Posted: 31 Dec 2011 08:32 AM PST (The Malaysian Insider) - Datuk Seri Najib Razak is likely to reshuffle his Cabinet as early as this month and delay calling elections to later this year as scandals engulfing at least two ministers are threatening the feel-good factor of Budget 2012 where the prime minister dispensed direct cash aid to some 5.3 million households, Umno insiders say. The Malaysian Insider understands that Prime Minister's Office (PMO) senior officials have a list of potential new ministers and deputy ministers that will be seen as Najib's people to execute his New Economic Model (NEM) and political transformation programme as he heads into the general election. "Najib needs more of his own men in the Cabinet. And he needs to replace those seen as tainted before he calls an election," said an Umno lawmaker close to the party president, referring to scandals surrounding Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, religious affairs minister Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom and deputy minister Datuk Awang Adek Hussin who admitted to receiving some financial contributions. There has been speculation in the Chinese media and also among political analysts that Najib could dissolve parliament after the Chinese New Year celebrations on January 23 for a March election, four years after Election 2008. It is understood that the Election Commission (EC) has booked school halls and community centres for a possible election in March. However, others say Najib is waiting for electoral reforms and the initial public offering by state land developer Felda before calling an election. Another Umno source said the party is also not ready for polls despite Najib telling party members to be on a "war footing" for an early election. "We are not exactly ready. Some warlords don't want to give up their chance of standing in the next polls," he told The Malaysian Insider. The source pointed out only former Terengganu mentri besar and Umno chief, Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, has openly said he will not contest in future elections. "Most warlords think they can win if they are picked. And if they are not picked, they will refuse to work for those named just like what happened in 2008," he added.
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| Posted: 31 Dec 2011 07:57 AM PST (The Star) - Controversial PAS leader Datuk Dr Hasan Ali joined a rare raid on drinking spots at Mutiara Damansara and Petaling Jaya, which saw the arrest of 41 Muslims. Among those nabbed in Ops Mungkar were 18 people who were caught taking alcohol, an offence under Selangor's syariah law. They include six women. Dr Hasan said the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais) has strong evidence to charge them for alcohol consumption under the Syariah Criminal Enactment 1995, which provides for a jail term of up to two years and a fine of not more than RM3,000, or both. Unlike other states, Selangor does not whip offenders caught drinking alcohol. Dr Hasan said the other 23 pub goers caught in the raid, including 13 women, would be required to attend counselling sessions. "They will have to give their statements on Jan 11 and 12, before Jais fixes the dates for counselling," he said at the Jais office here yesterday. He said the raiding party, which included the Bukit Aman police, was led by Jais director Datuk Marzuki Hussin following a tip-off. Those arrested were aged between 18 and 58. "We could see there was entertainment going on and the drinking (of alcohol)," said Dr Hasan, who is in charge of Islamic affairs in the state executive council. He refuted suggestions that the operation was connected to the recent controversies surrounding him. Dr Hasan, the former Selangor PAS commissioner, is embroiled in a feud with the leadership over the party's policy switch from an Islamic state agenda to a welfare state. In August, he defended the Jais checks on the Damansara Utama Methodist Church and had also locked horns with the state over the sale of alcoholic beverages at convenience stores and the mushrooming of massage centres.
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| Nanyang urged to withdraw reports and apologise Posted: 31 Dec 2011 07:46 AM PST (Sinchew) - Negeri Sembilan PAS, PKR and NGOs presented a memorandum demanding Nanyang Siang Pau to withdraw its feature series entitled "Looking at the Islamic Penal Law the rational way" and apologise within seven days, at the newspaper's Seremban office yesterday. Protest if no apology They said if Nanyang refused to withdraw the reports and apologise, they would lodge police reports across the country and hold peaceful demonstrations in front of Nanyang's offices nationwide. PAS Negeri Sembilan commissioner cum Paroi state assemblyman Hj Mohamad Taufek Abd Ghani said when presenting the memorandum that PAS was of the opinion that the images published in Nanyang were cruel and should not have been selected for publication in relation to the Islamic Penal Law. "The Islamic Penal Law will never allow such cruel punishments on children. Even though it was not mentioned in the captions that those were the punishments under the Islamic Penal Law, it gave the public an impression that they were the punishments under the Islamic Penal law, as reflected from political leaders' reactions. "This is very unfair to us." Roundtable meeting proposed Negeri Sembilan PAS Youth chief Khairil Anuar Abd Wafa said that in one of the photos published, a man was seen holding a microphone beside a punished boy as if he was staging a show, adding that this was not the way punishments were handed out under the Islamic Penal Law. "Nanyang Siang Pau has an obligation to clarify on this," he continued. PKR Rembau divisional secretary Norazizi Abd. Aziz suggested that a roundtable meeting be held between the media and PAS to better understand the true significance of the Islamic Penal Law. PKR Teluk Kemang division committee member Muhd Saufi bin Miad said they were not censuring Nanyang, as they believed such undesirable development could have stemmed from a lack of real understanding of the Islamic Penal law. Also present were Negeri Sembilan PAS Supporter Congress chairman Yao Con Seng and members from NGOs.
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| We won't eat halal meat, say MPs and peers who reject demands to serve it at Westminster Posted: 31 Dec 2011 07:16 AM PST Some parliamentarians have eaten meat at Westminster having been assured it was halal | |
| Opposition rapped for rejecting Act Posted: 30 Dec 2011 11:59 AM PST (The Star) - The Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BNBBC) has chided the Opposition for rejecting the proposed Race Relations Bill due to their failure to understand the necessity for it. BNBBC vice-chairman Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan said the Opposition had failed to understand the intent behind the proposed Act and have misconstrued it because of its name. "The proposed law is more than just regulating race relations as its intention is to prevent discrimination based on race. "The law is drafted based on the United Kingdom's Race Relation Act 1976 to ensure that a person will not be discriminated in the employment sector as well as when purchasing goods," he said yesterday. It was reported that Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz had announced that the Government was expected to table the Bill in the next parliament session in March. Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk S.K. Devamany noted that other countries also had similar legislation and said it would act as a guideline to prevent race-based discrimination. "We must understand that Malaysia is a multiracial country and we want to preserve unity. We do not want issues such as the Kampung Jawa temple demolition matter or the Interlok novel controversy to divide us even more," he said. Pakatan Rakyat MPs have rejected the proposed law, claiming there were adequate laws and policies to deal with racial discrimination and inequality. PAS vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar said it was unnecessary for the Government to table another Bill to regulate race relations and foster mutual understanding among the races. "Currently, we have the Sedition Act and the Penal Code which deals specifically with people who play up and create racial and religious tension. The current laws just need to be implemented properly," he said PKR vice-president Tian Chua said the Government should not rush into tabling such an important Act and should consult all relevant parties to ensure it was smoothly implemented.
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| Posted: 30 Dec 2011 11:16 AM PST Several DAP leaders, even those outside of Penang, are said to be interested in the coveted post. (Free Malaysia Today) - Many DAP politicians are aspiring to take over the coveted post of Penang deputy chief minister II. The seat is currently held by the party's deputy secretary-general P Ramasamy, who is also the MP for Batu Kawan and Prai state assemblyman. Commenting about Ramasamy, who is now in the limelight due to a public spat with party national chairman Karpal Singh, who has openly asked the former to quit, a source said the academic is an inexperienced politician. "He failed to touch base and connect with the grassroots members and treated everyone as new members," the source told FMT. There are talks that Bukit Mertajam MP, Chong Eng, would contest a state seat in the next general election and assume the deputy chief minister post. "She considers herself half-Indian by virtue of having an Indian husband," said the source. It is also rumoured that Karpal's son and Datuk Keramat state rep Jagdeep Singh Deo is eyeing the post as well, but according to the source, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng does not favour this. Those aligned to Ramasamy said that Jagdeep should have accepted an exco post if he was interested. "This was not the case. Indians were allocated two exco posts. Ramasamy accepted one. "Jagdeep, (Bagan Dalam state rep) A Thanasekaran and (Seri Delima rep) RSN Rayer declined the offer," said one supporter.
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| ‘Perkasa has no right to demand action’ Posted: 30 Dec 2011 08:13 AM PST (The Star) - MCA said Malay rights group Perkasa has no right to demand a probe on Christian leader Dr Eu Hong Seng over his remarks on Article 153 of the Federal Constitution. MCA Young Professionals Bureau chairman Datuk Chua Tee Yong slammed the pressure group for accusing the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF) chairman of making seditious remarks in his Christmas Eve message. The reverend caused a stir when he said Article 153 was like "bullying" the non-bumiputra groups in the country. Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had reacted to the comments by refuting the suggestion that the constitutional provision had been used to bully any community. Eu's remarks sparked a furious response from Perkasa, with its president Datuk Ibrahim Ali accusing the pastor of making a politically-motivated statement. Perkasa has since lodged a police report against Eu and slammed non-Muslim political leaders for not taking action against the reverend. Chua said all Malaysians, including Perkasa members, are entitled to freedom of speech so long as they do not violate any laws or damage racial harmony. "This, however, does not give Perkasa the right to go overboard and demand that the police investigate Eu under the Sedition Act," he said in a statement here.
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| Analysts: Free Anwar Campaign 901 opposition ploy to dupe public Posted: 30 Dec 2011 07:24 AM PST (Bernama) - The Free Anwar Campaign 901, planned by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Youth, is seen as merely championing the interests of opposition chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The campaign, to be held simultaneously with the judgement on Anwar's sodomy case on Jan 9, is seen as a platform to convince the people that everything is a conspiracy to topple Anwar.
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| Special police team to probe dumping of pig heads at mosque Posted: 30 Dec 2011 12:16 AM PST (Bernama) - A special team has been set up by Johor police to investigate the dumping of several severed pig heads in plastic bags near the Al-Falah Mosque in Taman Desa Jaya here. State police chief Datuk Mokhtar Mohd Shariff said the pig heads were found by the mosque's congregation early Friday when they turned up for the dawn prayers. "The team, which is headed by Johor deputy police chief Datuk Ismail Yatim, will seek the culprits until they are found," he said. Mokhtar, who visited the scene of the incident, urged all parties to be patient, refrain from speculating about the incident and not to take the law into their own hands. The mosque's committee chairman, Kassim Darim, 62, said residents in the area initially found a plastic bag believed to contain pig parts near the rear fence of the mosque at 5pm Thursday. He said it was the first time such an incident had occurred in the area. A police report was lodged at the Desa Cemerlang Police Station, he said. Meanwhile, about 100 people, including from non-government organisations, held a peaceful gathering in front of the mosque to protest against the act.
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| Ambiga is FMT’s newsmaker of the year Posted: 30 Dec 2011 12:11 AM PST Surprisingly 'people-savvy' Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak came in seventh after his wife Rosmah Mansor. (Free Malaysia Today) - Bersih 2.0 hero S Ambiga was named FMT's top newsmaker of the year after some 57% of its readers voted for her, drubbing more prominent figures like Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim and Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. This comes as no surprise, given the amount of headlines Ambiga, a former president of the Malaysian Bar Council, had accumulated throughout the year. The year 2011 showered on Ambiga both positive and negative coverage, much of it due to her involvement in several rocking controversial events. What does come as a surprise is that Shahrizat Abdul Jalil was next in line despite barely making the headlines, at least up until the RM250-million National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) scandal broke out last month. The Women's Affair, Family and Community Development Minister is now facing growing calls to quit her post from her own Umno party members who view her as a liability. The "attention" given to Shahrizat, who is Wanita Umno chief, by FMT readers perhaps reflects the weight of the scandal and the potential damage it may do to the ruling coalition in the upcoming national polls. Shahrizat received 534 votes or a 9% rating next to Ambiga, similar to the percentage received by Anwar who came in third in the chart after gaining five votes lesser. Meanwhile, Najib was two points behind his wife Rosmah Mansor. Rosmah came in fourth with 416 votes or a 7% rating. Rosmah, who is known for her love of luxury goods, made several headlines for allegedly owning "blings" or diamond ring and a bangle worth more than RM70 million. She has, however, denied these allegations.
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| Ambiga: I’m flattered and humbled Posted: 30 Dec 2011 12:09 AM PST FMT's newsmaker of the year also pays tribute to those on her personal list of heroes for 2011. (Free Malaysia Today) - Mainstream and alternative media were fed an almost daily diet of Bersih 2.0 updates in the weeks preceding July 9, 2011. On the earmarked day, downtown Kuala Lumpur was swallowed up by tens of thousands of Malaysians marching for a cause they believed in and the kind of future they wanted to bequeath the next generation. It is almost impossible to have been the driving force behind such power and not be handpicked as the newsmaker of the year. Yet Bersih 2.0 chairperson, S Ambiga, was genuinely taken aback when she learnt that she had topped FMT's Newsmaker for 2011 poll with 3,284 or 57% of the votes. "On the one hand I am very flattered and humbled," she told FMT. "On the other, I hope it is for the 'right' reasons that I made the news!" "I'm not sure if I'm thrilled to be in the company of some of the nominees but I'm delighted to be in the company of others." Bersih 2.0 wasn't Ambiga's first courtship with controversy. Her involvement, as the Bar chairman, to strongly support Lina Joy in the apostasy case and the March For Justice won her as many adversaries as they did allies. But amid the hate mails, death threats and Molotov cocktails, she refused to abandon Bersih 2.0. "I'd like to think that I was chosen (as FMT's Newsmaker for 2011) because of what Bersih 2.0 stood for and meant to Malaysians," she said. "The credit belongs to the people for their tremendous support in making it the success that it was."
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| ‘Datuk fixit’ charged with cheating NFC boss Posted: 29 Dec 2011 04:20 PM PST Shamsulbahrin Ismail is accused of cheating the NFC chairman of RM1.7 million. The 45-year-old businessman has claimed trial. (Free Malaysia Today) - A businessman has been charged in the Sessions Court here with cheating National Feedlot Corportation (NFC) chairman Mohamad Salleh Ismail of more than RM1.7million over the failed promise to provide "negotiation and consultation service". Shamsulbahrin Ismail, 45, dressed in a dark blazer, purple shirt and light blue jeans, pleaded not guilty and claimed trial to two separate charges, both under Section 420 of the Penal Code. The first charge read that Shamsulbahrin, CEO of Shamsubahrin Ismail Resources Sdn Bhd, had cheated Mohamad Salleh by promising the NFC chairman his consultation and negotiation services, with the knowledge that the offer was false and intended to cheat him by inducing him to part with a service fee. This incident allegedly occurred at 6pm on Nov 20 at a restaurant in Bukit Tunku here. The second charge was that Shamsulbahrin had, between Nov 25 till Dec 6, received cheques amounting to RM1.755 million from Mohamad Salleh at Solaris in Mont Kiara. For the offence of cheating, Shamsulbahrin could face between one to 10 years jail, with whipping and can also be fined. It was reported last week that a 'Datuk fixit' was arrested by the police and handed over to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for allegedly attempting to bribe several senior investigators to "settle" the case over the NFC.
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| Ringgit set for first annual decline Posted: 29 Dec 2011 01:43 PM PST (Bloomberg) - Malaysia's ringgit was poised for its first annual decline in three years on concern growth in Southeast Asia's third-biggest economy is slowing. Gross domestic product will rise 5 percent to 5.5 percent this year, compared with an earlier estimate of 5 percent to 6 percent, the government said on Oct. 7. "There is going to be a risk" to Malaysia's economic growth should Europe's credit crisis worsen, central bank Governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz said on Nov. 15. | |
| Anwar plans 'innocence' tour as trial verdict nears Posted: 29 Dec 2011 08:30 AM PST (Sydney Morning Herald) - THE Malaysian opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, is planning a whirlwind tour of his country next week before the verdict in his controversial trial on a sodomy charge. The outcome of the trial, which has captivated Malaysia, will help shape the future of the majority-Muslim country of 28 million people as it struggles to break away from a system of race- and religion-based politics. Mr Anwar, 64, a father of six, who was once heir-apparent to the former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, says while he is ''optimistic'' of walking free on the charge of having consensual sex with a 23-year-old male aide in 2008, he is a ''political realist'' and ''ready to accept the worst''. Under a British colonial-era law criminalising consensual sexual acts between people of the same sex, Anwar faces up to 20 years' jail if found guilty when the Kuala Lumpur High Court announces the verdict on January 9. Human rights groups have called for the charge to be dropped and the law revoked. ''The Malaysian government uses its outdated sodomy law to slander political opponents and critics,'' the deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch, Phil Robertson, said. ''Whether or not Anwar Ibrahim engaged in consensual 'sodomy' is irrelevant … it's time to reject this law and end the farcical theatre that promotes discrimination based on sexual orientation and destroys people's lives,'' Mr Robertson said. Malaysia's Prime Minister, Najib Razak, has moved to open the country's political system before elections next year, including a promise to scrap the harsh Internal Security Act. The accusations against Mr Anwar emerged shortly after he had led the opposition to unprecedented gains in parliamentary polls against the ruling coalition that has governed the country for five decades. ''These are trumped-up charges,'' Mr Anwar told journalists. ''It is another coincidence that the verdict comes so close to elections. ''The aim is to deny me the chance to participate in the elections. A lot of people pray that I should be acquitted.'' Anwar said that during the tour, beginning on Tuesday, he will reiterate his innocence. During the marathon trial, which began in February last year, Mr Anwar delivered a long courtroom tirade accusing the trial judge and government of conspiring to send him ''into political oblivion''. ''It is a vile and desperate attempt at character assassination,'' he told the court. ''They can do all they want to assassinate and sully my character and threaten me with another 20 years in jail, but, mark my words, they won't be able to cow me into submission.'' Quoting the Koran and Shakespeare during a one-hour courtroom speech, Mr Anwar accused the trial judge, Mohamad Zabidin Diah, of demonstrating a ''complete lack of impartiality''. Mr Anwar's lawyers called a series of expert witnesses who raised doubts about the credibility of forensic evidence presented by prosecutors. An Australian forensic expert, Brian McDonald, told the court that DNA testing and labelling was not up to international standards and was riddled with errors. This is the second time Mr Anwar has been embroiled in a sex trial. He lost his post as deputy prime minister in 1998 after being charged with sodomising his family's former driver and abusing his powers to cover up his actions - both of which he denied. Two years later he was found guilty and sentenced to nine years' jail. The conviction was overturned in 2004. While in jail Mr Anwar suffered severe facial injuries from a beating by a senior police officer. His lawyers claimed rights violations against him including lack of access to legal counsel and witness harassment. Anwar's aide Mohamad Saiful Bukhari Azlan initially filed a complaint that Mr Anwar had forcibly sodomised him. Police charged Mr Anwar with having consensual sex after it was determined his bad back would have made him incapable of forcing himself on Mr Azlan, who has not been charged. | |
| Harakah hits back at Hasan Ali Posted: 29 Dec 2011 08:03 AM PST (The Star) - PAS organ Harakahdaily has hit back at embattled party leader Datuk Dr Hasan Ali for accusing it of twisting facts when claiming he had apologised to spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat in a recent closed-door meeting. The publication ran a piece online Thursday carrying a transcript of its interview with Nik Aziz, highlighting excerpts to back an earlier article quoting the Kelantan Mentri Besar as saying that Hasan had apologised to him at the Tuesday night meeting. Written in Malay and backed by a video clip, the contentious line read: Datuk Hassan Ali menarik balik kenyataan-kenyataan dia yang sensitif. Ini tanda kelelakian dia, anak jantan. Kita buat salah, bila kita sedar buat salah, tarik balik, minta maaf. Ini ajaran agama. Bukan senang manusia buat salah nak tarik balik, bukan senang. Tiba-tiba dia ni tarik balik. (Datuk Hasan Ali retracted his statements that were sensitive. This is a sign of his manliness, a real man. We make mistakes, and when we realise we make mistakes, we take it back, apologise. This is what religion teaches. It is not easy for people who do wrong to take it back, not easy. Suddenly he took it back.) Late Wednesday, Hasan issued a statement denying that he had apologised to Nik Aziz at their meeting in Kota Baru, saying he retracted his comments on the party's welfare state policy and apologised to party leaders during a press conference at his residence on Dec 24. He said he was disappointed with Harakahdaily for claiming such, adding that he had reminded them "many times" not to twist facts which could create confusion and disunity. Hasan's spat with the party organ is the latest to hit the former Selangor Pas commissioner, who has been at loggerheads with party colleagues over the past several weeks for criticising their leadership. Both he and former deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa also got in trouble for pushing for a revival of unity talks with arch-rival Umno.
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