Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Hindraf: Pakatan manifesto a big letdown
- PR manifesto is ‘hardly transformational’
- Pakatan will always have Malay bedrock, says DAP
- Pakatan vows to phase out NEP
- British investors sue ex-Umno treasurer Azim over RM12.8m
- Pakatan targets RM49.5b yearly savings to fund programmes
- Standoff nearing point of no return
- Shocking! Ridhuan teaches ethnic relations
- Vell Paari stands by resolve, Palanivel seeks Cabinet’s wisdom
- BTN taught students to be critical, says Umno Youth man
- Thai PM Yingluck may seek Malaysia's help on insurgency
- RM900,000 payment for child support
| Hindraf: Pakatan manifesto a big letdown Posted: 26 Feb 2013 06:17 PM PST Its supremo, P Waythamoorthy, accused Pakatan of completely ignoring the needs and interests of the Indian community in its election pledges. He summed up Pakatan's so-called people's manifesto as one that has disappointed Indian Malaysians and does not value the community's support or needs. "In one stroke, the manifesto has said so many things that disappointed us. It is deeply distressing, not so much by what it says, but by what it does not say. "It failed to even acknowledge, let alone recognise, the community's longstanding woes," the Hindraf chairman said in a statement. In recent talks with Pakatan leaders, especially PKR, he said they failed to take note that Hindraf had been diligently working with them to bring solutions for these serious problems. When questioned on this, PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim said that Pakatan's manifesto transcends racial groups as well as subgroups including the Indian community. "If this was the case, how does Anwar justify specific pledges to the Malays, Chinese, Orang Asals, Sabah and Sarawakians, the ex-armed forces and Felda settlers in the manifesto? "The provisions there do not seem to transcend racial groups and subgroups," said Waythamoorthy. "Enough has been said of Pakatan moving away from racial politics but that is more a statement of its intent than the frame for its policies. "Pakatan has been using this once too often as a cover to ignore the problems of the Indian poor and marginalised. "That should leave anyone with a strong liberal and democratic conscience, disturbed," added Waythamoorthy. He said that it was time to address the Indian problem permanently, to eliminate its root cause – the institutional discrimination – and bring back the almost 1.3 million poor and working class Indians into the mainstream of economic development. He cited an independent study from the Centre for Policy Studies concluded in 2000 that 600,000 estate workers have been forcibly displaced in the country. - See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/02/27/hindraf-pakatan-manifesto-a-big-letdown/#sthash.mUvchnrg.dpufElection pledges completely ignores Indians and even Anwar's pledge to resolve the 350,000 stateless Indians issue within 100 days is not mentioned, says Waythamoorthy - See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/02/27/hindraf-pakatan-manifesto-a-big-letdown/#sthash.mUvchnrg.dpuf Election pledges completely ignores Indians and even Anwar's pledge to resolve the 350,000 stateless Indians issue within 100 days is not mentioned, says Waythamoorthy Athi Shankar, FMT Pakatan Rakyat election manifesto has sidelined, isolated and marginalised the already much maligned ethnic Indian community, charged Hindraf Makkal Sakti today. Its supremo, P Waythamoorthy, accused Pakatan of completely ignoring the needs and interests of the Indian community in its election pledges. He summed up Pakatan's so-called people's manifesto as one that has disappointed Indian Malaysians and does not value the community's support or needs. "In one stroke, the manifesto has said so many things that disappointed us. It is deeply distressing, not so much by what it says, but by what it does not say. "It failed to even acknowledge, let alone recognise, the community's longstanding woes," the Hindraf chairman said in a statement. In recent talks with Pakatan leaders, especially PKR, he said they failed to take note that Hindraf had been diligently working with them to bring solutions for these serious problems. When questioned on this, PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim said that Pakatan's manifesto transcends racial groups as well as subgroups including the Indian community. "If this was the case, how does Anwar justify specific pledges to the Malays, Chinese, Orang Asals, Sabah and Sarawakians, the ex-armed forces and Felda settlers in the manifesto? "The provisions there do not seem to transcend racial groups and subgroups," said Waythamoorthy. "Enough has been said of Pakatan moving away from racial politics but that is more a statement of its intent than the frame for its policies. "Pakatan has been using this once too often as a cover to ignore the problems of the Indian poor and marginalised. "That should leave anyone with a strong liberal and democratic conscience, disturbed," added Waythamoorthy. He said that it was time to address the Indian problem permanently, to eliminate its root cause – the institutional discrimination – and bring back the almost 1.3 million poor and working class Indians into the mainstream of economic development. He cited an independent study from the Centre for Policy Studies concluded in 2000 that 600,000 estate workers have been forcibly displaced in the country. Pakatan taking the same path He added that Hindraf estimated the figure had reached at 800,000 now. "This massive forced displacement is a direct result of state development programmes operating in the milieu of institutional racism," said Waythamoorthy. By ignoring the problem with the "transcends race argument" and the acceptance of serious violation of human rights, he accused Pakatan of taking the same Umno-led BN path. He pinpointed that Anwar's pledge to resolve the 350,000 stateless Malaysian Indians issue within 100 days "found no mention in the manifesto". In its various meetings and communications, he said Hindraf had stressed to Anwar and Pakatan allies the need for a targeted and pointed programme to address this serious accumulated problem arising from all the human rights violations of the past 56 years. He said Hindraf's proposals were stipulated in its five-year blueprint for the Indian community submitted to all Pakatan parties – PKR, DAP and PAS. He said the blueprint sought to address issues of institutional discrimination and equal rights of land procurement for economic purposes, equal business opportunities which included business loans, permits and educational opportunities. He said the annual budget required to fully implement the blueprint was a mere RM4.5 billion or 1.8% of the 2013 annual national budget. This sum, he insisted, was a reinvestment on human capital to stimulate progress and development in lives of marginalised people. "Our proposed solutions are permanent, practical and comprehensive. Pakatan confirmed verbally that it was in principle agreeable with the blueprint," said Waythamoorthy.
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| PR manifesto is ‘hardly transformational’ Posted: 26 Feb 2013 04:06 PM PST
(The Star) - Pakatan Rakyat's manifesto has been described as "hardly transformational". Political analyst Khoo Kay Peng said the manifesto gave the impression that a Pakatan-run government would have a "bottomless" treasury, with little said on how its promises could be achieved. "The manifesto may appeal to certain voter groups but it is hardly transformational," he said in his blog khookaypeng.blogspot.com. Khoo added that the document failed to explain how the Opposition would fund various subsidies, grants and other payments if it came to power. He also said the manifesto did not focus on reform policies and seemed to suggest that money was the solution to Malaysia's problems. Khoo called it a "political document", saying that it was aimed at pleasing various voter groups in the general election. **************************************** Oil royalty blooper blamed on typo The conspicuous absence of Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang as states entitled to full oil royalties in the Pakatan Rakyat manifesto was due to "human error", says PAS central working committee member Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. The Kuala Selangor MP attributed the oversight to a "typo", saying that the final version included all oil-producing states. "I'm not sure how this error came about but we are most certainly not excluding the other three states." However, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution said it was "an error by the manifesto committee". "It should have read oil-producing states', and this not only covers Sabah and Sarawak, but also Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang." DAP vice-chairman M. Kulasegaran admitted that an error had been made on the manifesto but said Pakatan would explain in detail at a press conference today. The 10-point manifesto, which was revealed on Monday, has drawn flak for listing only Sabah and Sarawak as oil-producing states that will receive royalties from Petronas should the Opposition come to power. |
| Pakatan will always have Malay bedrock, says DAP Posted: 26 Feb 2013 03:51 PM PST
Syed Jaymal Zahiid, TMI Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will always stand on a Malay foundation, whether in government or as the opposition, the DAP said today, countering a study predicting minority dominance in the federal opposition pact post-Election 2013. The statement comes after the Chinese language media reported think-tank ASLI projecting a larger share of seats for the DAP, considering much of PR support stems from the predominantly-Chinese urban areas. It also predicted the status quo would see the Malays and Chinese pitted against each other, with the former making up the government and the latter the opposition. "I don't know what is the intent of the report... but if you look at the seats distributions, we will always be a Malay-majority opposition," DAP national publicity chief Tony Pua told reporters at a party function here. The Petaling Jaya Utara MP explained that his party's study projected the predominantly-Malay PKR and Islamist PAS to win 85 out of the 125 targeted seats needed for PR to garner a simple majority and form the new government. PKR and PAS have both said they will contest the lion's share of the 222 available parliamentary seats, while the DAP is aiming to run in slightly above 60. Although PR has said the seats allocations talk have not been finalised, it is likely that the three component parties will stick to this formula. Pua noted that the DAP will also be looking to "possibly" field more Malay candidates at the upcoming polls, to preclude accusations of Chinese dominance within PR.
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| Posted: 26 Feb 2013 03:36 PM PST
Boo Su-Lyn, The Malaysian Insider Pakatan Rakyat (PR) has pledged to replace race-based affirmative action with means-tested policies that will see the eventual removal of the New Economic Policy (NEP) if it captures Putrajaya in Election 2013. PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli stressed that the opposition pact was focused on increasing household income to RM4,000 monthly, instead of pursuing a 30 per cent Bumiputera quota. "We are going to move from race-based to needs-based policies and that will automatically phase off the NEP," said Rafizi at a press conference at the PKR headquarters here today. "It's a matter of time [before] all these race-based policies are irrelevant," he added. Rafizi pointed out that under a PR government, Bumiputeras would enjoy equity exceeding 30 per cent. PR unveiled its election manifesto last Monday, promising a complete revamp of the country's economic approach with the aim to ensure every Malaysian household draws a minimum monthly income of RM4,000 by the end of its first term. The pact also enforced its pledge to drop fuel prices and electricity tariffs, scrap toll payments, reduce car prices, free education, as well as increase the ceiling for taxable income to those who earn a minimum of RM400,000 annually, instead of the current RM250,000.
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| British investors sue ex-Umno treasurer Azim over RM12.8m Posted: 26 Feb 2013 03:01 PM PST
Boo Su-Lyn, The Malaysian Insider Sixty British investors have sued former Umno treasurer Datuk Seri Abdul Azim Mohd Zabidi and his IT company, Doxport Technologies Sdn Bhd, for allegedly misappropriating US$4 million (RM12.8 million) in 2009. Their lawyer, Hasnal Rezua Merican, said today that the British investors ― based in London and comprising both male and female professionals aged between 40 and 55 years, including bankers ― filed the suit in the High Court here last Wednesday against Doxport chairman Azim, director and CEO Sivalingam Thechinamoorthy, accounts department staff Gurmeet Kaur, and the firm. "They (the claimants) invested money into purchasing Telekom switches and equity in Doxport," Hasnal told The Malaysian Insider today. "They were promised that the Telekom switches would be theirs and they would hold it under equity in Doxport... but documents were falsified, just to give them an appearance that the switches are running in Malaysia," he added. Hasnal said that the 60 British citizens had invested about US$4 million into Doxport Technologies in January 2009, when Azim was Umno treasurer. Azim, who is currently the Bukit Bintang Umno division chief, was replaced by Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah in April 2009.
"Some documents were generated to show that the switches were receiving calls through them. All these were given to our clients to believe that the switches were operating. But finally when they came down to Malaysia, no switches were visible... So they ended up without any equity in Doxport and without any switches," he said. The lawyer added that the investors had aimed to generate income from the traffic of calls recorded by the switches, which Doxport claimed would run in Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines. Hasnal said the investors had come to know of Doxport after the company's lawyer approached a British citizen in the Pakistani community in London. "The investors were duped into believing that Doxport was carrying business activities in Cambodia. On the strength of the representation, they were asked to invest. But it was found out later that Doxport was never licensed to operate anything in Cambodia," he said. The lawyer added that the police have sent investigation papers to the Attorney-General's Chambers, noting that the investigation took 14 months. He said that the investors had also lodged a complaint with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in 2011, but pointed out that the regulator later decided not to press charges. "The complaint was they (Doxport) were operating without licence. (But) the finding made by the investigators of MCMC is there seems to be no evidence that they are operating any business at all," said Hasnal. The lawyer said that the investors were suing for the return of their investments, besides seeking general and exemplary damages.
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| Pakatan targets RM49.5b yearly savings to fund programmes Posted: 26 Feb 2013 02:56 PM PST
Boo Su-Lyn, The Malaysian Insider Pakatan Rakyat (PR) aims to save about RM49.5 billion annually on federal government procurements and projects in order to finance economic programmes costing RM45.8 billion annually, should it win Election 2013. PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli told reporters today that the opposition pact would emulate the Selangor PR government that saved 24 per cent on road projects from January to September 2012. "We'll save RM49.5 billion, which is 24 per cent of the (RM206.4 billion) expenditure," said Rafizi, referring to the cost of existing government procurements and projects this year. Rafizi pointed out that PR's economic agenda would cost RM45.8 billion, comprising the scrapping of toll payments, the reduction of excise duties, a national housing scheme, teachers' special allowances, dismantling the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN), and 20 per cent oil royalties Other initiatives include the Caruman Wanita Nasional scheme, bonuses for senior citizens, a fund for minimum wage, People's Pioneer Scheme to train school-leavers, 20 per cent contribution to the Armed Forces Fund board (LTAT), veterans' dividends, an increase of buses in the Klang Valley, free wards at government hospitals, and an increase in welfare aid. PR unveiled its election manifesto on Monday, promising a complete revamp of the country's economic approach with the aim of ensuring every Malaysian household draws a minimum monthly income of RM4,000 by the end of its first term.
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| Standoff nearing point of no return Posted: 26 Feb 2013 01:52 PM PST Three extensions to the followers of the Sulu Sultan to leave Lahad Datu have expired and all indications are that they are going to dig in and stay. MANILA: The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has indicated that it will send reinforcements if hostilities break out between the Filipino followers of the Sulu Sultan and Malaysian authorities. MNLF special branch service chief Khaber Sampang said they will send reinforcements once hostilities break out. He said "a full-blown hostility could erupt" once the Malaysians manhandle the heirs or followers of the Sultanate of Sulu. "War is not far away," said MNLF peace panel member Cesar Absalom, referring to the threat of Malaysia to forcibly evict the Royal Sultanate Army in Sabah. The Philippine Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas said on Tuesday that the Malaysians are running out of patience. Roxas said that the Malaysian government has given three extensions to the deadline for Agbimuddin Kiram and his followers, who encamped at Lahad Datu for the past two weeks, to leave Sabah and return to the Philippines. The sultanate is no longer recognised by any state as a sovereign entity, but Malaysia has been paying token rent to the Kirams ever since. Agbimuddin Kiram, who claimed Sabah is their home, has ignored calls from Malaysia to return to the Philippines. Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the flow of commerce between Sabah and the several islands in the southern Mindanao has stopped because of tight control of movement of people between the two countries as a result of the occupation. "The consequence of this incident is that barter trade has stopped. Prices of basic commodities in Tawi-Tawi jacked up," Gazmin said. "Kasi and Tawi-Tawi get its supply of basic commodities and trade its products at Lahad Datu in Sabah, which is closer than Zamboanga City," he said. Gazmin said Kiram's defiance could result in Malaysian government crackdown against undocumented Filipinos in Sabah, which was estimated at 800,000 and their fates are in the hands of Kiram. Political allies of President Beningo Aquino also joined calls on Kiram to end the standoff in Sabah and consider the welfare of Filipinos, who are now stateless because Malaysia considered them illegal immigrants. "Bringing the supposed Sabah heirs and government representatives in one table would allow discussions on the complex issues involved in the Sabah claim, including the plight of Sabah residents who have Filipino roots," Senator Francis Escudero said. "The immediate concern of the government should be the welfare of Filipinos who were born and raised in Sabah, which is the bigger humanitarian issue that must be addressed through diplomatic channels," he said. "The welfare of our countrymen, who consider Sabah as their homeland, should be the focus of any government negotiation with the Malaysian government," Escudero said. Sultan unmoved The ailing Kiram sounded unmoved by Aquino's warning to stand down. At a news briefing in his house in Taguig City, Kiram rejected the president's appeal for him to immediately recall his men who have been occupying a part of Sabah for nearly three weeks. "I have already given my order to them. And they have to stay put in that area," Kiram said in a muffled voice. He said his men would not go back home "until an arrangement has been done by our officials and the president, and if that will be arranged accordingly with a written agreement signed by the parties concerned". Kiram said that in the last conversation he had with Agbimuddin on Monday, his younger brother told him that he and their 235 followers were firm in their decision to stay despite a food blockade ordered by the Malaysian authorities. Asked what actions Agbimuddin and his men might take if the deadline for them to leave Sabah expired, the Sulu sultan said: "I asked them to wait for orders from me or from my [other] brothers."
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| Shocking! Ridhuan teaches ethnic relations Posted: 26 Feb 2013 01:37 PM PST Colleagues of the associate professor reveal how students have complained about the sensitive issues raised during his lectures. RK Anand, FMT Ridhuan Tee Abdullah's drivel in Sinar Harian incensed a MIC leader to the point of threatening to call on the Indians to vote for the opposition if the authorities failed to act against him. Now, S Vell Paari was both shocked and horrified to learn that the Muslim scholar was assigned to teach ethnic relations to this nation's future military leaders. Ridhuan's colleagues from the National Defence University, who met the MIC strategy director at his residence yesterday, claimed that the associate professor was preaching ethnic cleansing instead. "I was told that there had been complaints from his students, including Malay students, about the sensitive things he mentions during lectures. "This man's views threaten racial harmony. Someone should lock him up in a dungeon and throw away the key, let alone give him a teaching job," Vell Paari told FMT. Furthermore, he said there was also the allegation that Ridhuan plagiarised the works of other academics in seeking promotion. "This is a serious allegation. I was given documentary evidence about this. Ridhuan is accused of copying word for word of one Dr Airil Sametok on the topic 'The Importance of Research'. "In his paper, Ridhuan claimed that it was his original work," he added. Vell Paari said if the allegation was true, then it was disappointing that a Muslim preacher and a recipient of the Maulidur Rasul award would stoop to such a level. "For someone who appears on television talking about Islamic values, this is nothing short of cheating and being a fraud," he added. The MIC leader also said that he was informed of how Ridhuan managed to obtain the associate professor title in just three years. "I was told that it takes between five and seven years, and the person's publications and international reputation are also taken into account. "So I am wondering if Ridhuan is a genius of sorts," he added. Vell Paari said Ridhuan's colleagues considered him an embarrassment to the academia and a liability to the university. Apart from this, the MIC leader said he also found it disturbing when told that Ridhuan, a Chinese Muslim convert, was hostile towards his Chinese colleagues and staff.
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| Vell Paari stands by resolve, Palanivel seeks Cabinet’s wisdom Posted: 26 Feb 2013 11:21 AM PST
For years we have been saying, 'do something, do something, do something'. This is not good. But the way it is going, it is like we are asking the Malays and the non-Malays to fight.... one with keris; the other, with parang. Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider MIC's S. Vell Paari is sticking to his resolve to push the party to campaign independently of Barisan Nasional (BN) in Election 2013 should the ruling coalition refuse to censure "bigots" for spewing racist drivel against the country's non-Malay communities. But the MIC strategy director told The Malaysian Insider that this would depend on the outcome of today's Cabinet meeting, where he said party president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel has agreed to raise his grouses. "I have spoken to the president and what he told me was that he will raise it in Cabinet," Vell Paari said when contacted here yesterday. The son of MIC's longest serving president, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, sent shockwaves through the party last week when he penned a scathing open letter to Palanivel, demanding the latter pressure Cabinet into taking action against Muslim academic Dr Ridhuan Tee Abdullah and Perkasa chief Datuk Ibrahim Ali. Casting most of the spotlight on Tee, Vell Paari complained that the academic's recent remarks in the media should be regarded as a serious affront to the Hindu community, who make up the majority of Indians here. "My party president said he is also concerned with the issue and he will raise it in Cabinet. I will wait for Cabinet's decision," he said.
"In the CWC (central working committee), I am going to put forward what I think MIC should do. If they agree with me, fine. "But if they disagree, then I have to take on this agenda on my own. It is not about joining the opposition, though... I will never join the opposition because it would mean I am not genuine," he said. Vell Paari pointed out that he could create his own platform to ensure his objectives are fulfilled ― political or otherwise. He also acknowledged that he was taking a huge risk with his remarks, but said he was ready to leave the MIC or be sacked. "You see, before this, no one said anything. When I threatened to ask the Indians to vote the opposition, suddenly everyone is jumping. "I do this because it is necessary... otherwise, no one ever listens," he said. Vell Paari said individuals like Tee and Ibrahim were clearly working against BN and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's 1 Malaysia philosophy. But with no reprimand, the duo could very well wage civil war in the country, he said, particularly if they are always allowed to run riot with their remarks on racial matters. "In politics, we cannot be silent. Silence is not golden in politics. If we want to stay silent, we might as well become librarians, not politicians," he said. Vell Paari also defended his chosen method of raising his grouses, saying it was not only an effective manner to resolve issues but also the preferred choice of the Indian community who are now seeking transparency. He pointed out that he had not attacked Palanivel in the letter and had only followed protocol, adding that the president had given him freedom to speak and act when he was appointed strategy director. Vell Paari reminded that Malaysia is multiracial, adding that if communities were not respected as equals, those who could afford it may migrate elsewhere. "But what about those who can't afford to leave? "For years we have been saying, 'do something, do something, do something'. This is not good. But the way it is going, it is like we are asking the Malays and the non-Malays to fight.... one with keris; the other, with parang. "We all live here as equals... but if this persists, I don't know if I am going to heaven or to hell but I definitely know that I am going from Malaysia," he said. Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/vell-paari-stands-by-resolve-palanivel-seeks-cabinets-wisdom/
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| BTN taught students to be critical, says Umno Youth man Posted: 26 Feb 2013 10:56 AM PST
(fz.com) - The National Civics Bureau (BTN), criticised by many for propagating racial hatred, was defended today as an institution which instilled positive values among its participants. Speaking of his own experience, Umno Youth exco member Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz said the BTN sessions were a platform for him and his fellow university colleagues to learn to be critical. "During my time, in the 1990s, it was for us to see who can come up with more provocative statements than our lecturers. "It taught us not to leave behind those who are lagging or weak, but to bring them along with us together," he said during a forum today on Kuasa Politik Mahasiswa (The Political Power of Undergraduates) organised by Sinar Harian newspaper. The forum, moderated by Prof Datuk Mohamad Abu Bakar of Universiti Malaya, was attended by some 150 people. Other panelists were Universiti Teknologi Malaysia geo-strategist Prof Dr Azmi Hassan, Seri Setia state assemblyman Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Malaysian Youth Council deputy president Muammar Ghadafi Jamal and Gabungan Mahasiswa Islam (Gamis) president Azan Safar. Tun Faisal, speaking in his capacity as former student activist at Universiti Sains Malaysia, told a press conference later that BTN remained true to its purpose. "Until now, it still maintains its purpose to explain government policies to students so that they can be critical," he reiterated.
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| Thai PM Yingluck may seek Malaysia's help on insurgency Posted: 26 Feb 2013 10:54 AM PST
(Reuters) - Thai authorities and separatist rebels could be inching towards talks after nine years of violence and the loss of more than 5,000 lives in Thailand's Muslim-dominated southern provinces bordering Malaysia. Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is meeting her Malaysian counterpart, Najib Razak, in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday and may seek his help to make contact with rebel groups. "There are insurgent groups operating within Malaysia and Thailand that want to talk to the Thai government," Paradorn Pattanathabutr, secretary-general of the National Security Council of Thailand (NSC), told Reuters. "We want Malaysia to facilitate these talks." The NSC brings together government ministers and officials charged with coordinating security matters with the military. In a 2012 paper it acknowledged a political dimension to the violence and proposed dialogue with the insurgents, but the military, which has a big presence in the south, is lukewarm. "The military has had regular contact with Malaysia. We are not involved with the meeting on Thursday, because this is a government initiative," Udomchai Thammasarorat, commander of the Fourth Army in southern Thailand, told Reuters. "Our military strategy is clear and we are making good progress towards resolving the conflict," he said. Independent analysts see little evidence that the military is winning, despite its success in thwarting an attack on a marine base on February 13 in which 16 insurgents were killed, with no loss of life among the marines. The rebels have hit back with a string of attacks. Two bombs on Saturday in Narathiwat province, about 1,150 km (715 miles) south of Bangkok, and a drive-by shooting in neighboring Pattani injured five people. An explosion in Pattani's commercial district on February 17 killed two security volunteers. Yingluck has said she would discuss the southern unrest in Malaysia but government officials are not using the term "peace talks" and some senior ministers are opposed to such an idea. Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobumrung ruled out negotiations with the insurgents, saying that "if insurgent groups come to us with conditions, we will not accept them". "ENCOURAGING" The provinces were once part of an independent Malay sultanate before being annexed by Thailand in 1909. Resistance to Buddhist rule from Bangkok has existed for decades, waning briefly in the 1990s before resurfacing violently in January 2004. Buddhist monks, teachers and farmers have been singled out as targets in a conflict that has killed 5,300 people, according to Deep South Watch, which monitors the violence. Thai authorities say the attacks in the south are organized by the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) Coordinate, an offshoot of the Patani Malay National Revolutionary Front established in the 1960s to seek greater autonomy. Some within the military and government remain suspicious of Malaysia, accusing it of providing a refuge for insurgents. "It's encouraging that the Thai government is working seriously on establishing dialogue. But there are doubts about whether Malaysia can play a productive role as mediator," said Matthew Wheeler, a Southeast Asia analyst at the International Crisis Group. Najib, facing a general election that has to be held by called by the end of April, could benefit from any move towards a settlement. "For Najib, an agreement with Thailand could be presented as a major foreign policy achievement to show that the southern crisis can be resolved peacefully," said Sunai Phasuk of Human Rights Watch.
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| RM900,000 payment for child support Posted: 26 Feb 2013 10:51 AM PST
Datuk Seri Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib (The Star) - The Syariah High Court has granted an order by Shahnaz A. Majid, the former daughter-in-law of Sarawak chief minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, requiring her former husband to pay an interim maintenance of RM902,746.69. The interim maintenance applied by Shahnaz was for expenses incurred for their son since she and Datuk Seri Mahmud Abu Bekir divorced on March 11, 2011. High Court Syarie judge Mohd Amran Mat Zain made the order after allowing Shahnaz's ex-parte application in chambers yesterday. Judge Mohd Amran ordered Mahmud to pay the amount within 12 days from yesterday. Syarie counsel Dr Rafie Mohd Shafie and Akbardin Abdul Kader represented Shahnaz. Akbardin told reporters that the expenses covered lodging, food and fees for their son's pre-university studies in Britain. He said the application was made under Section 201 of the Syariah Court Civil Procedure (Federal Territories) which allows parties to apply for an interim order on maintenance. Last month, the court fixed March 13 and 14 for the child support claim trial. On Nov 30 last year, Shahnaz, the older sister of singer Datuk Sheila Majid, said in her statement of claim that she and Mahmud were married on Jan 9, 1992 and divorced on May 11, 2011. They have a son, Raden Murya, 19. Shahnaz said that under the divorce order, the boy would be under her custody but there was no agreement on his maintenance. Shahnaz alleged her former husband had failed to pay any maintenance after their divorce. She is claiming an education trust fund of RM40mil and a RM60mil London terrace house. She is also seeking tuition fees in Britain amounting to RM315,000, two Aston Martin cars, air travel for six times a year, RM10,000 for books, RM72,000 pocket money, RM5mil medical insurance and monthly pocket money for two years totalling RM72,000. Shahnaz had earlier filed a claim of RM300mil in matrimonial property and RM100mil in mutaah (gifts) as a divorce settlement. She is also claiming 50% of all assets owned by Mahmud. The hearing is ongoing.
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