Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Who is Capt. Joseph Lakai?
- Lynas hits another bump in Malaysia
- The semblance of change
- Penang Lang must defend Penang at all cost
- Musa Hassan tells Robert Phang: apologize, or I’ll sue you
- ‘Black knight’ Musa vs ‘White knight’ Ramli
- Musa reveals more, implicates businessman
- Act fast against ‘Little Napoleons’, DAPSY tells PAS
- The Star just as racial as Utusan, says DAP MP
- Umno smiles as PAS grapples with moral policing issue
- Ezam urges Karpal to retract sodomy statements
- MB slammed by Pakatan MPs over 'non-handling' of altar issue
- It’s all in the family for DAP’s top rung
- Atheists around world reported suffer persecution, discrimination
- Which way will the Malays vote? - Part 1
- Non-Muslims should be allowed to be indecent, says minister
- Ex-IGP’s influence was bad news for Umno
- Musa: Good, honest men victimised
- Indians must make their votes count
- James Arthur wins X Factor final
| Posted: 10 Dec 2012 01:02 PM PST
Hakim Joe On the 7th of December 2012, a Captain Joseph Lakai published an article titled "1976 plane crash: The unanswered questions" on FMT News (http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2012/12/07/1976-place-crash-the-unanswered-questions/). This article was picked up by Malaysia Today and published on the same day (http://www.malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/special-reports/53185-1976-plane-crash-the-unanswered-questions). On the FMT article, the online news portal stated that the article is a testament of "A test pilot offers a peak into why the fatal 1976 plane crash which killed Sabah chief minister Fuad Stephens and several state cabinet members is seen as a conspiracy by locals." (Note the incorrect spelling of the word "peak"). Is this the same Joseph Wilfred Lakai who is the Vice Chairman of Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP)? On the 11th of August 2012, Malaysia Today published an article titled "13,215 days ago" (http://www.malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/guest-columnists/51063-13215-days-ago). Please read both articles before making any comments. However, do take special note of the uncanny similarities between the two articles (word for word). Additionally do count the days between the exact date of the crash (6th June 1976) and the publication dates. Number of days between 6th June 1976 and 11 August 2012 is 13,215 days. Number of days between 6th June 1976 and 7 December 2012 is 13,333 days. Both articles stated 13,215 days. Is Capt. Joseph Lakai using the pseudonym "Hakim Joe"? (As in Joe is the short form of Joseph). I can assure you that Hakim Joe is definitely not Capt. Joseph Lakai. Now you can comment all you like. (St Low [MTadmin] - agrees with Hakim Joe and have taken Captain Joseph Lakai's name out of the article on MT and replaced it with Hakim Joe.)
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| Lynas hits another bump in Malaysia Posted: 10 Dec 2012 12:49 PM PST
(The Age) - Lynas has been forced into its fourth trading halt in a month after the Malaysian government called on the Australian rare earths miner to export all its waste generated by the plant.
The miner requested the halt ahead of an announcement by the company following comments by four Malaysian government ministers released yesterday demanding that Lynas remove all the residue or face having its temporary licence revoked.
"Should Lynas fail to comply with this condition, the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) is empowered under section 22 of the Atomic Energy Licensing Act 1984 (Act 304), to suspend or revoke the TOL and order Lynas to cease operations," the statement released by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry said, the New Straits Times newspaper reported.
"The government will not compromise the health and safety of the people and the environment, in dealing with the issue of Lynas." Advertisement
Shares in Lynas's closest rival, the US-based Molycorp, surged 20 per cent in New York in reaction to the news – the biggest one-day jump since it listed.
The statement followed local reports that Lynas's Malaysian managing director, Mashal Ahmad, had said the waste products from the Kuantan plant could not be exported because of international laws, the Times stated.
But Lynas said yesterday in Malaysia the reports were inaccurate and that it would convert the residue into a commercially safe product called Synthetic Aggregate, which would then be exported to other countries.
The Australian company has faced political and legal troubles in Malaysia over the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP). Lynas started production at the controversial plant in late November.
A Lynas spokesman declined to provide further comment ahead of the company's announcement.
Lynas has shot to prominence as Australia's challenge to China's monopoly on global production of rare earths, a group of metallic elements of strategic importance due to its vital role in the manufacture of rechargeable batteries, wind turbines and tablets.
Shares in Lynas have plunged more than 60 per cent since February as a result of the extended delays and uncertainty surrounding the project. Lynas shares last traded at 60.5 cents.
Before the latest setback, there were signs the company had turned a corner after what the company said were decisive court victories over Malaysian activists.
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| Posted: 10 Dec 2012 12:43 PM PST If we do see a change of government come the next general election, what happens the day after? Do we suddenly become race blind and see each other just as Malaysians? Do we accept that traffic fine and not try to bribe that police officer? And, do we take a taxi home and not get behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated? Adam Netto Recently, while planning a night out with a German friend of mine, the topic of drink driving in Malaysia, specifically in Kuala Lumpur, came up. As I tried my best to answer the various questions leveled at me like, "Don't you have strict laws prohibiting this?" or "Are taxis really expensive in Malaysia?" It dawned on me. The answer is simple. We are selfish. Basically, we want the comfort of driving to the bar/club, we want to drink and be merry like everyone else and once the night is over, we want to drive home regardless of the danger we pose to other motorists. And that, in my opinion, is the problem with most Malaysians today. We scream for change but we are not prepared to do so ourselves. We blame the present government for the racial nature of our politics today but we still inquire about the race of a criminal as if that played a role in his/her crime. We blame the present government over the rampant corruption in everyday life but still offer the police officer a bribe instead of taking the fine. We dislike the system where contracts, scholarships etc. are not always awarded based on merit but have no problems using our very own contacts to further personal interests. If we do see a change of government come the next general election, what happens the day after? Do we suddenly become race blind and see each other just as Malaysians? Do we accept that traffic fine and not try to bribe that police officer? And, do we take a taxi home and not get behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated? Maybe it is time we stop screaming and heed the words of Mahatma Gandhi, who said, "Be the change we want to see in the world". |
| Penang Lang must defend Penang at all cost Posted: 10 Dec 2012 12:39 PM PST
Your PM is blackmailing and using his 'legal' bribery 'I help you, you help me' bribing his way to recapture Penang. Penangnites must not fall into this dangerous trap. Malaysia For All Your Prime Minster has proven beyond doubt that he is a very weak and incapable leader. His daily speeches, a multitude of plea, threat, admission, omission and deceptive promises that allowed one to see how a man looks like when the fear of losing power is imminent.His latest trip to Penang on the 8th December 2012 was to galvanize support to retake Penang in the next General Election with more ambiguous speeches and deceptive promises. Every Malaysian must ask this question "Who is paying for all the extravagant expenses of your PM playing Santa Claus Merry going round the country"? What kind of leadership is he trying to prove, a leadership for all Malaysians or just to those who like and support his Umno coalition BN? He made a call to Penangnites to ensure a BN victory only then will they get to have (mind you, only pledges) 20,000 affordable homes and monorail. Is he a real joker PM or what? Can I put three questions to him. What has Umno/BN done during their 50 years of taking power in Penang when these affordable homes and monorail were much needed back as early as the late 90's? Is your PM trying to say that there will be no help from the Federal government if Penang is still under Pakatan Rakayat? If that is the case, can Penangnites insist that they will not pay their taxes directly to Federal government but instead to the State government?
Read more at: http://www.ousel.blogspot.com/2012/12/penang-lang-must-defend-penang-at-all_10.html |
| Musa Hassan tells Robert Phang: apologize, or I’ll sue you Posted: 10 Dec 2012 02:49 AM PST
(Malaysian Digest) - Malaysian Crime Watch Group (MyWatch) today demanded an apology from Tan Sri Robert Phang for alleging that the NGO was linked to criminal syndicates. MyWatch patron, Tan Sri Musa Hassan has given Phang three days to do so before legal action is taken against him.
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| ‘Black knight’ Musa vs ‘White knight’ Ramli Posted: 10 Dec 2012 02:33 AM PST The former IGP took a swipe at his critics for portraying him as the bad cop out to destroy the PDRM. Teoh El Sen, FMT Former Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan today lashed out at his critics, especially his former colleagues Ramli Yusuff and Mat Zain Ibrahim, suggesting that they have strong backing from powerful figures. "I think this Ramli, he has strong influence with IGP [Ismail Omar] and the police," he told a press conference here. "From the outside, it seems like he's the white knight, saviour of PDRM [Royal Malaysian Police]… while I'm the black knight who is destroying PDRM… the picture has been painted as such," he said when asked about Ramli's unending crusade against him. Musa, the patron of the new anti-crime NGO MyWatch, said that he suspects that Ramli has the backing of certain powerful figures that he did not name. "I just want to know who is behind him… who has given him this platform to attack me," he said. Musa maintained that he had no links with underworld figures, a claim that Ramli, retired Commercial Crimes Investigation Department (CCID) director, has repeated, and instead asked the latter himself to answer to the public. "He should answer to the public… how he owns so much riches and wealth when he was still in service. Even I don't have so much…" Musa said despite the courts clearing Ramli of failing to declare some RM27 million worth of assets, for him, it was still an unresolved question. How could a police officer only holding the post of CCID director amass such money? he asked. Asked if he was implying Ramli was linked to "undesirable individuals", Musa said: "It is hard for me to answer. Because those who have wealth of that nature will have some links somewhere." He also denied former KL CID chief Mat Zain's claim that he (Musa) had fabricated evidence, relating to three reports on the injuries Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim received while in police custody in 1998. Mat Zain had said: "I state, yet again, that I am willing to declare under oath in any judicial proceeding or before any judge that there was indeed an agreement between [Attorney-General Abdul] Gani [Pattail] and Musa to use Dr Abdul Rahman [Yusof] to fabricate the three so-called special reports on the injuries Anwar received while in police custody in 1998." Musa said he has no knowledge about any such reports, declaring that he has no power to order any doctor to do anything. "He [Mat Zain] is the one who investigated the case. He should have the reports," he said. He said Mat Zain, along with Ramli, was trying to discredit him. "They are plainly trying to stop me from speaking out. These people are back in operation. They have to say something. They know I can't stand this kind of things, so this is a preemptive strike by them," Musa said. "Let me ask them now: who are the real kingpins? Why have there been no actions [taken]?"
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| Musa reveals more, implicates businessman Posted: 09 Dec 2012 05:46 PM PST The ex-IGP claims that former MACC advisor Robert Phang was involved in a communication devices deal for the police which did not meet specifications. Teoh El Sen, FMT Several senior policemen were transferred out of the Bukit Aman Logistics Department (Communications Division) and put in "cold storage" for refusing to approve a technically unsound project involving walkie talkies worth almost RM1 billion. It is learnt that the project was mooted towards the end of 2008 and involved the replacement of more than 30,000 new walkie-talkies for beat policemen, stations and vehicles nationwide, including Sabah and Sarawak. However, problems arose a year or two after the project, which was a direct negotiation contract, took off as the implementation of the devices were allegedly not according to specifications. One of the problems was the apparent lack of coverage or "black spots" in certain areas around the country such as in certain buildings, and in one case very little coverage along the East-West highway despite being promised otherwise. The other issues, which "deviated from the agreed specificaitons", include a recording system which sometimes records when nobody speaks and vice versa; and also incidents where the walkie talkie transmits by itself. However, despite the flaws, sources said that those within the Home Ministry and top ranking policemen were constantly pressuring a team of technical experts to sign the acceptance of the equipment before the issues were smoothed out. "[Former inspector-general of police] Musa Hassan did not agree to a project that was not done properly but they used KDN [Home Ministry] to force the technical team to do whatever the company wanted. They were under tremendous pressure," said a source with direct knowledge of the deal. "By mid 2010, when the first phase was being put out in the Klang Valley, we already noticed that all these problems were surfacing, but they were swept under the carpet. "They realised that if they signed the project, we will go to jail. So better transfer," added the source. Investigate Ismail Speaking to FMT on this, Musa said when he was still IGP, he kept a close watch on the project to ensure that the equipment was what the police needed. However, he claimed, other parties' interests crept in after he left. Musa said that prominent businessman and former MACC advisor Robert Phang was a consultant for the project and acted as a go-between the police and the provider, a multinational telecommunications company. "Because he was close with the police. So at that time, I believe that there were some government officers in the ministry who was involved in the company. "Since it was approved by the government, I had to carry it out. But I made sure that the technical team that overseeing the project does not compromise to ensure that it is up to specifications and to ensure that this communication can be used throughout Malaysia without any hiccups. "So after I left… I was not quite happy because it was still not up to specifications. I was informed that it would not work well and that is why the technical team refused to sign the commission so that money can be paid," he told FMT. However, Musa alleged that even Phang threatened the team. "The team received a call from him saying that if you don't sign it, you will be transferred out." True enough, he added, at least three officers ranked DSP, Supt and SAC were then given letters of transfers out of the department. "So the team refused to sign, and they were called by the IGP. The present IGP [Ismail Omar] asked them to commission it… because they need the government to pay the money… I don't know how many million. So they got transferred and now it actually went through. "Officers who have the capability and technical expertise in communication are being put in cold storage by this businessman. That's how good his connections are. He is very close to the IGP now… very friendly with the home minister," said Musa. Musa said that he wanted the authorities to investigate Ismail for possibly abusing his powers and Phang for allegedly abetting the former.
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| Act fast against ‘Little Napoleons’, DAPSY tells PAS Posted: 09 Dec 2012 05:40 PM PST
Ida Lim, The Malaysian Insider Kelantan's strict law enforcement on non-Muslims are worrying Pakatan Rakyat (PR) fans, the DAP's Anthony Loke said today and urged his Islamist Pakatan Rakyat (PR) partner to probe the delicate issue swiftly before support slides ahead of elections. The MCA is using the PAS-led state government's alleged crackdown on misbehaving non-Muslims as election fodder against the federal opposition pact, the DAP Socialist Youth's (DAPSY) outgoing chief. "Those are the issues that rightly or wrongly will affect confidence of non-Muslims towards Pakatan Rakyat, in particular towards PAS," Loke, the outgoing chief for the DAP told a news cconference today. "It will be fully utilised by MCA to attack the DAP and Pakatan Rakyat so their agenda is to frighten off non-Muslims to rethink their support for Pakatan Rakyat." "We sincerely hope and call upon PAS leadership to give serious attention to these issues and must be dealt with immediately." When asked whether these issues will erode voters' confidence, he stressed that action should be taken immediately. "There are some serious concerns. I wouldn't say it eroded the support but I would think there are serious repercussions if those issues are not dealt with. He said the party's top leadership have assured that Islamic rules do not apply to non-Muslims, but did not discount the possibility of sabotage in the Kelantan local councils. "But I think at the implementation level, the local government level, we cannot rule out that there may be some sabotage happening within local council... Do not let all these little Napoleons derail our agenda." Yesterday, The Star reported that Kelantan enforcement officers had fined two non Muslim couples for khalwat, a crime under syariah law, but PAS had quickly pointed out the summonses were for indecent behaviour. Recently, non-Muslim hairdressers in Kelantan were reported to have also been slapped with fines for having customers of the opposite gender, breaching a local council by-law that bars women hairstylists from working on men and vice-versa — sparking a storm over the position of Islamic laws. But Loke today said that some of these issues could be solved "amicably". "For example, the hair salon issue, we have conveyed to PAS our suggestion that they have to review by-laws, there should not be segregation in hair salons." He said that DAP has suggested to PAS that special sections be set up in hair salons for Muslim women, which were done in some salons in Seremban. The Rasah MP said this would create a win-win situation, where both hair salon owners and the sensitivities of Muslims women will be taken care of. Loke said these issues have been used to distract voters from "real issues" such as corruption, environmental issues like the Lynas rare-earth plant, and good governance. As the 13th general election draws near, the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition has increasingly tried to scare non-Muslim voters from voting for PR by saying that PAS would implement the Islamic penal code, hudud, and create an Islamic state. Malaysia practises a dual-track court system but Syariah laws can only be enforced on Muslims; non-Muslims are exempt.
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| The Star just as racial as Utusan, says DAP MP Posted: 09 Dec 2012 05:36 PM PST
(The Malaysian Insider) - A DAP lawmaker accused MCA-owned daily The Star today of exploiting the strict enforcement of Islamic law on non-Muslims in PAS-led Kelantan to stoke racial sentiments in a bid to serve its political masters ahead of key national polls. Calling it a "shameful, immoral and devious act", Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong lashed out at the English-language daily for what he termed relentless and lop-sided coverage of the ongoing storm over the enforcement of Islamic law on non-Muslims in the state, after local council officers reportedly cracked down on non-Muslims for allegedly violating local by-laws regulating decency. "The Star is looking down at its readers, just like the racially-charged Utusan Malaysia, exploiting a situation where not many of its mostly non-Muslim readers could distinguish between hudud (Islamic criminal law), Islamic family laws, khalwat (close proximity) and municipal council's indecent behaviour rule," he said in a statement. The prominent coverage of the issue in The Star showed it was subservient to its partisan owner and was bent on conveying to its mostly non-Muslim readers that "PAS is as an extremist party" and aimed at scaring off non-Muslim support for Islamist PAS and the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) pact. "That is a well-known MCA's tactics and strategies to win election for its political master Datuk Seri Najib Razak," Liew said. The 35-year-old warned PR parties that the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) parties and the media they controlled were looking to exploit weaknesses within the pact, echoing his DAP colleague, Anthony Loke's warning yesterday that the MCA is using hudud as election fodder to scare off non-Muslim voters. He called on all PR state governments to "beware of Little Napoleons in our respective states and local governments attempting to plant the seed of doubt among the people to discredit Pakatan Rakyat as a credible national alternative". "It is now well known that the next election will very much be decided by whether non-Malay swing voters were prepared to vote for PAS and whether Malay-Muslim swing voters were prepared to support DAP in the context of the Pakatan Rakyat coalition," Liew said. The opposition lawmaker urged PR to work together and not lose sight of its national goal, which he said can only be won if the majority of four million middle ground voters continue to back the pact. "Let us return to Middle Malaysia," he added. The Star reported last week that Kelantan enforcement officers had fined two non-Muslim couples for khalwat, a crime under syariah law, but PAS had quickly pointed out the summonses were for indecent behaviour. Recently, non-Muslim hairdressers in Kelantan were reported to have also been slapped with fines for having customers of the opposite gender, breaching a local council by-law that bars women hairstylists from working on men and vice-versa — sparking a storm over the position of Islamic laws. In the run-up to the 13th general election, the BN coalition has increasingly tried to discourage non-Muslim voters from voting for PR by saying that PAS would implement the Islamic penal code, hudud, and create an Islamic state. While non-Muslims are exempt from Syariah laws, Malaysia's dual-track court system has resulted in overlapping gray areas that have impinged on their constitutional rights.
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| Umno smiles as PAS grapples with moral policing issue Posted: 09 Dec 2012 04:12 PM PST The stability of support for Kelantan PAS is under threat. Hawkeye, FMT KOTA BARU: Recent indications of PAS' indecisiveness in handling the issue of moral policing has boosted Umno's confidence in improving its electoral performance in Kelantan. It is learnt that PAS supporters are deeply divided over the issue. One side feels that PAS should defend the application of syariah-inspired by-laws on non-Muslims. The other side calls for a reprimand, if not punishment, of local authorities for their excess of zeal at the expense of support from non-Muslim voters. The issue's potential to threaten the stability of support for Kelantan PAS is best summed up by businessman Hussein Ahmad, who operates a string of kopitiam outlets here. Alluding to the claim by Kelantanese that their state is the cradle of Malay culture, he said: "The cradle is rocking too hard, and the baby is wailing." He believes PAS' indecisiveness over the issue of moral policing is inevitable given the factionalism within the state administration that has been apparent to some political observers for some time. He believes too that this is all brought about by the twin factors of Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat's declining health and his deputy Ahmad Yakcob's lack of talent for administration. Political sources have said that PAS' top leaders want Nik Aziz to remain as Menteri Besar despite his offer to resign. They see him as an indispensable asset for political support because he commands deep respect across the political and racial spectrums. They want him to continue leading Kelantan while they work out a succession plan, which is a difficult task given the factionalism in PAS, at least at the state level. This is all good news, of course, to Umno, which has recently been waxing optimistic about its electoral chances in Kelantan. Umno currently occupies only six of the 45 seats in the Kelantan legislature. Umno Kelantan treasurer Hanafi Mamat says his party is now confident of winning 25 seats in the coming election and that Barisan Nasional may even be able to deny Pakatan Rakyat its two-third majority in the state. Economic changes "We're not over-confident, though," he told FMT, but he added that young voters in the state were increasingly showing they wanted changes, especially in the economic sphere. "The young generation is keen to know about job creation, economic management and the way forward. "The issue of corruption may not be a big issue here as the people here are a pious lot and would not cave-in to such sinful acts. "The new support for Umno may not be enough to enable BN to take the state from PAS, but is significant compared to 2008."
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| Ezam urges Karpal to retract sodomy statements Posted: 09 Dec 2012 04:05 PM PST
(NST) - DAP chairman Karpal Singh has been urged to retract his statements made in Parliament in 1997, in which he claimed to have proof that de facto opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had committed sodomy. Senator Ezam Mohd Nor said Karpal should apply to Parliament to have the statements struck from the Hansard if he was serious about appointing Anwar as a possible candidate for prime minister. "Karpal should know that the Malay Muslim community in Malaysia would never lift an alleged sodomite or sodomy addict to the post of prime minister," Ezam said in a statement yesterday. "He should take back his statements and apologise to the Muslim community." Anwar was acquitted of sodomy charges in January.
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| MB slammed by Pakatan MPs over 'non-handling' of altar issue Posted: 09 Dec 2012 03:56 PM PST
(NST) - Two Pakatan Rakyat MPs have hit out at the Selangor government over its handling of the demolition of a Hindu altar by the Sepang Municipal Council. The person facing the brunt of their anger was none other than Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, who was chided for his hands-off approach in handling the issue. Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo said it was unbecoming of Abdul Khalid to keep quiet despite the severity of the situation and wide condemnation from both sides of the political divide.
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| It’s all in the family for DAP’s top rung Posted: 09 Dec 2012 03:35 PM PST
(The Star) - It will be a family affair among some of the 68 candidates vying for the 20 central executive committee (CEC) seats at the 16th DAP National Congress in Penang next week. National chairman Karpal Singh is in the list, along with sons Gobind Singh Deo, the Puchong MP, and Jagdeep Singh Deo, the state assemblyman for Datuk Keramat. Party secretary-general and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is in the race, together with his father, DAP adviser and Ipoh Timur MP Lim Kit Siang. Perak's top strongmen, state chief Ngeh Koo Ham and his cousin, Perak DAP secretary Nga Kor Ming, are also in the contest. Ngeh is Beruas MP and Sitiawan assemblyman while Nga is Taiping MP and Pantai Remis assemblyman. If all of them win, they would make up close to a third of the DAP's national office bearers. Aside from that, the candidate line-up will see 69% of the contenders being either an MP or assemblyman, or both. Newly-appointed senator Ariffin SM Omar and Lt-Col Roseli Abdul Ghani, the latter tipped as DAP's choice for the Mentri Besar's post if Pakatan Rakyat takes over Negri Sembilan, are among the newcomers joining in the fray. All the incumbent office bearers, with the exception of Senawang assemblyman P. Gunasekaren who had spoken in support of the Internal Security Act, are contesting in the party elections which will be held together with the congress on Dec 15 and 16. Party organising secretary Teresa Kok, who is also the congress organising chairman, confirmed that Gun-asekaren was not contesting. Of the 103 initial nominees, 35 later pulled out, Kok said yesterday. "Aside from the 20 elected CEC members, 10 others will be appointed later to sit in the committee," she said. Besides Kok, who is the Seputeh MP, well-known names contesting the CEC seats include Bukit Mertajam MP Chong Eng, Tanjung MP Chow Kon Yeow, PJ Utara MP Tony Pua, Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai, Kepong MP Dr Tan Seng Giaw, Rasah MP Anthony Loke, Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran and Penang Deputy Chief Minister Prof P. Ramasamy.
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| Atheists around world reported suffer persecution, discrimination Posted: 09 Dec 2012 03:24 PM PST
(Reuters) - Atheists and other religious sceptics suffer persecution or discrimination in many parts of the world and in at least seven nations can be executed if their beliefs become known, according to a report issued today. The study, from the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), showed that "unbelievers" in Islamic countries face the most severe — sometimes brutal — treatment at the hands of the state and adherents of the official religion. But it also points to policies in some European countries and the United States that favour the religious and their organisations, and treat atheists and humanists as outsiders. The report, "Freedom of Thought 2012", said "there are laws that deny atheists' right to exist, curtail their freedom of belief and expression, revoke their right to citizenship, restrict their right to marry". Other laws "obstruct their access to public education, prohibit them from holding public office, prevent them from working for the state, criminalise their criticism of religion, and execute them for leaving the religion of their parents". The report was welcomed by Heiner Bielefeldt, United Nations special rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, who said in a brief introduction there was little awareness that atheists were covered by global human rights agreements. The IHEU — that links over 120 humanist, atheist and secular organisations in more than 40 countries — said it was issuing the report to mark the UN's Human Rights Day today. According to its survey of some 60 countries, the seven where expression of atheist views or defection from the official religion can bring capital punishment are Afghanistan, Iran, Maldives, Mauritania, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Sudan. The 70-page report lists no recent cases of actual execution for "atheism" — but researchers say the offence is often subsumed into other charges. In a range of other countries — such as Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Kuwait and Jordan — publication of atheist or humanist views on religion are totally banned or strictly limited under laws prohibiting "blasphemy". In many of these countries, and others such as Malaysia, citizens have to register as adherents of a small number officially-recognised religions — which normally include no more than Christianity and Judaism as well as Islam. Atheists and humanists are thereby forced to lie to obtain their official documents without which it is impossible to go to university, receive medical treatment, travel abroad or drive. In Europe, sub-Saharan Africa and Latin and North America, countries that identified themselves as secular gave privileges to or favoured Christian churches in providing education and other public services, the IHEU said. In Greece and Russia, the Orthodox Church is fiercely protected from criticism and is given pride of place on state occasions, while in Britain bishops of the Church of England have automatic seats in the upper house of parliament. While freedom of religion and speech was protected in the United States, the report said, a social and political climate prevailed "in that atheists and the non-religious are made to feel like lesser Americans, or non-Americans". In at least seven US states, constitutional provisions were in place that barred atheists from public office, and one state, Arkansas, had a law that barred an atheist from testifying as a witness at a trial, the report said.
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| Which way will the Malays vote? - Part 1 Posted: 09 Dec 2012 02:56 PM PST
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's Prof Datuk Mohammad Agus Yusoff breaks down Malay voters into three main groups: rural Malays; young Malays and urban and semi-urban voters. Agus, an associate professor in political science, estimates that at least 65% of Malay rural voters including Felda settlers support BN but there is a split amongst young and urban Malay voters, at 55% for the opposition and 45% for BN. Chua Sue-Ann, fz.com Any political party with aspirations to helm the federal government knows that the Malays are a crucial power base. After all, the Malays form the largest ethnic group in the country, making up over 60% of the population, and are the largest voter group at over 55% of the electorate. Nevertheless, as Malaysia counts down to the next general election – which has to be held before middle of 2013 - there is no certainty as to how Malays would vote. This uncertainty has set the stage for both Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to battle for Malay support. Umno spearheads BN's charge when it comes to winning Malay votes. Over at the PR side, the Malay majority seats are mostly shared between PAS and PKR, the latter being a multi-racial party. DAP, one of the three parties in PR, too is hoping to field more Malay candidates to shed its label of being a Chinese-dominated party. Political analyst Ooi Kee Beng believes the next GE will see a Malay versus Malay battle with non-Malays playing supportive roles on both sides of the fence. Ooi, who is the deputy director of the Singapore-based Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, said it is difficult to pin down where Malay votes lay. "The Malay versus Malay scenario is here to stay. Broadly speaking, the Indians appear to slightly favour PR and the majority of the Chinese are definitely supporting PR," said Ooi. It is telling that many political pundits are hesitant to predict where the majority of Malay voters stand. Faced with that question, observers tend to preface their remarks by reminding that Malay voters are far from homogenous. "The days of putting blanket perceptions of ethnic groups are long over," says one political observer. Who are Malay voters? Malay voters can be categorised by various factors including location, age, gender, socioeconomic background and perceived political affiliation. The civil servant voter group, dominated by Malays, as well as the Felda settlers are said to throw their support behind BN. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's Prof Datuk Mohammad Agus Yusoff breaks down Malay voters into three main groups: rural Malays; young Malays and urban and semi-urban voters. Agus, an associate professor in political science, estimates that at least 65% of Malay rural voters including Felda settlers support BN but there is a split amongst young and urban Malay voters, at 55% for the opposition and 45% for BN. "Rural voters believe that Umno can bring development and stability. This is what they have always known. But younger voters and urban voters are more independent and exposed to alternative information sources. "They think that with Malaysia's vast resources we should be enjoying better than this," said Agus. Agus however disagrees that the next general election will come down purely to a battle between Malays. "Malays are fighting each other. If there is a split between Malay votes, the Chinese votes come in. This time, the majority of Chinese don't support the government. Umno cannot rely on Malay votes alone. "The Malays are very polarised. It isn't just about race, it is also about class. So the recipe (to win voters) has to be different and you have to serve different menus to different groups," said Agus. Opposition works on Malay support Buoyed by the unexpected results of the 2008 general election, PR is preparing itself for a better showing in the next election. The opposition knows that winning over Malay support is an important part of their battle plan but this is no easy task. As it now stands, BN has 138 of the 222 parliamentary seats while the PR has 74 (six of PR's MPs left to become independent representatives, though one - Bayan Baru MP Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim, who was elected on the PKR ticket before turning independent, has since rejoined Umno). There remaining seats are PSM (1), KITA (1) and SAPP (2). The Titiwangsa seat is empty following the death of PKR MP Dr Lo'Lo' Ghazali on July 17, 2011. BN lost its two-thirds majority and five states after anti-incumbent voting by non-Malays and a 5% swing by Malay voters toward the opposition. Universiti Malaya lecturer Prof Edmund Terence Gomez, in an analysis published after the 2008 general election, argues that Malay support for BN began to fall as early as 1990. According to Gomez, BN continued to lose Malay support after the reformasi period following Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's sacking as deputy prime minister although support in all Malay-majority seats rose in 2004 after Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's departure. In 2008, BN's support in most Malay-majority seats fell as large segment of non-Malay voters swung to the opposition, Gomez said. PKR chief strategist Rafizi Ramli acknowledges that rural Malays is still a challenging group to breach but this does not mean PR, particularly PAS and PKR have no presence in the Malay heartland. According to Rafizi, PR's strategy is to focus more on voters in semi-urban and urban areas particularly the first time voters, a move which the opposition hopes will also help with their rural strategy. "Most of them will go back to the kampung to vote and bring different perspectives back to their families. "They are the best vote canvassers for us, more effective than party machinery on either side," said Rafizi who estimates an additional 3% to 4% rural support for the opposition should this strategy work. According to Rafizi, PR is focusing on bread and butter issues, and not race or religion, to attract urban and working class Malay youth voters. Demographics change fuel new dynamics After the 2008 election results, BN leaders are aware of the changing voter sentiments led by young voters and the middle class who are increasingly shying away from race-based politics. At the recent Umno general assembly, Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak warned against over-dependence on the party's traditional rural Malay powerbase and on repeating the mistakes that lead to BN's poor showing at the last general election. "Umno and BN cannot afford to feel relieved and take it easy, hoping for the people's support based on the nostalgia over past deeds or what the party and government has done so far," Najib told party delegates. This is due to Malaysia's "demographic reality" that has changed radically, the prime minister said. Najib pointed out that the next election will have 20% of voters, or about 2.9 million voters of various ages, casting their ballots as new or first time voters. Half of Malaysia's 29 million people are under the age of 25 while 80% are under the age of 45. Additionally, 70% of the population lives in urban areas even though rural seats still form a significant proportion of constituencies. Over the long term, the party who can accurately read the pulse of the young and urban voters will have an upper hand over its competitor. Part 2: Focusing on bread and butter issues
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| Non-Muslims should be allowed to be indecent, says minister Posted: 09 Dec 2012 02:47 PM PST
(The Star) - Foreign tourists to Malaysia are worried over the recent action taken against non-Muslims for alleged indecent behaviour in Kelantan. Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said tourists, especially those from China and Taiwan, had voiced their concern to the ministry over the matter. "Such policy of issuing summonses on 'khalwat' should not be implemented on non-Muslims." "Furthermore, what did they do wrong as they were together at the plane spotting area near Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, which is an open public area," Dr Ng said after taking part in the Cuti-Cuti 1Malaysia (CC1M) Sunday bike ride event here yesterday. Dr Ng said as a Kelantanese, she used to gather with friends and families at the spotting area near the airport in Pengkalan Chepa previously and there was no action taken on them for doing so. She said the place was not a closed or covered area and it was by the roadside, where everybody could see what was going on at the spot. Two men on a plane-spotting outing near the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport and a teenage couple in Tengku Anis Park were issued with summonses in October and last month respectively. Dr Ng said the cases proved that the Islamic rules imposed by PAS were now affecting non-Muslims. Earlier, on the Sunday Ride in Raub programme, Dr Ng said cycling activities should be self-sustainable by individuals or organisations by now. She said the programmes had successfully achieved their targets of fostering relationship, economic activities generating, attracting tourists as well as promoting green and clean tourism. Dr Ng said more states, including Sarawak and Sabah, had adapted the programme as selling points in the tourism industry and was seeing good economic returns. She said other state tourism operators, too, had to play an active role in promoting the cycling programme further as it had the potential to be successful.
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| Ex-IGP’s influence was bad news for Umno Posted: 09 Dec 2012 02:34 PM PST The home minister had to interfere to stop the then IGP Musa Hassan from promoting and transferring his men who would continue working with criminal elements, claims Raja Petra. (FMT) - Former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan, before his retirement, had allegedly promoted and transferred the "right" police officers who will continue to work hand-in-hand with the triads, claimed popular blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin today. However, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein had interfered in this exercise, and this has caused a lot of problems for the Chinese underworld and crime syndicates. "And that is why Musa recently gave his interviews – alleging interference by the politicians in the running of the police force. It is true that the minister blocked Musa's every move," said Raja Petra in his latest blog posting in Malaysia Today. Raja Petra said that Hishammuddin had decided to act as he feared that a continuation of Musa's influence in the police force would have had a backlash on Umno in the coming general election. "They know that the voters are unhappy with the police force and that may cost Umno a lot of votes. "Hence if the minister does not rein in the police, then there is a danger that Umno could lose a sizeable number of votes," said Raja Petra. In recent weeks, Musa had claimed that during his tenure as the IGP from 2006 to 2010, there had been political interference and inflitration of criminal elements in the police force. He said that he had raised these issues through the "proper channels" to the prime minister and home minister, but to no effect. He had also lashed out at his successor Ismail Omar, claiming that he was a weak police chief. Musa's detractors, however, had responded by saying that it was Musa who had allowed the triads to take control of the police force, of his alleged corrupt practices, and of his underhand tactics to "fix people up", including his former boss Commercial Crimes Investigation Department (CCID) chief Ramli Yusuff. Adding to the list of Musa's detractors, Raja Petra claimed that the former top cop has many grievances against the government, the present IGP Ismail and Hishammuddin. Musa's role in Bersih violence? Raja Petra said Musa's bitternes was due to the government's rejection of his request for a further extension as the police chief. "He then asked to be made the Malaysian High Commissioner to Brunei and that too was rejected. Instead, he was given just a teaching job, which, to him, is a great insult when other retired IGPs before him were given 'good' posts," he said. The blogger also claimed that many suspected Musa's role in the manner police acted violently against Bersih 3.0 rally-goers on April 28 this year.
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| Musa: Good, honest men victimised Posted: 09 Dec 2012 02:30 PM PST Ex-IGP speaks out against transfers, saying that crime syndicates are now operating freely with 'blessings from the top'. Teoh El Sen, FMT Good, honest, hardworking police officers are being transferred from their divisions for doing their work with integrity, claimed former Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan. Musa suggested that these moves are now allowing more and more criminal syndicates to operate freely with "blessings from somebody on top" and also involved politicians at the highest levels. Musa gave several examples of such transfers, and spoke out against the nationwide enbloc transfer of D7 officers in early 2011. "After I left, there was an enbloc transfer of D7 officers, right? Not everybody is bad in the D7, why must you change the whole team?" he asked. On rumours that the transfers were part of a exercise to facilitate syndicates changing hands, Musa said that was not the case, but said it was "because these officers are taking action, because they know a lot of things." "…. they were afraid that they couldn't direct these people from D7," he said, without explaining who "they" were. Musa admitted that many of these people given transfers were those he had promoted at one point, but denied that they were part of his 'camp'. "I promoted people because of their capabilities and have done a good job…they were transferred out and not given any ranks. "[During the D7 redeployment], the whole country, all the IPK contingents headquarters, some were transferred to the field force." "See… they were all good officers, when they were under me they arrested quite a number from the syndicates, but now there are no arrests anymore. Musa said D7 is the division tasked with cracking down on vice, gambling, loansharks, prostitution and also to investigate syndicated crime. "So they have all the intelligence about them, especially the bosses. These are the ones [D7 officers] who actually go after the [crime syndicate] top [guns]. 'Politicians involved in transfers' When you say "they" you are referring to? So are you then saying the current IGP is openly allowing syndicates to operate?
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| Indians must make their votes count Posted: 09 Dec 2012 02:17 PM PST The Indians have to rid themselves of their 'mental marginalisation' and stop looking for immediate favours. Toffee Rozario, FMT The Indian community in Malaysia is being led by some Tamils who are only in it to pursue their own selfish interests, and in the process betray the entire Indian community. The real Malaysian Indian professionals prefer to remain miles away from the grasp of these politicians in order to keep their image and name free from blemish. Also to note is that many Indians who are not Tamils are lumped into this group and similarly branded. This explains why the prominent Sikhs, Malayalees and Telugus prefer to stay away. Indians in this country need the leadership that will take them to the level where they can use their votes as Malaysians rather than Indians, and that their votes in toto will swing towards parties which will ensure them a fair share of the pie. This voting pattern could swing from right to left and to the right again depending on what is gained or not. Indians must keep small issues small and the big picture has to be taken into account. Indians need to regain their pride, they need to be recognised as one of the biggest partners in nation building and not merely as indented labour, not much better than slaves. They need to realise that they are not the only community that is marginalised. If one takes a close look at the native population of this country, the Orang Asli seems to be in worse shape than the Malaysian Indians. It is not only the Indians who are marginalised. There are the Senoi, Jakun, Negrito, Dayak, Iban, Kadazan and all the other real natives of this country. They are far more marginalised than the Indians. In professional circles among the doctors, engineers, lawyers and in other professions, the Indians when compared to, in ratio of population, may seem even better off than the other major races, so why is it there is a great number that is marginalised? The answer lies in the selfish few, who claim to represent Indian interest, but in this pursuit actually enrich themselves just like the Umno top brass. The Indians have to rid themselves of this mental marginalisation, they have to stop looking for immediate favours, they have to look at the long term and elect leaders who will do this for them. The formation of more political parties will only make the community worse. Indian must stop wallowing Many of the Indian brains, like the brains of the other communities, have left the country for greener pastures. The less fortunate are left to fend for themselves and most often at their own expense and to their own peril. These "less fortunate" support people – the so-called Indian political parties – who thrive on this support to serve their own purpose. At the rate Indian political parties are being formed, it is only matter of time before there are more Indian political parties than there are Indians in this country.
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| James Arthur wins X Factor final Posted: 09 Dec 2012 02:11 PM PST
(BBC) - James Arthur has won the X Factor final, beating Jahmene Douglas to win a recording contract. Arthur, 24, said: "I don't believe it... I've just got to say thank you to the people who voted for me." He sang a rendition of Marvin Gaye's Let's Get It On on Sunday's show, as well as his choice of winner's single, Shontelle's Impossible. Douglas, 21, said it was "a blessing to share the stage with such a talent" and advised him to "use it wisely". Arthur hails from Saltburn by the Sea on the north east coast of England, just south of Redcar. He has been gigging in his local area for the last few years. He writes his own songs, raps and plays guitar. Arthur only auditioned for this year's show at the last minute after his friend told him he had nothing to lose. Judge Nicole Scherzinger, who mentored both Arthur and Douglas, described Arthur as "a fighter". "He wanted this, he willed this to happen. He deserves this so much. "And Jahmene - I'm so proud of both my boys." Arthur's single can be downloaded from the internet and is available in shops from Wednesday, an X Factor spokesman said. All profits from sales of the single will go to the charity Together for Short Lives, which supports children with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions. Arthur said in a statement after the show: "I am absolutely overwhelmed to have won The X Factor. I am lost for words. "I love the song and am so glad that proceeds of the single will be going to such a great cause."  Arthur only decided to audition at the last minute Earlier this week, Scherzinger told the BBC's Newsbeat website she plans to work with both her acts when they bring out their own music. The former Pussycat Doll said Douglas and Arthur had helped make this year's competition. "They've been a huge blessing," she told Newsbeat. "I think it brings so much more credibility and integrity to the show." It was the first time that a judge had mentored both acts to make it to the final, with fellow judge Louis Walsh telling Scherzinger: "You've been the best mentor ever on the X Factor. You've got two acts in the final and you've worked so hard." For the first time in the X Factor's nine-year history, the live finals were staged outside London. The two final shows - the first of which aired on Saturday night - were held at Manchester Central. Chris Maloney, mentored by Gary Barlow, bowed out at the end of Saturday's show. Famous faces in the audience on Sunday included Manchester United and Manchester City players following United's 3-2 victory over their neighbours in Sunday's derby match. United's Rio Ferdinand spoke briefly to host Dermot O'Leary after suffering a cut eye as he appeared to be struck by an object thrown during the celebrations at the end of the match. One Direction, Rihanna and Emeli Sande performed on Sunday night. The X-Factor has struggled in the ratings this year, often being beaten by its BBC One rival Strictly Come Dancing.
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