Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Najib: Anwar's call for Australia to intervene in GE shameful
- Kelantan's hair dressing laws unlawful, says Karpal Singh
- Mohd Isa denies sexist remarks to Eli Wong
- Karpal Singh: Peaceful Assembly Act ultra-vires to Federal Constitution
- Maintain Constitution to preserve peaceful ethnic ties, says USM don
- Musa calls PKR ‘political bankrupts’, insists ICAC exonerated him
- Muhyiddin: Brace for Pakatan’s ‘psycho’ attacks in GE13
- Pakatan must do more for Penang Malays
- MB says poverty behind Muslim apostasy in Selangor
- Fernandez's remarks can strain ties between politicians, civil servants
- ICAC wants ‘transactional’ info for new probe, says Rafizi
- MCA leaders all riled up again, this time over a haircut
- Ex-minister Radzi a boss in ‘rogue’ 6P firm
- Pairin: Jeffrey doesn’t love me anymore
- Anwar sodomise case on Feb 15
- Beaufort MP to defend seat on PKR ticket
- Two ex-DAP grassroot leaders hit out at Selangor councillors Kok and Liu
- Traffic enforcement must not be privatised, says ex-IGP
- Nurul Izzah sues Utusan for defamation over apostasy row
- MCA lashes out at PAS’ gender laws
- Bersih happy with EC’s efforts
- ‘Anwar is an attention seeker’
- PKR confident of winning more in Penang
- Umno’s Alwi blames ulama for Malay disunity
- Where’s the billions in forest royalties?
- Internal rifts may cost PKR Indian votes
- Malaysian regulators find ‘issues’ in AirAsia audit
- Dong Zong shrugs off MPM outrage
- PKA seeks hair cut on PKFZ loan
- RM200,000 more for each speed camera because of training, says government
- Ali: Come down hard on personnel leaking govt secrets
- Kelantan’s gender segregation rules affect non-Muslim businesses
- Dr M: PAS is backed by the devil
- Reporters who stir racial tension should be jailed, says Dr M
- Muhyiddin: We will defend Sabah at all costs
- Haris: I’ve had enough of RPK
- Give us power over our own land, says orang asli
- Unveiled Syrian Facebook post stirs women's rights debate
- 'Sorry Anwar, Australia can't help you'
- Kazakhstan in legal move to ban opposition parties and media
- Tony Fernandes is a thief, claims MP
- Azmin: I’m loyal to the Mentri Besar
- Umno is ‘rakyat’, not wrong to acquire public land, says Kuang rep
- Perlis Raja Muda urges curbs on liberalism
- ‘No change to PAS hate politics’
- Tat: DAP will lose the election because of Teresa
- ‘HK chief prosecutor’s statement damning’
- ‘Can you expect thieves to arrest themselves?’
- ‘Affirmative action for Malays dangerous’
- Australia is Malaysia's last hope: Xenophon
| Najib: Anwar's call for Australia to intervene in GE shameful Posted: 23 Nov 2012 10:53 PM PST
(THE STAR) - Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has described Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's request for Australia to intervene in the general election as a shameless act. The Prime Minuster questioned Anwar's lack of confidence in Malaysia's electoral process when the opposition won five states in the last elections. "Now they say there are 12-year-olds in the electoral roll. If so, show us the proof so we can address the problems, don't ask a foreign country to intervene, don't bring shame upon our country," Najib told a gathering of 1,500 NGOs at the Putra World Trade Centre. Anwar had petitioned for Australia to intervene in the elections but foreign minister Bob Carr rejected the request. In an interview, Anwar said people who are ineligible to vote, some of whom were 12-years old, were in the electoral list. Commenting on Australia's rejection of Anwar's request, Najib said: "Luckily the Australians are wise and said no way, not our business', because they know they have good relations with us and they know Malaysian leaders. "But he (Anwar) goes here and there to cucuk (provoke), his cucuk is never-ending." Najib said Malaysia was now becoming an example to many nations and in fact, some were jealous of its success and achievements but certain parties in the country were finding fault with the government and making a hue and cry abroad. "Don't talk about inside the country, the Bangsamoro also looked up to Malaysia (to end the conflict in the southern Philippines; (for) 40 years, more than 100,000 had died," he said. Malaysia facilitated the peace process between the Bangsamoro and the Philippine goverment which culminated in a peace accord being signed by the conflicting parties last month. "Here, people look for fault in us, (whilst) others are worse. "In the Unites States, even the presidential election had problems, voters could not find their names at voting booths, late decisions, but nobody said there was big cheating going on, or the selection of (Barack) Obama for the second term was not valid, none..," he said. Blasting the opposition who often questioned and disputed the government, Najib said they, however, kept quiet when the opposition wrested five states from the Barisan Nasional (BN) in the last general election in 2008.
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| Kelantan's hair dressing laws unlawful, says Karpal Singh Posted: 23 Nov 2012 06:06 PM PST
(The Star) - The DAP wants the Kelantan government to intervene in the municipal council by-laws prohibiting women from cutting men's hair in the state. Chairman Karpal Singh said he was surprised that the state decided to enforce such a ruling on non-Muslims. "The state government has publicly declared that Islamic laws will not be extended to non-Muslims. PAS has also stated hudud will only be applied to Muslims. "There's a lot of concern among the public on what has happened in Kelantan. If hudud is allowed to be applicable to Muslims, there will come (a time that it will) be extended to non-Muslims," he told a press conference in Air Itam on Saturday. He was responding to reports that hair salon operators in the PAS-ruled state were being fined for breaching the by-laws which prohibit a woman from cutting the hair of a man and vice versa. Karpal Singh said the ruling was unconstitutional and could be challenged in court. "In fact, it should be challenged in court. Those concerned should not pay the fines. It is unlawful. "I hope that the PAS leadership will intervene and do something about it as soon as possible," he said adding that Barisan Nasional should not be presented with issues that it can exploit now that the general election is looming.
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| Mohd Isa denies sexist remarks to Eli Wong Posted: 23 Nov 2012 04:27 PM PST
(The Sun Daily) - Batang Kali assemblyman Mohd Isa Abu Kasim today denied he had uttered sexist remarks towards Bukit Lanjan assembly person Elizabeth Wong during yesterday's state assembly sitting. "I did not make any such statements. Hansard (the transcript used during assembly sittings) can prove that I did not say it when it is released," he said during the afternoon sitting of today's assembly. He also claimed that Hannah Yeoh (DAP - Subang Jaya) was oversensitive over the remarks he said. "I only commented on Wong's work in maintaining our forest reserves. I don't have any other intentions," he said. He was responding to Yeoh's appeal to Rodziah Ismail (PKR -Batu Tiga) to send Selangor state assembly persons to undergo gender sensitivity training, adding that Mohd Isa needs "an emergency crash course". According to news portal Malaysiakini, Mohd Isa told Wong, who is exco member in charge of tourism, consumer affairs and environment, to take care of her own forest even as she takes care of the forest reserves around Selangor's vicinity yesterday. Rodziah, who is chairperson for welfare, women's affairs and science, technology and innovation committee, then replied that the state government has viewed gender discrimination seriously. , there has been allocation of provisions to conduct gender sensitivity training, including the programme "Ada ada dengan gender?" that was launched this year.
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| Karpal Singh: Peaceful Assembly Act ultra-vires to Federal Constitution Posted: 23 Nov 2012 03:49 PM PST
(Bernama) - Lawyer Karpal Singh, acting for applicant Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, told the High Court here Friday that the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 had completely prohibited the right to assemble, by way of street protest. The senior lawyer said the provision under Section 4(1)(c) was not intended to "restrict" but more to "prohibit" the right to assemble. "Any street protest, actually, was a moving assembly and the Act should not completely prohibit it," contended Karpal by pointing out on the provision of Section 4(1)(c) of the Act, which he argued, was inconsistent and contravened with the provision of Article 10 (1)(b) of the Federal Constitution. He said the Act defined a street protest as an assembly that was in movement. "Even Article 10(1)(b) clearly stated that all citizens have the right to assemble peaceably, without arms," he noted. He further submitted that the word, 'restriction', should be interpreted as reasonable restriction as stated in Article 10, and the constitution was the supreme law of the country. "Any law passed after Merdeka Day, which is inconsistent with the constitution, should be declared void," said Karpal, who urged Justice Kamardin Kashim to allow Anwar's application with costs. Kamardin set Nov 30, for respondent (prosecution) to reply to the applicant's submission Friday. In a related development, Anwar's co-counsel, Ram Karpal Singh, said if the court ruled in Anwar's favour, one of the charges under the Peaceful Assembly Act would be dropped, leaving only two charges still pending at the Sessions Court. Anwar, 64, together with Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali, 48, and Rembau PKR branch chief Badrul Hisham Shaharin (third accused), 34, were charged last May 22, with taking part in street demonstrations which allegedly led to chaos in the city. The three also faced a second charge of conniving with Tangam Raju, Rajesh Kumar Gejinder and Farhan Ibrahim, by inciting them to remove steel barricades at Jalan Raja here on the same day. They are the first to be charged under Section 4(2)(c) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, which carries a fine of up to RM10,000, upon conviction. Last July 2, the trio were charged with conspiring with Tangam, Rajesh, Farhan and five or more supporters of 'Gabungan Pilihan Raya Bersih dan Adil (Bersih 3.0)' to defy a magistrate's court order dated April 26, against holding a rally at Dataran Merdeka from April 28 until May 1, this year.
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| Maintain Constitution to preserve peaceful ethnic ties, says USM don Posted: 23 Nov 2012 03:34 PM PST
In his presentation earlier, Sivamurugan had referred to Articles 3, 152, 153, 18, 18 (3) of the Federal Constitution, saying that these articles have to be preserved. Ida Lim, The Malaysian Insider The Federal Constitution should be kept as it is because the country's supreme law is a core part for the preservation of ethnic relations in multi-racial Malaysia, Dr Sivamurugan Pandian, a Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) professor, said today. "The Constitution and the Rukun Negara have to continue to be a reference... in the process to preserve ethnic relations," Sivamurugan said in a presentation at the Barisan 1 Malaysia gathering at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) today. He acknowledged that there may be different interpretations of the Federal Constitution. "But we have to preserve what has already been agreed under the Constitution. The Constitution is not based on each individual's comfort, when we like we follow; when don't like we don't follow," he said. In his presentation earlier, Sivamurugan had referred to Articles 3, 152, 153, 18, 18 (3) of the Federal Constitution, saying that these articles have to be preserved. "Don't we ever try to change because that is the foundation of the management of ethnic relations," he said. Last week, The Malaysian Insider reported that a UK-based study on discrimination and equality in Malaysia showed that the country should repeal or amend two constitutional provisions protecting the special rights and land of the Malays to avoid discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity. The study was jointly conducted by international charity organisation Equal Rights Trust (ERT) and local rights group Tenaganita. The four-part study said the existence of Articles 89 and 153 of the Federal Constitution were among the strongest causes behind racial discrimination in Malaysia as both had purportedly failed to meet the original intention for positive action. Instead, the provisions had "violated international law standards", it was said in the executive summary of the "Washing the Tigers: Addressing Discrimination and Inequality in Malaysia" study published on the ERT website last Monday.
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| Musa calls PKR ‘political bankrupts’, insists ICAC exonerated him Posted: 23 Nov 2012 03:29 PM PST
Leslie Lau, The Malaysian Insider Datuk Musa Aman accused the opposition of "rehashing the same old story" and called them political bankrupts for trying to press Hong Kong to reopen a graft probe for which he said he had already been cleared. "From the very start, I had the greatest confidence in the integrity of the ICAC and that I would be exonerated. Now the ICAC has cleared me. That brought an end to the pain and suffering my family has to endure for the past years," he said in a statement last night, referring to Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption.  Musa said PKR was using the same complaint to gain political mileage. — File pic Rafizi Ramli, who led the party's four-member fact-finding mission there, said it was not immediately clear what the ICAC plans do with the new evidence but expressed confidence that the case would likely be reopened. In PKR's report to Hong Kong's graftbusters, three reasons were listed to encourage the world-renowned ICAC to reopen the RM40 million graft probe against Musa and Chia — separate claims from two Sabah MPs that the money was not a political donation to Umno as claimed; and the receipt of a luxury vehicle from Chia by Umno minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz, possibly for corrupt reasons. Chia's alleged link with Musa first exploded in the media following an April article by whistleblower site Sarawak Report, which had claimed that the former was caught trying to leave the Hong Kong International Airport with the RM40 million in Singapore currency. At the time, Chia had allegedly told the authorities that the money was meant for Musa. The issue hit the headlines again last month when Nazri told Parliament that Musa had been cleared of corruption in the matter after Malaysian and Hong Kong anti-graft authorities found that the money was a "political donation" to Sabah Umno and was not meant for Musa's personal use. Musa said he did not understand why PKR could not accept the truth. "What more do they want? They are trying again to use the same complaint to gain political mileage. "They are rehashing the same old story. I think I am entitled to conclude that the opposition is a political bankrupt. We are entitled to treat their recent rehashed allegation with the contempt it so richly deserves. "I remain humble, but surely there is a limit to one's humility and patience." he said in the statement.
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| Muhyiddin: Brace for Pakatan’s ‘psycho’ attacks in GE13 Posted: 23 Nov 2012 03:26 PM PST
(The Malaysian Insider) - Umno members must brace themselves and be more aggressive to counter the opposition's psychological attacks if they want to ensure the party and the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) remain in power at the next general election, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin warned in an interview published today in Utusan Malaysia. The ruling coalition's No. 2 told Umno delegates, who will be attending the party's annual general assembly next week here, not to rest on their laurels but raise the ante because the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) opposition pact has stepped up its game in its quest to wrest Putrajaya at the 13th general election (GE13) due soon when the BN's mandate expires next April. "They want to psycho the rakyat's thinking, they are ready to take over and topple the government. As an Umno leader, we cannot just listen and be silent," Muhyiddin told the Umno-owned daily. "We know Anwar Ibrahim is campaigning. He takes the plane. DAP takes the bus, goes from corner to corner one by one. They have arranged their strategies, we know," he pointed out, referring to the PKR de facto leader and its political partner in the three-party alliance set up four years ago after Election 2008 to counter the BN machinery. Muhyiddin, who is also deputy prime minister, said the federal opposition has become "power mad" in its bid to take control of Putrajaya, alleging that it has permitted things that are considered "haram", or forbidden by Islam, but did not specify the acts. He said the PR will use all kinds of tactics, such as swearing oaths and making all sorts of allegations against the Election Commission (EC), notably claiming that the voter roll is "not right", in its attempt to "condition the people's mind that if BN wins, it's through fraud". The opposition parties have taken part in two controversial public rallies in the capital city over the last two years, backing the independent electoral reform group Bersih 2.0 in pushing for the voter roll to be cleaned up of dubious entries ahead of the next national polls. Yesterday, Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim highlighted the PR state government's doubt over a 28 per cent spike in registered voters in PR-controlled areas, which he claimed could not be traced by the state's audit. Khalid, who is from PKR, said he would be writing in to the EC for an explanation soon. "This is a war from a strategy aspect and others," Muhyiddin told Utusan in a message to Umno delegates ahead of the party's assembly, which begins next Tuesday. The powerful Umno politician hoped his message will reach Umno members and fire them up so they will not relax their guard until the elections are over. "There is not time to rest, we must rise all the time until our task is complete after the elections," he said.
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| Pakatan must do more for Penang Malays Posted: 23 Nov 2012 02:51 PM PST The Malays in Penang want a Malay Deputy Chief Minister to look after their interests To this, the congress' president Rahmad Isahak said it was becoming clear that both PKR and PAS have failed to maintain Pakatan Rakyat's hold on the Malays. Hawkeye, FMT The Penang Malay Congress has called on DAP to consider appointing a Malay to become the next Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) I if the present leader, PKR's Mansor Othman, relinquishes the post in favour of contesting a parliament seat. The rumour mill is working overtime in Penang now since PKR supremo Anwar Ibrahim announced last week that Mansor, a party vice-president, will contest the Nibong Tebal parliament seat. The seat is presently held by Tan Tee Beng who had won the seat under the PKR banner in 2008 but has since become an Independent. Anwar declined to comment on whether Mansor will be allowed to defend his present Penanti state seat on the mainland. To this, the congress' president Rahmad Isahak said it was becoming clear that both PKR and PAS have failed to maintain Pakatan Rakyat's hold on the Malays. Moving Mansor out of Penang, stengthens the congress' belief that Pakatan is concerned about the Malay ground here and confirms that the Malay electorate is disappointed with them, Rahmad said. Mansor has been underfire for the last three years for failing to champion Malay issues well, and he is often seen as being subservient to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng. To arrest an alleged decline in Malay support, Rahmad said Pakatan needs to revamp its present leadeship allocation. A Malay DAP candidate, who wins in the next election, should instead be made the DCM I as this will demonstrate to the people that the party is committed to the Malays, Rahmad said. Talk is that Penang DAP will consider fielding at least two Malay candidates here to challenge the perception among the Malay community that it is a Chinese party. DAP's failure to field any Malays may also give rise to a number of independent candidates – sponsored by Malay civil groups where 23 organisations have sprouted up in Penang since 2008. Rahmad said the Malays in Penang have become restless due to the inability of the DAP-led state government to effectively address their socio-economic issues. The community's grouses are over the lack of affordable housing, erosion of their heritage and culture values, made worse by the demolition of traditional villages on the island and the lack of quality jobs despite a record number of fresh investments. "If you ask a critically minded Malay if they support Pakatan, they remain speechless. It is not because Pakatan failed them, it is because the issues of the community has gone unnoticed by the inexperienced government for the past four years." The Malay dilemma The Malays are now venting their anger on PKR and PAS for failure to convince DAP over the critical need to look at the community's issues. Even during Barisan's era, the Malay community here has been stirring up issues and expressing their anger, Rahmad said in an interview. The Malays are in a dilemma here because if they support Pakatan, there is a preception out there that their issues will not be effectively resolved unless a strong-willed Malay leader is appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister I, Rahmad said. On the other hand, it is pointless to support Umno as the party is part of the Barisan Nasional coalition, which is finding it increasingly difficult to regain acceptance in Penang, he said.
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| MB says poverty behind Muslim apostasy in Selangor Posted: 23 Nov 2012 12:27 AM PST
(Bernama) - Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the issue of apostasy among Muslims in Selangor is caused by poverty and efforts are being taken to address it. Khalid who is also the state executive councillor for Islamic affairs said he would combine aid by Islamic Trust Fund and Selangor Zakat Board to better care for the welfare of Muslims. He said this in reply to a question from Datuk Dr Hasan Mohamed Ali (Independent-Gombak Setia), who asked about efforts to convert Muslims in Selangor in the state assembly here today. Khalid said Islamic law enforcement agencies need to monitor how other religious missionaries draw Muslims and look into ways to save the faith of Muslims. To a supplementary question from Ng Suee Lim (DAP-Sekinchan) who asked how many Muslims had been apostatised since Pakatan Rakyat ruled, Khalid said he did not have the data as apostasy was an issue for individuals and families did not publicise it. However, there were still 10 cases relating to apostasy undergoing the court process in Selangor, he added.
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| Fernandez's remarks can strain ties between politicians, civil servants Posted: 23 Nov 2012 12:19 AM PST
(Bernama) - The Administrative and Diplomatic Officers Alumni Association said the remark by Petaling Jaya City Council member Derek Fernandez can strain the harmonious working relationship between politicians and civil servants. Its president Tan Sri Sallehudin Mohamad urged Fernandez who likened civil servants as 'monkeys' while commenting on the transfer of the mayor to withdraw his remark in order to protect the harmonious relationship. "The civil service is the pillar in the administration of any country. The responsibility entrusted is indeed noble and heavy a burden. "The civil service expects sincere cooperation and positive support from all parties in the government, including political leaders appointed by supporters," he said in a statement here today. Fernandez was quoted as saying in an English newspaper: "Let's see who the candidates are. If they are going to nominate some monkeys, we will reject."
The Administrative and Diplomatic Officers Alumni Association said the remark by Petaling Jaya City Council member Derek Fernandez can strain the harmonious working relationship between politicians and civil servants.Its president Tan Sri Sallehudin Mohamad urged Fernandez who likened civil servants as 'monkeys' while commenting on the tranfer of the mayor to withdraw his remark in order to protect the harmonious relationship. "The civil service is the pillar in the administration of any country. The responsibility entrusted is indeed noble and heavy a burden. "The civil service expects sincere cooperation and positive support from allparties in the government, including political leaders appointed by supporters," he said in a statement here today. Fernandez was quoted as saying in an English newspaper: "Let's see who the candidates are. If they are going to nominate some monkeys, we will reject." Read more: Fernandez's remarks can strain ties between politicians, civil servants - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/fernandez-s-remarks-can-strain-ties-between-politicians-civil-servants-1.175861?localLinksEnabled=false#ixzz2D3zVL56z The Administrative and Diplomatic Officers Alumni Association said the remark by Petaling Jaya City Council member Derek Fernandez can strain the harmonious working relationship between politicians and civil servants.Its president Tan Sri Sallehudin Mohamad urged Fernandez who likened civil servants as 'monkeys' while commenting on the tranfer of the mayor to withdraw his remark in order to protect the harmonious relationship. "The civil service is the pillar in the administration of any country. The responsibility entrusted is indeed noble and heavy a burden. "The civil service expects sincere cooperation and positive support from allparties in the government, including political leaders appointed by supporters," he said in a statement here today. Fernandez was quoted as saying in an English newspaper: "Let's see who the candidates are. If they are going to nominate some monkeys, we will reject." Read more: Fernandez's remarks can strain ties between politicians, civil servants - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/fernandez-s-remarks-can-strain-ties-between-politicians-civil-servants-1.175861?localLinksEnabled=false#ixzz2D3zVL56z |
| ICAC wants ‘transactional’ info for new probe, says Rafizi Posted: 22 Nov 2012 09:04 PM PST
Zurairi AR, The Malaysian Insider Hong Kong graftbusters may renew their probe into the murky RM40 million "political donation" to Sabah Umno if provided with evidence to show the funds were transacted on the island, PKR's Rafizi Ramli said today. "I'm very confident that the case will be re-opened. From our discussion with ICAC, they have given an easy evidence test," the PKR strategy director said in a press conference here, referring to the Independent Commission Against Corruption. "And we do have evidence, documents. That's why we need to return in two weeks," said Rafizi, who led a team of PKR lawmakers to Hong Kong on Wednesday in a bid to get authorities there to renew their investigations into the matter. Rafizi and his team were reluctant, however, to divulge details on the evidence, other than to say it met the ICAC's requirment, for fear of jeopardising their sources and the investigation. "There are like three or four files," Rafizi said, refusing to elaborate further. Yesterday, the PKR team furnished fresh evidence to the ICAC on Datuk Musa Aman's RM40 million graft case and were invited to return with more proof on the Sabah chief minister's alleged money-laundering link with businessman Michael Chia. According to Rafizi today, the team had met with the Acting Chief Investigator of ICAC Martin Chan Chi-wah, after an immediate appointment was requested by senior Hong Kong legislative councillor James To Kun-sun. The PKR lawmakers also met with their Hong Kong counterparts To, Leung Kwok-hung and Raymond Wong, who are part of the legislative council's Security Panel, to which the ICAC answers. In PKR's report, three reasons were listed to encourage the world-renowned ICAC to reopen the RM40 million graft probe against Musa and Chia — separate claims from two Sabah MPs that the money was not a political donation to Umno as claimed; and the receipt of a luxury vehicle from Chia by Umno minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz, possibly for corrupt reasons. "They did give us a reference number and I think that by practice here, all cases are opened once a report is lodged," Rafizi said yesterday in a phone call to The Malaysian Insider. The fact-finding mission, which had just touched down from Hong Kong, also included PKR MPs William Leong and Lee Hoy Sian, and Perak assemblyman Chang Lih Kang. Chang and Leong also revealed that HK representatives whom they met were greatly concerned that the island's image as a financial capital will be tarnished by allegations of graft and money-laundering. "They hope we can bring justice in Hong Kong and Malaysia," Leong said. "It is the responsibility of anyone to help ICAC in investigating money laundering cases ... so that Hong Kong will not be made into a 'paradise of money-laundering'," Chang added. Chia's alleged link with Musa first exploded in the media following an April article by whistleblower site Sarawak Report, which had claimed that former was caught trying to leave the Hong Kong International Airport with the RM40 million in Singapore currency.
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| MCA leaders all riled up again, this time over a haircut Posted: 22 Nov 2012 08:56 PM PST
MCA has been at loggerheads with Islamic values since it launched an intense campaign to stop PAS's appeal among non-Muslim voters (Harakah Daily) - Chinese-only party MCA has continued its current campaign to woo back non-Muslim support, and today it urged DAP to forget about Pakatan Rakyat - all because the Kota Bharu Municipal Council enforced a long-existing rule which disallows unisex services at hair saloons. The rule, which has been welcomed by many including non-Muslim women and housewives who fear the rampant misuse of unisex hair saloons as prostitution dens, is stated under Section 107(2) of the Local Council Act.
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| Ex-minister Radzi a boss in ‘rogue’ 6P firm Posted: 22 Nov 2012 08:52 PM PST However, he denies involvement in human trafficking. Teoh El Sen, FMT Former home minister Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad is a director in a company that is under police investigation over several offences related to human trafficking. The company, SNT Universal Corporation Sdn Bhd, is a government-appointed agent in the 6P amnesty programme. Police suspect it has exploited hundreds of foreign workers, mainly Bangladeshis. Investigators are focusing on the possibility that SNT has committed several offences, including falsely claiming that it is able to register foreigners under the 6P programme and getting work permits for them, setting up dozens of bogus employment agencies, and assaulting job-seeking foreigners. The last allegation is based on CCTV recordings. According to the Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM), Radzi became a director of SNT on May 17, 2011. Radzi expressed surprise when an FMT reporter informed him of the CCM record. He said "some friends" roped him into being an SNT director and denied knowledge of its activities. "I'm not involved in human trafficking," he said. "People ask me to become director in all sorts of things. I have no connection with the company." Radzi was the Minister of Home Affairs between 2006 and 2008. Under the 6P programme, illegal foreign workers will either be legalised or deported without punishment. The six Ps represent the Malay words for registration, legalisation, amnesty, monitoring, enforcement and deportation. The government has appointed more than 300 companies to handle registration. Early this month, the Selangor Council Against Human Trafficking (Mapmas) released CCTV recordings showing the violence that SNT employees had allegedly perpetrated against the job-seekers. Mapmas said it got hold of the recordings with the help of a whistleblower and that the victims of the recorded assault represented only a fraction of some 200 claiming to have been cheated by SNT. The videos are now on YouTube. Police said this week that they had arrested three foreigners in the case and were on the hunt for another suspect. The evidence regarding bogus employment agencies resulted from investigations carried out by FMT and Mapmas official Abdul Aziz Ismail. It was found that these companies had no business infrastructure and were apparently set up for the sole purpose of obtaining fraudulent work permits to be used in the 6P programme. One of the recurring names in these companies is Md. Shahidul Islam, said to be a Bangladeshi man whose nickname is Babul. Babul's name also appears in a police report against SNT that accuses it of cheating and assault. Authorities have yet to explain how he is able to run a 6P management company when the Home Ministry prohibits foreigners from doing so. 'They made use of my name' Mampas' Abdul Aziz, a veteran labour activist, today condemned Radzi for accepting a director's position in SNT. "During his time as the Home Minister, the government brought in some 500,000 Bangladeshis and they were abandoned at the airport and sold to a third party," Abdul Aziz said. "So, if you talk about Mohd Radzi, he failed during his tenure. And now he is getting himself involved in something like this. It is totally unethical and immoral." In his interview with FMT, Radzi recalled that he was asked to be a director of SNT around the time the government announced the 6P programme. "I don't even know where this company is," he said. "Maybe I have been there once, when it was about to be formed. It checked out with the Home Ministry. Now it has gone a bit funny, huh?" He said it was the first company he joined after leaving his cabinet post. "I looked at the company and thought they were just doing some registration for these workers, allowing them to go home or something like that. They asked if I wanted to be part of it. So okay-lah." He said that a few months ago, when he found out that the 6P programme was not doing well, he told the company he wanted to quit it. Asked if he knew the other SNT directors, he said: "I may be able to recall this Babul something. I think that's him." He said he felt betrayed. "They made use of my name. Now it appears that I should have checked what sort of company this was. I'm disappointed."
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| Pairin: Jeffrey doesn’t love me anymore Posted: 22 Nov 2012 06:10 PM PST It is now an open secret that the KadazanDusuns in Keningau and even Tambunan are clamouring for change, but Joseph Pairin Kitingan refuses to acknowledge the shift. Calvin Kabaron, FMT Embattled Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Joseph Pairin Kitingan has increased his attacks on his brother Jeffrey. He sees Jeffrey as the man who will send him into retirement. Speaking to reporters at the end of recently-concluded PBS congress here, Pairin accused the younger Kitingan of not loving him and of breaking the unity within the KadazanDusunMurut communities. He also said Jeffrey was uncooperative and hurled half a dozen more accusations against his younger brother. For the record, as of yesterday, Pairin, 72, seemed to still want to be renominated as Barisan Nasional candidate in both the Keningau parliamentary and Tambunan state seats. It is now an open secret that the Kadazandusuns in Keningau and even Tambunan are clamouring for change. But Pairin, being the longest (and uninterrupted) serving state assemblyman in the country, refuses to acknowledge the shifting ground. In fact he loathed to entertain the idea of people wanting change. "I am ready to contest both seats," said Pairin who is also a deputy chief minister and Sabah's minister of infrastructure development. On possibility in the election, he quipped: "Are the people ready to chuck me off?" He said that while it was up to the people in Keningau and Tambunan to decide, it must be noted that he has "done a lot more in terms of fighting for the people" via PBS. "I would say that I have a lot going and I have done a lot more in terms of fighting for the people in the context of our (PBS) struggles all this while. And that is something which needs to be considered…," said Pairin, obviously already on the defensive about his chances in the coming general election. But he quickly qualified that he however would be guided by the requests from the constituents and the party. Asked about rumours and reports that he would only contest one seat this time, the seasoned politician retorted: "Did I say that? No, I did not. I have always been open for these two (seats) and of course I am also guided by requests from the ground, my division and the party. Which means to say, it is still very much an option. He may go fo both, or may go for only one. Many local observers from Tambunan claimed that it is Pairin's trademark to be seen as open for any option, and that like other wise politicians, he could be saying one thing and doing another thing later. "I won't be surprised at all that Pairin would eventually contest in Tambunan only. I am not even surprised if he does not contest at all at the coming general election. Once the truth set in him, he would be guided by it," one seasoned observer who wished to be known only as Mark. Pairin, meanwhile, said he had taken note of Jeffrey's signal "to send him into retirement by contesting against him". "Well that is Jeffrey's wish all the time, right from the time he has been against me, that has been his wish. He wants me to retire and now he doesn't care anymore. "He doesn't love his brother, he doesn't have any feeling, any consideration, he just wants a place to go to because he is now the leader in STAR (State Reform Party), an imported party from Sarawak. Now he is happy leading a party," Pairin said. Jeffrey has on numerous times and in his speeches before this told the people that he had nothing against Pairin as a brother and that he loved him like any brother does to his own brother. "It is not that I love Pairin less, but it is because I love the people and Sabah more…," Jeffrey had said everytime such accusations were hurled at him by Pairin or PBS leaders. But Pairin did not let up on Jeffrey yesterday. He spewed: "That is why Jeffrey has been changing parties all the time because he is not wanted in all these parties and he cannot work with anyone." Jeffrey was always popular But the facts however tell a different story. When in the AKAR party, Jeffrey was very popular. He was in fact appointed as the "President's Representative" by its late president Mark Koding when the latter left for a theology study in Australia. That appointment was challenged by another deputy president of AKAR at that time, Pandikan Amin Mulia, who saw himself as more senior. This threw the party into turmoil, and eventually Pandikar dissolved the party for Umno. In Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), Jeffrey got the highest number of nomination for the presidency, leaving out incumbent Joseph Kurup with only two nominations from the party divisions.
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| Posted: 22 Nov 2012 05:01 PM PST
(Bernama) - The Court of Appeal has fixed Feb 15 for case management of the prosecution's appeal against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's acquittal on a charge of sodomising his former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan. Court of Appeal deputy registrar N. Kanageswari set the date for another case management after the matter came up before her for case management in chambers today. Deputy Public Prosecutor Najib Zakaria appeared for the prosecution while Anwar was represented by Ram Karpal Singh. Ram Karpal told reporters that both the prosecution and defence needed more time to go through and verify the notes of evidence which were in compact discs (CDs). He said, there were about 22 volumes of CDs which were "very bulky and technical". Ram Karpal said, both sides had not finished verifying the notes of evidence, so the court gave them time to sort them out, adding that the process was time-consuming. On Jan 9, this year, the Kuala Lumpur High Court acquitted and discharged Anwar of sodomising Mohd Saiful, 26, at a Desa Damansara condominium unit in Bukit Damansara here, between 3.10pm and 4.30pm on June 26, 2008. Anwar, 65, was charged under Section 377B of the Penal Code, which carries a jail sentence of up to 20 years and whipping, upon conviction.The prosecution subsequently, filed on Jan 20, this year, a notice of appeal against the opposition leader's acquittal from the sodomy charge. On July 9, this year, the prosecution filed its petition of appeal which contained nine grounds. The 80-page written judgment by High Court judge Datuk Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah revealed, there was penile penetration but it was uncorroborated by other evidence. He said the court could not be 100 per cent certain on the integrity ofsamples taken for DNA testing from Mohd Saiful as the samples could have been compromised before they reached the chemistry department for analysis.
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| Beaufort MP to defend seat on PKR ticket Posted: 22 Nov 2012 04:47 PM PST
(The Sun Daily) - Beaufort MP Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin yesterday confirmed that he will defend his seat in the 13th general election on a PKR ticket. "I have discussed with Pakatan Rakyat (leaders) … I will contest under PKR but I am not a party member. I have a new party (in Sabah) but it has not been (officially) registered," Lajim told theSun when met in Parliament yesterday. The former Umno Supreme Council member had left the party in July to be a PR-friendly independent MP and was later stripped of his position as deputy housing and local government minister. Lajim's departure, along with Tuaran MP Datuk Seri Wilfred Bumburing and several other local Barisan Nasional leaders, has been touted as a signal for an impending wave of support for PR in Sabah. The duo had then respectively announced the formation of PR-aligned movements – Sabah Coalition for Change (PPS) and Sabah Force for Change (APS). On Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Seri Muhyiddin Yassin, during a walkabout in Kota Kinabalu, reportedly described Lajim as a "traitor" and declared that BN would go all out to reclaim the Beaufort seat. "Lajim has let the people down, and he was stupid to have left Barisan but we need to look forward and ensure this district continues to be developed," he said. In response, Lajim said: "It is OK … The mission for BN is to get more seats and strengthen its government, but in Sabah, people have already said they want change." Asked for comment on his decision to set up a new party instead of joining existing peninsula-based PR component parties, Lajim said it is a "normal" move for politicians in Sabah. "Most important is the policy of the party … It must benefit the people. The party must be able to provide development in Sabah," he stressed. Lajim said the winning party must also be able to resolve issues surrounding an influx of illegal immigrants in the state, a long-term concern which he claimed BN had failed to address. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak had on Aug 11 announced the establishment of a five-member Royal Commission of Inquiry, headed by former Sabah chief judge Tan Sri Steve Shim, to probe the state's long-standing immigration problem.
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| Two ex-DAP grassroot leaders hit out at Selangor councillors Kok and Liu Posted: 22 Nov 2012 04:35 PM PST
(The Star) - Two former DAP grassroot leaders have hit out at Selangor executive councillors Teresa Kok and Ronnie Liu, claiming that they were experts at "cover ups". Sacked Serdang DAP member Yap Kon Min said he had three letters of complaint to Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, and each time, the matter was delegated to Kok and Liu. "I received replies for each of my three letters, all dated May 23, from the Mentri Besar's office saying that Kok and Liu will look into the matter. "But it has been six months and there were no developments," he told reporters Friday. Yap had lodged complaints against Kajang councillor Lee Kee Hiong, Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng, Petaling Jaya councillor Tiew Way Keng and Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching on three separate issues. Yap said Lee and Lim had filed separate legal suits against him, which would be heard next month. "I've been sued, and I will fight it out in court. People say that I've taken money from MCA (to expose DAP leaders), but I swear that I have not taken a sen," he said. He said Kok and Liu, who are also top leaders in Selangor DAP, have shown disrespect to the Mentri Besar by disregarding his directives. "Before 2008, DAP always criticised the Barisan Nasional state government. But what has happened now? DAP leaders are worse and they are only good at sweeping everything under the carpet," he said. Former Pantai Sepang Putra DAP branch chairman R. Vellasamy, who was sacked from the party in April, said DAP's top leadership were only interested in seeking publicity. "When the Batu Caves issue came up, Lim Kit Siang and Kok went. But last year, the Sri Mahamariamman temple in Sepang was under threat of being demolished but none of them came. "Why? Because they did not go to Batu Caves to help the temple, but to get publicity," he said. The Batu Caves temple management had threatened to sue the state government unless construction of a 29-storey condominium project next to the Unesco heritage side is shelved. The planned project was temporarily halted following orders from the state government to conduct soil testing.
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| Traffic enforcement must not be privatised, says ex-IGP Posted: 22 Nov 2012 04:15 PM PST
Nomy Nozwir, The Malaysian Insider Putrajaya should not privatise law enforcement as it will create the impression the government is only interested in making money, former Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said, after Parliament approved the roll-out of an outsourced automated system to catch and penalise speeding motorists. The retired police officer is the latest to weigh in on the controversial Automated Enforcement System (AES), which has drawn ire from the public and opposition lawmakers alarmed at the profit motive built into the concession agreement awarded to two private companies to install and manage the speed trap cameras over the next five years. "To me, enforcement cannot be privatised," Musa told The Malaysian Insider. "This will only create the perception that the government only wants to make profit on the people [sic]," he added in a telephone interview.. The 60-year-old agreed with critics who have pointed out that the AES has many flaws that have yet to be addressed, including a 17 per cent minimum profit margin to the two concession holders — ATES Sdn Bhd and Beta Tegap — which would need to issue a whopping 2.72 million speeding tickets each over the next five years just to recoup their reported RM700 million investments. He noted that there may be difficulties with enforcing fines issued by the private companies should the public challenge the summonses they receive in court. He said there are two types of summonses, the first being fines that cannot be compounded and the second fines that can be compounded. Musa said the latter type of summonses should rightfully be handled by government enforcement agencies such as the police and the Road Transport Department (RTD). The AES is handled only by the RTD, not the police who have their own speed trap cameras. "The public will have two ways, first pay at RTD counters and second, stand trial in court and let the court decide," he said.
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| Nurul Izzah sues Utusan for defamation over apostasy row Posted: 22 Nov 2012 04:12 PM PST
Zurairi AR, The Malaysian Insider PKR's Nurul Izzah Anwar filed today a defamation suit against Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia, claiming the newspaper had twisted her remarks at a recent forum to endorse apostasy among Malays — a highly sensitive issue in mainly Muslim Malaysia. In the suit filed at the High Court here, the opposition rising star named the Malay daily's editor, Datuk Aziz Ishak, and Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Berhad as the defendants. The Lembah Pantai MP is demanding the paper publish an apology on its front page over the reports she said have elements of "fitnah aqidah" or faith defamation. Nurul Izzah is also asking for a permanent injunction against the daily to bar it from publishing further similar articles. She did not specify an amount for compensation. The first-term lawmaker is represented by lawyers Mohd Hanipa Maidin and Datuk Sulaiman Abdullah. Hanipa, who is also PAS legal adviser, told reporters he hoped the court will expedite the case. The PKR vice-president has been under attack from several religious hawks and Umno politicians following her remarks at a public forum on "Islamic State: Which version, whose responsibility?" in Subang Jaya on November 3. The conservatives alleged that her remarks meant she supported Muslims renouncing Islam and turning "murtad" or apostate. But she has reportedly denied that she is supporting apostasy among the country's Malay-Muslim community, who make up some 60 per cent of the 28 million total population and whose vote is crucial to form the next government at the 13th general election due soon. Umno, the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition's mainstay, has some three million members but the Malay-Muslim vote is split three ways with the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) pact's Islamist party PAS and its urban-based reform ally PKR drawing increasingly greater support. Race and religious issues are inseparable in Malaysia, where the Malays are constitutionally defined to also be Muslims. The country's supreme law states that Islam is the religion of the federation but also provides for other religions to be practised freely.
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| MCA lashes out at PAS’ gender laws Posted: 22 Nov 2012 04:07 PM PST The summonses issued to non-Muslim hair salon owners in Kelantan by the PAS-led government has earned MCA's ire. Patrick Lee, FMT MCA has come down hard on the PAS-led Kelantan state government for targeting non-Muslims in their enforcement of the state's conservative moral code. Wanita MCA secretary-general, Chew Lee Giok, highlighted a recent case where hair salon operators in Kota Baru were fined after their female workers cut the hair of male customers. "The summonses by the Kota Baru Municipal Council against a Chinese female hairdresser for styling a man's hair puts paid to claims that PAS' hudud enactments will not affect non-Muslims," she said. She said that though these cases were few in number, it was nevertheless a sign of encroaching Muslim moral authority. The Star today reported that hair salon operator Ong Lee Ting had been slapped with 11 summonses for flouting gender segregation by-laws since she opened her shop in 2010. She also told the daily that her business licence was going to be revoked because of the large number of summonses issued. The report added that Ong was fined under Section 107 (2) of the Local Council Act by-law, which "prohibited a woman from cutting a man's hair and vice-versa regardless of religion". With this, Chew ridiculed PAS' claims that hudud enactments would not affect non-Muslims. Quit Pakatan, DAP told Hudud refers to provisions in Islamic law that provides for penalties that are considered harsh, including removal of limbs for theft, and the stoning to death for fornication. Many PAS leaders have pushed for hudud to be implemented in Malaysia, despite both Muslim and non-Muslim concerns. Meanwhile, MCA central committee member Loh Seng Kok challenged the DAP to leave Pakatan Rakyat if it aims to remain true to Malaysia's Chinese and non-Muslim communities.
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| Bersih happy with EC’s efforts Posted: 22 Nov 2012 04:05 PM PST With the setting up of a special unit to rid the rolls of dubious voters, Bersih hopes that the EC will ensure free and fair elections for all. Alyaa Azhar, FMT Polls watchdog Bersih today expressed its appreciation to the Election Commission (EC) for its initiatives to discuss with members of parliament the existing inconsistencies in the electoral roll. It also registered its gratitude at the commission's move to set up a special unit to rid the voter roll of dubious entries. It further hoped that the special unit would be set up after the EC consults various stakeholders and took into consideration the feedback from various electoral reforms groups. Bersih also urged the EC to publish frequent updates on the progress of this unit to ensure that the public is thoroughly informed, ahead of the elections. With regard to the new regulations concerning overseas voters, Bersih expressed its view that the EC should resolve the issue before the end of the current parliamentary session next Friday. The coalition of NGOs for fair and free elections, however, reiterated its objection to the condition set by the EC for overseas voters to return to Malaysia at least once every five years. EC deputy chairman Wan Ahmad Wan Omar had reportedly said that the condition was so that the voters must show their loyalty to the country and for them to be well-informed about the country's political course. But Bersih objected to this "condition" stating that it "is unfair". "Such a ruling cannot be forced on voters merely based on the EC's assumption that a Malaysian who lives abroad does not keep abreast with national politics," Bersih said in its statement. Bersih was also of the opinion that the EC is going in the right direction. "We view the latest moves by the EC as a step in the right direction, but only if the commission carries out these actions with the clear aim of ensuring free and fair elections for all Malaysians," it said.
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| ‘Anwar is an attention seeker’ Posted: 22 Nov 2012 03:58 PM PST Several BN leaders are appalled at Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim's attempt to get Australia to observe Malaysia's general election. G Vinod, FMT An MIC leader today chided Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim for seeking attention, especially with his call to Australia to observe the coming general election. MIC vice-president SK Devamany was referring to Anwar's move to request the Australian government recently to observe the polls, claiming there were a lot of irregularities in the electoral roll. However, Australia's Foreign Minister Bob Carr had rejected the former deputy prime minister's request, saying they cannot and would not influence how Malaysia runs its election. "It's very hard for Australia to do anything about how they're run, as hard as it would be for Malaysia or another government to have a say in how Australian elections are run. "We're not the election authority for Malaysia," Carr was reported as saying. Election Commission (EC) chairman Abdul Aziz Yusof also criticised Anwar, saying the electoral body had instituted several measures to improve the nation's election process. Taking Anwar to task, Devamany said that times have changed and the world community is watching each other's conduct in the information age. "No point trying to seek attention from other people. They are watching us all the time," he said. As for Anwar's accusation, the deputy minister said that the Barisan Nasional government is transparent and the former could always voice his grouses to the EC. "He can always use his position as the opposition leader to get things done. But being the attention seeker he is, Anwar will devise new tactics to keep himself relevant. "No wonder some Pakatan Rakyat leaders are seeking PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang to become prime minister if the opposition bloc wins the federal polls," said Devamany. Risk of being colonised again Echoing Devamany's sentiments, People's Progressive Party (PPP) president M Kayveas said that it was dangerous to get foreign powers to be involved in Malaysia's election. He also said that with foreign powers' aid, the party benefiting from them would be indebted to the former and thus, put Malaysia at risk of being "colonised" again.
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| PKR confident of winning more in Penang Posted: 22 Nov 2012 03:54 PM PST Penang PKR has brushed aside suggestion by critics that it 'could be a casualty' in the next election. Athi Shankar, FMT GEORGE TOWN: Penang PKR is confident of adding to its current nine seat tally in the State Legislative Assembly in the next general election. State party information head Johari Kassim said their election machinery was well-oiled and all ready to rumble with Barisan Nasional in the next election. "We have equal fighting chances in all seats that PKR will contest in the next polls," he told FMT. He suggested the absence of former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Umno-BN candidature and election campaign this time would help PKR and Pakatan Rakyat's chances to win some Umno-held seats in Kepala Batas and Tasek Gelugor federal constituencies. He said internal infighting among Umno local warlords in both areas could also prove to be the tonic to boost PKR chances. With an effective strategy, credible candidate and a little luck with a vote-swing, he predicted PKR would have a fighting chance to capture state seats of Bertam and Pinang Tunggal under Kepala Batas, and Teluk Air Tawar in Tasek Gelugor. The three seats were among seven in the state that PKR lost to Umno in Penang in 2008 general election. The other state seats it lost were Seberang Jaya (Permatang Pauh federal constituency), Sungai Acheh (Nibong Tebal), Teluk Bahang and Pulau Betong (Balik Pulau). Johari also believed PKR could capture these seats too. In the last election, PKR contested four federal and 16 state seats. It won all its parliamentary duels in Permatang Pauh and Nibong Tebal in mainland, and Balik Pulau and Bayan Baru in the island. 'PKR is not a weak link' It won state seats of Penanti (Permatang Pauh), Machang Bubok (Bukit Mertajam), Sungai Bakap (Nibong Tebal), Bukit Tengah and Bukit Tambun (Batu Kawan); all in mainland and, Batu Uban, Batu Maung and Pantai Jerejak (Bayan Baru) and Kebun Bunga (Bukit Bendera). In recent months, PAS, which contested two federal and five state seats in the last election, had been loudly staking a claim to contest in Sungai Acheh. It's also learnt that the DAP would want to contest in Bayan Baru. However, although he declined to comment on it, Johari said Pakatan would likely retain the status quo on the coalition seat formula.
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| Umno’s Alwi blames ulama for Malay disunity Posted: 22 Nov 2012 03:49 PM PST It's unfair to call Umno evil, says the Kelantan opposition leader. Hawkeye, FMT KOTA BARU: Kelantan opposition leader Alwi Che Md Ahmad has singled out religious scholars and preachers as being the main culprits causing disunity among the Malays. He said some ulama, particularly those affiliated with PAS, had been using Islam since the 1990s to split the community, and the situation had become so bad that rival groups of Malays could not even stand the sight of each other. He was commenting on last Friday's controversial prayer to damn Umno, which was recited by Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and his younger brother Nik Abdul Radzi at the Stadium Sultan Muhammed IV in Kota Baru. The occasion was a political rally that was part of Pakatan Rakyat's campaign for support in the coming general election. Alwi acknowledged that PAS supporters in Kelantan saw Umno as evil because it had withheld royalties from Petronas' exploitation of the state's oil and gas resources. However, he said, the perception was unfair considering the amount of good Umno had done for Malaysians, including Kelantanese. He cited the construction of key infrastructure in the state as well as welfare programmes for the poor. If Umno was indeed evil, he added, the party would have barred public hospitals from treating Nik Abdul Aziz when he suffered a heart attack in 2004. Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak even visited Nik Abdul Aziz in hospital, he pointed out. Alwi said Nik Abdul Aziz had become a portrait of contradictions. "Here is an 82-year-old man who is ailing, yet chooses to remain in power by holding on to political posts for some 20 years," he said. "Why can't he retire from politics to concentrate on offering sermons and religious instruction to his followers? The answer is simple. He is a politician first and an ulama second. "The whole of Kelantan knows that Nik Abdul Aziz is ailing. Yet he refuses to draw up a succession plan and allows the state to be administered by auto-pilot."
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| Where’s the billions in forest royalties? Posted: 22 Nov 2012 03:40 PM PST Despite the billions derived from logging, oil and gas royalties, Sarawakian natives have remained poor with minimal infrastructure. Joseph Tawie, FMT KUCHING: Where has the RM14.4 billion in forest royalties derived from logging Sarawak's rainforest since 1980 gone? Posing this question in the current sitting of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly, assemblyman See Chee How said the revenue seemed not to have filtered down to the masses, as the state was still grappling with poverty. "What has happened to all the forest royalties that the state received from all the trees chopped down since 1980? "The state government likes to claim that logging [and now oil palm] has brought development to the rural people. But, if so, why is there still so much poverty and deprivation in Sarawak? "Why is there so much growing inequality? Where did it all go?" asked See, the Batu Lintang assemblyman. See said the official statistics indicated that between 1981 and 2009, the Sarawak state government collected RM14.4 billion in forest royalties (for the years 1981-2003, and 2009). "This cumulative figure, which does not include the 2004 to 2008 figures, constitutes revenue from forest royalty alone and does not include cumulative income from other revenue streams like forest premium, hill timber premium, timber premium, and various other timber and timber industry tariffs. "If these figures are included, it is likely that the cumulative revenues from timber would amount to over RM15 billion. "However, in May 2011, a consultant with the United Nations, Philip Khoo, estimated that forest royalties alone collected in Sarawak from 1980-2006 amounted to about RM19 billion. "If this is the case, why is Sarawak still lacking in basic infrastructure? Why is there still so much poverty and growing inequality in Sarawak even as the forests have disappeared before our very eyes?" asked See, who is also Sarawak PKR vice-chairman. See said that much of rural Sarawak still subsists on dangerous logging roads, and has little telephone coverage. Electricity connectivity from the state grid is poor and fresh piped water remains a pipe dream for thousands. He said schools are provided by the federal government, and although there is a fairly generous number of rural primary schools, secondary schools remain a different story altogether with 12-year-old kids having to go to towns as boarders to be in secondary schools. Hospitals are also provided by the federal government, but in the interior of Sarawak — Ba'Kelalan, Batu Danau, Telang Usan, Kemena, Kakus, Belaga — there are no hospitals, despite promises made 15 years ago. "And we have not even begun talking about the need for improved hospitals in Sri Aman and other parts of the state." "So, where have all the forest royalties gone to? Does not the continued existence of poverty [estimated at between 5% and 30% by experts) and inequality in large swathes of the rural and Bumiputera population of Sarawak point towards huge leakages of state funds that have only enriched certain quarters?
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| Internal rifts may cost PKR Indian votes Posted: 22 Nov 2012 03:28 PM PST Indian leaders may jump ship if they are not picked as candidates in the coming general election, says a source. B Nantha Kumar, FMT Infighting, backbiting and sabotaging among Indian leaders in PKR could result in the party losing Indian support at the upcoming 13th general election. The internal rift among these leaders could also play a role in thwarting Pakatan Rakyat's ambition of taking over the federal government after the polls. The opposition pact is made of PKR, DAP and PAS. Speaking to FMT, a PKR source admitted that there would be "major party hopping" among Indians in PKR before and after the general election. Declining to be named, the source said many Indians in the party were waiting for PKR to officially announce its list of Indian candidates to contest under the PKR banner in the coming general election. "If their names are overlooked as a candidate, then they would jump ship to the Barisan Nasional or quit PKR without joining anyone… they have already made plans to this effect." "Unlike PAS and DAP which have a long tradition and faithful members, PKR is a new set-up. Most of its members are from BN component parties. They ran from there to PKR. They ran because they were sidelined in their respective BN component parties. So when the same thing happens here, they would run again," said the source. He said the problem among Indian leaders in PKR is "everyone wants a seat to contest". "Of course, both Malays and Chinese in PKR also face the same scenario but Indians are the worst," said the source, who is very close to the party leadership. He said PKR Indian leaders in their eagerness to win brownie points have also resorted to "attacking" each other in the mainstream media. Tip of the iceberg "Some are sending their supporters to Parliament to lobby for seats. For example, I was told that more than 60 candidate profiles have been submitted for the Bukit Melawati state seat in Selangor despite the incumbent M Mutiah declaring interest in defending the seat. "This is just the tip of the iceberg. The factions in the party are heading for a showdown," the source said. He claimed that PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim had often met party Indian leaders to get feedback on ways to boost Indian support for Pakatan, but not much was done on the ground to put the plans into action. "But, this is not enough to woo Indian votes. The Indian leaders in the party are not united. If they are, then they can put up a strong front and lobby for votes of the community. There are several camps within the party and each camp is pressuring Anwar for seats.
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| Malaysian regulators find ‘issues’ in AirAsia audit Posted: 22 Nov 2012 03:25 PM PST The low-cost carrier had failed to meet regulatory standards, according to local news report. (AFP) - Top budget airline AirAsia has had its right-to-fly extended by six months rather than the standard two years after an audit by Malaysian regulators found "some issues", an official said today. The government official said the Department of Civil Aviation had decided to extend the low-cost carrier's air operator's certificate until March 31 next year, at which point it will need to reapply. The certificates, which allow carriers to use aircraft for commercial purposes, are usually granted for two years. "The department already audited AirAsia, and they only approved six months for AirAsia," the official told AFP. "AirAsia needs to apply again for renewal… next year," he added. The official said the carrier, Asia's largest low-cost carrier by fleet size, faced "some issues… that have been found" but did not elaborate further. Local daily SunBiz reported today, quoting sources, that AirAsia had failed to meet regulatory standards. The daily said an audit showed "shortcomings in AirAsia's flight operations procedures and practices, including flawed communications between flight operations and pilots, an outdated manual and flight operations not in keeping with the manual". SunBiz also reported that AirAsia's head of flight operations had been removed from their post and replaced. AirAsia did not immediately return requests for comment. "The fact that they have not grounded AirAsia aircraft shows that it's not a serious safety issue, but this action still serves as a warning," a source told SunBiz. Rapidly expanding AirAsia has become one of the airline industry's biggest success stories, rivaling national carrier Malaysia Airlines, which has been struggling to get out of the red. Group CEO Tony Fernandes acquired the then-failing airline a decade ago. He has set up subsidiary budget carriers in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Japan.
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| Dong Zong shrugs off MPM outrage Posted: 22 Nov 2012 03:20 PM PST It doesn't expect trouble at Sunday's rally. Leven Woon, FMT Dong Zong (United Chinese Schools Committees Association) has chosen to disregard expressions of outrage over its plan to hold a rally this Sunday, saying it sees no reason to beef up security for the event. "Every organisation has the right to adopt its views on certain issues," said Dong Zong's deputy president, Chow Siew Hon, in response to yesterday's statement from the Malay Consultative Council (MPM), which denounced the upcoming rally as an "irresponsible act". "We believe the Malays are generally a peace loving group," Chow added. "They might have emotions over certain issues, but we don't expect anything drastic." MPM, which claims to be an umbrella group for Malay NGOs, is planning an education convention as a counter measure to the Dong Zong protest against the National Education Blueprint. A spokesman for the Malay group, Kamaruddin Kachar, said yesterday that Dong Zong's demands went against the Razak Education Report of 1956 as well as the Education Act. He said his group would invite the Prime Minister to its planned convention. Dong Zong opposes the National Education Blueprint as being unfavourable to Chinese education. Chow said PAS, PKR, DAP and the Sabah Progressive Party had agreed to send representatives to Sunday's rally. "We expect at least the vice chairmen to turn up," he said.
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| PKA seeks hair cut on PKFZ loan Posted: 22 Nov 2012 11:00 AM PST PKA chairman Datuk Teh Kim Poo (fz.com) - "We borrowed money from the government but the government still owns that property. The 1,000-acre land and all the properties belong to the government, so the government doesn't lose out" The Port Klang Authority (PKA) has approached the government with proposals to restructure its RM4.63 billion Treasury loan incurred to develop the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ). This comes as part of a move by the port authority to alleviate its debt obligations and ensure that it is able to meet the repayments in the long term. PKA chairman Datuk Teh Kim Poo told fz.com that PKA has proposed to only repay the RM2.76 billion portion of the RM4.63 billion loan that has gone toward development expenses for PKFZ. Teh argues that PKA should not have to pay for the cost of acquiring the land and assets as these assets ultimately belong to the government. "We borrowed money from the government but the government still owns that property. The 1,000-acre land and all the properties belong to the government, so the government doesn't lose out," Teh said in a recent interview. According to Teh, PKA has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Finance (MOF) outlining the various repayment options should the government consent to restructuring the 20-year soft loan given to PKA in 2007. If the government allows the restructuring plan put forward by PKA, Teh estimates that PKA would only have to pay about RM100 million a year over a 30-year period. "This is a comfortable amount. We can manage it," said Teh. The restructuring of PKA's RM4.63 billion soft loan has been a key recommendation of the earlier position report completed by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) released in May 2009. The PwC report pointed out that PKA should consider options including a loan rescheduling, government grant or privatisation. "Should PKA fail to meet the MOF soft loan instalments as scheduled and if these instalments are deferred to match its projected cashflows, it would incur additional interest cost of some RM5 billion. This would further increase the outlay of the project to RM12.45 billion," PwC had warned. Read more at: http://fz.com/content/pka-seeks-hair-cut-pkfz-loan
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| RM200,000 more for each speed camera because of training, says government Posted: 22 Nov 2012 10:53 AM PST
(The Malaysian Insider) - The home ministry told Parliament today that teaching policemen here how to use two models of speed trap cameras accounted for the huge difference of over RM200,000 per unit paid for by Malaysia compared with prices in the United States. Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop said the suppliers had provided training to policemen here as well as for maintenance of the cameras used to catch speeding motorists. Earlier today, an opposition lawmaker demanded Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein explain the stiff price discrepancy of over RM200,000 per unit in two models of speed trap cameras for the police it had purchased 17 years ago. According to market prices then, the Laser Trucam model would have cost only US$5,000 (RM15,300) a unit while the Laser Digicam model would only be US$1,000 more, at US$6,000, Pokok Sena MP Datuk Mahfuz Omar said. These prices are reported to have been paid for by police departments in the United States to the suppliers. In his answer to Parliament, the deputy minister did not provide a detailed breakdown of the training costs. While he said that the contracts for the cameras were awarded through an open tender he did not reveal the name of the supplier. "The difference in price between ours and the ones in the US is because they are manufacturers while we import the cameras in. "There is an element of training provided by the supplier to the police, maintenance and also a two year warranty," said Abu Seman. Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/rm200000-more-for-each-speed-camera-because-of-training-says-govt/
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| Ali: Come down hard on personnel leaking govt secrets Posted: 22 Nov 2012 10:51 AM PST
(The Star) - Heads of government departments have been told to be more stern when taking action against personnel found leaking government secrets, including using the Official Secrets Act. Chief Secretary to the Government Datuk Seri Dr Ali Hamsa said acts, including falsifying documents and disseminating classified and sensitive information, to other parties should not be tolerated. "It could jeopardise national security and the Government cannot compromise on such acts. "I want all heads of departments and security officers to be more stern when taking action against those found doing it. "Action can also be taken against those who are careless in safeguarding secrets under the Public Officer Rule or the Official Secrets Act (Act 88)," he said at the national Security Protection Convention here yesterday. Also present was Chief Government Security Office (CGSO) director-general Datuk Johari Jamaluddin. Dr Ali said he hoped the CGSO would prepare a new security protection policy to replace the present one. "They could at least update the rules, instructions, guidelines and procedures of the present policy. "This is because in the current ICT era, we have to be very careful and vigilant to manage the information," he said.
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| Kelantan’s gender segregation rules affect non-Muslim businesses Posted: 22 Nov 2012 10:50 AM PST Hanging out: Shoppers standing around outside Nice Hair Salon in KB Mall, Kota Baru. (The Star) - Hair dressing salon operators are learning the hard way that gender segregation rules in Kelantan apply to non-Muslims as well. They have had to pay many summonses for allowing their female workers to cut the hair of non-Muslim male patrons, which they thought was permissible. E-Life Hair Salon manager Ong Lee Ting said she had settled 11 summonses since she opened for business in KB Mall in 2010.
The fines were imposed under Section 107(2) of the Local Council Act by-laws which prohibits a woman from cutting the hair of a man and vice versa regardless of religion. "I have been paying fines of between RM200 and RM350," said Ong, who was issued the latest summons on Tuesday. "I find the by-laws confusing ... they should not apply to a non-Muslim woman cutting the hair of a non-Muslim man." Gender segregation is among the controversial regulations imposed by the PAS state government, which insists that the rule be also observed at supermarket check-outs. The last time Ong went to the local council office to pay a compound, she was told that the licence for the salon would be revoked because of the many summonses issued to the operator. However, council secretary Mohd Anis Hussein said: "As long as they (the salon owners) pay the compounds, they will be allowed to operate." He added that the salon owners understood the by-laws and the consequences of ignoring them. Nice Hair Salon manager Alice Ong Lee Ruong was baffled by the rule. "I would understand it if we were fined for allowing our women workers to cut the hair of Muslim men. But they were attending to non-Muslim men," she said. Ong, who had settled 10 summonses so far, wondered for how long she would have to pay fines. "They are not cheap and we have to consider the high rental, salaries of our workers and other expenses," she said. Another salon manager, who declined to be named, said the council by-laws were making life difficult for hair dressers. She had been issued four summonses so far. Kelantan MCA information chief Tan Ken Ten said the by-laws were "not friendly" to non-Muslim business circles. "The council, in its zest to implement Islamic principles in its by-laws, has caused hardship to the non-Muslim business community," he added. National PAS Supporters Congress chairman Hu Pang Chaw agreed that the by-laws should not apply to non-Muslim women cutting the hair of non-Muslim men. He urged the council to review the ruling.
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| Dr M: PAS is backed by the devil Posted: 21 Nov 2012 03:51 PM PST
Zurairi AR, The Malaysian Insider The PAS president is backed by the devil himself, former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir said today, in retaliation against Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang's thinly-veiled comment about Malay-majority Umno. "He himself is working with the devil, that's the devil I know," Dr Mahathir said in a press conference here, referring to Abdul Hadi. This remark came after the Marang MP spoke at the Islamist party's annual conference, or muktamar, last weekend, where he criticised a "party of devils". "The devil party which is controlled by the devil — the devil that people know — is incapable of upholding justice for all," Abdul Hadi said in his opening speech last Friday. At a press conference later, Abdul Hadi was asked to clarify which party did he mean was the "party of devils", but he refused to name any names. "Siapa yang makan lada, dialah yang rasa pedas," he replied, referring to a Malay idiom on knowing that one fits a description. "Go and ask Mahathir, that was said by Mahathir, he was the one who coined the term," PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali added. In his blog entry in August, Dr Mahathir had urged the people to choose the "devil they know" rather than risk the country's future with an "angel they don't know", a reference to Pakatan Rakyat. The line had since then been used repeatedly to attack the ruling coalition on various occasions.
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| Reporters who stir racial tension should be jailed, says Dr M Posted: 21 Nov 2012 03:41 PM PST
Zurairi AR, The Malaysian Insider Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today acknowledged the government's censorship of news, but denied allegations that freedom of press is suppressed. "If you play out ethnic issues to the point where people would want to fight each other, then we'll censor that," he told reporters at a press conference here after the International Conference on War-Affected Children organised by the Kuala Lumpur Foundation to Criminalise War (KLFCW). "But otherwise it's quite free ... You read Harakah, Sin Chew Jit Poh, China Press, Malaysiakini ... we don't censor. We should really put them in jail." Asked to clarify who exactly should be jailed, Dr Mahathir replied: "Journalists lah." Dr Mahathir had earlier criticised the lack of press freedom in the US, where news of conflicts resulting from the superpower's foreign policy is allegedly censored by its government and owners of news publications. "Censorship is not only done by the government, I know that because I was in the government before. "It is done by the owners of press. It is done by journalists like you, and it is done by your sub-editors who will edit what you write," he added. The former PM had been quoted admitting that he started his own blog CheDet.cc because his voice was stifled. "I became a blogger because I was blocked out from mainstream media. I still needed to say something," he said when addressing the Asian Bloggers and Social Media Conference in 2010. Malaysia is ranked 122nd in the Press Freedom Index of 2011-2012, a rank shared with Algeria and Tajikistan. Malaysia was ranked 104th in 2003, the last year of Dr Mahathir's administration, and was ranked 131st in 2009, the year current Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak took over.
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| Muhyiddin: We will defend Sabah at all costs Posted: 21 Nov 2012 03:00 PM PST
(The Star) - Sabah must be defended as Barisan Nasional's stronghold at all costs, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said. "Sabah is an important state for Barisan, we cannot afford to lose it," he said during a breakfast meeting with members of the former Barisan elected representatives association (Mubarak) here. "We must defend it at all costs. Some people say that Sabah is a fixed deposit (for Barisan) but I think it is more than a fixed deposit," he said referring to Sabah Barisan sweeping 24 of the 25 parliament seats and 59 of the 60 state seats in the 2008 general election. Muhyiddin said it was important for everyone to work hard to ensure that the ruling coalition continued to rule the country. He said Barisan had transformed itself to meet with the aspirations of the people particularly the younger generation who are savvy and aware of things not only in the country but also overseas. "They have high expectations and are more knowledgeable and aware of the things happening around them. "This is the new reality we face as a political party. We must evolve. The Barisan of today is not similar to the Barisan of yesterday, we have transformed to meet to the new expectations of the people," Muhyiddin said. He said Mubarak members had a role to play in helping Barisan win convincingly in the next general election which was going to be very challenging and important for the coalition to continue ruling the country. Later in the morning, Muhyiddin flew to the Kuala Penyu district for a walkabout in town. Kuala Penyu is part of the Beaufort parliament seat held by Datuk Lajim Ukin, who left Umno to align himself with Pakatan Rakyat.
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| Posted: 21 Nov 2012 02:06 PM PST Raja Petra responds by saying Haris did not have a consistent view of MCLM, and that he had supported him over many things despite not agreeing with them. Patrick Lee, FMT Controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, according to his former confidante and social activist, Haris Ibrahim, has gone too far with his writings. Haris accused Raja Petra (better known as RPK) of causing division through his Malaysia Today blog, strongly implying that the latter, now living in Manchester, England, was on former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's payroll. "By late September, I had come to terms with the fact that RPK and I were not on the same cause," Haris wrote in his blog posting. He added that many times he was at a loss with RPK's writings. He cited a recent article by Raja Petra, saying that it was full of "untruths" and an attempt to divide the Anything-But-Umno (ABU) movement and its allies through his blog. Haris added that he had been corresponding with the blogger, and had questioned RPK's political stance. "I told him that I have only declared war on Umno-BN and it was he who needed to make clear where he stood in this war, so that I too would know what to do," he said. Haris disputed several of RPK's claims, including one where potential election candidates under the Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM) pulled out because of problems with Pakatan Rakyat. "They withdrew because they were put off by RPK's interview with TV3 which was aired just before the Sarawak state election [in April] last year," said Haris. He also called RPK's claim that the Jan 2, 2012 interview with the NST was part of a plan for MCLM personnel, including Haris, to smoothly exit the group as a "blatant lie". Haris said that RPK spoke about an alleged "Anwar-Najib" deal, seemingly gleaned from Umno insiders. "But I'm convinced that this revelation by RPK now is with a view to drive a wedge between ABU and our allies in Pakatan," said. 'The ugly side of the Chinese' Haris further cited an anonymous Facebook post, which claimed that RPK was being hired by Mahathir, and that Malaysia-Today was created by the former premier to topple his successor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. The anonymous person, Haris added, said this after a September meeting with RPK. Haris also cited FMT letter-writer Victor Lim, who hinted that the controversial blogger not only had strong financial backing, but was also mysteriously allowed to escape to England. "Who had the power and influence to faciliate RPK's migration?" Lim had asked. It was a view that was not shared by RPK, who criticised these allegations in an article entitled, "The ugly side of the Chinese". RPK also accused Lim of supposedly being under the payroll of PKR-Batu MP Tian Chua. Haris, however, thought differently, seemingly agreeing with Lim. "RPK has gone into overdrive in blaming the Chinese, Malays, Muslims over what's wrong with the country. Since Jan 2 until now, I've had to closely read his writing and rebut them," Haris told FMT. Asked if these accusations meant an end to his relationship with RPK, Haris said that all he cared about was making sure that BN would lose the next federal elections. "Right now, I'm working with many people on the ground, and they're not in Manchester, shooting from the hip. I'm not prepared to remain silent every time he takes a very racist stand," he said. RPK: I'm not a racist' In an e-mail interview later, RPK denied being funded by the former premier, citing a letter written against him by Mahathir's former political secretary, Matthias Chang. "It is of course, not true… what Matthias Chang wrote about me would certainly not be done to someone who is on Dr M's payroll," he said. He said that his family had faced many hardships, and hinted that these would not have come about if Mahathir was behind him. One of his hardship was his daughter, Raja Suraya, having to buy back his stake, confiscated by the government, in a Bukit Rahman Putra house she owned, which cost RM300,000. He also asked how he could have been working with Mahathir when he only "began associating" with the premier in 2006, two years after Malaysia Today was formed. RPK also denied being a racist, and that he was only being termed such after he attacked Malaysia's Chinese. "Why was I not considered a racist before? Why am I a racist only now? When I attack the Malays, the Muslims, the religious department and scholars, the Sultans… I'm a freedom fighter. When the non-Malays are included in my attacks, I become a racist," he said. RPK was also critical of Haris, adding that the latter had different views and that they would sometimes clash. "Haris wanted to use MCLM as a platform to 'outsource' 30 potential MP candidates for Pakatan Rakyat. I felt MCLM should not be political but nevertheless went along with him," he said. He also attacked Haris for not having a consistent view of MCLM, and that he had supported him over many things despite not agreeing with them. "It appears, though, he is not returning that same courtesy I extended to him… he has his views on what ABU should be, as do I. "However, while I respect his views, he does not respect mine. He expects me to agree with his view with no conditions attached," he said.
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| Give us power over our own land, says orang asli Posted: 21 Nov 2012 11:39 AM PST
(The Sun Daily) - An orang asli spokesman from Tasik Chini, Pahang, proposed today for the community to be given more power to administer the ancestral lands which they have been calling 'home' for generations. Tasik Chini action committee chairman Ismail Muhammad, speaking on behalf of some 5,000 orang asli from the Jakun tribe, said this could be done if the government enact a law which not only recognised the community's right to their lands, but also to prevent "rampant destruction" of natural resources which surround the areas. "As long as the power (to govern) is left in the hands of politicians, I do not see when there will be an end to (logging and mining) activities, which negatively affects our livelihood," said Ismail. "We can scream and shout to the heavens, but as long as there is no law (which gives power), nothing will change," said Ismail during the launch of Transparency-International Malaysia (TI-M)'s documentary on Tasik Chini here yesterday. The 37-minute documentary titled "Hacking at Harmony: Tasik Chini and Ecosystem on the Brink" was produced as part of TI-M's Forest Governance Integrity Programme, in collaboration with NGOs, local communities and government agencies. Aimed at addressing issues and challenges on forest governance, Tasik Chini was selected as a pilot site for the programme, following concerns over the degradation of Malaysia's only Unesco Biosphere Reserve. Widespread commercial activities on sites which borders several orang asli villages around Tasik Chini has since caused the once clear blue water to turn murky brown, destroying its once famed lotuses and various fishes - a main source of livelihood for the community. Peninsula Malaysia Orang Asli Network representative Shafie Dris also claimed that the people in power are largely "ignorant" of demands made by the community. "The perception is that we are demanding for large acres of lands ... In fact, all we want is for the government to recognise the rights to our ancestral lands, where we have been residing for generations, and will continue to do so for generations to come," said Shafie. Tenaganita programme officer Katrina Mariamauv meanwhile noted that comments made by the orang asli representatives reflected the "urgency" felt by the people over a need to protect their lands from rampant development. "While awareness raising (initiatives) are crucial and important, but the time for action is right now!" she said. Mariamauv called for the parties benefiting from the "destruction" of natural resources to be made accountable for their actions. Speaking at a press conference, TI-M secretary general Josie Fernandez said the official documentary will also be distributed to policy-makers in hope of inspiring positive change. Fernandez earlier chaired a forum on threatened forest sites in Malaysia which saw two speakers elaborating on impacts of rampant logging and commercial development to the Segari Melintang forest reserve in Perak, as well as the Tranum forest reserve in Pahang. |
| Unveiled Syrian Facebook post stirs women's rights debate Posted: 21 Nov 2012 11:36 AM PST
(BBC News) - Among the dozens of Facebook groups spawned by the Syrian uprising, a page supporting women's rights has suddenly received a wave of attention, because of an image posted there by one of its followers. The picture was of 21-year-old Dana Bakdounis, without the veil she had grown up wearing - and it polarised opinion. Dana Bakdounis has been brought up in conservative Saudi Arabia, but it was as a reaction against conformity that she first removed her veil in August 2011. "The veil did not suit me, but I had to wear it because of my family, and the society," she says. "I did not understand why my hair was covered. I wanted to feel the beauty of the world… I wanted to feel the sun and air." By then, she was already following The Uprising of Women in the Arab World page on Facebook. With nearly 70,000 members, it has become a forum for debate on women's rights and gender roles in the Arab world. Women, and men, from non-Arab backgrounds also comment on its photos. On 21 October, Dana decided to do something for the page, and for oppressed women and girls around the Arab world by posting a photo of herself. Looking right into the lens, her short-shorn hair in full view, she held an ID picture of her previously veiled self, along with a note that read: "The first thing I felt when I took off my veil" and "I'm with the uprising of women in the Arab world because, for 20 years, I wasn't allowed to feel the wind in my hair and [on] my body". The image proved hugely controversial, attracting over 1,600 likes, nearly 600 shares, and more than 250 comments. Dana has received much support, and while many of her friends have un-friended her, many more have sent friend requests. Some previously veiled women have even posted copycat pictures in support, and the Twitter hashtag #WindtoDana has been created as a channel through which to express solidarity. 'Brave girl'She has also received hundreds of messages of derision, along with threats.
Her mother, with whom relations have cooled because of her disapproval of her daughter's actions, received a death threat against Dana's life.The debate is growing more nuanced. One woman comments that opposition to the veil is misplaced, saying instead "our fight should be for equality in society… that's what we should be fighting for; when a veiled woman is refused a job because she covers! Take pride in your veil women, it's a blessing!""Everything has changed for me since I took my veil off," says Dana. Read more at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20315531
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| 'Sorry Anwar, Australia can't help you' Posted: 21 Nov 2012 01:11 AM PST
CARR: Australia is not the election authority for Malaysia. (Bernama) - Australia cannot and will not influence how Malaysia's elections are run despite a personal plea for help from Malaysian Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, said Australian Foreign Minister Senator Bob Carr. Anwar had reportedly written to Senator Carr asking for Australia to help ensure that the next Malaysian general election, most probably to be held early next year, was free of fraud and corruption. Anwar had reportedly told Carr he had uncovered evidence of fraudulent voter registration and other anomalies in the run-up to the polls. He had also questioned the independence of the electoral commission and claimed that the opposition was being excluded from the media. But Senator Carr said the Malaysian elections were a matter for the Malaysian people. "It's very hard for Australia to do anything about how they're run, as hard as it would be for Malaysia or another government to have a say in how Australian elections are run," he told ABC radio. "We're not the election authority for Malaysia." Carr said Australia wanted to see free and fair elections in every country. He said Anwar personally raised the concerns directly with him during a recent visit to Malaysia. Carr also poured cold water on the specific proposal of Australia sending election monitors to Malaysia, saying the Malaysian government would have to ask for the measure. He dismissed the suggestion that Canberra was reluctant to act because it wanted to maintain good relations with (Malaysian Prime Minister) Najib's government, with which it was still negotiating an asylum seeker swap deal. In an interview with ABC Radio on Wednesday, Anwar said he was concerned the election, which must be held by next June, would be rigged, and would have a large number of people eligible to vote but who would not be allowed to vote. Others far too young to vote, between age two and 12, were also on the rolls, he said. Anwar also claimed that the opposition had been denied access to the mainstream media. Anwar had discussed his concerns with former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd and sent a note to Carr seeking Australian assistance, saying Australia supported free and fair elections in Iraq, Afghanistan and Myanmar, and yet it was silent on Malaysia.
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| Kazakhstan in legal move to ban opposition parties and media Posted: 20 Nov 2012 09:04 PM PST
Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev speaks to the media during a celebration to mark Kazakhstan People's Unity Day in Almaty (reuters_tickers) ALMATY (Reuters) - The Central Asian state of Kazakhstan has moved to ban two opposition movements critical of President Nursultan Nazarbayev and to close dozens of opposition media outlets for "propagating extremism". In a step the opposition denounced as an attack on dissent in the oil-exporting former Soviet republic, prosecutors linked their request to last month's jailing of Vladimir Kozlov, leader of the unregistered Alga! or "Forward!" party. Kozlov was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years for trying to rally workers in a failed attempt to topple the government. After his trial, the United States accused Kazakhstan of using its justice system "to silence opposition voices". Nazarbayev, 72, has run Central Asia's most successful economy and largest oil producer for more than two decades, but has tolerated little dissent as he has pursued market reforms and attracted more than $150 billion in foreign investment. As well as leading Alga!, Kozlov, a fierce critic of Nazarbayev, was leader of the country's unofficial Halyk Maidany, or People's Front movement, which tried to unite groups with specific grievances against the government. He was found guilty of colluding with fugitive anti-government billionaire Mukhtar Ablyazov and of orchestrating dissent among striking oilmen in the prelude to riots last December that killed 15 people and dented Kazakhstan's reputation for stability. Nurdaulet Suindikov, a spokesman for the prosecutor-general's office, on Wednesday accused the two opposition movements Kozlov led and various media outlets of "propagating extremism". "Kozlov's sentence established that the activity of the unregistered Alga! and Halyk Maidany movements, as well as the activity of a number of mass media outlets, was extremist," he said. Suindikov said prosecutors in Kazakhstan's commercial capital, Almaty, had asked a court to ban the two movements as well as the media outlets. KAZAKHSTAN'S BIN LADEN? Suindikov said prosecutors were seeking the closure of eight newspapers and 23 Internet sites that operated under the umbrella of the Respublika publisher, as well as the Vzglyad newspaper and its Internet sites. Kazakhstan's marginalized opposition enjoys little support among voters. The country has never held an election that Western monitors have deemed fair, but Nazarbayev is popular in the country of 17 million for presiding over relative stability. Oksana Makushina, deputy editor-in-chief of the Golos Respubliki newspaper - part of the Respublika group - said her publication would try to get round any court order. "They may close the paper in legal form, but given the presence of the Internet, it is hard to do so in reality," she told Reuters. "We will continue fighting, unless we are put in a prison cell next to Kozlov." Mikhail Sizov, another leader of the Alga! party, said he believed Kozlov's imprisonment for his part in the Zhanaozen riots was the beginning of a wider campaign to destroy the entire opposition movement in Kazakhstan. "There is virtually an undeclared war going on between Mukhtar Ablyazov and Nursultan Nazarbayev," Sizov told Reuters. The satellite TV channel K+ and the Internet portals run by Stan TV are among the media outlets targeted by prosecutors. State TV ran a documentary this week that identified Ablyazov as the financial backer of both channels. Baurzhan Musirov, director of Almaty-based Stan Productions, which runs the Stan.KZ portal, denied it was financed by Ablyazov. Ablyazov has been on the run since February, when he was sentenced to 22 months in prison for contempt of court in Britain, where he had earlier received political asylum. His whereabouts are unknown. A theoretical physics graduate who built a fortune by snapping up banking and media assets in the 1990s after the Soviet Union collapsed, Ablyazov has said he fell out with Nazarbayev after campaigning for a change of government. He has failed to appear in a vast fraud case being heard in Britain, where his former bank, state-owned BTA, has brought nine charges against Ablyazov and his allies. In the same case, BTA has frozen assets worth around $6 billion. Kazakh political analyst Aidos Sarym said he believed the current campaign against the opposition was aimed at presenting Ablyazov as a "home-grown Bin Laden" or Kazakh version of the late al Qaeda leader.
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| Tony Fernandes is a thief, claims MP Posted: 20 Nov 2012 08:46 PM PST
(The Malay Mail) - Barisan Nasional's fiery Kinabatangan MP Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin called businessman Tan Sri Tony Fernandes (pic) a "penyagak" (thief) in the Dewan Rakyat today. The outspoken MP, known for heckling opposition MPs and for being one of the louder voices in the House, was speaking during the Transport Ministry's wrap up during the committee stage of the ministry's Budget 2013 debate when he made his distaste for Fernandes and AirAsia known. "We all know that Tony Fernandes is a penyagak (thief). He will want 100 per cent profit in everything. He invests in everything, even sports," Bung said, while discussing the issue of whether the low cost airline would shift its operations to KLIA2 once the government completes its construction in April next year.
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| Azmin: I’m loyal to the Mentri Besar Posted: 20 Nov 2012 08:32 PM PST
(The Malaysian Insider) - PKR deputy president Azmin Ali said today that he has no intention of becoming the Selangor Mentri Besar, and pledged his loyalty to the Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim. "Let it be put on record, today November 21, that I am loyal to our Mentri Besar (Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim)," Azmin said, in a reply to Taman Templer assemblyman Datuk Subahan Kamal in the state assembly here. Subahan had asked earlier whether the Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman thought that he could do a better job as the Selangor MB. In his speech, Azmin had claimed that the Minister of Agriculture Datuk Seri Minister Noh Omar was lobbying to become the next Selangor MB by flinging wild allegations about the Selangor Economic Development Corporation (PKNS). Noh had last week accused Worldwide Holdings Berhad, a subsidiary of PKNS, of selling RM150 million-worth of shares to a non-bumiputera company. In October, Azmin had told Sinar Harian that Khalid is likely to be made a Cabinet minister if Pakatan Rakyat (PR) wins the general election, thus vacating the post. This remark had sparked speculation as to whether Azmin was after the post, but the remark was dismissed by Pakatan leaders as Azmin's personal view which had not been discussed with the leadership. Sacked Selangor executive councillor Datuk Hasan Ali also had alleged in March that Azmin's attacks on him were an attempt to topple the Selangor MB. He said that it is widely "understood" that Azmin had been trying to oust Khalid, an allegation that the Gombak MP had strenuously denied. Hasan said the Selangor PKR chief was trying to 'kill two birds with one stone': "It is likely true that the mentri besar is the first bird and Hasan Ali is the second."
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| Umno is ‘rakyat’, not wrong to acquire public land, says Kuang rep Posted: 20 Nov 2012 08:29 PM PST
Zurairi AR, The Malaysian Insider A Selangor assemblyman denied today that Umno had abused its political ties to grab state land meant for the public, as the party represented the people. All 24 plots of land in Selangor — alleged to have been acquired by Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties and former MIC President Datuk Seri Samy Vellu while they were in the ruling coalition — were meant for public amenities like multi-purpose halls and kindergartens, said Umno state lawmaker for Kuang, Abdul Shukur Idrus. "Umno is 'rakyat'... Umno represents 400,000 'rakyat' in Selangor. (The land plots) were not for an individual. They're for an organisation with many members. "Can't Umno receive land for the use of the people?" he asked, in response to backbenchers from the ruling Pakatan Rakyat (PR) pact in the Selangor legislative assembly who had yesterday accused BN parties of being involved in a land grab when still in power. The allegation was said to involve 24 plots of public land in seven out of nine districts in the country's wealthiest state, which were acquired by the branches and divisions of Umno, MCA, MIC and Gerakan between 2000 and 2008. Each plot of land measures up to seven acres and has a collective total area of around 33.5 acres, mostly in commercial areas. Of the 24 plots, 15 are now owned by Umno branches or divisions, with six of them going to Umno Sungai Besar division, which was led by former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Khir Toyo. MCA holds five plots, MIC three and Gerakan one. Datuk Seri Samy Vellu , together with an S Subramaniam and the late Tan Sri SOK Ubaidullah, who was one of MIC's founders, are named as the trustees for a 2,832 square metre plot in Kuala Selangor. The biggest plot in the list is a seven-acre piece of land in Klang, which is owned by the Umno Kota Raja division, followed by a 6.5-acre plot in Batu 14, Puchong, which is owned by the Umno Puchong division. Sekinchan assemblyman Ng Suee Lim had challenged the BN component parties to return the land to the public to prove that they really have the interests of the people at heart. "They have to prove that they are true fighters who are sincere to the people ... not give empty talk ... fighting for the people, but then grab their land," he said yesterday.
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| Perlis Raja Muda urges curbs on liberalism Posted: 20 Nov 2012 04:04 PM PST
(Bernama) - The Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, said efforts must be made to contain liberalism and stop it from engulfing the younger generation. He said its unrestricted spread, whether planned or otherwise, was dangerous and could change the country's character and foundation nurtured since independence. Speaking at the launch of the book "Ucapan Dasar Presiden Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS) Kebangsaan Sepanjang Zaman" and the launch of the "One Student, One Licence" programme, here last night, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin said he hoped that GPMS (Federation of Peninsular Malaysia Malay Students Associations) and its more than 400,000 members nationwide could play a role in containing its spread. "GPMS needs ideas and new initiatives to ensure that the education agenda remains relevant and the younger generation can create a strong self identity in efforts to face the situation," he said. Meanwhile, GPMS president Jais Abdul Karim, when approached, said the 225-page book contains a collection of the speeches delivered by GPMS presidents since the federation was established in 1948.
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| ‘No change to PAS hate politics’ Posted: 20 Nov 2012 03:31 PM PST
(The Star) - PAS' consistency in belittling the faith of its Muslim political opponents shows that it lacks legitimacy as reformers, said Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein. He said despite the party's claims of being an agent of change and reform, there was no change to PAS' long-standing approach of spreading the politics of hate. "In the past they labelled our former leaders with names such as pig farmer or pharaoh. They called us infidels and said we won't go to heaven after we die. "What they are doing today by calling us murtad (apostate) is the same as what they have always done, yet they still shout about change and reform," Hishammuddin told reporters at his office here yesterday. PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat recently said that Umno has rejected Islam. "Umno has not only rejected Islam. It also mocked Islam and rejected ulama and this makes them heretics. Even if a Tok Guru wearing serban - whether he be bearded or not - he has committed apostasy as long as he has rejected Islam in his heart," Nik Aziz said at the end of the recent PAS muktamar. PAS also organised a special prayer at Stadium Mohamad IV in Kota Baru last Friday to pray for the destruction of Umno and Barisan Nasional for alleged cruelties that included denying Kelantan oil royalties. Hishammuddin said the latest attacks on Umno, when the party was praying for the people in Gaza, showed that PAS' only concern was politics. He said the only thing that had changed in PAS was its inability to censor its partners in Pakatan Rakyat when they raised sensitive issues regarding Islam, including DAP's continued rejection of hudud and the recent controversial comments by PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar on religious freedom for Muslims. "When their Pakatan partners raise these issues they keep quiet. But then they would label and accuse Umno in an attempt to divert public attention," said Hishammuddin.
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| Tat: DAP will lose the election because of Teresa Posted: 20 Nov 2012 03:24 PM PST
(The Kuala Lumpur Post) - Ex-DAP leader Tan Tuan Tat claimed that the party's state leadership under Teresa Kok will be a liability and will jeopardise the party's chance to be re-elected in the next General Election (GE). The former Selangor DAP auditor said that the party's state leaders have failed to live up to their positions to unite and strengthen the party, instead clinging to power by postponing the state elections which were scheduled for earlier this year. "Most members have become disenchanted and disillusioned by the incompetency, inefficiency and multiple standards shown by these leaders who think they won (the previous GE) because they are popular amongst grassroots members and the public. "The public and tax payers gave them a chance to change for better governance but apparently DAP Selangor has failed (to fulfil their obligations)," Tan said during a press conference. Citing the example of the low turnout at the DAP Selangor convention last month, Tan said it was due to the shenanigans of state leaders. "You think she's doing anything for Selangor? She couldn't even solve problems such as floods, rubbish, vice activities, complaints of corruptions, but instead, she swept it under the carpet," Tan said. Tan, who is also a former DAP Sungai Pelek Parliament Liaison Committee member, pointed out that a lot of grassroots members were frustrated with the way Kok handled the party. "Kok refused to admit her weak leadership and non-commitment to the grassroots members," he said. "She is no longer fighting for the people, but made a mockery of socialist concepts of equality and fairness for all and is more like a capitalist in nature for personal aggrandisement," Tan concluded. According to The Star's Joceline Tan, the poor turnout at the Selangor DAP convention was a missed opportunity to rally the troops to defend the premier state against a hungry opposition. "Of the 1,153 delegates, only 311 or 27% showed up for the annual meeting. The minimum quorum is 25% and party leaders were left struggling to explain the numbers," she wrote. "Kok did not appreciate the questions raised about the low turnout and she attempted to brush it off in a rather casual manner, attributing it to some delegates being "lazy," the rainy weather and that delegates had activities in their constituencies," Joceline said. According to blogger Shen Yee Aun, Kok is a failed leader since she holds too many posts in the state government and government-linked companies (GLCs). "Kok is wearing too many hats for being an Exco (Selangor Senior State Executive Councillor for Investment, Industry & Trade, SA (State Assemblywoman for Kinrara), MP (Member of Parliament for Seputeh) and also the Chairman of Selangor DAP," Shen said. - "She earns at least RM 40,000 a month but it seems she fails to strengthen Selangor DAP with her weak leadership as the leader of Selangor DAP," the blogger added. Meanwhile,due to these numerous positions, Kok was the first one to show her disagreement over DAP national chairman Karpal Singh's suggestion of 'one candidate, one proposal.
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| ‘HK chief prosecutor’s statement damning’ Posted: 20 Nov 2012 03:07 PM PST
Kevin Zervos has indicated that there was a conspiracy to cover up the RM40 million "political donations" case by Malaysian authorities, says PKR's strategic director. Teoh El Sen, FMT The statement yesterday by Hong Kong's chief public prosecutor points to a conspiracy by Malaysian authorities to cover up and halt investigations against Sabah chief minister Musa Aman and timber tycoon Michael Chia over the RM40 million "political donations" case, claimed PKR strategic director Rafizi Ramli today. Rafizi said it also gives an impression that the Malaysian authorities – either the Attorney-General's chambers, the MACC or both – had supplied inaccurate information to Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), and in turn had tarnished the investigations. Rafazi was referring to FMT's exclusive interview with Hong Kong's Director of Public Prosecutions, Kevin Zervos, who yesterday said that Hong Kong authorities were ready to re-open the case if there was fresh evidence. Zervos said that previous evidence ICAC received from Malaysia indicated that the funds were "political donation", but expressed openness in delving into the "true nature" of the money. "When it was the Malaysian authorities who told the ICAC that the fund was a political donation, it confirms rumours that the ICAC was forced to halt investigations because they were unable to get full cooperation of Malaysian authorities," alleged Rafizi in a statement. "Furthermore, the statement by Zervos is more serious as it gives the impression that Malaysian authorities, either the MACC, AG's chambers or both are conspiring to stop investigations against Musa and Chia by giving inaccurate information, without a transparent and independent investigation." Rafizi said that he also concluded from Zervos's statement that Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Aziz was not forthright in Parliament when he said that the ICAC had halted investigations because Hong Kong authorities had found that the money was political contributions to Sabah Umno. "Nazri never told Parliament that the ICAC had to stop investigations because Malaysian authorities had informed them that the RM40 million was a political donation," he said. MACC must reveal the truth Rafizi said he was sure the Malaysian authorities never handed proof or evidence that the RM40 million was a political contribution obtained legally. He urged Parliament to consider taking action against Nazri for what can be considered an attempt to mislead the House. "He implied that the RM40 million in political donation to Umno was a conclusion of ICAC and not supplied by Malaysian authorities," said Rafizi. He also demanded that MACC chief commissioner Abu Kassim Mohamed reveal the truth to Parliament. "I welcome the Hong Kong chief prosecutor's statement that he is willing to reopen the case. PKR will gather such evidences so that an investigation can be started by the ICAC." Yesterday, Rafizi said he would be travelling to Hong Kong meet with the ICAC Operations Review Committee as well as politicians there. He will be accompanied by PKR MPs William Leong (Selayang) and Hee Loy Sian (Petaling Jaya Selatan) and state assemblyman Chang Li Kang (Teja). The trip is to find out if the Malaysian government stonewalled ICAC's investigation of timber tycoon Chia, who was carrying the RM40 million, and to seek a re-opening of the 2008 case.
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| ‘Can you expect thieves to arrest themselves?’ Posted: 20 Nov 2012 03:02 PM PST A Sabah-based activist has accused Upko of pussyfooting around the illegal immigrant issue. Joseph Bingkasan, FMT KOTA KINABALU: The author of a book 'Lest We Forget' that chronicled the 'acquisition' of Sabah by Umno-linked authorities, who re-engineered the demographics of the state, is surprised that local leaders are now downplaying the facts. Expressing his concern, Dr Chong Eng Leong said he was worried that even a hardline local Barisan Nasional coalition component was backing away from the controversial issue after years of championing it. Chong is particularly incensed that state assembly representative Donald Mojuntin, the son of the late Peter Mojuntin who is lionised as a defender of Sabah's rights, was now choosing to limit the fallout from a widely acknowledged illegal act. He accused Mojuntin, from the United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) party, who was formerly a parliamentarian of manipulating for personal reasons a pivotal issue in state and national politics. Mojuntin has also riled independents with his conciliatory stand on other sensitive Sabah-centric issues notably the date of the formation of Malaysia. Chong said Mojuntin's recent statement "let's not waste time and effort to over-politicise it" when speaking about the problem of illegal immigrants in Sabah, was self-serving. "I am sure Donald (Mojuntin) and Upko know that hundreds of thousands of foreign migrants are in the Sabah electoral rolls – they decide which political party to govern us. Isn't this problem a political issue, Donald?" asked Chong who is now with PKR and known for his stance on immigration reform. He said the coalition partners appeared confused over their stand on the issue with Upko president Bernard Dompok once saying that internal upheavals and the strained relationship between state and federal governments had hampered efforts to resolve the problem. Chong's book gives a detailed insight of the audacious re-creation of Sabah's ethnic and religious makeup of the state to tilt the balance of political power in favour of the ruling BN coalition and Umno in particular. He pointed out that though the Umno-led coalition had been governing Sabah since 1994, repeated calls by Sabah BN members for a royal inquiry since 1996 had not been entertained until this year and even then reluctantly and with limitations. "Isn't this political? Donald (Mojuntin) also said the RCI has no power nor manpower to take action on its findings and recommendations as this belongs to relevant bodies like police, immigration and the NRD," noted Chong. Immigration, police, NRD involved Chong said that by stating this, Mojuntin was conveniently ignoring the fact that during in the Likas election petition hearing in 1999, witnesses testified under oath that the meetings, chaired by the late Megat Junid, the deputy home minister at the time, discussed how ICs could be given to foreigners in Sabah and these meetings "involved immigration, NRD and top guns from Bukit Aman". "Can you expect the thieves to arrest themselves? "My research on this issue since the late 90's is to let us Sabahans (be) aware of this treacherous deed done by the federal government – Dompok knew the modus operandi as he had heard the testimonies from public and briefings by NRD when he was the chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Integrity in 2006." He said that Dompok is now urging the public to come forward and help the RCI to set things right but asked since he himself knew the modus operandi, would Dompok come forward to testify.
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| ‘Affirmative action for Malays dangerous’ Posted: 20 Nov 2012 02:52 PM PST Malays are the only race in the world with both political power and affirmative action, a human rights organisation noted at a forum here. Anisah Shukry, FMT Affirmative action for the Malays is dangerous as they are the majority group in Malaysia and already hold political power, a human rights organisation said last night. Jerald Joseph, the executive director of Dignity International, pointed out that Malaysia was the only country which implemented affirmative action for a majority group. "Malays in this country are the majority; they have political power. So with affirmative action, you actually double Malay power," said Joseph at the forum 'Multiculturalism Rhetorics: A breeding ground for racism?' As a result of this, he said, affirmative action provided discounts and aids for even the wealthy Malay at the expense of the truly needy, who comprised all races. "The slogan 'Malaysia Truly Asia' is truly rhetoric; Malaysians cannot even find common ground in Malaysia, nor demand similar rights and services," said Joseph. "Article 153 of the Federal Constitution should be dismantled, so that only those who truly need special privileges can access it." He was referring to a provision in the Federal Constitution which grants the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia responsibility for safeguarding the special position of Malays and natives of any of the states of Sabah and Sarawak. Article 153 specifies ways to do this, such as establishing quotas for entry into the civil service, public scholarships and public education. But Joseph noted that the government was likely to drag its legs when it came to amending provisions that he said were related to human rights. "It's ironic that the government has no problems changing the constitution when it suits their interests. "But when its related to human rights, then they talk about the sanctity of the constitution. "But the Malaysian constitution belongs to all of us Malaysians. So no one should stop us from discussing it," said Joseph.
'Trying to turn everyone into Malays' Co-panelist Mutuma Rutere, the UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, appeared to agree with Joseph's views on affirmative action. "The government should not allocate resources based on ethnic group, but instead they could perhaps distribute it based on the place of residence. "Instead of fighting for the rights of our own group, we should be fighting for the rights of everyone," Rutere stressed. Also present at the forum was Dr Ahmad Farouk Musa, the director of the Islamic Renaissance Front, who highlighted the government's attempts to promote "the Malay supremacy agenda."
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| Australia is Malaysia's last hope: Xenophon Posted: 20 Nov 2012 11:34 AM PST
Anwar Ibrahim's letter asking for Australia's help was handed to independent Senator Nick Xenophon when he was in Malaysia on a recent trip. He says Australia is Malaysia's last, best hope for free and fair elections. Listen at: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-21/australia-is-malaysias-last-hope-xenophon/4383438?section=act TONY EASTLEY: Anwar Ibrahim's letter asking for Australia's help was handed to independent Senator Nick Xenophon when he was in Malaysia on a recent trip. Mr Xenophon spoke last night in the Senate about the letter. Senator Xenophon says Australia is Malaysia's last and best hope for free and fair elections. He's speaking here with our chief political correspondent Sabra Lane. NICK XENOPHON: Anwar Ibrahim wrote the letter in front of me last Friday in Kuala Lumpur. It really is a desperate plea for help. He really sees Australia as Malaysia's last, best hope to ensure that there are free and fair elections there. There are very serious concerns that what is occurring in Malaysia could see the wholesale rorting, the wholesale electoral fraud of the upcoming Malaysian general elections. And the implications for Malaysia, for the region I think are quite significant. SABRA LANE: And you've seen evidence of this rorting? NICK XENOPHON: When I was part of an international observer group last April the information that we were given indicates that the electoral roles appear to be quite irregular. I spoke to a former senior member of the military who told me that members of the military, that soldiers of lower ranks are basically stood over and told how to vote. That can't be in any way fair. It can't be in any way a secret ballot. SABRA LANE: What do you think Bob Carr and Australia should do? NICK XENOPHON: I think the very least we could do is to offer support to ensure that the elections are free and fair, to offer the services and the expertise of the Australian Electoral Commission, for there to be a parliamentary delegation to go to Malaysia now as a matter of urgency in the lead-up to the poll to look into these claims of the electoral rolls being fixed, to ensure that the voting process is fair. And to look at other fundamental issues such as the opposition parties not being able to have access to the mainstream media, to newspapers and television, to radio, not being able to even advertise during election periods. That is quite extraordinary. SABRA LANE: The Federal Government has its hopes still pinned on the so-called Malaysia swap deal - swapping asylum seekers. Do you think Australia is prepared to step up on Malaysia's elections, given that that deal is still yet to be enacted? NICK XENOPHON: I think some of the Malaysian opposition fear that that could constrain Australia's approach in terms of the up-coming Malaysian elections, but that really shouldn't be a consideration. It would be an act of gross cowardice on the part of Australia to be holding back its concerns on free and fair elections in Malaysia as a result of the people swap deal. SABRA LANE: On the issue of asylum seekers, you reluctantly backed the Government's legislation to recommence offshore processing, saying that if it stopped people from making a dangerous journey then all MPs had to eat some humble pie. What's your reaction to Amnesty International's visit to Nauru? It says conditions are completely unacceptable there and that those conditions are responsible for a terrible spiral of self harm and suicide attempts. NICK XENOPHON: Well it's very disturbing. I supported reluctantly a tough policy in order to deter people making a dangerous boat journey to prevent more people drowning at sea. But there's a distinction between supporting a policy that is tough and one that turns out to be cruel. And I think it's very important that those concerns be addressed. TONY EASTLEY: The independent Senator Nick Xenophon speaking to Sabra Lane. A spokesman for Senator Carr says the Foreign Minister received Mr Anwar's letter on Monday and he will consider it and respond shortly. Senator Carr's office says the Minister discussed the issue of "free and fair elections" with Mr Ibrahim on the phone during his visit to Kuala Lumpur earlier this month. |
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