Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Ada agenda tapi tidak bincang isu Faekah
- Pemuda PAS sokong kenyataan Haron Din
- Jangan shiok sendiri
- Perkasa vs Suaram: Of demons and lies
- Anwar, PKR under fire
- Nasha plotting with Umno to destroy Pakatan, PAS leaders say
- What’s keeping Malaysia’s Opposition together?
- Biro Politik PKR akan bincang kedudukan Faekah malam ini
- Sponsor a guide dog puppy
- No room for dissent in DAP
- Budget 2013: Both Pakatan and Barisan Should Focus on Job Creation
- Anwar should control Azmin’s agenda
- Polls after Deepavali?
- Presiden Gaps, Hamidzun Khairuddin, didakwa salah laku
- Raise the speed limit before implementing AES
- DAP slams ‘malicious’ PAS leader
- Why MCA is more Multiracial than DAP?
- Mat Sabu comes to DAP’s defence
- ‘Nasha jurucakap Umno dalam Pakatan’
- Karpal v Nasha feud: leave it to the duo, says PAS
- Adakah Azmin Ali yang memasang kamera pengintip di bilik Menteri Besar Selangor Khalid Ibrahim
- Uthayakumar’s lieutenant joins PKR
- PKR wants Lajim to contest both seats
- Just shooting the breeze
- Chamil openly apologises to Seputeh MP
- Kerjasama Pas dan DAP bercanggah dengan kehendak Islam - Shahnon (with Haron Din video)
- Prove claims, Anwar told
- Whistleblowing is an Islamic duty
- Offensive against Pak Lah a ‘distraction’
- ‘Judges still probing Scorpene deal’
- Tolerance
- Education Blueprint 2013-2025 needs to truly reflect the aspirations of Malaysian
- Reply to all Pakatan Rakyat Troopers in Raja Petra's Malaysia Today
- Why are the Malays running away?
- Rela member in a group or not, woman falls victim to snatch theft
- PKR wants Faekah sacked
- French lawyer: No Scorpene trial in France
- Singaporean turfed for racist rant against Malays
- George Soros bukan sekutu kami, kata Pakatan Rakyat
- ‘BN govt does not care for Sabah’
- Are they lining up Anwar for a fall?
- The cost of living in Malaysia
- Penang PKR wrapping up ‘cocky and arrogant Lim’ case
- DAP’s Karpal chides ‘presumptuous’ PKR deputy president
- Nazri: EC to implement most PSC recommendations in GE13
- Musa’s ‘monopoly’ of Sabah may lead to BN’s downfall, says ex-Umno man
- Pakatan’s budget ‘no better’
- Ex-DAP man’s criticism has Kok fuming
- Migrants, church may end BN’s Borneo vote bank
- Beyond the fight to be Lembah Pantai MP
| Ada agenda tapi tidak bincang isu Faekah Posted: 10 Oct 2012 01:36 PM PDT Perkara itu disahkan oleh Setiausaha Agung PKR, Datuk Saifuddin Nasution melalui khidmat pesanan ringkas (SMS) kepada FMT. Fazy Sahir, FMT Walaupun wujud agenda mengenai isu cadangan memecat Setiausaha Politik Menteri Besar Selangor, Faekah Husin namun tiada perbincangan lanjut dibuat dalam mesyuarat biro politik Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) malam tadi. Perkara itu disahkan oleh Setiausaha Agung PKR, Datuk Saifuddin Nasution melalui khidmat pesanan ringkas (SMS) kepada FMT. Mesyuarat biro politik parti ini merupakan mesyuarat mingguan dan kebiasaannya diadakan pada setiap Rabu. Isu ini timbul kembali apabila sekumpulan ahli parti di Selangor mendesak agar Faekah dipecat melalui satu sidang media pada Isnin lalu. Faekah sebelum ini mengulas untuk menyerahkan keinginan ahli parti tersebut kepada PKR Pusat. Sementara itu, sumber berkata agenda atau usul mengenai pemecatan Faekah ini bukan kali pertama berlaku, namun tiada tindakan drastik diambil mengenainya. Ini menurut sumber agenda pemecatan tersebut hanya disuarakan oleh sesetengah pimpinan dan ahli bersekutu dan bukannya suara majoriti. Lebih-lebih lagi ia didakwa membabitkan sesetengah pimpinan tertinggi parti yang tidak mempunyai hubungan baik dengan Faekah. "Faekah mempunyai hubungan baik dengan Presiden (Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah) dan Ketua Umum (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim). Yang menentang Faekah hanya segelintir sahaja," kata sumber. Umum mengetahui Faekah merupakan bekas pembantu khas Wan Azizah dan kini diberi tanggungjawab membantu Menteri Besar Selangor, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.
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| Pemuda PAS sokong kenyataan Haron Din Posted: 10 Oct 2012 01:33 PM PDT Berikutan buku bekas ahli Parlimen India, Jawid Akbar yang menganggap Islam hanya untuk menjalin persaudaraan dan bukan untuk menubuhkan sebuah negara. Amirul Azam Zulkafli, FMT Dewan Pemuda PAS Malaysia (DPPM) hari ini memberikan sokongan penuh terhadap kenyataan Datuk Dr Haron Din bahawa Islam adalah teras utama dalam membangunkan sebuah negara yang berlandaskan tuntutan syiar dan syariat Islam. Baru-baru ini, bekas ahli Parlimen India, Mubasyar Jawid Akbar ada mengeluarkan buku yang menganggap Islam hanya untuk menjalin persaudaraan dan bukan untuk menubuhkan sebuah negara. Ketua Pemuda DPPM, Nasrudin Hasan berkata, PAS menolak fahaman sedemikian justeru ia lebih berpaksi kepada doktrin fahaman Islam liberal dan masyarakat umum tahu bahawa PAS adalah sebuah parti yang berpandukan Islam dan Islam adalah penyelesaian yang terbaik bagi semua masalah ummah termasuk menyelesaikan permasaalahan negara. Haron yang juga Timbalan Mursyidul Am PAS telah mengeluarkan kenyataan berkenaan Islam adalah satu cara hidup yang lengkap dan syumul. Sekaligus melambangkan Islam sebagai ad deen yang lengkap dan komprehensif. Persoalan ini adalah jelas kedudukannya di dalam Al-Quran dan Nabi saw juga telah mempraktiskannya. Tidak bersetuju dengan Mubasyar "Dengan yang demikian, kami di peringkat DPPM menyokong penuh kenyataan beliau", katanya dalam kenyataan hari ini. "Kami memang tidak bersetuju dengan Mubasyar mengenai apa yang diceritakan di dalam bukunya yang bertajuk 'Tinder Box : The Past and The Future of Pakistan'. Lantaran kami yakin bahawa Islam adalah penyelesaian yang terbaik untuk semua aspek. Menurut Nasrudin lagi, manusia tidak boleh mengasingkan atau menghadkan Islam hanyalah untuk menjalinkan persaudaraan, walhal, untuk membentuk sebuah negara, pentadbiran yang amanah, tidak menerima dan memberi rasuah, tidak tiris serta menjaga kebajikan rakyat juga adalah salah satu asas yang sangat ditekankan perlaksanaannya oleh Islam. "Kami dari DPPM menegaskan bahawa kami akan terus istiqamah atau konsisten mengambil Islam sebagai wadah utama dan solusi yang terbaik dalam segala perkara yang ingin dilakukan atau dilaksanakan. "Pada masa yang sama , kami tetap menghormati budaya dan agama lain serta komited mewujudkan suasana harmoni dan sejahtera dalam masyarakat majmuk di negara ini. Justeru Islam adalah agama rahmat, agama keadilan dan agama yang membawa kemakmuran sejagat jika ianya dilaksanakan dengan baik," kata Nasrudin lagi.
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| Posted: 09 Oct 2012 08:05 PM PDT And this is what happens when you close your mind and refuse to look at the bigger picture. You are just one person with one vote. You may even be amongst four million like-minded people. But then 10 million people will be coming out to vote in the 13th General Election. And how many of these 10 million are following the TV news every night? And how many of these 10 million have been swayed by what they saw on TV? NO HOLDS BARRED Raja Petra Kamarudin I asked you this question last week: are you guys and gals following the news on the mainstream media, in particular the TV news? Most likely the answer is 'no', and for obvious reasons -- because the mainstream media, in particular the TV stations, are government-owned/controlled. So you are boycotting the mainstream media plus you don't trust what the mainstream media, in particular the news on TV, says. Okay, I can understand that reason although not necessarily I agree with it. Basically, you are not interested in what 'the enemy' has to say. So you shut your eyes and ears to what you consider 'government propaganda'. I can see from the comments that you post here in Malaysia Today plus the comments in the other Blogs and news portals that you express your views in 'total isolation'. You already have your own views and perception on what the situation is and you make comments based on this belief. Again, I can understand this. This is the culture of most religionists. Followers of religions have been conditioned and indoctrinated to do this. Hence, if you are a follower of a religion, this is how you would do things. You would read and listen to things that you feel are the truth and you would close your eyes and ears to what you consider false or lies. Malays, for example, are not encouraged to read literature or attend lectures on, say, Christianity. You would never find Malays attending Sunday school. In fact, if they do the Religious Department would probably arrest these Malays plus those Christians behind that Sunday school. The Sunday school may even turn the Malays away and not allow them to join the class lest they run foul of the government and risk getting closed down. That is how sensitive the matter of Christians preaching to Muslims is in Malaysia (and most Muslim countries). So, how do Malays get to know about Christianity? What the Malays know about Christianity is what the Muslim religious teachers tell them. Hence their understanding of Christianity is based on 'Muslim propaganda'. The Muslim religious teachers tell them certain negative things about Christianity and this is their understanding of Christianity. In other words, what most Malays know about Christianity is what other Muslims tell them, not what the Christians tell them. And most times what they have been told about Christianity is meant to run down Christianity and to give Christianity a negative image. Let me put it another way. If, say, I hate the Jews and you ask me about the Jews, certainly what I tell you about the Jews will be very negative. But you will not travel to Israel to find out for yourself what the situation really is. Your source of information is based on what a Jew-hater has to tell you. Will not, therefore, your views on Jews be very negative? So, you read only pro-Pakatan Rakyat websites and attend pro-Pakatan Rakyat functions. Hence your source of information is from Barisan Nasional-haters. You have only one source of information. You do not get to hear from the other side. And you believe that what you have been told is true and what the other side says, which you do not listen to anyway, is false. And this reflects in the comments you post here in Malaysia Today and in the other (pro-Pakatan Rakyat) websites. You believe that what you believe is true and that the other side of the story is false. And, most damaging of all, you believe that what you believe is the same as what the majority of Malaysians also believe. Hence you are amongst the majority and not the minority. Let me quote another example. Say a Muslim was to talk to you about Islam being the true religion, etc. You then ask that Muslim what evidence he or she can offer to prove this. As 'evidence', this Muslim will quote various verses from the Qur'an. The verses from the Qur'an are the evidence to support the argument that Islam is the true religion. But is not the Qur'an the 'product' of Islam? So how can the Qur'an, the product of the religion, be that evidence? If the tree were poisonous, would not the fruit of the tree be equally poisonous? The same would apply to a Christian who talks to you about Christianity. Jesus is the Son of God and the saviour. How does this Christian know this? He or she then quotes verses from the Bible as 'evidence' to support that argument. Again, is not the Bible the 'product' of Christianity? So how can the Bible, the product of the religion, be that evidence? If the tree were poisonous, would not the fruit of the tree be equally poisonous? Religionists do not appear to grasp this logic. Hence there is no logic in their argument and they end up arguing in circles. They are selling the concept of the authenticity of their religion. However, although they are ones doing the selling, they refuse to prove that what they say is true. Instead, they ask you to prove that what they say is false. In short, you insist that God exists. But you do not have to prove that God exists. Instead, I have to prove that God does not exist. The onus is on me to prove that you are wrong and not on you to prove that you are right. But it is you, not me, that is doing the selling. So how come I need to do the proving (or disproving)? Can you see how the mind of a religionist works? They are in a mode of self-deception. Then they accuse us of being deceived (in this case by the devil who has misled us). So how do you reason with such people? They are beyond reasoning. They have made their minds up and no amount of logic or reasoning is going to change their mind. And these are the same people who have made their minds up that Pakatan Rakyat is going to win the coming general election and is going to form the next federal government. But what do they base this conclusion on? They base this conclusion on the fact that they believe this is so and hence if they believe this then the majority of other Malaysians would definitely also believe this. No Christian would agree that he or she is following a false religion and is going to hell rather than to heaven. No Muslim would agree that he or she is following a false religion and is going to hell rather than to heaven. But how can both the Muslim and Christian be right? One has to be right while the other has to be wrong. Or can both be wrong? Yes, Barisan Nasional is confident that it is going to win the election. Pakatan Rakyat is also confident that it is going to win the election. And you, the followers of each of the respective coalitions, also believe what your party believes. But you can't both be right. One of you has to be right while the other must be wrong. Both cannot win the election. One has to lose. And this is what happens when you close your mind and refuse to look at the bigger picture. You are just one person with one vote. You may even be amongst four million like-minded people. But then 10 million people will be coming out to vote in the 13th General Election. And how many of these 10 million are following the TV news every night? And how many of these 10 million have been swayed by what they saw on TV? Do you know? Do you even watch the TV news? The answer is probably 'no' to both questions. Aren't you going to heaven while the other (competitor) is going to hell? That is what both Muslims and Christians believe. But both can't be right.
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| Perkasa vs Suaram: Of demons and lies Posted: 09 Oct 2012 05:49 PM PDT The statement by the French prosecutor, says an article published on the Perkasa website, can be considered as a full-stop for Suaram's 'web of deceit'. RK Anand, FMT An article published on the Perkasa website has condemned Suaram as a thick-skinned manufacturer of fabrications while at the same time launched a salvo against its so-called demonic funders, the Zionists and George Soros, and their nefarious agenda. Described as an opposition-infiltrated NGO, Suaram was also accused of orchestrating a mission towards regime change in this nation under the guise of championing human rights. The article was responding to French government prosecutor Yves Charpenel who told Bernama that there was no ongoing trial in France with regard to the controversial Scorpene submarine deal. He said that the matter was still being probed by two French judges. "I am aware about all the fuss kicked up by certain media [organisations] in Malaysia over this matter but what I can say is that this is nothing more than a trial by the media," he had added. In an immediate reaction, Suaram's lawyer William Bourdon said that there had never been a question of an ongoing trial as the investigating judges were still continuing their inquiry. "The Tribunal deGrande Instance has convened a criminal inquiry of which Suaram has been accepted as a civil party since March 2012. Upon completion of the inquiry, the investigating judges will make the decision of whether the case goes to full trial," he had explained. The Perkasa article however claimed that Charpenal's statement could be considered as the full-stop for Suaram's web of deceit. "Despite faltering numerous times, the thick-skinned Suaram will issue denials and is not ashamed to face the media, and the people of Malaysia, continuing with their lies and charades. "Perhaps because Suaram has received enormous [foreign] funds, it has no choice but to continue peddling lies with the hope that Malaysia's Islamic government will eventually collapse," it read. The article also noted that Charpenel had said that the investigating judges had no right to conduct cross-border probes or interrogations. Launching a regime change mission It pointed out that Suaram had however claimed in the past that a trial was underway and certain high-profile figures could be slapped with subpoenas as well as released documents in the French language purportedly as evidence to substantiate its accusations. "This proves how low are the characters of those who are behind Suaram, which calls itself a defender of human rights. "It is as if Suaram has made a fool of everyone and spat on their faces with its willingness to lie in order to fulfill the agenda of the 'syaitan' [demon] which brings destruction through war and murder with the help of another 'syaitan' which manipulates the world's currency market," it read.
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| Posted: 09 Oct 2012 05:18 PM PDT
(The Star) - A top PAS leader has lashed out at PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, while another is questioning the party's co-operation with the DAP. PAS deputy spiritual adviser Datuk Dr Haron Din reportedly questioned Anwar's association with a former MP from India who had allegedly belittled Islam, while former Sik MP Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Shahnon Ahmad said cooperating with the DAP was not in line with Islamic teachings. Joining the fray yesterday was former PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa, who defended his two party colleagues for speaking up. Dr Haron's criticism followed Anwar's attendance at the launching of a book entitled Tinderbox: The Past and Future of Pakistan written by a former Indian MP Mobashar Jawed Akbar who was quoted by Antarapos.com as saying that Islam could not be used as the basis for establishing a country. The portal also quoted Akbar as saying during the event that if Islam was capable of that, then Singapore would not have separated from Malaysia. Haron expressed regret that PKR had given Akbar the opportunity to present his liberal views in Malaysia. Saying Anwar's association with Akbar did not involve PAS because he had his own ways of doing things, the portal quoted him as saying: "That is Anwar's politics and his politics is not based on Islam. So he is not like us." Nasharudin said Haron had a right to make his views known as he was the deputy Mursyidul Am of PAS. "What Shahnon said could be based on his observation of recent developments in PAS, especially the open statements by DAP leaders on the implementation of hudud,'' he added. Nasharudin said he supported the statements by both leaders and remained firm in his stand that PAS should re-examine its cooperation with the DAP.
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| Nasha plotting with Umno to destroy Pakatan, PAS leaders say Posted: 09 Oct 2012 05:12 PM PDT
Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider Several PAS lawmakers today openly rebuked Nasharuddin Mat Isa for his latest attack against DAP, accusing the senior party leader of conspiring with Umno to cause a split in Pakatan Rakyat (PR) ahead of the next general election. Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad raised suspicion over the timing of Nasharuddin's latest anti-DAP statement, pointing out that "it was not yesterday" that both PAS and DAP had become partners in PR. "Read between the lines," Khalid said at a press conference in Parliament today, when commenting on Nasharuddin's "Christian conspiracy" allegation against DAP yesterday. He alleged that Nasharuddin, who currently sits as a member of PAS' highest decision making body, the Syura Council, was likely aiming to be punished by the PAS leadership when he made the statement during a speech in Putra World Trade Center (PWTC). "It looks like this is what he wants. It is so close to the elections. He has been sitting in the Syura Council all this time but has remained silent till now... it was not just yesterday that we were with DAP. "To me, this is an action planned and conspired by him with those on the outside... namely Umno," he said. Nasharuddin yesterday earned the ire of his DAP allies again when he revived the "Christian conspiracy" allegations against the secular party, an issue that has been used repeatedly by Malay right wing groups and hardliners in Umno purportedly to warn away the Malays from supporting PR. In a speech at PWTC, the former PAS deputy president reportedly alleged that DAP leaders had led prayers to turn Malaysia into a Christian state during a thanksgiving dinner held after the Sarawak state election in April last year. Rubbishing his colleague's words, Khalid asked Nasharuddin why he had not raised the matter before in the Syura Council of the PAS Central Working Committee (CWC). "Surely if he has proof and his words have basis, the PAS leadership would take action," the parliamentarian said. Furthermore, Khalid said, there was little sense to Nasharuddin's remarks as DAP's founding struggle was not for Christianity or any other religion. "They are a Democratic Action Party. Unlike PAS, where it is expressly stated in our Constitution that Islam forms our founding struggle, DAP is multireligious, multiracial and multicultural. "Is Karpal Singh (DAP chairman) a Christian? Are Lim Guan Eng (secretary-general), Lim Kit Siang (adviser) and Teng Chang Khim Christians?" he asked. PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub (picture), who was also present at the press conference with Khalid, later agreed with his colleague but said the matter should be left up to the Syura Council to deliberate on. Earlier today, several DAP lawmakers came out to deny the allegation and demanded that Nasharuddin wishdraw his remarks and issue a public apology to their party.
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| What’s keeping Malaysia’s Opposition together? Posted: 09 Oct 2012 04:57 PM PDT Pakatan Rakyat is an alliance of profoundly different backgrounds, with secularists, theocrats, conservatives and progressives working together. Bridget Welsh, The Malaysian Insider What keeps the Malaysian opposition Pakatan Rakyat (People's Alliance) together? The quick answer often given is the common search of political power. While power frames the relationships between three disparate political parties - Islamist PAS, secular-committed Democratic Action Party and the umbrella reform-oriented PKR of Mr Anwar Ibrahim - it is not the glue of the opposition alliance. Were this the case, PAS would have left the coalition when UMNO floated the offer of joining the government in 2008 and intense jockeying took place within PAS. The answer lies in the three parties' shared moral compact. Pakatan Rakyat is an alliance of profoundly different backgrounds, with secularists, theocrats, conservatives and progressives working together. In a world wracked with tensions over religion and misunderstandings, Malaysia's opposition stands out in bucking international trends of difference. CORRUPTION IN EVERYDAY LFE Three common principles bind the Opposition together. The first is deep concern with endemic corruption. The problem of corruption is not new, and while Malaysia's practices are assessed above many in Asia, including Indonesia, what has become increasingly apparent is that it has crossed the line of acceptability for many Malaysians. Survey results show that an overwhelming majority view their officials as corrupt and believe that their officials do not abide by the law. Scandal after scandal, from the National Feedlot Corporation and Scorpene, to the recent revelations about the extension of the Ampang LRT, has inundated citizens. While there are many civil servants who work hard to deliver services, there are pressures within the system to conform to predatory practices. Malaysian corruption was initially concentrated among the elite through the practice of "money politics". But more and more, it is extending into everyday issues such as school fees, crime prevention and service provision. Most basic food items, such as sugar and rice, are tied to non-transparent deals of politically-aligned businessmen, as are bigger items such as cars through Approved Permit licence allocations. These weaknesses in governance share a common moral thread - a privileged minority using the system to their advantage, and this is hurting the majority and widening inequality. FAIRNESS AND THE PLAYING FIELD This leads to the second shared principle - fairness. The three political parties each have a different take on what is fair, but there are areas of similarity: Namely, everyone should have a seat at the table; everyone should be treated fairly in a court of law; and social and economic inequalities should be minimised. This shared view of fairness extends into the outrage over unfair legal decisions and deep-seated concerns about poverty and displacement of many Malaysians. Pakatan's conception of citizenship has evolved into one in which all Malaysians are exactly that — Malaysians. It is a modern view of citizenship, in which everyone has rights and the government is to respond to the people, not the other way round. The Opposition's moral compact is also driven by a mutual interest in expanding democratic governance to level the political playing field. Calls for the removal of the Internal Security Act (which was suspended and replaced by the more benign but less tested Security Offences Act earlier this year), electoral reform, freedoms of assembly, religion and speech, among other things, all fall under the umbrella of expanding political space and rights. Ever since the reformasi movement of 1999, opposition activists have joined forces in highlighting democratic deficits and showcasing reasons for an expansion of democracy. Each protest and political crisis has brought the opposition together - from Bersih 1.0 in 2007, to the defections and subsequent takeover of the Perak state government in 2009. The bonds forged by protesting together are strong. Since 2008, there have been significant efforts to rupture the Opposition's moral compact on multiple fronts. The charges of sodomy and corruption have been tied to attempts to discredit opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and raise doubts about his moral calibre to lead. The introduction of issues such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual (LGBT) rights puts pressure on the relationship between the liberals and others within the Pakatan Rakyat. The sensitive "Allah" issue that rose to the fore in 2010 tested the Islamists' position. The push for Malay rights under the rubric "Ketuanan Melayu" reflects efforts to reinforce ethnic supremacy over shared humanity and equality, to reimpose the social contract of the past. Each of these issues has not broken the ties between the opposition actors, and it is in part due to the prominence of the underlying principles that bring them together. THE PROBLEM OF HUDUD This is not a moral compact without problems, however. The biggest challenge for the Opposition lies within. It has to do with an issue being negotiated throughout the Muslim world: The place and form of Islamic law, notably hudud. Globally, Islamist political parties from AKP in Turkey to the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt are grappling with how to bring about Islamic governance while maintaining rights. For liberals, the introduction of measures such as hudud violates the shared democratic ideals, as there remains deep mistrust of Islamists in office. For secularists, hudud violates their view of governance. Doubts persist in some quarters about whether the Islamists will continue to hold to the ideals in office, respect different religious rights and, importantly, tolerate difference within their own community. Detractors point to Algeria and Iran as testimony to a potential violation of trust. Others more open-minded highlight the negotiated paths of Turkey and Morocco. For Malaysia, the hudud issue remains on the agenda, unresolved and unlikely to be so before polls. In public remarks, Mr Anwar has stressed the centrality of dialogue and principle of consensus. There appears to be a working agreement to agree to disagree. Among Islamists there has been a global trend towards greater accommodation of difference and an appreciation of constitutional frameworks for governance. Many in the PAS old guard, nevertheless, are tied to the vision of a religious theocracy that is increasingly becoming outmoded, even in Egypt where the President comes from one of the historically strongest advocates of these measures, the Muslim Brotherhood. Islamists the world over are having to reprioritise their principles in order to govern societies, and PAS will have to as well. What is important is that it will need to do this on its own terms, rather than respond to ultimatums from allies and opponents alike. Hudud will remain salient to this campaign, because at its core, it puts pressure on Malaysia's Opposition to reassess, reaffirm and reinforce their common moral priorities. It is this common ground however, that is Pakatan's moral compact — and for now it is on firm ground. — Today Bridget Welsh is Associate Professor of Political Science at the Singapore Management University.
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| Biro Politik PKR akan bincang kedudukan Faekah malam ini Posted: 09 Oct 2012 04:52 PM PDT
(The Malaysian Insider) - Isu berkenaan dengan kedudukan Setiausaha Politik Menteri Besar Selangor, Faekah Husin dijangka akan dibincangkan dalam mesyuarat mingguan Biro Politik PKR malam ini. Ekoran desakan daripada beberapa pemimpin PKR Selangor dan juga biro politik negeri baru-baru ini agar Faekah dipecat dari jawatannya berikutan komen kepada media menjawab kenyataan Timbalan Presiden PKR, Azmin Ali, perkara ini terpaksa dibincangkan untuk meredakan keadaan. Azmin Ali sebelum itu menyentuh kedudukan Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim mungkin tidak lagi menjadi menteri besar Selangor jika Pakatan Rakyat (PR) mengambil alih Putrajaya selepas pilihan raya umum (PRU) ke-13. Sinar Harian Online melaporkan sumber memberitahu surat meminta agar Faekah diambil tindakan telah dihantar kepada Setiausaha Agung PKR, Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, semalam. "Ya, surat sudah dihantar kepada lembaga disiplin menerusi Setiausaha Agung, jadi saya percaya bahawa pejabat Setiausaha Agung akan membawa perkara ini kepada Biro Politik untuk memutuskan sama ada lembaga disiplin perlu mengadakan siasatan atau sebaliknya. "Kandungan surat ini meminta agar Faekah diambil tindakan disiplin... bentuk tindakan kita serahkan kepada pusat, walaupun ada yang meminta beliau dipecat (sebagai Setiausaha Politik Menteri Besar)," kata sumber dipetik dari Sinar Harian Online. Biro Politik dianggotai oleh pemimpin-pemimpin kanan PKR dan Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim juga kebiasaannya akan hadir. Dalam sidang media baru-baru ini, Ketua Penerangan PKR Selangor, Shuhaimi Shafiei berkata, kepimpinan parti itu menyerahkan sepenuhnya isu gesaan Faekah dipecat kepada Jawatankuasa Disiplin PKR untuk dipertimbangkan. Bagaimanapun beliau enggan mengulas lanjut berhubung pertikaian itu termasuk desakan yang dibuat Pengarah Pilihan Raya PKR Selangor, Borhan Aman Shah pada sidang media kelmarin. "Saya tiada komen lanjut kerana perkara ini telah diusulkan kepada pihak terlibat untuk diserahkan kepada Jawatankuasa Disiplin," katanya. Malah semalam, Azmin yang juga Pengerusi PKR Selangor berkata, beliau menyerahkan kepada Setiausaha Agung parti berhubung dengan isu kedudukan Faekah. Isu berkenaan dengan pemecatan Faekah telah lama dibangkitkan akan tetapi isu tersebut reda seketika. Namun begitu baru-baru ini Faekah kembali diserang akibat daripada tindakannya mengkritik Azmin secara terbuka.
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| Posted: 09 Oct 2012 04:34 PM PDT |
| Posted: 09 Oct 2012 04:24 PM PDT
(NST) - A former DAP leader yesterday cautioned those who wished to join the party that its top leadership do not have much tolerance for dissent. Wangsa Maju member of parliament (MP) Wee Choo Keong said the leadership style in the DAP had not changed since he left the party in 1998. "If I'm not mistaken, more than 150 leaders have either been sacked, forced out or resigned due to their ability to be opinionative against the party leadership," he said. Wee was commenting on recent reports where several groups who wanted to join DAP were prevented from forming new branches by the party leadership. Wee said one was only encouraged to form branches that was in "alignment with the Lim dynasty", in reference to DAP supermo Lim Kit Siang and his son secretary-general Lim Guan Eng. On Monday, it was reported that former DAP branch chairman of Taman Seri Sungai Pelek in Sepang had applied to establish six new branches but the party had never responded. Last month, delegates at a Perak DAP convention had also accused party leaders of preventing members from forming new branches. Wee said that it was highly unlikely that the relatively large number of former DAP leaders who were forced to leave the party over the years have all been 'bad apples'. Some of these former DAP leaders included the then, Seputeh MP and national vice-chairman Liew Ah Kim, Sandakan MP and national treasurer Fung Ket Wing, DAP Penang chief Teoh Teik Huat, Johor state chairman K. S Song and Bukit Bintang MP Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye. "If you are threat to the Lim dynasty, you cannot even talk at a forum within the party, let alone speak your mind outside," he said. Recalling his removal from the party, Wee said he was given the boot due to the nature of his responses to certain questions posed at a forum. "Those answers were not favourable to the Lim dynasty," he said. Wee explained that during the DAP's disciplinary committee meeting on his case, he had not been allowed to call witnesses on his own behalf. "DAP is shouting for freedom, and what is happening contradicts the very concept of national justice, where one has the right to be heard," he said. Wee said one had to bow down to the "supremos" in order to form new branches. As a DAP leader, Wee, who was considered as a "rising star" at that time was elected as a member of parliament for Bukit Bintang from 1990 to 1995. He was sacked from the party in 1998 and moved on to Parti Keadilan Rakyat 10 years later after being persuaded to join the party by de-facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He remained in PKR for two years, where after much speculation, he finally quit. It was reported that Wee said he was leaving the party because he was disappointed with the Pakatan Rakyat state-led government's handling of alleged corruption in Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd. He resigned from all party posts which included his deputy chairman post in Federal Territory PKR and supreme council membership.
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| Budget 2013: Both Pakatan and Barisan Should Focus on Job Creation Posted: 09 Oct 2012 04:03 PM PDT
Khoo Kay Peng We have seen the budget presentation from both sides of the political divide. Both coalitions are addressing socio-economic issues through various forms of grants, subsidies and assistance. However, we have not seen much about the need to create jobs locally. At present, more than 30% of graduates are unemployed due to several reasons. Prospective employers opine that our local graduates lacked the necessary communication skills and English language proficiency. Some blame the attitude and excessive remuneration demand.
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| Anwar should control Azmin’s agenda Posted: 09 Oct 2012 03:55 PM PDT A PKR in disarray is Anwar in disarray because we know they are one and the same. CT Ali, FMT Before Anwar Ibrahim can lead Pakatan Rakyat into battle with Barisan Nasional at the 13th general election, before he can ask for the people to cast their votes his way, before he can seriously think that he can be prime minister, before all this can happen, he must first put right what is wrong within PKR. A PKR in disarray is Anwar in disarray because we know they are one and the same. I have been told many times by those in PKR that the affairs in the party are not the concern of anyone except those in PKR. But in an election year even how Maggi Mee and Kachip Fatimah do the marketing of their products is of interest to everybody – what more the happenings in PKR. That is why when PKR deputy president Azmin Ali tells us that Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim will be given a Cabinet post should Pakatan win the government, we want to know whether this is Azmin talking, PKR/Anwar talking or Pakatan talking? And more to the point, if Khalid is given a Cabinet post, who will be menteri besar of Selangor? Surely not Azmin! The entire fracas has taken me back to January this year when we were awaiting the verdict on Anwar's Sodomy ll trial. What was uppermost in my mind was not whether Anwar would be found innocent or guilty of that charge. Either way, I know that the trial has already turned many of our people against Najib Tun Razak and Umno, and will hurt them where it matters most – at the ballot box. So any verdict would be a victory for Pakatan. Of more concern to many of us was what would happen in PKR if Anwar was incarcerated? Who would take over PKR? Surely not Azmin? Today the same question is being asked: who will take over Khalid's place as menteri besar of Selangor. And the reason is very simple. Khalid may have his faults but there is no questioning of his integrity and his commitment to good governance in Selangor. Consider these:
Azmin's misgivings Now what has Azmin done since he became deputy president of PKR? His battle cry during the 2010 party elections was reform: clean up and refocus on PKR. What has he cleaned up within PKR and what has he refocused PKR towards? Like Najib, everything that you want Azmin to do, he has promised to do or said he will do. Like Najib, all that we want him to be, he will be. Like Najib, we know that what he does within PKR is not for PKR but for the advancement of his political agenda. So are we going to endure Azmin any more? As they say, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. So how is that Anwar is unable to see the misgivings we have for Azmin's position as PKR deputy president?
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| Posted: 09 Oct 2012 03:51 PM PDT Is Pakatan facing a wipe-out in Selangor, given the innumerable number of 'new' names on the voter list. Selena Tay, FMT According to DAP's Teluk Intan MP, M Manogaran, sources are speculating that the 13th general election is targeted for November but before that a big national Deepavali celebration will be held by Barisan Nasional to woo the Indian voters. Well, we will just have to wait and see if this is true. If indeed the polls are to be held on the last weekend of November, Parliament will have to be dissolved latest by Nov 5 as the current Parliament sitting is scheduled to go on till Nov 27. This means that the budget will have to be re-tabled in the new parliament term. The terminology used in this matter is: "to re-do the budget". In the meantime, the focus is still on the controversial electoral rolls and Pakatan Rakyat. Several non-governmental organisations will be seeking to hold a rally in the Bukit Jalil Stadium on Nov 3 to protest the fact that the electoral rolls have yet to be cleaned up. Based on the current electoral rolls, there are 10 Pakatan MPs who are most likely to lose their parliamentary seats in the 13th general election. The 10 are: 1. Nurul Izzah Anwar (Lembah Pantai, PKR) 2. R Sivarasa (Subang, PKR) 3. William Leong (Selayang, PKR) 4. Zuraida Kamarudin (Ampang, PKR) 5. Titiwangsa (a PAS seat. A young PAS lawyer will be contesting this seat.) 6. Dr Siti Mariah (Kota Raja, PAS) 7. Dzulkefly Ahmad (Kuala Selangor, PAS) 8. Khalid Samad (Shah Alam, PAS) 9. Charles Santiago (Klang, DAP) 10.Teo Nie Ching (Serdang, DAP) Looking at the above list, one can see that eight out of the 10 seats are in Selangor. The two KL seats are Lembah Pantai and Titiwangsa which belonged to the late Dr Lo'lo' Ghazali of PAS. This simply shows that Selangor is under severe threat from the BN side. As for Nurul Izzah, in 2008 she won by a majority of 2,895 votes. Currently, there are over 10,000 new names in her constituency. Dzulkefly won by a slim margin of 862 votes in the previous general election. He too has over 10,000 new names in his constituency. Both will need a miracle to win this time around as all their efforts and hard work may not be sufficient. Wipe-out ahead? So is Pakatan going to face a massive wipe-out? The Election Commission's (EC) stubbornness in refusing to clean up the electoral roll certainly indicates that something is afoot. Is the EC really impartial and independent? The Pakatan MPs have written to the EC several times to initiate a meeting in regard to the electoral roll but all to no avail. The EC officers' reluctance to meet with the Pakatan MPs to discuss issues pertaining to the electoral roll does not reflect well on the former's professionalism. These officers must realise that they are public servants. The rakyat pay taxes and pay their salaries. Therefore the EC's duty is solely towards the rakyat. This shows that under the the Najib administration, things have become worse and the same goes for the Auditor-General's Report. As at time of writing, the Auditor-General's Report is still not out yet. Sad to say, the Najib administration has the worst performance in regard to the Auditor-General's Report. During Dr Mahathir Mohamad's tenure it was always on time, sometimes one, two or even seven days earlier. If not, then the Audit-General's Report was always on the table of all MPs on the same day that the budget is presented. During Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's tenure, it was late at times but not more than three days late. Najib Tun Razak's tenure is the worst. Last year, it was 17 days late. Looks like all the hype surrounding the Key Performance Index (KPI) is just for show only as even the crime rate seems to have worsened. Najib's lost control Even the influx of foreign workers has become worse. There are daily press reports of gangfights and killings among foreign workers and this gives a bad image to the country.
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| Presiden Gaps, Hamidzun Khairuddin, didakwa salah laku Posted: 09 Oct 2012 03:44 PM PDT
Berikutan dakwaan penyelewengan tersebut Hamidzun Khairuddin telah disenarai hitam oleh PKNS. (FMT) - Presiden Gabungan Anti-Penyelewengan Selangor (Gaps) yang kerapkali membongkar pelbagai dakwaan kononnya berlaku penyelewengan di negeri Selangor kini didakwa pula melakukan penyelewengan. Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) Selangor telah menemui beberapa dokumen yang menyatakan bahawa Hamidzun Khairuddin ini pernah melakukan penyelewengan ketika menjadi peguam kepada Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor (PKNS). Penyelaras Bersama SAMM Selangor Azhar Achil mendakwa penyelewengan tersebut telah menyebabkan beliau disenarai hitam oleh PKNS. "Walaupun kononnya Hamidzun telah membayar semula wang selepas itu setelah dipaksa tetapi dari segi profesionalisme guaman ia tetap merupakan suatu kesalahan," kata Azhar dalam satu kenyataan media. Beliau selaku penyelaras SAMM Selangor membuat laporan polis di IPD Sabak Bernam semalam ke atas kewujudan dua dokumen yang menyatakan penyelewengan yang dilakukan Hamidzun. Menurutnya, Hamidzun ialah rakan kongsi dalam syarikat peguam Zamri Ibrahim & Co. yang telah menyeleweng wang ketika menjadi panel peguam PKNS. "Satu siasatan harus dilakukan dan jika benar perkara ini berlaku beliau seharusnya dilucutkan dari menjadi seorang peguam kerana jelas telah menipu dan dikhuatiri ramai lagi akan tertipu dengan gelaran peguamnya itu," kata Azhar.
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| Raise the speed limit before implementing AES Posted: 09 Oct 2012 03:41 PM PDT
road avenger A supposedly staggering figure of 63,558 offences were reportedly detected by 14 AES cameras in a span of over eight days. That works out to be approximately 4539 offences recorded per camera, and 567 offences in a day. With such figures, somebody will be laughing all the way to the bank.
Does anybody bother to ask what the primary reason is for such a high number of offences commited? I certainly don't see a lot of drivers beating the traffic lights, even in the city center. Besides, how many drivers or cars can jump the traffic light before other cars on the other side starts moving on green? The only plausible and most possibble explanation is the outdated speed limits on many roads and highways. Many sections of highways have speed limits of only 60km/h, when in reality, if adhered to, will slow down traffic and cause bottlenecks and massive jams (not to mention honkings from angry drivers behind you). It could even cause accidents, as drivers try to overtake drivers who strictly follow the speed limits. Take a drive on the NPE and you will see how ridiculous those speed limits are. Even 80km/h is far too slow for some sections. From my observation, almost no drivers follow these ridiculously slow speed limits, and with thousands of cars using the roads everyday, AES would capture tens of thousands of these "offenders". The best solution is either to raise the speed limits, or only issue summons if the driver exceeded the speed limit by more than 20km/h |
| DAP slams ‘malicious’ PAS leader Posted: 09 Oct 2012 03:39 PM PDT Sarawak DAP denies the allegations by Nasharuddin Mat Isa that it held a prayer to turn Malaysia into a Christian state. G Vinod, FMT Former PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa's claim that DAP prayed to turn Malaysia into a Christian state is malicious and irresponsible, said Sarawak DAP today. Speaking at a press conference at Parliament, Sarawak DAP chairman Wong Ho Leng said they merely held several thanksgiving dinners as gratitude to those who had helped them during the state election. "We held dinners in Kuching, Sibu, Sarikei, Bintangor, Bintulu and Miri after the state election. Nasharuddin did not even identify in which event the alleged prayer was made," said Wong. Also present were DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang, national publicity chief Tony Pua, Sarawak DAP secretary Chong Chieng Jen and Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun. Yesterday, Nasharuddin accused DAP of holding a prayer session to turn Malaysia into a Christian state after the party won 12 seats in the Sarawak state election. He made the allegation during the National Islamic Missionary Movement Seminar held at the Putra World Trade Centre. In his rebuttal, Wong said that many other leaders from Pakatan Rakyat attended the dinners and could confirm that Nasharuddin's allegation was untrue. He also said that he would lodge a police report against Nasharuddin soon. "Sarawak DAP will not condone attempts by anyone to disrupt the peace and harmony enjoyed by people of various faiths in the state. "Besides, Christians only constitute nine percent of the country's population so there is no question of turning the country into a Christian state," he said. He also urged Nasharuddin to withdraw his remarks and apologise to DAP for his wrongful accusation. Whether they have spoken to PAS on the matter, Wong said they have yet to do so. "We will leave it to PAS to take action against him," said Wong.
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| Why MCA is more Multiracial than DAP? Posted: 09 Oct 2012 03:38 PM PDT  Shen Yee Aun Hanya separuh daripada jumlah kerusi MCA diperolehi dengan menewaskan calon pembangkang Cina. Separuh daripada kerusi MCA diperolehi dengan menewaskan calon pembangkang etnik India, Melayu dan pribumi. – Helen Ang 1. I am sure most Malaysian are aware that DAP is not truly a multiracial political party as they self proclaim themselves to be because they will only be contesting in all Chinese Majority Area Seats. 2. Even MCA as the only official Chinese Political Party in Malaysia do contest in other mix seats area where even during Mac 2008 Tsunami more than half of the seats they won is a area where they ( MCA ) are contesting against other races . 3. As for DAP most of the seats that they won and easily more than 90% are actually seats where they won through contesting against a Chinese candidate . 4. The only difference that differentiate MCA and DAP in terms of Chinese based political party will be that MCA membership only caters to Chinese Citizenship of Malaysia where on the other hand DAP open their membership to all the other races in Malaysia. Even that more than 90% of the members in DAP is Malaysian Chinese Citizenship. 5. The people support towards a political party will be an indication of how multiracial a political will be. If MCA is truly a racist Chinese political party then they wont be winning their total entire seats where half of it they won it through defeating other races in the General Election comparing to DAP where 90% of the entire seats that they won is through defeating a Chinese candidate in the election. 6. That indicates that MCA is more acceptable among other races like the Malays and Indians Malaysian if were to compare to DAP. Read more at: http://1sya.com/?p=2454
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| Mat Sabu comes to DAP’s defence Posted: 09 Oct 2012 03:34 PM PDT
Umno's claim that the party is out to turn Malaysia into a Christian state is preposterous, says PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu. Humayaun Kabir, FMT PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu lashed out at BN for fanning religious hatred among Muslims by saying that the DAP is out to turn Malaysia into a Christian state. "It is theoretically incorrect and practically impossible for DAP to turn the nation into a Christian state as the party does not enjoy two thirds majority in Parliament. "The constitution specifies that Islam is the religion of the Federation and Article 153 safeguards the special position of the Malays," he told a ceramah in Simpang on Sunday. Popularly referred to as Mat Sabu, the PAS leader pointed out that the most DAP can command is about 40 parliamentary seats out of the total 222 seats in Parliament. He said this was a far cry from the two thirds majority of 148 MPs necessary to make amendments to the Federal Constitution for Umno BN's preposterous claim to come true. He said that currently, there are 136 Muslims lawmakers while 86 are non-Muslims. In such a scenario, Mat Sabu asked the 3,000 strong crowd whether DAP can secure a mandate to make such a change. His audience responded with a vociferous 'No'. He said it was not DAP which was the enemy of Muslims but Umno as it uses race and religion to keep Malaysians divided for its expediency and continuous autocratic rule of the country. he ceramah, Mat Sabu told FMT that Umno was initially using its controlled media to propagate that it was DAP and PAS that were working against the interests of the Muslims. "Then later it changed tactics by alleging that DAP was collaborating with Singapore by using PAS as a puppet to take control of the country," said an angry Mat Sabu. He said Umno, in sheer desperation, had tried to break up the unity of the Pakatan coalition by pitting DAP against PAS but has failed miserably.
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| ‘Nasha jurucakap Umno dalam Pakatan’ Posted: 09 Oct 2012 03:28 PM PDT Ketua DHPP, Hu Pang Chow berkata, sepatutnya ahli Parlimen Bachok itu menyertai Umno. Muda Mohd Noor, FMT Dewan Himpunan Penyokong PAS Pusat (DHPP) berkata bekas Timbalan Presiden PAS, Nasharudin Mat Isa merupakan jurucakap Umno yang berada dalam Pakatan Rakyat. Ketua DHPP, Hu Pang Chow berkata, sepatutnya ahli Parlimen Bachok itu menyertai Umno. "Adakah kenyataan ini ada agenda tersembunyi? Kalau dia (Nasha) nak pertahankan Islam, nak tunjuk alim, dia sepatutnya dia perbetulkan orang Umno," kata Hu. Nasharudin petang kelmarin dilaporkan berkata, dalam menghadapi PRU13 mengingatkan parti itu agar tidak mengutamakan kuasa semata-mata dan sehingga sanggup meletakkan prinsip Islam di tempat kedua. Beliau yang juga ahli Majlis Syura PAS berkata, dalam konteks politik hari ini, masalah perpecahan umat sering dilupakan sedangkan ia adalah masalah utama yang perlu diselesaikan terlebih dahulu. Kata Nasharudin, beliau turut hairan mengapa usaha untuk membincangkan masalah umat Islam terutamanya melibatkan dua parti terbesar orang Melayu Islam iaitu parti Umno dan PAS sering dilihat 'taboo'. Beliau berkata demikian pada seminar dakwah Islamiyyah sebagai tunggak kekuatan umah di PWTC, semalam. Menang sendiri Katanya lagi, kemenangan Islam terletak di tangan umatnya sendiri tanpa bantuan dari bukan Islam. PAS berada dalam Pakatan Rakyat (PR) yang turut dianggotai DAP. Bagaimanapun, Hu menegaskan jika PAS bergabung dengan Umno ini bermakna parti Islam itu bersekongkol dengan penyalahguna kuasa, rasuah dan kezaliman yang dilakukan oleh Umno. "Orang Melayu banyak yang miskin, terlibat dengan jenayah dan gejala sosial. Adakah Nasharuddin mahu PAS terbabit sama?" tanya Hu. Dalam perkembangan lain, Timbalan Mursyidul Am PAS, Datuk Dr Haron Din dilaporkan mempersoalkan Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yang menghadiri pelancaran buku bertajuk Tinderbox: The Past and Future of Pakistan yang ditulis oleh bekas ahli Parlimen India, Mobashar Jawed Akbar yang dikatakan pernah menghina Islam.Sementara bekas ahli Parlimen PAS Sik, Datuk Shahnon juga mempersoalkan hubungan PAS dengan DAP.
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| Karpal v Nasha feud: leave it to the duo, says PAS Posted: 09 Oct 2012 12:54 AM PDT
(Malaysian Digest) - PAS maintains that the ongoing feud between DAP national chairman Karpal Singh and former PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa should be left to the duo. PAS central committee member Khalid Samad said Karpal's insistence on suing Nasharudin is his personal choice, Sinar Harian reported. Khalid, who is also Selangor Deputy PAS Commissioner II, said the party will not interfere as they have never asked any of its members to issue a callous statement. "That's a personal matter; it's up to Karpal if he still wants to sue Nasharudin or otherwise. "Moreover, PAS has never asked Nasharudin to issue a statement in that vein towards any other leaders. "But it doesn't mean if Karpal is anti-hudud, he is anti-Islam," the Shah Alam MP told reporters at the Parliament lobby today. Yesterday, Karpal had declared that he would continue his defamation proceedings against Nasharudin, after assessing the situation. Nasharudin was alleged to have defamed Karpal by claiming that the latter was against hudud and Islam. Nasharudin had said he was ready for legal action by Karpal. Other DAP and PAS leaders had previously also chosen to stay out of the fray and reiterated that the matter should be left between the two. Khalid, meanwhile, believed that the issue won't affect the outcome of the upcoming general election. He said the dispute doesn't involve any of the parties, and is confident that support for PAS will not be affected as a result. "That is purely his (Nasharudin) personal views, there's no need for the whole party to be involved. "We're certain that the people's support is still with us even if we don't interfere," he said.
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| Adakah Azmin Ali yang memasang kamera pengintip di bilik Menteri Besar Selangor Khalid Ibrahim Posted: 08 Oct 2012 08:07 PM PDT
(The Kuala Lumpur Post) - Nampaknya Khalid Ibrahim terpaksa juga mula belajar menerima hakikat dirinya sudah tidak diperlukan lagi oleh PKR setelah Timbalan Presiden PKR, Azmin Ali membuka mulut membuat kenyataan, kemungkinan Selangor akan mendapat Menteri Besar baru selepas selesai PRU 13. Azmin yang sebelum ini dikaitkan dengan aksi 'jual beli aiskrim' di dalam tandas sudah diketahui umum telah lama bercita-cita untuk menjadi MB dan seringkali cuba mengganggu gugat kelancaran pentadbiran Khalid di negeri itu. Malah pendedahan oleh MB Selangor itu berhubung penemuan sebuah kamera pengintip di balik tabir langsir dalam pejabatnya sebelum ini juga berkait rapat dengan usaha-usaha terancang dalam PKR untuk menjatuhkan Khalid bagi digantikan dengan Azmin. Melihat pada hubungannya yang rapat dengan Ketua Umum PKR, Anwar Ibrahim tidak sukar untuk kita fahami kenyataan terbaru Azmin ini tentunya sudah mendapat lampu hijau dari Anwar. Mahu tidak mahu, Khalid sudah boleh menguburkan terus hasratnya menyambung khidmat sebagai MB untuk penggal kedua selepas PRU 13 nanti. Mungkin sementara menanti PRU 13 bermula secara rasmi, Khalid boleh memulakan tabiat seperti Anwar pula dengan berangan-angan untuk menjadi Menteri. Dalam kenyataan kepada media itu juga, Azmin turut mengesahkan perkara tersebut telah dibincangkan oleh pemimpin tertinggi PR namun belum ada kata putus. Ini bermakna, dikalangan ramai pemimpin PR sendiri kelihatannya lebih condong untuk meminggirkan Khalid dari jawatan MB walaupun seringkali bekas CEO Guthrie itu dipotretkan sebagai MB yang cemerlang khidmatnya. Barangkali masing-masing juga sudah terlalu penat dengan pelbagai kontroversi yang melanda pentadbiran kerajaan negeri sejak Khalid menerajui Selangor, disebabkan itu spekulasi ini sengaja ditimbulkan. Keterlanjuran Khalid dalam isu air dengan memfokuskan tumpuan pada perihal penyusunan semula pengurusan bekalan air sehingga mengambil langkah songsang menangguhkan loji Langat 2 dan PPAMPS juga dipercayai turut mempengaruhi pandangan ramai pemimpin PR untuk cenderung melucutnya dari jawatan MB. Kasihan Khalid, belum pun penggal pertama sebagai MB berakhir, orang-orang kuat parti sudah ramai yang naik menyampah dengannya. Apa paun, kenyataan Azmin itu jelas membayangkan PKR masih menyimpan sisa-sisa harapan yang negeri itu akan kekal dalam genggaman pakatan pembangkang sekalipun realiti semasa dan mood khalayak umum di Selangor adalah sebaliknya. Tak salah kalau Azmin pun mahu turut berangan, apatah lagi sambil berilusi strategiknya kali ini akan membolehkannya ditabalkan sebagai MB baru Selangor, walau hakikatnya saat ini majoriti rakyat Selangor lebih berminat untuk mencampak terus semua pemimpin PR ke dalam longkang. Dengan mengetepikan senario dan realiti semasa serta kecenderungan pengundi di Selangor tika ini, kita andaikan saja PR benar-benar masih diberi peluang memerintah Selangor, itu bermakna seorang MB baru pastinya akan dilantik datangnya dari salah satu parti dalam gabungan PR. Jika itu terjadi, maksudnya bakal MB Selangor yang baru nanti tentulah seorang bekas pelakon video seks yang terbabit secara langsung melakukan urusan jual beli 'aiskrim' dalam tandas. Sangguhkah rakyat Selangor menerimanya?
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| Uthayakumar’s lieutenant joins PKR Posted: 08 Oct 2012 05:18 PM PDT Hindraf leader S Jayathas has joined PKR, saying the political party can provide a better platform to champion the cause of the Indians. B Nantha Kumar, FMT S Jayathas, regarded as Hindraf leader P Uthayakumar's most trusted lietenant, has now joined PKR. During a press conference at the PKR headquarters today, Jayathas submitted his membership application form to party vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar. Also present were vice-president N Surendran, Subang MP R Sivarasah and other party officials. Jayathas said he decided to work with PKR because he needed a stronger platform to champion the cause of the Indian community. However, he refused to answer questions on whether he considered Hindraf no longer relevant. "For the time being, PKR is the better party to fight towards a better future of the Indians," he said. He added that PKR had shown genuine concern for the Indian community and was committed to address their grouses. Jayathas was one of the pioneer members of PKR but left the party due to his activeness in the Hindraf movement. The Malacca-born businessman was defeated by BN candidate in the Merlimau state assembly seat in the 2004 state election where he contested under a PKR banner.
Jayathas' departure from Hindraf would render a blow to the movement, which over the years had lost its influence among the Indian community. In an immediate reaction, Hindraf Youth chief S Thiagarajan, Jayathas had joined PKR because he was suffering from financial problems. "We had a meeting last Friday where Jayathas told us that he wanted to join PKR because he received a 'better offer'," he said, without elaborating. However, Thiagarajan said Hindraf was grateful to Jayathas' contribution to the movement. Responding to Thiagarajan's claims, Jayathas said he would have joined Barisan Nasional if monetary reward was his motivation.
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| PKR wants Lajim to contest both seats Posted: 08 Oct 2012 05:16 PM PDT
(Daily Express) - The district's PKR Supreme Council has unanimously agreed that Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin contest the Beaufort parliamentary seat and Klias State seat in the next election. Beaufort PKR Chief, Abd Jairin Ukin, proposed this during the division's AGM held here last Sunday. Abd Jairih said the unanimous decision was also firmly supported by all Beaufort PKR members and that they also pledged to ensure all Pakatan Rakyat candidates in the area concerned win in the general elections. "This undivided support was based on the firm spirit of cooperation and understanding that has been forged for so long among the PKR and Pakatan components especially in the Beaufort parliamentary constituency," he said. In fact, he claimed, support for the Pakatan has increased as evidenced by the number of people joining the opposition after Lajim joined the Pakatan. Prior to this, he said, there was some opposition from among PKR members here who have worked hard for the party when they heard that Lajim would be contesting the two constituencies. "But based on understanding and one objective, we have unanimously supported Lajim's candidacy in the two constituencies," he said. Abd Jairih said this is the advantage of being in the Pakatan where the struggle is to defend the welfare and plight of the people who hunger for change. A total of 65 application forms were handed in to join PKR during the event.
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| Posted: 08 Oct 2012 04:49 PM PDT In theory, these ten positions are merely ceremonial with no executive powers. In practice, however, the ten Monarchs wield more power than you think. And if the Sultan can order the police to detain his own brother and the police will comply (read the news item below) do you not think that the Rulers can order the military to do what they feel is needed for this country? NO HOLDS BARRED Raja Petra Kamarudin
Mentally ill man attacks drunk (The Star) - A drunk was shaken out of his stupor when his mentally ill neighbour attacked him with a machete. The neighbour approached the man who was sitting outside his house in Cheras and drinking yesterday afternoon. The neighbour attacked the man, injuring him on the head. The man escaped and ran to a nearby police station. Police detained the 35-year-old neighbour. ********************************************* Neighbour 1: "I thought you said you do not drink any more." Neighbour 2: "I don't. I drink exactly the same amount as I always drink. I don't drink any more than usual." Neighbour 1: "That's means you don't drink any less either then." Neighbour 2: "No, I don't drink any less, but I also don't drink any more." Neighbour 1: "Aiyah. You ni dah mabuk lah!" Neighbour 2: "Ah, yes, but tomorrow I will be sober while you will still be…" And that was when neighbour 1 attacked neighbour 2 with a parang. And what would the moral of this story be? The moral of the story is: never ague with a mad chap. When they lose the argument they will resort to violence. And this is what we appear to be seeing in Malaysia of late. Malaysian politics is hovering around the fringes of violence. It is not that serious yet. It is still only splashing of red paint, breaking of windscreens, throwing of stones, fisticuffs and cuts and bruises on the face, etc. But then that is how it all starts, isn't it so? Tempers are rising. People are beginning to allow the suppressed feelings of frustration to surface. Both sides feel that the 13th General Election is the final lap that will determine who is going to take power come dinner time of Polling Day. It is now or never. Hence the coming general election has to be an all-out race where winner takes all and loser loses all. And this is why the ante has been upped. In a system where winner takes all and loser loses all, there is no margin for compromise. It is an all or nothing situation. And if you want all rather than nothing, then you need to fight tooth and nail to win because losing cannot be an option. Have we maybe forgotten the original objective of a general election? Why do we even have a general election in the first place? The intention of a general election is to allow the people (citizens) to rule themselves. This is opposed to the old monarchy system where a Ruler rules over the people. In a monarchy system, power is hereditary. Basically, God decides who rules over you. And God makes this decision through the successors of the Ruler (in Islam called Caliph). Hence the people have no choice as to who rules over them since the decision is in the hands of God. Since then the system has changed somewhat. For Malaysia that would be August 1957 -- and about 100 years earlier for Europe and 200 years earlier for the US. Malaysia has what we call a Constitutional Monarchy. That means the people get to choose who they want to rule over them with the Monarchy being basically a means to maintain some checks and balances. That is in theory, of course. But is this how it works in practice? Actually, in practice anything goes. The Sultan can banish the dentist who was late going to the palace and the dentist can be escorted out of the state immediately. The Sultan can refuse the choice of Chief Minister (Menteri Besar) if he does not like the chap. The Sultan can order the detention of his own brother and mother. In short, the Rulers can do quite a lot, far beyond what their powers under the Constitution allow. Is this legal? Well, if the Ruler does something far beyond what the Constitution allows then of course it is not legal. But who is going to argue with the Sultan? The OCPD? The CPO? The IGP? The Minister of Home Affairs? The Prime Minister? Technically, the police or government can refuse the Sultan. In practice, no one wants to be the mouse that bells the cat. Hence, in practice, the Sultan can order the police to kick you out of the state if His Highness does not like the colour of your shirt. And the police will do just that without arguing with the Sultan that this action is not allowed under the law. Now, the police take orders from the government, mainly the Minister. The military, however, have a different chain of command. Have you noticed that most times it is the Colonels who head military coups? Well, that is because most times the Colonels are the Camp Commanders and the military has been trained to take orders from their Commanders. Hence the Colonels take charge of the military coups and they can even order the arrest or execution of the generals. Now, the British, in their wisdom, have made all the nine Rulers the Colonels-in-Chief of the various branches of the armed forces. And the Agong is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Hence we have nine Colonels-in-Chief with one Commander-in-Chief who is also the Supreme Head of the Federation. In theory, these ten positions are merely ceremonial with no executive powers. In practice, however, the ten Monarchs wield more power than you think. And if the Sultan can order the police to detain his own brother and the police will comply (read the news item below) do you not think that the Rulers can order the military to do what they feel is needed for this country? In theory, the nine state Rulers are supposed to act on the advice of the Chief Ministers (Menteris Besar) while the Agong is supposed to act on the advice of the Prime Minister. But can we be assured that this will always be the case? Let us look at a hypothetical situation. Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak seeks an audience with the Agong to request the dissolution of Parliament. At the same time, the nine Menteris Besar also seek an audience with the nine state Rulers to request permission to dissolve the nine State Assemblies. And the three Chief Ministers in Penang, Melaka, and Sabah also do the same (but with the Governors of the States). Parliament and the 12 State Assemblies (except Sarawak) are then dissolved. Technically, there is no longer a government and Malaysia is headed by a caretaker Prime Minister. The country is run by the civil service while the Elections Commission (SPR) takes charge of the federal and state elections and is answerable to the Rulers. Yes, the civil service is now running the country with SPR running the elections. And the State Secretaries will 'report' to the state Rulers while the KSN will 'report' to the Agong. The SPR head will also 'report' to the Agong. And the military will be on standby in case the Rulers decide that an Emergency needs to be declared because of a breakdown in law and order. So you see, even though in theory the position of the Constitutional Monarchs is purely ceremonial, in practice they actually have more power than you think. And while you may argue that Malaysia's system does not allow a military takeover with the Monarchs heading an Emergency government, who is going to go face the Rulers to argue with them? Did not Chairman Mao say that power comes out from the barrel of the gun? So, in whose hands are these 250,000 or so guns? And if the current splashing of red paint, breaking of windscreens, throwing of stones, fisticuffs and cuts and bruises on the face, etc., escalates to something more serious like that case of the mentally ill chap slashing his drunk neighbour with a parang, do you think the Rulers will just turn away and do nothing? I think we should cool our tempers a bit. We are currently only hovering around the fringes of violence. But it takes very little to move from the fringes into the centre. The right (or wrong) words and the shouting match can turn into a melee. I have tried, again and again, to caution you readers of Malaysia Today to tone down the rhetoric a bit. I know when you can post insults behind the security of your computer without having to reveal your identity everyone can be brave. And I see many 'brave' readers posting comments in Malaysia Today because they need not reveal themselves. But eventually the mocking and insults will migrate to a higher level. And when that happens it will be too late to back down. Elections should be about the people choosing who they want to rule over them for the next five years. But when it is reduced to the level of one race (or religion) 'fighting for survival' against another, then politics takes on a whole new dimension, which I think most Malaysians would not want to experience. Kerana mulut, badan binasa. Always remember that. Don't test the resolve of the Rulers to end this current madness called 'Malaysian political culture'. It is not the kind of culture we will enjoy seeing. And as has been proven in many other countries, once we adopt this culture it is very difficult to turn back the clock. Wounds do not heal so easily and grudges can be retained over many generations, again, as has been proven in many other countries. ********************************************* I did not commit any offence, says Tengku Fakhry (Bernama) - The Sultan of Kelantan's brother, Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra told the High Court yesterday that he had not committed any criminal offence on 30 July 2009, the day he was confined by police. Tengku Muhammad Fakhry, 34, testified that he was neither informed of any criminal wrongdoing nor the reason for his detention by the police in the Istana Mahkota grounds, in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan. "I was confined for at least an hour by the police and not allowed to leave the palace grounds that day," he said during the proceedings against Inspector General of Police (IGP), Tan Sri Ismail Omar and three others related to his alleged wrongful confinement on July 30 2009. He added that his lawyer, Datuk Mohd Haziq Pillay, was also in the car with him at the time. The fifth plaintiff' witness said, just before he was detained by the police he had driven out the Bentley Brooklands car which belonged to his father, Sultan Ismail Petra, from the palace garage. Tengku Muhammad Fakhry said prior to that day his father had instructed him to drive the car down to Singapore. However, as he was about to drive the car out of the palace grounds a Volvo had blocked his way and the main gates were closed. Tengku Muhammad Fakhry described the situation as scary saying he saw several armed policemen moving in and out of the palace. During cross-examination by senior federal counsel, Azizan Md Arshad, who represented the defendants, Tengku Muhammad Fakhry said he was not aware of the order issued by his brother, the acting Sultan of Kelantan at the time, Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra, prohibiting him from taking the car out of the palace. He also refuted Azizan's suggestion that the police had actually prevented the Bentley Brooklands from being taken out of the palace grounds and had not confined him. The plaintiff filed a RM150 million suit on Dec 9 last year, naming the IGP; the Kelantan Sultan's chief personal bodyguard, ASP Norazman Ismail; Kelantan police chief at the time, Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi, and the Royal Malaysian Police as the first to fourth defendants respectively. In his statement of claim, Tengku Muhammad Fakhry alleged that he was wrongfully confined on July 30, 2009 in the compound of Istana Mahkota, Kubang Kerian as he was about to leave in a Bentley Brooklands car. He is seeking RM100 million in general damages, RM50 million in aggravated and exemplary damages, interest at a rate of four per cent, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court. The trial before Judge Datin Zabariah Mohd Yusof resumes today.
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| Chamil openly apologises to Seputeh MP Posted: 08 Oct 2012 02:44 PM PDT
(The Star) - Utusan Malaysia columnist Datuk Chamil Wariya and Utusan Melayu Sdn Bhd have openly apologised to Seputeh MP Teresa Kok in a High Court here, as part of a settlement in a defamation suit. The apology was read yesterday by lawyer Zalil Mohd Mess for Chamil and TKB Mohana Kumar for Utusan Melayu before High Court judge Justice Dr Hamid Sultan Abu Backer. He also ordered Utusan Melayu to pays costs of RM50,000 and to publish an apology in the daily. Earlier, lawyer Sankara Nair who acted for Kok, submitted that both parties had resolved the matter out of court. Nair said based on settlement terms the first defendant Chamil had to read the apology in open court with no order as to costs. "The second defendant Utusan Melayu also has to read the apology in open court, pay RM50,000 in costs to plaintiff Teresa Kok and publish an apology in the Sudut Sastera column in its Sunday edition, Mingguan Malaysia," he said. Zalil who read the apology for Chamil said he (Chamil) regretted that his short story had been used in Mingguan Malaysia which was published on Dec 12, 2008. Zalil stressed that some of the characters in the short story had been changed. Mohana objected to the assertions made by Chamil and asked the court to record it. Mohana, who read the apology for Utusan Malaysia, said they had changed several names without affecting the story line. He said they regretted their actions and apologised to Kok.
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| Kerjasama Pas dan DAP bercanggah dengan kehendak Islam - Shahnon (with Haron Din video) Posted: 08 Oct 2012 02:31 PM PDT
(Bernama) -- Perjuangan politik PAS kini tidak lagi menepati kehendak Islam apabila parti itu bekerjasama dengan DAP, kata Sasterawan Negara Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Shahnon Ahmad. Beliau berkata apa yang dilakukan oleh PAS sekarang ialah hanya menuruti kehendak politik DAP dan pendekatan seumpama itu bercanggah dengan kehendak Islam kerana PAS sepatutnya memimpin dalam memperjuang Islam. 74OEaEqVjY8
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| Posted: 08 Oct 2012 02:17 PM PDT
WILD ALLEGATIONS: Give us list of suspect postal voters, says election panel (NST) - THE Election Commission yesterday asked Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to back his claims that the postal voters' roll was questionable. The opposition leader had claimed that the 304,136 names in the list, which was gazetted in June, were suspect. "The thing is, there are only 272,247 names listed as postal voters... which electoral role did he cross-check with?" EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof asked at a news conference here. Aziz said the EC also had issues with several other claims it said were wild allegations. These included claims that there were 64,000 suspect postal voters included on April 9, 2010; there were 77,246 new voters excluded from the 2008 electoral roll; there were 2,522 suspect names of members of the armed forces and the police; there were 4.38 million voters without addresses while 3.3 million more only had house numbers; and that localities in Selangor were reduced to 13,813 from 24,479. On the 77,246 names that are now in the electoral roll, Aziz explained that when a person registered as a voter, it did not mean that he would automatically be eligible to vote. Instead, his application would go through the due processes including the setting of locality, displaying of his application for any protest, and possible public inquiry. He also asked Anwar to hand over the sets of 64,000 and 77,246 names that had been called into question. On the 2,522 armed forces and police personnel whose names were not matched to their MyKad, Aziz said the EC was in the midst of matching their names to the identification documents. He said in the coming general election, the EC would be using their 12-digit identification number as in their MyKad. On the issue of questionable addresses, he said prior July 16, 2002, those who were above 21 could provide any addresses as the EC did not have the facilities to verify them. Since then, with the Agency Link-up System, addresses given to the EC by the applicants had to match their MyKad. Meanwhile, the shrinking number of localities in Selangor was due to sub-divisions carried out in 2009, June 2010, and twice last year, Aziz said. He said the EC had gone to great lengths to investigate claims, even those described as absurd, such as the allegation by Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) that anyone could register as voters using a fake MyKad. |
| Whistleblowing is an Islamic duty Posted: 08 Oct 2012 01:47 PM PDT  Maszlee Malik, The Malay Mail There were countless incidents during a lifetime of Prophet Muhammad where a use of whistleblowing was sanctioned.  Among them is a auspicious convention as reported by a single of his companions, Jabir garbage bin Abdullah, who listened a soothsayer say: "Discussions have been trusted (not subject to disclosure) except in three areas: "Shedding wrong blood, wrong cohabitation as great as wrong accumulation of wealth." (Narrated by Abu Dawud)In another hadith, Zaid garbage bin Khalid reported which Prophet Muhammad said: "Shall you not tell you who is a most appropriate of witnesses? The a single who brings his sworn statement before being asked to do so, or tells his sworn statement when he is asked for it." (Narrated by Malik). It is evident from this convention which a soothsayer was enlivening hisummahto blow a alarm voluntarily, as a dignified requisite towards a maslahah, (public interest as great as benefits of a incomparable society). If you look during it from a point of view ofamru bil maaruf(enjoining goodness) as great as wal nahy an almunkar(forbidding wrongdoing) or from a perspective ofshahada(witness attestation), which is mandatory upon Muslims, then! alarm floating is a "duty" given a purpose of whistleblowing is a same as which of ! 'enjoini ng goodness as great as ominous wrongdoing'. The polite as great as domestic administration department department of Prophet Muhammad (who as personality of a city state of Medina, was a showcase of competency, burden as great as transparency. These were likewise practical to a administration department department of government income as great as expenditure in a provinces.  The oft-mentioned incident involving Ibn Lutaybiyah demonstrates this principle succinctly. Functioning as anamil(tax collector), he returned to Medina loaded with taxation revenues, as great as asserted which a concrete portion of a income was given to him as tokens from sure people.The soothsayer reminded him by saying: "What is wrong with a male whom you allocated as a taxation collector as great as he said this is for you as great as which was given to me? If he stayed in his parent's house, would something be given to him?" (Narrated by al-Bukhari) On another occasion, a soothsayer was quoted as constantly reminding his companions by saying: "Whomsoever you designate over an affair, you shall give him provision. What he takes after which is crack of trust." (Narrated by Abu Daud) The 4 rightly-guided caliphs, a successors of Prophet Muhammad continued a benchmarks of competency, burden as great as clarity in their administration department department of a state. Abu Bak r, a initial caliph after a prophet, stressed a significance of burden as great as a poise of people with authority in a village in his really initial debate to a Muslim village after being elected as a caliph, saying: "Cooperate with me when you am right, though scold me when you commit error; obey me so prolonged as you follow a commandments of Allah as great as His Pro! phet; th ough spin away from me when you deviate." (Narrated by al-Hindi as great as Ibn Kathir). His alternative companions mostly held him to account for his decisions as great as administration department department of a state.  This was additionally a position of Omar al-Khattab when he was elected to attain Abu Bakr. In his maiden debate after being allocated as caliph, Omar stressed a need for burden in his administration, as great as a rights of each empowered citizen.It was reported which whilst Omar was once delivering a Friday sermon, an ordinary person rose as great as interrupted, saying: "O a personality of a believers, you won't attend to your oration until you insist how you came up with your prolonged skirt (the Arabian robe)." Apparently, there was a little distribution of fabric to a people as great as given a measure of distribution as great as a tallness of Omar; he could not have done a skirt out of his share. So, a observant voice of egalitarianism unhesitatingly challenged Omar, a personality of a immeasurable caliphate. Omar's son stood up as great as explained which he gave his share to his father, so which a skirt could be done to! fit Oma r. The observant voice then expressed his capitulation as great as sat down, as great as Omar resumed his oration (Ibn Qutaybah, 2002: 1/55). Accountability of open administrators Omar's policy upon burden was not singular to a obsolete style of written complaints as great as defamation from a public. As for a open offices, he determined a specific bureau to understanding with a burden of a open administrators. The bureau was designed for a investigation of complaints opposite officers of a state which reached a caliph. When it was initial established, Om! ar alloc ated Muhammad ibn Maslamah to take a responsibility of this ombudsman-like department.  In important cases, Omar would entrust Muhammad to proceed to a location, examine a charge as great as take action. Sometimes an exploration commission was constituted to examine a charge. Whenever a officers raised complaints opposite Muhammad, they were summoned to Madinah, as great as a box was listened by Caliph Omar himself.The caliph additionally discharged governors when a people complained opposite them. Among those discharged was a companion of Prophet Muhammad (Saad Ibnu Abi Waqqas. In a after proviso of Muslim history, a specially-designed bureau great known as Diwan al-Mazalim was determined to lift put this task, which currently can be deliberate a exemplary chronicle of a ? la mode ombudsman. O nce, whilst delivering a sermon, Omar said: "My rights over open supports (the Baitul Mal) have been similar to those of a guardians of an orphan. If great placed in life, you will not explain anything from it. In box of need, you shall draw usually as much as it is constitutionally allowed for providing food.  "You have each right to subject me about any improper accumulation of a income as great as annuity collections, improper utilisation of a book money, sustenance of a each day bread to all, border-security arrangements as great as nuisance caused to any citizen."He was available by historians to have released certificates, witnessed by a group of elders, to all duly allocated governors stipulating which a administrator should not float an costly h! orse, ea t white bread, wear any fine cloth or forestall a people's needs (from being satisfied). This is only a single example of Omar showcasing a practise of clarity where a ruler, as great as a state officers, should have zero to hide from a open as great as have been open to inspection of their use of open funds. Another example of burden as great as open airing of grievances practised during a period of a rightly-guided caliphs can be found in a important letter written by a fourth caliph, Ali ibn Abi Talib, to a administrator of Egypt, Malik al-Ashtar, as available in a gathering of Ali's letters as great as sermons, 'Nahjul Balaghah'. In his recommendation to a governor, Ali asserts: "Out of your hours of work, fix a time for a complainants as great as for those who want to proceed you with their grievances. During this time, you should do no alternative work though listen to them as great as pay attention to their complaints as great as grievances. 'Let them verbalise unreservedly' "For this purpose, you must prepare open audience for them; during this audience, for a sake of Allah, provide them with kindness, pleasantness as great as respect. Do not let your army as great as police be in a audience hall during such times so which those who have grievances opposite your regime might verbalise to you freely, unreservedly as great as without fear." All of these examples spell out a significance as great as critical purpose of whistleblowing as another facet of ensuring competency, burden as great as clarity in upholding justice as great as great governance. Whistleblowing has regularly been an integral member of a Islamic domestic culture, strongly rooted in a ontological recognition given a really beginning. Furthermore, Muslim scholars, both a past as great as present, have been really prolific in their writings upon topics related to burden as great as a use ofmazalimandhisbah(public inquiry). A mong a most important was 'al-Ahkam al-Sultaniyyah', a magnum musical composition of al-Mawardi (al-Mawardi, 1995), in which he dealt with both a topics ofmazalimandhisbahextensively. Another exemplary scholar, Ibn Taimiyah, additionally authored a book titled 'Hisbah', in which he discussed hisbah as a pertinent responsibility of each Muslim particular as great as additionally as an requisite upon Muslim rulers (Ibn Taimiyah, 1985). Al-Ghazali, in a same token, dealt with a emanate of burden of a woman monarch as great as his officers in his celebrated 'Nasehat al-Mulk', which was his recommendation to a son of a sultan during his time. However, it was a distinguished vizier as great as scholar, Nizamul Muluk, who smartly deliberated these topics in a really normative meaning in his shining treatise, 'Siyasat Nameh'. These deductive analogies, formed upon sound justification from authentic eremite texts, spell out a nobleness as great as righteousness of genuine acts of whistleblowing to inspire as great as promote competency, burden as great as clarity in a societies. Even though there is no direct anxiety to complicated day whistleblowing per se, a principles it embraces implies which whistleblowing is partial as great as parcel of a comprehensive scheme of great governance to grasp a top goal of Islamic nicely in order to safeguard justice with integrity as great as mercy wit! hin a parameters of maqasid al-syariah. Moreover, a use of whistleblowing is additionally deliberate an movement of worship. According to Yusuf Al-Qaradawy, "whenever a Muslim follows up great intentions with a slight action, his movement becomes an movement of worship." Ulama should back whistleblowers The augmenting acts of genuine whistleblowing, which you declare today, meant which all is not great with a state of trustworthiness as great as integrity of a domestic governance. The courageous acts of a few who have sto! od up op posite a establishment to display a wrongdoings of people in open bureau as great as a gross abuse of open supports have been exemplary acts of piety in a pursuit of great governance to attain a contentment of society. Regrettably, this eminent means is being led by a politician as great as non-scholars instead of an 'apolitical' or non-partisan entity or individuals. Civil society, free from a clutches of narrow-minded politics, should perfectly be leading this whistleblowing initiative. We would brave supplement which Islamic-based organisations as great as Muslim scholars, given of their ontological awareness, ought to be spearheading this citizen's watchdog beginning to guard as great as protect opposite rubbish as great as detriment of open supports as great as abuses of open office. However, disappointingly, most of a Islamic scholars (ulama), whom you had expected to be during a forefront of such righteous efforts in a area of polite as great as domestic governance, have been engrossed with 'red herring' issues which in most cases usually offer to polarise serve a multi-racial as great as multi-religious make-up of Malaysian society. The failure of a ulama to spearhead such an beginning would send a wrong signal to a lay Muslims, as great as remonstrate them which whistleblowing is alien to a corpus of Islamic belief. We goal which this distinguished as great as fair attempt will move a brand new chapter as great as in essence, a brand new goal in a endless episodes of a onslaught to defend democracy as great as great governance in a beloved country, Malaysia. As a consequence, you goal these efforts will evolve a some-more competent, accountable as great as pure domestic governance. Undoubt! edly, th ere have been whistleblowing actions taken by a great adults in a past. The stream bid takes a whistleblowing beginning to a higher turn of open engagement. The 'National Oversight as great as Whistleblowers Centre' is a really laudable bid t! o galvan ize as great as make established this endeavour, thus creation whistleblowing some-more structured, guided as great as professional. We sincerely as great as unreservedly urge all civic-minded adults of Malaysia, regardless of race, religion as great as domestic affiliations, to await this excellent whistleblowing initiative. Above all, you strongly inspire a Muslim community, eremite scholars (ulama) as great as Islamic organisations to welcome this polite multitude beginning in a common quest of attaining competency, accountability, transparency, great governance as great as adult well-being. We strongly believe which all these qualities have been indisputably syariah imperatives as great as main pillars of a Islamic domestic norms which all Muslims should aspire to achieve. MASZLEE MALIK is with International Islamic University Malaysia, whilst MUSA MOHD NORDIN is with a Muslim Professionals Forum (MPF). |
| Offensive against Pak Lah a ‘distraction’ Posted: 08 Oct 2012 01:41 PM PDT Penang Umno claims Pakatan Rakyat is 'spinning' to distract voters from the real issues in the state. Hawkeye, FMT Pakatan Rakyat is trying to distract voters here from the issues which are plaguing its administration in Penang, claimed state Umno Youth chief Sheikh Hussein Mydin. He said this strategy was evident in view of the fact that the Pakatan partners – PAS, PKR and DAP – were riddled with disagreements over issues such as "hudud" to affordable housing and over a leaked recording where one leader allegedly called Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng "arrogant and cocky". And what better way to distract the people than by launching an offensive against Barisan Nasional, including on former premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Penang, said Sheikh Hussein. "For Pakatan, its policy is that attack is the best form of defence. It is often critical of BN. It has become too preoccupied with attacking us until it has forgotten how to govern the state. There are many examples here," he said. Sheikh Hussein was responding to a statement by the Penang Malay Congress president Rahmad Isahak that BN stands to lose the Kepala Batas parliamentary seat and two other state seats if Abdullah chooses to retire from active politics. Rahmad based his prediction on the fact that Abdullah, who is better known as Pak Lah, is a stalwart in the constituency since 1978, and that his absence would create a vacuum which BN may not be able to fill in time for the next general election. Rahmad expects PAS to benefit greatly if Pak Lah decides to retire, as the former has a chance to wrest Kepala Batas. PAS has been stepping up its presence in the area since 2008. To this, Sheikh Hussein said Umno believes that the congress led by Rahmad is supporting DAP, although it has labelled itself as an apolitical entity here with a non-governmental organisation status. He accused Rahmad of intentionally trying to shift the focus of attention towards Pak Lah when the issue should be about the performance of the present state government. Pak Lah to retire? According to Sheikh Hussein, Pakatan wants to force BN to focus on its traditional strongholds such as Tasek Gelugor and Kepala Batas, as it is worried that it will lose its current parliamentary seats in Batu Kawan and Balik Pulau.
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| ‘Judges still probing Scorpene deal’ Posted: 08 Oct 2012 01:29 PM PDT There was never a question of an ongoing trial as the criminal inquiry on the submarine deal is ongoing, says William Bourdan. Anisah Shukry, FMT The lawyer acting for human rights group Suaram in the Scorpene probe has slammed French government prosecutor Yves Charpenal for his "contradictory" statements to the media. Yesterday, Charpenal had told national news agency Bernama that there was no ongoing trial in the 2009 multi-billion Scorpene submarine deal between Malaysia and France, as it was still under investigation by two French judges. "I am aware about all the fuss kicked up by certain media [organisations] in Malaysia over this matter but what I can say is that this is nothing more than a trial by the media," he was quoted as saying. But Suaram's lawyer William Bourdon said in a statement today that there had never been a question of an ongoing trial, as the investigating judges were still continuing their probe on the Scorpene inquiry. "The Tribunal deGrande Instance has convened a criminal inquiry of which Suaram has been accepted as a civil party since March 2012. "Upon completion of the inquiry will the investigating judge make the decision of whether the case goes to full trial." He also stressed that it was not for the prosecutor to decide if the case goes to full trial, but the two Judges, Roger Le Loire and Serge Tournaire. "To our knowledge the current prosecutors in charge of the case have not made any such statements as suggested by Charpenel," he said. In April this year, the Tribunal de Grand Instance in Paris began its inquiry into Suaram's claim that French naval firm DCNS had paid some RM452 million as a bribe to Malaysian officials to obtain a contract for two submarines. Malaysia had paid RM6.7 billion in 2009 for the two submarines of which RM574 million was earmarked for co-ordination and support services for Perimekar Sdn Bhd, owned by Abdul Razak Baginda , a close associate of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. Human rights groups and opposition parties have also linked the submarine purchase to the 2006 murder of Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu, a one-time lover to Abdul Razak. But Defence Minister Ahmad Zahidi Hamidi said on Oct 6 that the Auditor-General had explained the purchase of the submarines was made according to legal procedures. The Malaysian government is now probing Suaram for having "misleading accounts" as well as allegedly distributing bribes to a civil servant in return for national secrets – both of which Suaram has denied and labelled as "harassment" due to the probe. The Umno-controlled daily New Straits Times has also accused Suaram, along with several other NGOs deemed opposition-friendly, of being part of a foreign plot to destabilise government. They have denied the charges and requested evidence to back up the accusations, which NST has yet to furnish.
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| Posted: 08 Oct 2012 01:18 PM PDT
Since I was hungry (I had hardly eaten anything because the buffet line looked so daunting), I made my way to the "halal" table and started pointing but before I could say anything, I was told "Ini makanan halal" or in English "this is halal food". KS My daughter is enrolled at a Chinese medium national type primary school. I sent her there because whilst being a Chinese by race, I hardly speak any Chinese worth being proud about, and my level of reading is limited to writing my own name and identifying some few Chinese characters, which means I probably wouldn't survive a day in China by myself if no one spoke to me in English. It does not mean that I am not proud to be Malaysian. It just means that I am proud to be Chinese too and I would like to give my child some of what I could not achieve. My personal background is unique in that I have studied Islamic Studies (at my own father's insistence) when I was in secondary school. I have a credit in the old SRP (now PMR) in Islamic studies and I did not continue Islamic Studies because when I applied to take up Islamic Studies as a subject for my SPM, I was not allowed to do so by the Ministry of Education on the grounds that I was not a Muslim. At one point I almost converted to Islam. Obviously decisions by authorities such as mentioned in the previous paragraph influenced my decision not to become a Muslim as it felt like I was being blackmailed into becoming a Muslim. In saying that, I do not place blame on Islam as a religion, but rather the practice and extremism of certain members of the faith had caused me to lose my faith in the promise of Islam as a religion. Put also into perspective that among my peers I am sometimes not considered a pure Chinese because of my beliefs and the way I run my life. Yet today, I am at ease, eating any kind of generic food found in Malaysia (I do not consider the eating of exotic animals to be generic), eating with my hands, or with chopsticks, or even with spoon and fork (our colonial history at play). What my background means is that I feel that I am in a unique position to comment on what happened recently at my daughter's school during a celebration of the Chinese mid-autumn festival. The school had made arrangements to have a big do for the mid-autumn festival. Among the arrangements was a pot luck, where all the parents would bring their own food to the table to be shared, which is key to my story here. On the day of the festival celebrations, I made my way to the school which had much fanfare, children running around happily with each other, parents looking on them adorably. PTA/PIBG organizers were conspicuous by a uniform t-shirt which they all wore. Interested, I went to have a look at the food arrangements. Food was arranged buffet style on tables arranged in the canteen. And quite properly in my opinion, a separate table set apart for "halal" food, which was being hovered over protectively by some Muslims. Not surprising to me as there were probably 30 to 40 Muslims in a crowd of over 700 and care should be taken to ensure that there was enough food for EVERYONE. The festivities opened up with speeches, and some minor performances by school children, and the buffet was declared opened. There was a rush for food and my criticism of that is that no lines or crowd control was effected, but in general everyone was having a rollicking good time. Among the chief dishes was satay, being grilled by someone hired to grill satay, and I found out later that there had been two (2) satay stalls arranged, one by Chinese parents (whom I assume are not Muslims), and another by Malay parents (whom I assume are Muslims). Yet, I saw at the "halal" table a tray containing perhaps 200 sticks. Since I was hungry (I had hardly eaten anything because the buffet line looked so daunting), I made my way to the "halal" table and started pointing but before I could say anything, I was told "Ini makanan halal" or in English "this is halal food". And this by one of the organizing members of the dinner, who was almost definitely a Muslim (he looked Malay and therefore I assume he is Muslim). I was initially stunned to say the least, upset, and also angry at the same time. I almost retorted but I did not want to make a scene, and considering the small-mindedness of the statement, chose to ignore it, and rather lined up waiting another 20 minutes for some hot delicious satay instead of insisting on some cold satay. Why did this stun me? Why did this make me upset? Why did this make me angry? 1) By saying that the food is "halal" (when there is a big sign made by the organizing committee that the food is "halal", does it mean that I am not fit to eat "halal" food? The last I checked parents of a Chinese student who was not Muslim had taken the thought (or at least I hope there was a thought) to order halal food for the celebrations in order to be all inclusive. 2) At the time of my asking, the buffet had already been in progress for about an hour. Most guests had already eaten at least part their fill, and food was starting to run out. It was apparent to me that the demand for food at the "halal" table was more or less past its peak. I could see that there were about 8 Muslims sitting at the table chatting and not one of them eating. 3) There was ample satay at the table, offering it to a majority who had none would have been a kind gesture, especially since there was more satay on the way. 4) Again coming back to the fact that there was satay grilling on the grill, and ample satay on the "halal" table cooling down. Why have cold satay later when you can have hot satay? If you are not eating the food, why let it's taste be ruined by letting it cool down? Why not get replacement satay later? 5) If you (I am referring to a specific person), the PTA committee member who is a Muslim and who told me that the "food is halal" is such an extreme Muslim, then, what were you doing attending a supposedly pagan festival and even encouraging Muslim children to play with lanterns (which I saw with my own eyes) in celebration of the festival? A contradiction of the highest order and display of lack of understanding of one's own religion, beliefs and tolerance of. 6) Did the Muslims at the school not notice that the school administration had taken pains to ensure that their rights to eat halal food had been protected? Did they not see the forest when they noticed trees in front of them, or were they so overwhelmed by the trees that they thought they were in a haunted forest? 7) My wife who had earlier attended the PTA/PIBG meeting earlier in the year when the committee was being voted in had specifically heard the headmistress apologize to the non-Chinese speaking parents and advised them to move their children to governmental Malay medium schools if their children could not cope as the methods of teaching in a Chinese school may be too different for them to cope, yet at the same time welcomed the challenge of teaching these students. As far as I am concerned, if you are willing to exact your children to non-conformity in order to expand their mindset (just as my father did to me and 2 of my sisters), then you yourself as the parent must be ready to make the leap of faith into non-conformity! I won't go on further except to say that it is disappointing to see such myopic thoughts in a country which is supposed to be multi-racial, multi-religious, and multi-cultural, and especially is supposed to have such harmony and tolerance for all things racial, religious and cultural. This small incident among such a happy evening for my family ruined the event for me personally as I feel that such insensitivity should not exist in this country in this day and age. Looking back, it may have even been me personally who was too sensitive towards an innocent insensitive gesture, but I reserve my right to feel aggrieved as I do not feel that I had offended anyone (unless someone tells me logically why I may have done so), and I feel that the gesture was made with the lack of common sense or forethought for the consequences. I am not asking the reader of this article to become angry. I am asking the reader to understand the morale of the story. What the purpose of this article means to make clear to the reader is that we all, ALL peoples of Malaysia, have to use their common sense in reacting to the various elements of race, religion and culture in this country as it is what is supposed to make us strong. By the same grace, I commend: 1) That we do have Chinese-medium education systems in our country and that our government allows for such systems. |
| Education Blueprint 2013-2025 needs to truly reflect the aspirations of Malaysian Posted: 08 Oct 2012 01:02 PM PDT
Organizing a dialogue should be a piece of cake yet MOE failed to do it properly. At this rate, can we even trust them to carry out an overhaul of our education system and count on them to successfully implement a blueprint that it is inherently much more complex? TBH, Parent from Petaling Jaya Not many were aware of the final Open Dialogue on the National Education Blueprint 2013-2025 on Saturday, 6th October, 2012 held at Pudu Sentral, Kuala Lumpur. I attended but walked away highly disappointed and furious that our time was spent in futility while taxpayers' money was wasted due to inept education officials. The Ministry of Education (MOE) screwed up big time with their thoughtless planning. And when they got bashed left and right for the badly chosen venue, they quickly claimed that it was a last-minute thing, giving excuses that the original plan was for a "Pameran" only with no dialogue session. What a blatant outright lie! Their website (http://pendidikguru.org/portal-pmo/index.php? option=com_content&view=article&id=52&Itemid=10) dated 14-Aug-12 had clearly stated "10:00pagi : Sesi Dialog bersama KPPM / TKPPM" and was the only one planned for KL. The venue was so noisy and very unconducive. Instead of making any suggestions that I had intended to, I simply handed over my printed note to the Chairperson and made a public statement to Timbalan Ketua Pengarah (TKP) Dr Amin Senin that "This whole thing is a joke! Cannot hear anything! If MOE cannot even get this kind of basic thing right, I feel sorry for all our children!" Upon further criticism by other attendees and sensing their folly, they quickly announced that another session will be held in KL again soon, at a proper venue. It was obviously a public relations face-saving attempt. One cannot help but get the impression that by giving it minimum publicity, MOE was not quite sincere with this whole exercise. Perhaps they fear facing some very vocal public and NGOs who have all but denounced the blueprint. Stakeholders (including an elderly gentlemen who travelled all the way from Ipoh) were keen to provide final input to this 13-year blueprint that the whole country is counting on to bring about transformational changes to our education system. We are putting all our hopes and that of our children's future, into this blueprint. Organizing a dialogue should be a piece of cake yet MOE failed to do it properly. At this rate, can we even trust them to carry out an overhaul of our education system and count on them to successfully implement a blueprint that it is inherently much more complex? During Q&A, TKP insisted that all views had been taken into account. What perplexes me is, after taking into account all those views, who determines what goes into the blueprint, and how? 1) Two widely supported suggestions i.e. for the continuation of PPSMI alongside MBMMBI and for a non-politician Education Minister, that received among the loudest applause during town hall meetings held earlier, are missing from the blueprint. 2) An attendee of two Round Table discussions on Education revealed that there is almost unanimous agreement that English should be made the medium of instruction at least for Mathematics and Science. It is highly questionably why their views are ignored. 3) During one of the dialogues, we were told of very high-ranking Education Ministry officials who would not publicly state their stand when asked if they sanctioned the published blueprint. Instead, they opted to remain silent. 4) We also heard of claims that this published blueprint did not reflect some major contents in the original proposals compiled by very senior education officers. Unless the blueprint is amended to incorporate an accurate picture that truly results from MOE's engagement with the public, and which rightly reflects the aspirations of Malaysians, we, the stakeholders, cannot help but suspect that all the sessions and dialogues engaging with the public are just an eye-wash. Therefore, one should not be faulted for concluding that there is possible manipulation of data collected. It is extremely disappointing and very nauseating to sense a lack of sincerity on the Minister's part to take our views into account. |
| Reply to all Pakatan Rakyat Troopers in Raja Petra's Malaysia Today Posted: 08 Oct 2012 12:55 PM PDT
I wonder why Pakatan Rakyat always shouted for freedom of expression where now they ask me to shut up when I speak up? I cannot never get rid of BN until the day where Pakatan Rakyat is proven to be a way better entity to replaced BN. I seriously do not want to replace a Proton Iswara with Proton Wira. Is not worth the change. Shen Yee Aun http://www.malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/letterssurat/51992-malaysian-youth-right-movement-urge-malaysian-youth-to-reject-pakatan-rakyat-extemenism talk cock. You look more like a running DOG. ( Malaysian should look at how Pakatan Rakyat troopers behave in the Cyber World ? Instead of having an intellectual exchange of thoughts regarding the issue that I had posted they end up choose to make it so personal. I wonder is Anwar and Azmin Ali not a running dog from UMNO? I wonder is Chua Jui Meng not a running dog from MCA ? I wonder half of current PKR members are not formerly the running dog from UMNO ? ) written by Reza Shahputra, October 06, 2012 12:23:15 Lets hear your stands on these articles before moving on to other issues: http://www.malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/newscommentaries/51990-sons-wedding-was-cheap-to-organise- and http://www.malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/guest-columnists/51989-land-grab-malaysian-style I'm just an average Joe of Malaysia and Not a PR or BN supporter. Are you able to get answers for these 2 articles and get actions from the SPRM for an average Joe like me? ( Look at how typical Pakatan Rakyat Cyber Troopers behave in the cyber world ? They will always urge people to reply to their allegations where the allegations throw right to their face they will just divert it. I am not like any of them that will deny the facts that there weakness , flaws and problems in Barisan Nasional because my stand is very simple. As bad as BN can be and if they need to be change then make sure they be changed by a real qualified entity that is proven to be way better than BN. If they are exactly like BN or almost the same that what changes are we really shouting for? This posting is nothing about corruption because there also list of corruption that I would like to share it our with the public about PR corruption after Mac 2008. ) written by kaum_lanoon, October 06, 2012 12:44:38 This asshole still doesn't realise he's a second class citizen whom will never enjoy real citizenship in the eyes of the racist-corruptive regime. He should just shut-up and go collect his $500 ( Even if I am really a second class citizen under Barisan Nasional then what makes you think that I will be the first class citizen under Pakatan Rakyat? Unless Pakatan Rakyat is willing to pledge to remove 152 and 153 in our constitution then only they are qualified to go on further attacking Barisan Nasional regarding the racial and citizen status quo in Malaysia. What type of enjoyment that I will receive from the same half UMNO type of leadership under Anwar and PKR also also a list of corrupted leaders in Pakatan Rakyat after Mac 2008 ? ) written by Happyfamily, October 06, 2012 12:50:13 Yee Aun, you are one nut with a screwed mind. Why use Kelantan or Kedah? Why not take Penang or Selangor as the example? Next time be more intelligent with your analysis. ( Selangor? I thought Selangor did raid alcohol in 7/11 once PR took over power after Mac 2008? I thought Selangor had shut down a Cinema in Banggi ? I also thought Selangor had earlier suggested to segregate the Gender in Cinema in Hulu Langat ? Penang? I thought after Mac 2008 Lim Guan Eng had just demolished a Tua Pek Kwong temple in Penang ? ) written by Maravan2004, October 06, 2012 13:17:55 Shut up lah Shen Yee Aun..Get rid of BN first then talk about Pakatan. ( I wonder why Pakatan Rakyat always shouted for freedom of expression where now they ask me to shut up when I speak up? I cannot never get rid of BN until the day where Pakatan Rakyat is proven to be a way better entity to replaced BN. I seriously do not want to replace a Proton Iswara with Proton Wira. Is not worth the change ) written by Sanny, October 06, 2012 13:24:18 Yalah tu. Lu boleh tak pakai apa pon. Tak da yang larang. Suka hatilah. Nak telanjang kah. Up to you if you say its good for Malaysians to want or do it. Ask the PM lah if he also share the same idea as you. Just have your sweet and leasure time maaah. Probably KJ pon suka tengok perempuan pakai bikini! ( Is not a stripping show as stripping show is not allowed in Malaysia. Is just a Fashion Show. There nothing to ask Najib about it because Najib had never voice out to oppose to it like how PAS Youth did against it. Please do not degrade and drag others leaders who are not related in this issue. There should be certain ethnic and integrity in political battle ) written by zhaoxi, October 06, 2012 13:33:26 the geist of the speach is,vote BN for our contineous freedom.what freedom does our youth wants? freedom to walk naked in the street? freedom to go fucking around? freedom to tske dope? freedom to just doing anything? and what restriction you fear of if pakatan rule? who raided bookstore to confiscate books of irshad manji? who restricted thr freedom to gsin knowledge by reading? who raided niteclub and massege parlour to rrstrict our youth to get sex?isnt it every humsn needs? why BN banned LBGT?isnt it our right to practise what we like?sftersll we dont disturb the life of others. or what freedom you yearn for. ( You look at smart or perhaps stupid PR troopers that is trying to divert from this issue. What I had posted is only freedom to Organize A Fashion Show. As simple as that. Look at how they manipulate it to walking naked , fucking around and all his entire allegations. As simple as freedom to organize a Fashion Show why PAS Youth need to voice out to ban it ? ) written by narkas, October 06, 2012 13:54:57 HOI, CHINESE WHY ARE U SO STUPID,HAVE UNOT LEARNT WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT YOUR GENERATION .THEY FORGOT EVERYTHING DONE FOR THIS BEUTIFUL COUNTRY.REMBEMBER U ARE A PENADATANG .DONT BE SO THICK SKIN U STUPID SHEN YEE AUN ( You look Pakatan Rakyat. They are selling about racial unity. They are going against UMNO for being racist. But now they themselves being so racial in their comments. Look at how vulgar they can be sometimes when the truth of reality about Pakatan Rakyat flaws is throw right at their face and it is so bitter for them to swallow the truth ) Read more at: http://1sya.com/?p=2449 |
| Why are the Malays running away? Posted: 08 Oct 2012 12:49 PM PDT A stinging satire on Mahathir's latest call for the Malays to stop being ungrateful, lazy and stupid to vote against Umno. Iskandar Dzulkarnain, FMTDr Mahathir Mohamad's recent message is timely. The Malays simply must change. They must reform, transform or whatever you call it! Yes, the Malays are ungrateful and lacking intelligence, especially the few power-hungry ones in the opposition. Luckily, Tengku Aziz got out in time from the DAP. We cannot expect greedy, ungrateful and dim-witted politicians like Anwar Ibrahim and Hadi Awang to do the same. Imagine, the country's dominant race losing its political power because of a few ungrateful and moronic Malays who are greedy for political power. Mahathir also warned that "Malay (opposition) parties who win the elections and form the government would have to follow the dictates of others (races). They will lose dominance in the government because of their willingness to share with others," he said in a special column titled 'Suara Hati Mahathir' published in Mingguan Malaysia. Yes, Umno has become weak since the last election. It can no longer dish out enough crutches for the Malays. And because of this the Malays are abandoning Umno in droves. Very soon, there will be very little Malay support left for Umno. For so long, Umno had been busy looking out for the Malays. It was focused and it created immense wealth and channelled it to their cronies to be dispensed to the Malay masses. But the Malays refused to save what they received, and spent every last cent of it. Today, many still wallow in poverty, and blame Umno for not doing enough to address their plight. Many have threatened to vote the Opposition if Umno does not arrest the situation. From farmers, civil servants to taxi drivers, everyone is crying out for handouts or else! Some are lazy, lack intelligence and plain greedy and will sell their souls to the highest bidder. Umno has been too kind in the past, and relented to their demands. But Umno's superb handling of the economy, even under such tremendous pressure is commendable, as it managed to do its bit for the Malays while suppressing the national debt from ballooning to a mere RM500 billion. Most governments in other countries would have gone bankrupt by now. Is it a surprise, that the 2013 budget sees more goodies for everyone, especially the Malays? Malays can continue to wallow in despair A national organisation to unite the Malays, Umno had always put the Malays first. It has even invited other races to become Bumiputeras as long as they abide by its constitution. Thus far there has been lukewarm response from the Chinese and the Indians. It has even offered citizenships to legible foreigners who could speak Bahasa Malaysia and be loyal to the Malay cause. What more has Umno not done for the Malays? Today, many Malays are blinded by religion, greed and power, so they join the opposition because they feel that Umno is less Islamic than PAS. PAS refuses to join Umno to jointly implement an Islamic state, but rather cohabit with the opposition, so that they can gain more power to rule, rather than to play second fiddle to Umno. And yes again, the Malays simply have to see through the insignificant corruption, and support Umno and its leaders, who are sworn to protect the Malays from themselves. At least with Umno, the Malays can continue to wallow in despair until one fine day, they can evolve into more productive humans without the fear that the Malay power base will be eroded. Today, Umno is populated by the best Malay minds in the world, superior intelligence beyond compare and you can find them in the likes of Rais Yatim, Ibrahim Ali and Zahid Hamidi. It will be a waste if these leaders are not given more time to work their magic. Imagine the horrific scenario, if Umno loses. What will become of the great leaders like Najib and Muhyiddin, Mahathir, Taib Mahmud and Shafie Apdal? The young Hishammuddin Hussein, Khairy Jamaluddin and Mukhriz Mahathir, who are slated to carry on the torch as future Prime Ministers of this land? Who will take care of the Malays? Who is going to protect the royalty and who is going to uphold the religion? Pakatan Rakyat is too preoccupied with a Malaysian Malaysia and would sell out the majority to please the minority. Bumiputeraship will lose its meaning and lustre. The Malays would become ordinary citizens like everyone else. And imagine if the Malays would have to compete on a level playing field without the NEP, it would take another 200 years before they are on par with the rest of the races. Even the Sabahans and Sarawakians have overtaken the Malays on their home ground. Read more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2012/10/09/why-are-the-malays-running-away/
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| Rela member in a group or not, woman falls victim to snatch theft Posted: 08 Oct 2012 12:44 PM PDT
(The Star) - Julie Lam thought she was pretty safe walking with several MCA members and Rela officers to a gotong-royong event at about 7am in Jalan Ampang. However, her sense of security was short-lived though as she fell victim to snatch thieves. "I felt a jerk on my right arm and saw two men on a motorcycle sped past, holding my handbag," said the 49-year-old. "I screamed for help and MCA lawyer P.Y Leong chased the men," said Lam, an Inland Revenue Board assistant director, who is also an honorary Rela lieutenant-colonel. She added that the snatch thieves even turned around and dared the group to come after them. "They challenged Leong and shouted expletives at us," Lam said at the MCA Public Services and Complaints Department yesterday. Department chairman Datuk Seri Michael Chong, said he, too, was shocked at the boldness of the men during the incident which "happened very quickly". "Another two men on a motorcycle came from behind and joined the first two before speeding off. "This shows that they had a back-up plan in case the first two were caught." Lam lost RM2,500, her MyKad, driver's licence and car keys. She has lodged a report at the Kepong police station. Chong added that snatch thefts and robberies were becoming more rampant these days. "Just last week, a seafood restaurant in Taman Mayang was held up by eight parang-wielding men at around 8pm. "The customers were forced to surrender their cash and valuables," Chong said. He urged the police to step up efforts to curb crime as robbers were becoming more "aggressive" and "daring" . Statistics from Bukit Aman showed that 22,929 street crimes were reported last year, with 3,323 being snatch thefts. |
| Posted: 07 Oct 2012 11:02 PM PDT
(The Sun Daily) - A Selangor PKR state leader has called for the sacking of Selangor Mentri Besar's political secretary Faekah Husin for allegedly overstepping her role by voicing out against PKR deputy president Azmin Ali. Selangor PKR election director Borhan Aman Shah, in calling for her removal from her current post, said Faekah has not toed the party line in voicing her criticism against Azmin. "She is reminded that her current role was given to her with support from PKR. On what capacity is Faekah criticising Azmin openly as an ordinary member of the party with no political position?" he said at a press conference in Selangor PKR headquarters today. He was referring to a report by Sinar Harian which quoted Azmin as saying Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim may be given a federal minister's post if Pakatan Rakyat takes over Putrajaya, implying that Selangor may have a new Mentri Besar. Faekah, who serves as political secretary to Abdul Khalid, then reportedly questioned Azmin's jurisdiction as deputy president in making the statement, saying the power to appoint a Mentri Besar lies solely with the Sultan of Selangor, according to news portal Malaysian Digest. Borhan also said Faekah should refer to the party before making statements that could cause misunderstandings between party leaders. "It would be good for her to understand the organisational structure of the party or communicate with us before proceeding to make statements," he said. He added that the council will leave the matter to Khalid as he is the Selangor MB, which gives him full authority to sack Faekah. Meanwhile, Faekah reportedly said that she will no longer comment on the issue after she was told not to make any statements by top PKR leaders. "I have also been advised by former PKR deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali not to make any statements unless necessary, so I will no longer address this issue," she told Sinar Harian two days ago.
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| French lawyer: No Scorpene trial in France Posted: 07 Oct 2012 06:52 PM PDT The lawyer said two 'independent judges' started investigating after a complaint filed by Suaram. (Bernama) - A prominent French government prosecutor has denied reports circulating among some Malaysian online news portals of an ongoing trial in France, on allegations of corruption by a French company over the purchase of two French-made Scorpene submarines by Malaysia in 2002. Yves Charpenel said the media in Malaysia should be able to distinguish between rumours and facts, and between investigations and a trial. "I am aware about all the fuss kicked up by certain media (organisations) in Malaysia over this matter but what I can say is that this is nothing more than a trial by the media," he told Bernama here today. Charpenel, who was a former head of prosecution in France and now a state prosecutor and an executive member of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA), was here to attend the four-day IAACA conference and general meeting which ended yesterday. Following a complaint filed in 2009 by Suaram, a Malaysian human rights non-governmental organisation (NGO), that a French company had allegedly paid bribes to a Malaysian firm for the submarine deal, he revealed that two independent "investigating judges" started their investigations earlier this year. Charpenel said that in France, as in other countries practising the rule of law, all investigations were done in absolute secret. He said, it was anybody's right to file a complaint and due to the secret nature of the investigations, some resorted to complaining to the media. He explained that for specific cases in France, the Justice Ministry would ask an independent judge, called an "investigating judge", to investigate. "He is just an investigator. This is an old system that started from the Napolean era. If the investigating judge wants someone to come to Malaysia, he has to ask from your government because we have what is called the Treaty of Mutual Legal Assistance. And the Malaysian government can say 'yes' or 'no'. It has to be decided by the Malaysian authorities. "A French investigating judge cannot take his luggage, take a plane and go to Malaysia and ask someone to answer his questions. It is impossible, it is against the French law and it is also against international law," stressed Charpenel. In April this year, local opposition politicians here had even called for Malaysian officials to testify in Paris or risk being ostracised in the European Union. "A trial is a trial with all the rules. Investigation is another thing," said Charpenel of the misinformation generated by certain news portals over allegations that a trial was already underway. Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also said over the weekend that the Auditor-General had declared the Scorpene deal was done in accordance with legal procedures.
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| Singaporean turfed for racist rant against Malays Posted: 07 Oct 2012 05:57 PM PDT
(The Standard) - Singapore's state-linked labor movement sacked a senior executive after she posted expletive-laden and racially charged comments on Facebook that triggered outrage. Amy Cheong, an ethnic Chinese assistant director of membership at the National Trades Union Congress, was sacked a day after posting remarks on the social networking site about the country's Malay minority, AFP reports. NTUC Secretary-General Lim Swee Say (picture), who holds the rank of minister in the office of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, announced the sacking on the organization's Facebook page, which was bombarded with complaints about Cheong. "We will not accept and have zero tolerance towards any words used or actions taken by our staff that are racially offensive,'' Lim said. "We are sorry that this has happened.'' Cheong's Facebook page could not be accessed today after her remarks caused a furor in Singapore's internet community, but an apology she wrote on microblogging site Twitter was still visible after she was fired. "I am truly sorry for making that stupid comment. I really didn't mean it that way. I am truly sorry,'' she said. In her Facebook rant, Cheong commented on the length of Malay wedding celebrations and derided the community's divorce rates. Multi-ethnic Singapore, which suffered racial riots in the 1960s and is surrounded by larger Muslim neighbours Indonesia and Malaysia, takes a hard line against acts stoking racial and religious hatred. Singapore's population is 74 percent ethnic Chinese, 13 percent Muslim Malay and nine per cent Indian, with the rest made up of other immigrant groups. Seditious acts including fostering racial hatred are punishable by a fine of up to S$5,000 or imprisonment of up to three years, or both. Last year a member of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) was forced to quit after describing local Muslim children photographed in a school bus as terrorists in training.
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| George Soros bukan sekutu kami, kata Pakatan Rakyat Posted: 07 Oct 2012 05:48 PM PDT Setiausaha Publisiti Kebangsaan DAP Tony Pua berkata, Pakatan sama sekali tidak mempunyai kaitan, malah tidak mengenali individu bernama Soros. Jamilah Kamarudin, FMT Pakatan Rakyat menyelar dakwaan mantan Timbalan Perdana Menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad yang menyifatkan undi kepada pembangkang seperti memberi undi kepada penyangak mata wang antarabangsa berketurunan Yahudi, George Soros. Perkara itu sama sekali ditepis pemimpin veteran DAP Lim Kit Siang yang menyifatkan Mahathir takut kepada Pakatan Rakyat. "Dia paranoid," katanya ringkas kepada pemberita di lobi Parlimen di sini hari ini. Sementara itu, Setiausaha Publisiti Kebangsaan DAP Tony Pua berkata Pakatan sama sekali tidak mempunyai kaitan, malah tidak mengenali individu bernama Soros. "Dia (Dr Mahathir) tidak lagi relevan dalam konflik ini kerana ia hanya kata-kata seseorang yang telah nyanyuk," katanya. Ahli Parlimen Petaling Jaya Utara itu berkata, kenyataan Dr Mahathir itu hanya mencemarkan nama baiknya sendiri sebagai negarawan dimata rakyat. Takut bayang-bayang "Pakatan berpendirian tegas mengutuk tindakan kejam Yahudi ke atas rakyat Palestin. Jadi bagaimana beliau boleh kata sebaliknya pula," soalnya. Naib Presiden PAS Salahuddin Ayub pula menyifatkan Dr Mahathir seperti takut kepada bayang-bayang sendiri apabila menjalin persahabatan dengan Soros semasa menjadi Perdana Menteri dahulu. "Negara kita tak menerima sebarang bentuk penjajahan asing dan kita sama sekali tak akan mengizinkan isu Soros berbangkit," katanya. Manakala Ahli Parlimen DAP-Klang Charles Santiago berkata Dr Mahathir tidak telus mempertahankan kedaulatan negara daripada ancaman Yahudi apabila membenarkan Malaysia menandatangani Perjanjian Dagangan Antarabangsa (FTA). Menurut Charles, dibawah perjanjian itu Malaysia boleh diheret ke mahkamah antarabangsa oleh firma gergasi antarabangsa yang dikuasai Amerika dan Kesatuan Eropah (EU) jika wujud sebarang pelanggaran persefahaman yang dimeterai. "Kalau Tun nak timbulkan pasal isu kedaulatan beliau sepatutnya menghalang negara daripada menandatangani FTA," katanya.
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| ‘BN govt does not care for Sabah’ Posted: 07 Oct 2012 05:46 PM PDT Former deputy minister Lajim Ukin told Parliament of the failures of the BN government to Sabah voters. Syed Jaymal Zahiid, FMT Former Umno deputy minister Lajim Ukin told parliament that the Barisan Nasional government has no time for Sabah. He said this was despite the state's loyalty to the federal government all these years. Lajim, who is Beaufort MP, also indicated his support for the opposition after he had remained quiet over his political leanings after he quit the government, applauding Pakatan Rakyat's promise to raise oil royalty payments to 20%. Sabah is rich in oil and contributes some RM22 billion of oil revenue annually but enjoys a mere 5% return in royalty while government allocations to the state, one of the poorest in the country, is said to be comparatively low. Lajim's insinuation of support for Pakatan could see BN taking on a united opposition in the Sabah. In his speech during the 2013 Budget debate in parliament, Lajim said the ruling coalition had failed to bring development in the state. Compared to the 85% rate of completed paved roads in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah has only 35%. Connectivity is a key issue in the state which is why Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak had announced increased allocations for road projects there. But the former deputy minister, who was among the few other Sabah leaders who recently defected following disillusionment with the Najib administration's failure to address the problems in Sabah, said none of the promises have been fulfilled so far. "For 55 years BN have ruled and Sabah had contributed so much to the Malaysian economy since then but still it is one of the poorest state in the country. "This shows that Sabah and Sarawak are never the government's priority despite us being the fixed deposit for the ruling coalition. The Sabahan people have been sidelined," he said. Other Sabah BN leaders had also admitted recently that more must be done to improve the socio-economic situation in the state but so far none of them have been upfront about who is to be blamed for Sabah's underdevelopment. A Merdeka Center survey released on Friday showed that 57% were dissatisfied with the state's economic performance and only 56% of Sabah voters were satisfied with the state government, a 6% drop from 62% in November 2009. The report also showed a significant drop in the state's chief minister Musa Aman's rating. From 60% in November 2009, it dropped to to 45% in September. The decline was most marked among Muslim-Bumiputera voters who are the backbone of the state's Umno support, with a drop from 72% in November 2009 to 51% last month. Analysts believe the recent defections in the state will alter the state's and the national political landscape there, suggesting BN will face some hurdles in its stronghold in the upcoming polls.
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| Are they lining up Anwar for a fall? Posted: 07 Oct 2012 05:19 PM PDT
Some within PKR are not too happy that DAP is pursuing this matter because it can backfire on Anwar and can open up a can or worms that many younger voters may have forgotten or may not be aware of. While they may successfully implicate Dr Mahathir in this scandal, Anwar, too, is going to get implicated. But then Anwar and not Dr Mahathir wants to become Prime Minister so is it worth going for Dr Mahathir and in the same breath bring Anwar down? THE CORRIDORS OF POWER Raja Petra Kamarudin
Tan Sri Nor Mohamad Yakcop Must Come Clean On The Bank Negara Foreign Exchange (Forex) Scandal And Fully Account For The Losses Of RM15.8 Billion From 1992-3 But Estimated To Reach RM30 Billion. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamad Yakcop must come clean on the Bank Negara forex scandal and fully account for the losses of RM15.8 billion from 1992-3 but estimated to reach RM30 billion. According to the Bank Negara'S financial report, Bank Negara recorded losses of RM10.1 billion in 1992 and RM5.7 billion in 1993. However when replying to my question in Parliament 2 weeks ago, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Donald Lim only admitted to the RM5.7 billion in losses in 1993. This gives rise to question about the RM10.1 billion losses in 1992 or even a total loss of up to RM30 billion as former Bank Negara senior officer Dr Rosli Yakcop who had worked under Tan Sri Nor had estimated. Tan Sri Nor was identified as the principal forex trader for Bank Negara with huge bets of hundreds of millions of US$ at single bets. So far he has refused to explain his role or why he gambled with the nation's treasury so recklessly in the largest financial scandal in Malaysian history. At a time when the Malaysian government is condemning forex currency speculators like George Soros, why is the Malaysian government practicing double-standards by protecting Malaysian forex currency speculators like Tan Sri Nor Mohamad Yakcop. Worse the Malaysian government is sending the wrong message by not only failing to punish those responsible for such huge losses or demanding full accountability but even promoting forex currency speculators like Tan Sri Nor to a full Cabinet Minister. With the coming general elections, Tan Sri Nor has to fully explain this financial scandal as public interest demands that voters be fully informed what type of person or government that they are voting for when we suffered the largest financial losses in Malaysian history. Failing to do so would show that the BN government is only giving lip service to public accountability and transparency. LIM GUAN ENG *************************************** My sources within Pakatan Rakyat tell me that in the event Barisan Nasional gets kicked out in the coming general election and Pakatan Rakyat gets to form the next government, it is not sure yet whether Anwar Ibrahim is going to become the Prime Minister in spite of all the rhetoric. According to these people, DAP is very sore with Anwar regarding the CAT (cocky, arrogant, tok-kong) issue. It is not so much what Deputy Chief Minister Mansor Othman said but more what Anwar is NOT saying. Anwar's 'elegant silence' is deafening -- as is his 'deafening silence' regarding what Azmin Ali said about Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim and also the 'deafening silence' regarding the goings-on in Kedah and the attacks on Kedah Menteri Besar Azizan Abu Bakar. Those attacking Guan Eng, Khalid and Azizan are Anwar die-hards. Hence, they ask, can't Anwar control his boys? Or has Anwar endorsed the attacks on Guan Eng, Khalid and Azizan? According to the PKR people, in a meeting that Azizan had with his PAS boys, he said that he believes Anwar is guilty of all the sexual misconduct allegations -- even from back in the 'Sodomy 1' days. Mat Sabu himself, now an Anwar die-hard, used to say the same thing when Anwar was still with the 'other side' (and Mat Sabu does not deny saying it but only explains it as 'that was then, when Anwar was the enemy'). Those close to Guan Eng have told Anwar that the Penang Chief Minister believes that 'Anwar may not be quite innocent' of the sexual misconduct allegations. Other top leaders in PAS have said the same thing. The DAP and PAS leaders are prepared to downplay this issue for the sake of Pakatan Rakyat solidarity. But whether they will support Anwar as the Prime Minister in the event that Pakatan Rakyat takes over is another thing altogether. That, they will have to 'wait and see' first. DAP appears to be pressing the issue of the FOREX scandal of around 20 years or so ago. No doubt it appears like the target is Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. But is Dr Mahathir really going to get hurt by this? We must remember that apart from the fact that Dr Mahathir was the then Prime Minister it was Anwar who was the Finance Minister and the one who misled Parliament. There is nothing to directly link Dr Mahathir to this scandal other than the fact he was the Prime Minister at that time. In fact, Lim Kit Siang, who was the then Opposition Leader in Parliament, held Anwar personally accountable for this scandal. It was Anwar and not Dr Mahathir who Kit Siang whacked. Hence, if this matter is resurrected, is it going to be Dr Mahathir or Anwar who is going to get hurt? Some within PKR are not too happy that DAP is pursuing this matter because it can backfire on Anwar and can open up a can or worms that many younger voters may have forgotten or may not be aware of. While they may successfully implicate Dr Mahathir in this scandal, Anwar, too, is going to get implicated. But then Anwar and not Dr Mahathir wants to become Prime Minister so is it worth going for Dr Mahathir and in the same breath bring Anwar down? The PKR people are of the opinion that DAP is sending Anwar a message: which is, control your boys or else get embarrassed by the RM30 billion FOREX scandal. And maybe Lim Kit Siang's speech in Parliament of 11th April 1994 can demonstrate in what way Anwar can get hurt. *************************************** Speech by Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary-General and MP for Tanjong, Lim Kit Siang, in the Dewan Rakyat (Malaysian Parliament) on the Royal Address debate on Monday, April 11, 1994 Bank Negara's forex losses in the past two years could total as high as RM30 billion, making it the biggest financial scandal in Malaysia as well as a world-class financial scandal. There was in fact a conspiracy of disinformation and misinformation to 'cover up' the real nature, cause and magnitude of Bank Negara forex losses in the past two years which I will show in the course of my speech could total as high as RM30 billion. It is not only the greatest financial scandal in Malaysia, but has reached the standing to be a world-class financial scandal! In the special DAP motion on the Bank Negara forex losses in Parliament last April, the Finance Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim strenuously denied that Bank Negara had "speculated" or "gambled" in foreign exchange. Anwar said that as Finance Minister, he was "fully satisfied with the reasons" goven by Tan Sri Jaffar Hussein for the Bank Negara's forex losses. However, truth cannot be concealed forever, as it would always find some way of declaring itself. This time, it is the Economic Adviser to the Government, Tun Daim Zainuddin, who had got the 'cat out of the bag'. On Monday, April 4, 1994, Daim Zainuddin was reported in the press as saying that "Central bank s must not play with the risks or losses are high". The Daim said that while those responsible for the huge forex losses of Bank Negara had accounted for their mistake by resigning, central banks should never go into such ventures. Anwar must also bear responsibility for the colossal Bank Negara forex losses. However, the person who must also bear responsibility for the colossal Bank Negara forex losses, apart from Tan Sri Jaffar Hussein, must be the Finance Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, himself. As Anwar had assured Parliament last April that he was 'satisfied' with Tan Sri Jaffar's explanation for the 1992 Bank Negara forex losses, why had Tan Sri Jaffar done differently in 1993 with regard to the 1993 Bank Negara forex losses to require his resignation? In Fact, if the Prime Minister is right that the Bank Negara's RM5.7 billion forex losses last year are from profits made in forex dealings made in preceding years, there is no need for Tan Sri Jaffar Hussein to resign at all. Jaffar should be made a Tun instead of having to resign in ignominy if it could be shown that over the years, Bank Negara had cumulatively made more profits from forex speculation despite the colossal losses in the past two years. If it could be shown that since it ventured into speculative forex trading under his Governorship, Bank Negara had cumulatively made more profits from such speculative forward forex trading despite the colossal losses in the past two years, Jaffar should be rewarded with a Tun instead of having to resign in ignominy! This is why the DAP had called on the Government to present a White Paper to give full details of its annual profits or losses from forex dealings in the preceding years, so that Malaysians can know whether the cumulative profits from Bank Negara forward forex dealings are able to absorb the RM5.7 billion forex losses- let alone the RM30 billion which could be the total forex losses in the past two years! There are two other reasons why Anwar Ibrahim must bear personal responsibility for Bank Negara's forex losses. Anwar Ibrahim said last week that he had directed Bank Negara to stop forward foreign exchange trading when he discovered its forex losses 18 months ago. If Bank Negara had followed his instructions to stop forward forex trading in 1992, then how could Bank Negara suffer RM5.7 billion losses in 1993, on top of the RM10.1 billion to RM13.1 billion losses in 1992? Furthermore, Anwar Ibrahim had misled Parliament last July when I questioned him whether Bank Negara had suffered more forex losses. Anwar said that this was not true as he had been monitoring the Bank Negara's forex dealings weekly. On July 19, 1993, I asked Anwar Ibrahim a supplementary question during question time as to whether at that date, Bank Negara's provision of Rm2.7 billion contingent liability for forward forex trading in the 1992 Bank Negara accounts had not only been confirmed, but even more forex losses had been incurred. This is Anwar's reply, from the Hansard of 19th July 1993(p. 28): "Dato Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim: Tua Yang di-Pertua, dukacita saya memaklumkan ini satu berita yang kurang baik bagi Yang Berhormat dari Tanjong. Kerugian yang dimaksudkan itu tidak berlaku dan tidak bertambah. Yang Berhormat mahu percaya atau tidak, tetapi saya ada maklumat yang sebenar tentang keadaan tersebut. Saya juga meneliti tiap-tiap minggu perkembangan kerana masalah yang dihadapi sebelum ini…. Saya ingin member jaminan kepada Yang Berhormat bagi Tanjong bahawa perkara ini kita teliti lebih dekat dan kita lebih waspada kerana pengalaman yang lalu." In this one short answer, Anwar Ibrahim had misled Parliament and the nation on three matters: * that by July 1993, the provision in the 1992 Bank Negara accounts for RM2.7 billion contingent liability for forward forex trading had not been confirmed; * that Bank Negara had not suffered more forex losses; and * that his weekly monitoring of Bank Negara's forex dealings would prevent further colossal losses arising from Bank Negara's forward forex trading. If Anwar Ibrahim claims that he had directed Bank Negara to stop forward forex trading 18 months ago, and that "there are no new trading arrangements" last year as the central bank unwound its forward positions in the market last year (Business Times April 6, 1994), then Bank Negara should not have incurred RM5.7 billion when its contingent liability provision for such forward forex trading in end- 1992 was RM2.7 billion. Anwar's claim that there were no new forward forex trading by Bank Negara in 1993 had been contradicted by Tan Sri Jaffar Hussein, who said in his press conference on March 31 as well in his foreword to the 1993 Bank Negara report: "In the Bank's 1993 accounts, a net deficiency in foreign exchange transactions of RM5.7 billion is reported, an amount which will be written off against the Bank's future profits. This loss reflected errors in judgement involving commitments made with the best of intentions to protect the national interest prior to the publication of the Bank's 1992 accounts towards the end of March 1993. As these forward transactions were unwound, losses unfolded in the course of 1993. In this regard, global developments over the past year had not been easy for the Bank; indeed, they made it increasingly difficult for the Bank to unwind these positions without some losses. For the most part, time was not on the Bank's side. Nevertheless, this exercise is now complete- there is at this time, no more contingent liability on the Bank's forward foreign exchange transactions on this account. An unfortunate chapter in the Bank's history is now closed. " This is an admission that until late March 1993, Bank Negara was still dabbling in new forward foreign exchange transactions, with the suggestion that after March, all these forward transactions were unwound. But the provision of RM1.4 billion contingent liability for forward forex trading in the end-1993 account (Note 12) shows that new forex trading were still being entered into well after March 1993. Clearly Datuk Seri Anwar and Tan Sri Jaffar are not telling the truth as to when Bank Negara ceased new forward forex trading.
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| The cost of living in Malaysia Posted: 07 Oct 2012 03:49 PM PDT Malaysia's Approved Permit (AP) process, which restricts importing cars to government approved permit holders, is intended to favour Bumiputeras (ethnic Malay's and members of native tribes) by enabling Bumiputeras to set up automobile sales and service operations. Instead, the AP process has become a lucrative "middleman" operation, where many Malay AP holders sell their permits to non-Malays and keep the cash. NO HOLDS BARRED Raja Petra Kamarudin
On 16th December 2009, the United States Embassy in Kuala Lumpur sent the report below to Washington. Basically, it is a report regarding Malaysia's automobile industry. Now, while both Barisan Nasional as well as Pakatan Rakyat whack each other and condemn each other's '2013 Budget', what we should be discussing instead is: what are both sides going to do about what was reported below? What is the policy regarding the automobile industry? Malaysians, like most Asians, have a 'love affair' with their car. Sometimes the car(s) parked outside their house cost more than the house itself. However, while the house may appreciate in value, the same cannot be said about the car. The car is a depreciating asset and sometimes you cannot even dispose of your car for more than what you owe the finance company. How many times have you heard people grumble that when they sold their car they actually had to 'top up' the full-settlement payment to the finance company? In countries that have a good/efficient public transport system, you can get by without a car. Bankers, managers and even Members of Parliament can use public transport to get to work. In Malaysia, even clerks need to drive to work. Hence cars are not only a status symbol but also a necessity. However, while in some countries (like the UK) your car can be equivalent of 1-2 years of your monthly salary, in Malaysia it can be 5-10 years of your monthly salary depending on your salary and what car you buy. That is just too much. The car should be working for you, not you work for your car, which is what is happening in Malaysia. In the UK this car costs less than one year of your monthly salary while in Malaysia it is 6-7 years if you work as a security guard, waiter, driver, clerk, etc. No doubt car prices in Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, etc., are about the same as in Malaysia (in fact, Malaysia is about 10% cheaper), but that is not a good argument to use to defend car prices in Malaysia. Malaysia has to decide whether it wants a free market policy or a protectionist policy. A free market, no doubt, favours the capitalists. But then in a protectionist environment, although it helps protect the weak from the powerful, invariably the consumer ends up paying. I would go for a free market and may the fittest survive. Certainly, in a free market, the weak are going to die. But is that not the law of nature -- the survival of the fittest? Anyway, I am not going to be contesting the election or wish to form the next government. Hence what I think does not matter. What we, the voters, should be concerned about is: what do those who are offering themselves for election think? Can we hear from them before Malaysians go to the polls to vote in the coming election, which Anwar Ibrahim said last night is going to be held later this year? ************************************************ In October 2009, GOM announced revisions to its National Auto Policy (NAP), in effect since 2005, which will be implemented in January 2010. The revised NAP lifts the freeze on some Manufacturing Licenses, and reduces intra-ASEAN duties and excise taxes, and sets aside tax exemptions for high-value added exports. However, the policy extends the Approved Permit (AP) system for another 10 years (effectively extending quota restrictions), expands import restrictions especially on used vehicles, and does not significantly change subsidies to the industry. U.S. firms will find little to cheer about in the changes to the NAP because there is no significant departure from the past in terms of opening up the market for imports or reducing subsidies to the "national" automakers. Importers of passenger vehicles complain that the measures Malaysia maintains are protectionist, opaque, and potentially inconsistent with Malaysia's obligations under the WTO. According to one American manufacturer's regional representative, the NAP, even after these revisions, seriously restricts the ability of importers to compete on a level playing field. The key policy preferences for bumiputera ownership and high local content remain in place. The small liberalization measures, i.e. duty and excise reductions, are mostly in categories where "national" brands do not compete, or where the infrastructure does not exist (i.e. electric cars). National Auto Policy (NAP) - Objectives Malaysia has protected its automobile manufacturing industry from foreign competition using both high tariffs and non-tariff barriers for the past 20 years. Even for cars produced in Malaysia, Malaysian government policies distinguish between "national" cars, (e.g., domestic producers Proton and Perodua) and "non-national" cars, which include most vehicles manufactured in Malaysia by non-Malaysian owned firms. Malaysia's current National Auto Policy (NAP) has been in effect since 2005. The NAP framework is intended to encourage increased foreign investment in Malaysia's auto sector, while simultaneously strengthening national car-makers Proton and Perodua. The NAP Framework's five major objectives have been: "-- to promote a competitive and viable automobile sector, in particular national car manufacturers; -- to become a regional hub for manufacturing, assembly and distribution for automotive vehicles; -- to enhance value added and local capabilities in the automotive sector; -- to promote export-oriented Malaysian manufacturers as well as component and parts vendors; -- to promote competitive and broad-based Bumiputera participation in vehicle manufacturing, distribution and importation as well as in component and parts manufacturing." Review of the NAP In November 2008, the (then) Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak (currently prime minister) announced that the GOM would review the NAP to potentially liberalize the sector. In October 2009, the GOM announced the completion of its review of the NAP. The new measures will be implemented in January 2010. According to the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), the primary objectives of the review were to ensure the long-term viability and competitiveness of the industry, and to ensure that consumer interests, safety, and the environment were protected. Additional objectives included promoting new and existing investment, promoting utilization of the latest technology, and continued expansion of Bumiputera participation in the industry. Based on the review, the GOM introduced 18 new policy measures or revisions. The policy measures covered adjustments to licensing, duties, incentives, technology, environment, safety, standards, and the Approved Permits (AP) system. Manufacturing Licenses The NAP lifts the freeze on Manufacturing Licenses for luxury vehicles, pick-up trucks, commercial vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and motorcycles with engine capacity over 200 cc. Also, there will not be any bumiputra equity requirements imposed on new manufacturing licenses. The current freeze on new licenses for rebuild activities, however, will remain in force. Duty and excise taxes selectively reduced The new policy reduces the intra-ASEAN duty rate from 5 percent to zero by January 2010. Electric / hybrid vehicles will be exempt from duty and the excise tax reduced to 50 percent (from the usual 105 percent). Duties and excise taxes for other imports from non-ASEAN countries will remain unchanged. Tax exemptions for high value added exports The revised NAP increases the income tax exemption for high-value added exports of vehicles and parts. Tax exemption on statutory income is based on the percentage increase in value-added of exports: if the value-added is at least 30 percent, 30 percent of the value is exempt from income tax (as compared to the previous 10 percent); if the value-added exceeds 50 percent, 50 percent is exempt (as compared to the previous 30 percent). Gazette prices expanded to used vehicles Malaysia currently uses gazette prices (determined by MITI) for the purpose of computing the duty on the value of new imported vehicles. In that past, importers of used vehicles have reportedly under-declared the value of used cars. The NAP addresses this problem by establishing gazette prices for imported used motor vehicles. Approved Permit (AP) system extended Malaysia's Approved Permit (AP) process, which restricts importing cars to government approved permit holders, is intended to favor Bumiputera (ethnic Malay's and members of native tribes) by enabling Bumiputera to set up automobile sales and service operations. Instead, the AP process has become a lucrative "middle man" operation, where many Malay AP holders sell their permits to non-Malays and keep the cash. According to MITI statistics, 156 companies out of 254 have lost their APs since 1986 because of misuse or resale of their APs. This system adds thousands of dollars to the retail cost of imported cars. The revised NAP extends the planned phase-out of AP system to 2020 (from the previous planned 2010), and maintains the minimum 70 percent bumiputera equity requirement for prospective importers. (NOTE: GOM announced in January 2009 that they planned to extend the deadline for the phase-out, but probably not more than five years.) The revised NAP also further restricts importation of used vehicles, by terminating the open APs for used vehicles by December 31, 2015. Automotive Development Fund (ADF) Malaysia's fiscal stimulus package set aside USD56 million for Malaysia's Automotive Development Fund. The purpose of the fund is to support the development of Malaysian auto manufacturers and auto dealers. Under the revised NAP, both the ADF and separate Industrial Adjustment Fund (IAF) will continue providing soft loans, grants and subsidies. The stated purpose of ADF is to "improve competitiveness of parts and components manufacturers through soft loans and grants," whereas the IAF grants are made available to "companies that create significant economic contribution."
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| Penang PKR wrapping up ‘cocky and arrogant Lim’ case Posted: 07 Oct 2012 02:34 PM PDT
(The Star) - Penang PKR is expected to make an announcement on the outcome of its investigation into the alleged leaked recording of Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mansor Othman branding his superior Lim Guan Eng as an arrogant and cocky leader. State PKR vice-chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussein said the issue was largely an internal matter where an element of an unethical practice (leakage of the recording) occurred. "We should stop speculating about it until we make an announcement. Just wait for it," he said in reference to the guessing game on who was the culprit behind the leakage. Mansor is alleged to have uttered the words "cocky" and "arrogant" earlier this year when describing Lim, who is the Chief Minister, during a conversation with fellow PKR leaders here. Two state executive councillors here have played down the significance of the alleged leaked recording. State Youth and Sports, Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Lydia Ong said even the weekly state exco meetings could not be fortified. "Sometimes, before we even announce decisions from our exco meetings, the information was already made known (elsewhere). We have nothing to hide," Ong said after flagging off a cycling event at Gurney Paragon. Penang Domestic Trade, Consumer Affairs and Religious Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Malik Kassim, who was also present, said he was not worried about the alleged recording, as "there will always be black sheep who are out to sabotage others". Separately, Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said this incident exemplified one of the many weaknesses in Pakatan Rakyat.
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| DAP’s Karpal chides ‘presumptuous’ PKR deputy president Posted: 07 Oct 2012 02:28 PM PDT
(The Star) - The feud between Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and his party boss Azmin Ali has worsened with more Pakatan Rakyat leaders joining in the fray to chide the PKR deputy president. The latest Pakatan leader to do so is DAP chairman Karpal Singh who reminded Azmin that he was not in any position to unilaterally announce anything affecting the coalition, including on who should be the Selangor mentri besar if the coalition retained power in the state. "Azmin has exceeded the bounds of opinion, because this matter is beyond PKR. It involves the Pakatan Rakyat leadership," Karpal said yesterday. Karpal was asked to comment on Azmin's recent statement in a Malay daily that implied that Khalid would not be re-appointed as Mentri Besar should Pakatan retain power in Selangor. Azmin had said that Khalid's services were needed at the federal level if Pakatan succeeded in capturing Putrajaya. Karpal said it was not proper for Azmin to express such an opinion because the decision was not in the hands of PKR alone. PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali also affirmed that the matter was never discussed at the Pakatan Rakyat leadership council meetings. He had described Azmin as "over ambitious" for making such a statement. PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's former private secretary, Annuar Shaari also said the feud between Azmin and Khalid had always been an "open secret" within the party circle. "Azmin had wanted the mentri besar's post in 2008, but he kept silent after Anwar convinced him they could take over Putrajaya in 2009," he said. He said it was also known that PKR president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was not in favour of Azmin, while her husband Anwar favoured him. Khalid's political secretary Faekah Husin said Azmin had prematurely dropped the bomb. She said Khalid had laughed off the matter because he did not mind whether he was fielded or dropped from the list of candidates in the next elections. In an unrelated development, Khalid admitted that some PKR members still found fault with the party and doubted the viability of Pakatan. "This is happening because the members are more concerned about their own interests. This is not right. We should show more maturity towards attaining the party's goals," he said at the opening of the party's Kuala Selangor division's annual general meeting in Ijok yesterday.
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| Nazri: EC to implement most PSC recommendations in GE13 Posted: 07 Oct 2012 02:19 PM PDT
Hafidz Baharom, The Malaysian Insider Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz told Parliament today that the Election Commission (EC) will implement most of the recommendations made by a select committee on electoral reforms in April, in the next general election. Out of the 32 recommendations made by the parliamentary select committee (PSC), only six could not be implemented because of existing laws and the extra cost involved, the minister in the prime minister's department said in response to a question from Tanjong MP Chow Kon Yeow. Electoral reform group Bersih's rally on July 9 last year had forced Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's government to accept the need for reforms. The government moved quickly to enact the Peaceful Assembly Act after the event and formed a parliamentary select committee for electoral reforms. In April, the PSC report was released and Parliament approved the report with no debate between the opposition and ruling parties. An opposition minority report was not included in the final report. Bersih maintained that reforms were inadequate and subsequently announced the April 28 Bersih 3.0 rally. The first rally, held in 2007, was partly credited for Barisan Nasional's worst electoral performance during Election 2008, when it lost its traditional parliamentary supermajority and five states to the fledgling Pakatan Rakyat pact. "As we know, the Dewan Rakyat passed ten recommendations in December last year and 22 more in April this year. "The EC has informed us that most of the recommendations have been or will be implemented. "From the 32, only six could not be implemented due to factors regarding laws and large costs," Nazri said today. However, Nazri said that this did not mean the EC would not implement the remaining recommendations in the future. Among the recommendations that would be implemented in the 13th general election is the use of indelible ink, continuous review of the electoral roll, allowing postal voting for media personnel and the improvement of polling stations to ensure that votes remain secret.
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| Musa’s ‘monopoly’ of Sabah may lead to BN’s downfall, says ex-Umno man Posted: 07 Oct 2012 02:15 PM PDT
(The Malaysian Insider) - Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman's iron-clad control of the state, which led to a monopoly of government that brooks no dissent was the last stroke for Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin, the Beaufort MP told Sinar Harian in an interview published today. The veteran lawmaker's decision to quit his powerful Umno supreme council position last July is seen to have strengthened the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) pact's foothold in Malaysia's easternmost state in the run-up to the 13th general elections, despite it being long regarded as a reliable vote bank for the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition. "Sabah Umno has already been controlled by its own state Umno liaison chairman Datuk Seri Musa Aman. "Whatever he does is a monopoly and no one else can criticise," Lajim told the Malay daily, nearly three months after he quit. He acknowledged that there was tension between him and the chief minister, but attributed it to Musa's personal feelings. "I respect him as state Umno liaison chief but in personal matters, perhaps he took what I said to heart because I am too vocal in voicing the rakyat's problems and the question of party unity," he told the paper. He also suggested that Musa had been behind an attempt to remove him from a position of power in 2008, when Beaufort Umno Wanita chief Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun had challenged him for the party division chief position. "If he felt a grave responsibility, he should have advised the Women's chief not to contest," he was quoted saying. Lajim told the paper that he had tried to raise the problems within Sabah Umno with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is also party president previously, but said no action was taken to resolve them despite his reports. "The prime minister asked me to be patient, but I had a good reason to give him. "I met the prime minister on December 20 last year and I resigned on July 29 this year. "Meaning, I had been patient for eight months," the man who had once-proclaimed himself to be a "winnable candidate" told Sinar Harian. Lajim predicted that many other Sabah BN leaders will quit the coalition once Parliament is dissolved to pave the way for national elections and once the lawmakers find out they have not been nominated to run despite being "winnable candidates". He told the paper he also believes that PR's policies can help resolve the state's economic and social woes within three years if elected to power, giving as example hiking the state's oil royalties to 20 per cent from the current five per cent it is given by the federal government. He added that the income from the oil money will help boost wages and state infrastructure, saying Sabah will have a state budget of RM10 billion. He also said he is confident the opposition bloc will win at least 35 state seats in the general elections that must be called by April next year when the BN's mandate expires.
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| Posted: 07 Oct 2012 01:45 PM PDT Pakatan Rakyat for all its 'show' also delivered a equally inadequate shadow budget for 2013. Awang Abdillah, FMT Pakatan Rakyat has presented its' alternative budget 2013 which fails to score any better points. In fact it is a dismal one indicating that they too do not have better ways to improve the economy but are merely claiming to have one. Let us examine the two main items in the budgets of the two coalitions: i) Barisan Nasional budget – The expected revenue is RM208.6 billion and the projected expenditure is RM251.6 billion with a deficit of RM43 billion. ii) Pakatan budget – The expected revenue is RM197.1 billion and the projected expenditure is RM238 billion with a deficit of RM40.9 billion. a) Revenue Since 1997 when Malaysia was badly hit by the financial crisis that originated from Thailand, Malaysia's budget has been operating at a deficit . In plain language the government's annual revenue is insufficient to cover the cost of its expenditure. Surely if Pakatan wants to take over the government it should work out a plan to overcome this serious recurrent financial woe. A surplus revenue over expenditure reflects a government ability to deliver more goods and services to the people without borrowing. But this is not possible given Malaysia's long standing economic ills since the Mahathir era. Hence Pakatan should present a rescue budget plan to tackle the financial misfortunes of the country by tabling a budget with a much higher expected revenue than that of BN. Malaysia is blessed with many resources and with better governance the economy should be able to recover. Colossal illicit outflow Many VIPs , exporters and importers are evading paying the full income tax, tariffs and duties resulting in the government losing billions of ringgit in revenue uncollected. Every year billions in foreign currencies are transferred overseas by BN politicians, their cronies and businessmen without going through Bank Negara to evade paying income tax. The central bank should impose better controls on the transfer of illegal funds out of the country as outflow of colossal amount of foreign currencies will have a negative impact on the economy and the ringgit value. With better control , the IRB can then assess the value of the earnings and wealth of these people and tax them accordingly. Based on latest reports the Chief Minister of Sarawak is tagged as the richest billionaire in Malaysia whose wealth is valued at RM45 billion qualifying him to possibly be the second richest man in South East Asia after the sultan of Brunei. The IRB can collect billions of ringgit in income tax if the government authorizes it to go after these people. Pakatan can step up efforts to recover the ill-gotten wealth including those stashed overseas. For the years 2012 and 2013 the expected annual total exports and imports are valued at more than a trillion ringgit each. Similarly had the tariffs and duties on these goods and services been paid in full based on the full declaration of their value instead of under-declared value, the past years' revenues collected by the relevant agencies would have been be much higher. Thus the relevant departments namely the customs and other agencies must be revamped. Hidden earnings For both taxes on the hidden earnings and under-declared goods the government should be able to collect another RM10-15 billion in revenue. Therefore Pakatan should have presented an expected higher revenue say RM220 bil based on a projected expenditure of RM238 thereby reducing the deficit, debt and borrowings. Pakatan should propose to revamp the current tax collection system to cover the loopholes. The Budget 2013 is the last one before the 13th general election, hence Pakatan should have presented a convincing budget to win the hearts and minds of the people and to counter Najib's psy-war budget. However it did not seize this golden opportunity. Pakatan is fortunate to meet an opponent whose political masters are so engrossed in their greed for power and immersed in so many ills that will lead to their own downfall. b) Expenditure Pakatan should ensure that all public projects and services for the year 2013 go through the open tender system to ensure the most qualified contractors with the lowest/best prices are awarded the contracts and that all contracts that are already awarded by the BN government directly to the crony companies are cancelled or reviewed . Additionally all mega projects will be reviewed or cancelled to avoid waste of public funds. These measures will save the government billions in savings.
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| Ex-DAP man’s criticism has Kok fuming Posted: 07 Oct 2012 01:41 PM PDT DAP's Teresa Kok lashes out at sacked party man Tan Tuan Tat, who accused the former of being a weak and incompetent politician. Athi Shankar, FMT Seputeh MP Teresa Kok has taken an ex-DAP man to task for labelling her as a weak leader. She said Tan Tuan Tat hardly knew anything about what she had done and performed since he was not in the Selangor DAP committee and Pakatan Rakyat state government. Apart from weak, Tan claimed that Kok was an "incompetent politician lacking the capability to head Selangor DAP." Kok said ever since she helmed Selangor DAP, she had forged close working ties with all state committee members and elected representatives. The state executive councillor said they would all be updated on meetings and issues pertaining to the state government, Pakatan and DAP. "Tan has never been informed of these meetings and decisions because he is not a wakil rakyat, a councillor or a DAP state committee member. "So on what grounds did he make such an accusation against me?" asked the Kinrara state representative, in a text message. To prove his point, Tan, the former DAP Taman Seri Sungai Pelek branch chairman, said that Kok did not receive a strong grassroots' mandate during the 2010 state party convention. He recalled that Kok, despite being an exco in the Selangor government, could only secure 437 of the 803 delegates' votes to finish at 11th in a list of 15 elected members. In the subsequent state committee meeting, Kok managed to defeat state legislative assembly speaker Teng Chang Kim by 8-7 vote margin to become the Selangor DAP chairman. Tan said she managed to head Selangor DAP despite weak support from the members because "she was a loyalist to the Lim Dynasty and blue-eyed girl of Lim Kit Siang." Lim Dynasty was a political odium coined by DAP grassroots members and critics to portray the powerful internal faction headed by Ipoh Timur MP Kit Siang and his son, Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary general Guan Eng. 'Playing second fiddle' Despite her elevation to state party chief, Tan said he sympathised with Kok for having to always play second fiddle to DAP's Pandamaran assemblyman Ronnie Liu. Tan recalled that Liu, a state executive councillor, once mocked the party protocol to amend the state leadership-approved list of councillor appointees. He said Liu replaced certain state-endorsed nominees with his own people and got them approved by Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, all without Kok's knowledge. When she knew about it, Tan claimed that Kok shouted at Liu right in front of Khalid. "But Liu went unscathed because he was the Lim Dynasty's main admiral. No disciplinary action was taken against him and Kok was powerless to do anything. "She only ended up embarrassing herself," he said. To this, Kok questioned whether Tan knew what she had done after Liu amended the councillor list. But she did not deliberate further. Tan also accused Kok of negligence in resolving the grouses and issues raised by party members. Since Kok helmed the state party leadership, Tan said factionalism had also crept into Selangor DAP, breaking into three main divisions headed by herself, Liu and Teng. "The main factions have also split into sub-factions. She is the main cause for many disgruntled grassroots leaders and members to leave the party," he claimed.
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| Migrants, church may end BN’s Borneo vote bank Posted: 07 Oct 2012 12:21 PM PDT Sabah Christians walk during a procession ahead of Sunday Mass to celebrate Malaysia Day in Tambunan on September 16, 2012. With a general election due within seven months, the ruling BN is banking on Sabah and Sarawak state to prolong its 55-year grip on power. — Reuters pic Fawziah said she was a beneficiary of a secret plan said to have been approved by Dr Mahathir that has helped fuel a five-fold surge in Sabah's population since the 1970s and turned it into a vote bank for the ruling coalition. The Malaysian Insider Housewife Fawziah Abdul wants to thank former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for making her a citizen 10 years after she illegally slipped into Borneo from the southern Philippines in search of a better life. The 50-year-old lives on the outskirts of Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, where her tin-roofed shack jostles for space with more than 1,000 others in a slum where children play beside heaps of rubbish. She is hopeful that her three children will get a new home and identity cards if she votes for the government again. With a general election due within seven months, the 13-party ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition is banking on Sabah and neighbouring Sarawak to prolong its 55-year grip on power. But its support in the two Borneo states, which account for a quarter of Parliament seats, is showing signs of slipping.  Residents of Pulau Gaya's water village, who are mostly Filipino migrants, gather outside their houses on the sea outside Kota Kinabalu on September 17, 2012. — Reuters pic Fawziah said she was a beneficiary of a secret plan said to have been approved by Dr Mahathir that has helped fuel a five-fold surge in Sabah's population since the 1970s and turned it into a vote bank for the ruling coalition. "I am part of Project Mahathir," she said, referring to the plan. "I was told to turn up at an office with two photographs and some money," added Fawziah, who showed her identity card that lists her as a Sabah-born citizen. Without support in the two eastern states, the ruling coalition would have lost power in the last general election, in 2008, when a resurgent opposition won a majority of votes on Peninsular Malaysia. Now that support looks fragile. Residents of Sabah complain about competition from Filipino and Indonesian migrants for jobs in the oil and gas-rich region, whose revenues are mostly channelled to the federal government and where one in five people lives on less than US$1 (RM3.10) a day. Christians, mostly members of indigenous groups such as the Kadazandusun in Sabah and the Dayaks and Ibans in Sarawak, once made up nearly half of Sabah's population but now form less than a third of its 3.2 million people. But they can still give a potentially vital boost to the opposition, which won a majority of votes in mainland Malaysia in 2008 but only got three of 56 seats in Sabah and Sarawak. FLEXING POLITICAL MUSCLES The election is expected to be the closest in the former British colony's history after the coalition lost its two-thirds majority for the first time in 2008. This is partly due to Christian, Buddhist and Hindu minorities in the mostly Muslim country abandoning the coalition, complaining of discrimination over issues such as the airing of Islamic programmes on state television. Arnold Puyok, a political scientist at Universiti Teknologi Mara Sabah, says the frustration could translate into votes for the opposition led by Dr Mahathir's former deputy, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, which could pick up at least 10 seats out of 25 in Sabah. Opposition strategists say they need to win an extra 10 seats each in Sabah, Sarawak and mainland Malaysia to win the election with a simple majority of 112 seats. The opposition — a coalition of Borneo parties and a mainland alliance that campaigns for greater transparency — won 15 seats from the ruling bloc in Sarawak state elections for its best showing in 24 years. It got votes from indigenous Christians as well as from the ethnic Chinese minority. As Christian frustration grows over Muslim migrants, churches are becoming more vocal. Malaysia's largest evangelical group held a 40 day-fast last month, which included prayers for the resolution of what they see as the immigrant problem.  A Sabah Christian reads from a prayer book with the Arabic word 'Allah' in reference to God, at a church in Tambunan on September 16, 2012. — Reuters pic "There are quite a few unhappy Sabah people. Sabahans do not usually show it openly, they are doing it through prayer," Stephanie Rainier, a Kadazandusun among 7,000 worshippers at a stadium in Kota Kinabalu, said of people's frustration. "They are taking over businesses. They are everywhere," she said of migrants. Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/migrants-church-may-end-bns-borneo-vote-bank/
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| Beyond the fight to be Lembah Pantai MP Posted: 07 Oct 2012 12:20 PM PDT
The next general election is expected to be the closest fight to form the new Malaysian government. And several seats across the nation are likely to be heated battles with the slimmest of majorities. The Malaysian Insider takes a look at some of these hot seats in what will be an intense election for control of Malaysia. Joan Lau, The Malaysian Insider Bangsar Baru with its leafy affluent neighbourhoods and trendy cafes serving artisanal coffee is a far cry from Kampung Kerinchi and Pantai Dalam where the residents are more accustomed to teh tarik and sup ekor. Yet these two areas are part of the federal constituency of Lembah Pantai, one of the next general election's hot seats. The incumbent is PKR's Nurul Izzah Anwar, the daughter of Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. She is touted to be the future opposition leader so there is much talk in Barisan Nasional (BN) circles that it is important she be "taken down." To be denied re-election to the seat she won as a rank novice back in 2008. Her opponent — even though it is still unofficial — is Raja Datuk Nong Chik Zainal Abidin, who is the federal territories and urban well-being minister. Although Raja Nong Chik, 59, an accountant, is more well-known in the corporate scene than the political arena, he has taken to his role as Lembah Pantai challenger rather well with a mix of on-the-ground events and social media. There is the perennial accusation of phantom voters and a suspicion that some 14,000 Umno members have been relocated to Lembah Pantai from bordering seats of course. All this will purportedly bump up the number of votes the BN candidate — whoever it is — will receive of course.  Nurul Izzah has found it a tough to carry out events and hold ceramahs within her own constituency. Still, Nurul Izzah, 31, has found it a hard slog trying to carry out events and hold ceramahs within her own constituency. "Yes, it is practically impossible for the current Lembah Pantai MP to use any Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) facilities," said one of her aides, referring to Kuala Lumpur City Hall. "We are stonewalled." Getting permits for her events has been particularly difficult in the Kampung Kerinchi and Pantai Dalam areas. Very often Nurul Izzah has had to cancel ceramahs planned for the People's Housing Project flats neighbourhood and hold them in private homes, using their compounds, instead. "Yes, her programmes have been blocked many times. Sometimes directly, others indirectly," said another aide. "We've been told that those who host her programmes — especially those in the low-cost housing area — are often harassed by DBKL or other agencies afterwards." The stonewalling takes on various forms: she has been blocked from presenting aid to students at a school in Pantai Dalam; not permitted to distribute dates and her MP newsletter at the Masjid Saidina Abu Bakar As Siddiq in Bangsar during Ramadan (she had to retreat to a nearby carpark) and so on. The more affluent middle-class component of Lembah Pantai — Bangsar, Bukit Travers and Pantai Baru — is home to the chattering masses. These are well-educated, highly opinionated Malaysians who used to be content to just chatter and complain. But in the past two years, many of them have walked their talk... attending both Coalition for Free and Fair Election (Bersih) rallies, for example.  Raja Datuk Nong Chik is expected to be the BN candidate for Lembah Pantai. They will very likely vote for the incumbent but across at the land of low-cost flats and blue-collar workers, the largesse a BN candidate will very likely bring may just be too tempting. Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/beyond-the-fight-to-be-lembah-pantai-mp/ |
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