Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Lahad Datu siege ends with 14 dead, 3 wounded
- Gov’t intel eyes 3 groups abetting Sulu sultan’s claim
- Two commandoes killed as Lahad Datu siege continues
- PKR To Act Against ‘Party Member’ Who Called On President To Quit
- Ex-Umno Member: 500,000 Blue ICs Issued To Immigrants Under Mustapha Harun’s Orders
- Pakatan continues to deceive Indians
- Reports: At least 10 Sulu gunmen dead
- Gunfight at Lahad Datu
- ‘Were Sivarasa, Santiago drafting or sleeping?’
- ‘Cops not delaying probe into Umno man’s firm’
- Lahad Datu stand-off: Sulu Sultan's brother says shots fired at them
- ‘We’ll fight to the death’
- Lahad Datu invaders say will ‘never surrender’
- Pakatan won’t deliver, says Gerakan
- BR1M oath: 'By Allah, I will vote for BN'
- What was inside Kiram’s lost letter to Aquino?
- Nik Aziz brands Umno as communists
- No way Pakatan can fulfil manifesto, says Tunku Aziz
- Samy: MIC has addressed all Indian problems
- Najib’s RM1.40 per day food budget
- Sabah Standoff: Diplomatic Drama After Filipino Militants Storm Malaysia
- Collapsed Cyberjaya flyover was closed for repairs, say PKNS, Works Ministry
- 'RCI pointless if Dr M, Anwar not summoned'
- PI Bala: A lot of hot air but no 'bomb'
- Anastacia Breast Cancer: Singer Diagnosed With The Disease For Second Time
- ‘There will be no political tsunami in Sabah’
- BN’s Tengku Adnan admits Pakatan leading social media battle
- Bank Islam defends suspending chief economist
- Storm brewing in Perak PKR following candidacy dispute
- Ten-Figure Fortune
- Umno members among armed group?
- Ulama need reformasi for PAS to move forward
- Kedah MB sidelines ringleader and drops two others as GE candidates
- 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
- Who has been funding Bala for the past 5 years?
- Poll: Eight in 10 Malays say Allah solely for Muslims
| Lahad Datu siege ends with 14 dead, 3 wounded Posted: 28 Feb 2013 07:19 PM PST
Boo Su-Lyn, TMI The three-week siege by armed Filipino rebels in Lahad Datu, Sabah, ended today with 14 killed and three wounded after Malaysian security forces exchanged gunfire with the rebels, police confirmed today. The Star Online also reported the police as saying that a curfew has been in place at Lahad Datu town and surrounding areas since 4pm. "I am very sad over the incident because what we had wanted to prevent, which is bloodshed, had actually happened," Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was quoted as saying today by The Star Online. Twelve Filipino gunmen and two Malaysian commandos were slain.
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| Gov’t intel eyes 3 groups abetting Sulu sultan’s claim Posted: 28 Feb 2013 05:26 PM PST
Nikko Dizon, Philippine Daily Inquirer Whether the heirs of the sultanate of Sulu acted on their own to reclaim Sabah or were instigated by an external force to do so, one thing is certain, according to government intelligence sources: It was a business that proved too big for the heirs to handle on their own. The sources said that the Philippine government's policy on Sabah is to keep it in the back burner. But apparently "some people" want to push it forward now. And why now, at this time, is one of the questions government intelligence is looking into. The sources consistently mentioned three groups that appear to have taken advantage of the decision of the Kirams to pursue their Sabah claim. "These are groups that wanted to ride on the Kirams' pursuit with their own interests in mind," one of the sources said. Another source added: "There are a lot who can gain from this, not just in the Philippines but in Malaysia as well." These "external factors," as an Inquirer source described the groups, are one small faction that is in it for the money, an anti-Aquino administration group, and the Malaysian political opposition. "The Kirams planned to pursue their claim as early as last year. But they went to Lahad Datu also on the instigation of these groups," the intelligence officer said. The small group supposedly goaded the Kirams to ask Malaysia for a higher rent on Sabah. If Malaysia gives in, this small group would allegedly have a share of the increase. The anti-administration group simply wants to discredit President Aquino and is using the peace process as a cause of disenchantment for the Kirams. "All those who do not like P-Noy (the President's nickname) have joined forces. This is one way to really test how this administration will react (to such an issue). Whatever happens in Malaysia, there will be a backlash on us," one source said. "In a way, whoever wants to disrupt the peace process or the gains of President Aquino has already won," the source added. The third group is allegedly the Malaysian political opposition, which is gearing up for general elections that may be called before June. The intelligence officer said that one member of the Malaysian political opposition allied with Anwar Ibrahim was running for a post in Sabah. "Apparently, this politician was one of those who spoke with the Kirams. He supposedly gave the opposition's support to the Kirams' claim to Sabah," the source said. November meeting The source also believed that in their meeting in November last year, the Kirams decided to "reclaim Sabah or at least ask for a compensation for Sabah that is commensurate to the land's value today, and for the royal family to be given due recognition by Malaysia." But it is being Tausug that is keeping Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, his family, and their subjects stubbornly pressing their renewed claim to Sabah, even to the extent of defying President Aquino, one of the Inquirer sources said. "This is the last stand of Sultan Jamalul. Being Tausug, they already gave their word they would pursue their claim. This is now do or die for them just to keep their word of honor," the source, a senior military officer, told the Inquirer. But for another security administrator analyzing the events of the past three weeks, the Kirams appear to be quite edgy of late. "They are confused. The government is hopeful that we can buy more time, find a diplomatic way out," the source said, referring to the government's efforts to help settle the standoff between Malaysian security forces and an armed group led by Jamalul's brother, Agbimuddin Kiram, in Tanduao village in Lahad Datu town now in its third week. Kiram unity The Inquirer's sources are from the diplomatic and defense establishments. They asked not to be named as they were not authorized to speak to journalists about their analysis of developments in the so-called journey home to Sabah of the Kirams. The source said the Kirams decided to unite because they felt left out of the peace negotiations between the Aquino administration and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which signed a premilinary peace deal last October. Calling gov't attention "The Kirams wanted to get the attention of the Philippine government," the source said. "For so many years, the family felt they have been exploited in politics. Sultan Jamalul was goaded to run for senator in 2010 but he lost. Then their letter to President Aquino (in 2010 before he assumed office) got lost," the source said. The source said the Kirams and their followers "conceived the details of the plan to go to Lahad Datu" in late January this year. "In February, a small group of the Kirams' followers left for Lahad Datu, followed by Raja Muda Agbimuddin," the source said. The estimated 70 firearms now in the hands of the group holed up in Tanduao are owned by residents in Lahad Datu, Tausug and Badjao holding Malaysian identification cards, the source said. Malaysian security forces have encircled Agbimuddin's group but are holding action, with the grace period for the group to leave having been extended three times and a fourth being requested by the Philippine government. Malaysians careful The Inquirer's military source said the impasse continues because the Malaysians are extra careful in dealing with Agbimmudin's group. "They are all Muslims and they know that if there is violence, it would go on forever. There are 800,000 Filipinos in Sabah. It would be a huge problem in Sabah if violence erupts. The Malaysian security forces may end up dealing with guerrillas or a rido," the source said, using a Muslim term for clan war. - See more at: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/366851/govt-intel-eyes-3-groups-abetting-sulu-sultans-claim#sthash.c56cwg16.5seydpVf.dpufWhether the heirs of the sultanate of Sulu acted on their own to reclaim Sabah or were instigated by an external force to do so, one thing is certain, according to government intelligence sources: It was a business that proved too big for the heirs to handle on their own. The sources said that the Philippine government's policy on Sabah is to keep it in the back burner. But apparently "some people" want to push it forward now. And why now, at this time, is one of the questions government intelligence is looking into. The sources consistently mentioned three groups that appear to have taken advantage of the decision of the Kirams to pursue their Sabah claim. "These are groups that wanted to ride on the Kirams' pursuit with their own interests in mind," one of the sources said. Another source added: "There are a lot who can gain from this, not just in the Philippines but in Malaysia as well." These "external factors," as an Inquirer source described the groups, are one small faction that is in it for the money, an anti-Aquino administration group, and the Malaysian political opposition. "The Kirams planned to pursue their claim as early as last year. But they went to Lahad Datu also on the instigation of these groups," the intelligence officer said. The small group supposedly goaded the Kirams to ask Malaysia for a higher rent on Sabah. If Malaysia gives in, this small group would allegedly have a share of the increase. The anti-administration group simply wants to discredit President Aquino and is using the peace process as a cause of disenchantment for the Kirams. "All those who do not like P-Noy (the President's nickname) have joined forces. This is one way to really test how this administration will react (to such an issue). Whatever happens in Malaysia, there will be a backlash on us," one source said. "In a way, whoever wants to disrupt the peace process or the gains of President Aquino has already won," the source added. The third group is allegedly the Malaysian political opposition, which is gearing up for general elections that may be called before June. The intelligence officer said that one member of the Malaysian political opposition allied with Anwar Ibrahim was running for a post in Sabah. "Apparently, this politician was one of those who spoke with the Kirams. He supposedly gave the opposition's support to the Kirams' claim to Sabah," the source said. November meeting The source also believed that in their meeting in November last year, the Kirams decided to "reclaim Sabah or at least ask for a compensation for Sabah that is commensurate to the land's value today, and for the royal family to be given due recognition by Malaysia." But it is being Tausug that is keeping Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, his family, and their subjects stubbornly pressing their renewed claim to Sabah, even to the extent of defying President Aquino, one of the Inquirer sources said. "This is the last stand of Sultan Jamalul. Being Tausug, they already gave their word they would pursue their claim. This is now do or die for them just to keep their word of honor," the source, a senior military officer, told the Inquirer. But for another security administrator analyzing the events of the past three weeks, the Kirams appear to be quite edgy of late. "They are confused. The government is hopeful that we can buy more time, find a diplomatic way out," the source said, referring to the government's efforts to help settle the standoff between Malaysian security forces and an armed group led by Jamalul's brother, Agbimuddin Kiram, in Tanduao village in Lahad Datu town now in its third week. Kiram unity The Inquirer's sources are from the diplomatic and defense establishments. They asked not to be named as they were not authorized to speak to journalists about their analysis of developments in the so-called journey home to Sabah of the Kirams. The source said the Kirams decided to unite because they felt left out of the peace negotiations between the Aquino administration and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which signed a premilinary peace deal last October. Calling gov't attention "The Kirams wanted to get the attention of the Philippine government," the source said. "For so many years, the family felt they have been exploited in politics. Sultan Jamalul was goaded to run for senator in 2010 but he lost. Then their letter to President Aquino (in 2010 before he assumed office) got lost," the source said. The source said the Kirams and their followers "conceived the details of the plan to go to Lahad Datu" in late January this year. "In February, a small group of the Kirams' followers left for Lahad Datu, followed by Raja Muda Agbimuddin," the source said. The estimated 70 firearms now in the hands of the group holed up in Tanduao are owned by residents in Lahad Datu, Tausug and Badjao holding Malaysian identification cards, the source said. Malaysian security forces have encircled Agbimuddin's group but are holding action, with the grace period for the group to leave having been extended three times and a fourth being requested by the Philippine government. Malaysians careful The Inquirer's military source said the impasse continues because the Malaysians are extra careful in dealing with Agbimmudin's group. "They are all Muslims and they know that if there is violence, it would go on forever. There are 800,000 Filipinos in Sabah. It would be a huge problem in Sabah if violence erupts. The Malaysian security forces may end up dealing with guerrillas or a rido," the source said, using a Muslim term for clan war. - See more at: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/366851/govt-intel-eyes-3-groups-abetting-sulu-sultans-claim#sthash.c56cwg16.5seydpVf.dpufWhether the heirs of the sultanate of Sulu acted on their own to reclaim Sabah or were instigated by an external force to do so, one thing is certain, according to government intelligence sources: It was a business that proved too big for the heirs to handle on their own. The sources said that the Philippine government's policy on Sabah is to keep it in the back burner. But apparently "some people" want to push it forward now. And why now, at this time, is one of the questions government intelligence is looking into. The sources consistently mentioned three groups that appear to have taken advantage of the decision of the Kirams to pursue their Sabah claim. "These are groups that wanted to ride on the Kirams' pursuit with their own interests in mind," one of the sources said. Another source added: "There are a lot who can gain from this, not just in the Philippines but in Malaysia as well." These "external factors," as an Inquirer source described the groups, are one small faction that is in it for the money, an anti-Aquino administration group, and the Malaysian political opposition. "The Kirams planned to pursue their claim as early as last year. But they went to Lahad Datu also on the instigation of these groups," the intelligence officer said. The small group supposedly goaded the Kirams to ask Malaysia for a higher rent on Sabah. If Malaysia gives in, this small group would allegedly have a share of the increase. The anti-administration group simply wants to discredit President Aquino and is using the peace process as a cause of disenchantment for the Kirams. "All those who do not like P-Noy (the President's nickname) have joined forces. This is one way to really test how this administration will react (to such an issue). Whatever happens in Malaysia, there will be a backlash on us," one source said. "In a way, whoever wants to disrupt the peace process or the gains of President Aquino has already won," the source added. The third group is allegedly the Malaysian political opposition, which is gearing up for general elections that may be called before June. The intelligence officer said that one member of the Malaysian political opposition allied with Anwar Ibrahim was running for a post in Sabah. "Apparently, this politician was one of those who spoke with the Kirams. He supposedly gave the opposition's support to the Kirams' claim to Sabah," the source said. November meeting The source also believed that in their meeting in November last year, the Kirams decided to "reclaim Sabah or at least ask for a compensation for Sabah that is commensurate to the land's value today, and for the royal family to be given due recognition by Malaysia." But it is being Tausug that is keeping Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, his family, and their subjects stubbornly pressing their renewed claim to Sabah, even to the extent of defying President Aquino, one of the Inquirer sources said. "This is the last stand of Sultan Jamalul. Being Tausug, they already gave their word they would pursue their claim. This is now do or die for them just to keep their word of honor," the source, a senior military officer, told the Inquirer. But for another security administrator analyzing the events of the past three weeks, the Kirams appear to be quite edgy of late. "They are confused. The government is hopeful that we can buy more time, find a diplomatic way out," the source said, referring to the government's efforts to help settle the standoff between Malaysian security forces and an armed group led by Jamalul's brother, Agbimuddin Kiram, in Tanduao village in Lahad Datu town now in its third week. Kiram unity The Inquirer's sources are from the diplomatic and defense establishments. They asked not to be named as they were not authorized to speak to journalists about their analysis of developments in the so-called journey home to Sabah of the Kirams. The source said the Kirams decided to unite because they felt left out of the peace negotiations between the Aquino administration and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which signed a preliminary peace deal last October. Calling gov't attention "The Kirams wanted to get the attention of the Philippine government," the source said. "For so many years, the family felt they have been exploited in politics. Sultan Jamalul was goaded to run for senator in 2010 but he lost. Then their letter to President Aquino (in 2010 before he assumed office) got lost," the source said. The source said the Kirams and their followers "conceived the details of the plan to go to Lahad Datu" in late January this year. "In February, a small group of the Kirams' followers left for Lahad Datu, followed by Raja Muda Agbimuddin," the source said. The estimated 70 firearms now in the hands of the group holed up in Tanduao are owned by residents in Lahad Datu, Tausug and Badjao holding Malaysian identification cards, the source said. Malaysian security forces have encircled Agbimuddin's group but are holding action, with the grace period for the group to leave having been extended three times and a fourth being requested by the Philippine government. Malaysians careful The Inquirer's military source said the impasse continues because the Malaysians are extra careful in dealing with Agbimmudin's group. "They are all Muslims and they know that if there is violence, it would go on forever. There are 800,000 Filipinos in Sabah. It would be a huge problem in Sabah if violence erupts. The Malaysian security forces may end up dealing with guerrillas or a rido," the source said, using a Muslim term for clan war.
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| Two commandoes killed as Lahad Datu siege continues Posted: 28 Feb 2013 03:42 PM PST
Boo Su-Lyn, Clara Chooi, Zurairi AR, TMI Two police commandoes were killed after coming under mortar fire when violence erupted in the standoff between security forces and a group of armed Filipinos occupying a village in Lahad Datu in Sabah. Ten members of the group had been killed when police raided their camp, a spokesman for the group had said earlier. National news agency Bernama reported that its reporters saw the bodies of the two commandoes being taken away to hospital. Silence has fallen on the seaside village after deadly gunfire erupted this morning between security forces and the armed Filipino rebels occupying the Sabah village, Philippine media reported today. Abraham Idjirani, a spokesman for the rebels, reportedly said that 10 members of the group were killed when police raided their camp. The Philippine Daily Inquirer's online news site quoted Free Radio Sarawak as saying that the Felda Sahabat 17 oil palm plantation near KampungTanduo, where the rebels have been holed up since February 9, was filled with an "uncanny silence". Earlier, the Borneo Insider online news site reported today that a Malaysian VAT69 commando was also killed. Lahad Datu, which is about 130km away from the battle site, was also described as a "ghost town', with all shops in the town centre closed as army patrols moved about, with some standing guard at schools and the district hospital. Four intruders were injured, according to Princess Jaycel Kiram, the daughter of self-proclaimed Sulu Sultan Jamallul Kiram III, as reported in the Philippine Daily Inquirer. SAPP chief Datuk Yong Teck Lee told The Malaysian Insider that a curfew would be imposed on Lahad Datu at 4pm, prohibiting all vehicle movements. A police officer in the Lahad Datu police district headquarters, who did not want to be named, told The Malaysian Insider, however, that there have been no orders of a curfew or emergency so far. Yong also said rumours have been swirling among Lahad Datu residents about more rebels coming into Semporna and Silam. "People more anxiety (sic) than fear (because) for a few decades, violent incidents have been on and off, this being the most long drawn incident," Yong said in a text message to The Malaysian Insider. Jamallul reportedly stressed today that the group would not leave the area despite the assault. Philippine Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez, however, reportedly said that there were no casualties. Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein denied that Malaysian authorities had shot the Filipino rebels, tweeting: "I confirm that our security forces have not taken a single shot but were shot at at 10am this morning!" Bernama also quoted Hishammuddin as saying that Malaysia had given the intruders enough time to leave Sabah peacefully.
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| PKR To Act Against ‘Party Member’ Who Called On President To Quit Posted: 28 Feb 2013 03:32 PM PST
(MD) - Action will be taken against a Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) member for publicly calling on party president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to quit her party post, said Wanita PKR chief Zuraida Kamaruddin (picture). Responding to a recent reproach from Amizan Mat, a purported member from the party's Ampang branch, Zuraida said it was doubtful that the former was indeed a PKR member as his name was not registered in the latest membership list.
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| Ex-Umno Member: 500,000 Blue ICs Issued To Immigrants Under Mustapha Harun’s Orders Posted: 28 Feb 2013 03:19 PM PST
Boo Su-Lyn and Emily Ding, TMI About 500,000 blue identity cards (ICs) were given to Filipino and Indonesian immigrants in Sabah in the early 1990s under the orders of then-Sabah Umno chief Tun Datu Mustapha Harun, a former Umno member said today. Siti Aminah Mahmud, who worked voluntarily in the Umno office in Kota Kinabalu, said today that the now-deceased Mustapha, who was the third chief minister of Sabah from 1967 to 1975, had told her that the ICs were issued to overthrow the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) government.
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| Pakatan continues to deceive Indians Posted: 28 Feb 2013 03:02 PM PST There has not been a single attempt by Pakatan to engage Hindraf into drawing up plans for the grouses they represent. By N Ganesan, FMT Is there a surprise in the fact that after Hindraf has tried very actively since August 2012 to work with Pakatan Rakyat to develop a win-win formula for Pakatan and for the Indian poor in the forthcoming elections, that Pakatan will turn around and give the Indian poor the shaft as they have done with their general election manifesto pledges? In my mind there is some surprise. I expected that the political and electoral alignments may not work out. But I did not imagine that Pakatan would do it with such callousness and then defend their actions unapologetically and with impunity that they did alright in their GE2013 electoral manifesto. PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli's statement in his debate with MCA vice president Gan Ping Siew yesterday is most telling. Let me quote him from media reports here. He is supposed to have uttered the following words "Pakatan manifesto is for all, not just Indians". What rubbish is this? Completely wild and in my opinion simply tells of Pakatan impunity. In retrospect, this tendency to deceive the Indians in general and the Indian poor in specific have been clear from 2008 after the 12th GE. For the tsunami that Hindraf created for Pakatan, there has not been one attempt, not one single attempt to engage Hindraf, the prime mover during that heyday into drawing up plans for the grouses they represented. That was clearly a predictor for larger things to come. And we have just seen that. I can understand their logic, said and repeated in so many ways. They only want the votes from the Indians but not their representation in the August houses of parliament and state assemblies. The working class has no business there. Their refrain is – just remain a pressure group, do not ask for seats, do not ask for leadership of ministries, just stay out there, get us the votes and then maybe we will give your Mandores some crumbs. But you stay out there. You see that re-enactment clearly in their latest stances. The writer is Hindraf's national advisor
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| Reports: At least 10 Sulu gunmen dead Posted: 28 Feb 2013 02:55 PM PST
(The Star) - The casualty in the Tanduo encounter between the Malaysian security forces and the Sulu armed group is believed to have gone up. After the first reports that two Sulu gunmen were dead and three Malaysian police injured, more ground reports coming out of Tanduo village claimed that at least 10 Sulu gunmen have been killed and four others injured. On the Malaysian side, there was no official confirmation as to the four injured security personnel or of any deaths. However, journalists at the entrance of the Felda Sahabat 17 oil palm plantation leading to Tanduo village, saw two bodies being taken out in a jeep by security forces medical personnel. The Sultan Kiram family has confirmed in Manila that at least 10 Sulu gunmen have been killed and four injured. Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib declined to comment and said a press conference will be held later. Until then, conflicting reports are emerging on the number of casualties.
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| Posted: 28 Feb 2013 02:22 PM PST Philippines Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II said Malaysian authorities issued 'warning shots' because some members of the group had violated their security cordon. (FMT) - Malaysian security forces opened fire at the over 200 Sulu army soldiers holed up at the Felda Sahabat oil plam plantations in Lahad Datu, Sabah, here at around noon today. A flurry of text messages from FMT correspondents in Lahad Datu also confirmed the shootout. Unconfirmed reports claimed that 10 of the armed group were killed while four Malaysian security forces were injured. FMT ground reports said several Malaysian security personnel, some seriously injured, have been rushed to Lahad Datu hospital. Some locals living in the area have said they have seen bodies being moved out. As of 10am this morning all shops, banks and schools have been ordered to shut down. Lahad Datu has come to a standstill with long lines of vehicles stuck from all the main routes into town. Unconfirmed reports also said that all flights into Sabah have been cancelled. People in Lahad Datu town have expressed concern. Those staying at Kampung Panji, near the town centre, say they are worried that those associated with the group may direct attacks along the east coast including in Semporna and Lahad Datu town where the Suluks have a strong (overwhelming) presence. But Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, when confirming the incident, said Malaysian security forces did not fire any shots at the intruders. "I confirm that our security forces did not fire a single shot but were shot at about 10am this morning!," he said in his tweet, without mentioning whether an operation was underway to detain the armed intruders. Hishammuddin later told reporters that the Malaysian government had given the group of about 150 intruders enough time to retreat and return to their own country. Malaysia had also practised diplomacy and patience to provide the group with all avenues, including through negotiations, to urge them to end the standoff and return. "I want to remind the group who encroached into Sabah to refrain from saying that the Malaysian government did not give enough time to retreat. We have been very accommodative and diplomatic in our approach to end the crisis," he told reporters meeting Pergerakan Pemuda Malaysia Palestin at the Civil Defence Department. Security cordon violated Ambassador to the Philippines Mohd Zamri Mohd Kassim confirmed that gunshots were fired in Lahad Datu, where the royal army of the sultanate is holed up. Zamri reportedly told a spokesman for the Philipines Department of Foreign Affairs assistant secretary Raul Hernandez that there were no casualties in the incident. Quoting a statement from Kassim to Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Hernandez said: "There were no casualties and that the firing had already stopped." In earlier reports, Philippines Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II noted that warning shots had reportedly been fired because some members of the group had violated their security cordon. Meanwhile, Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram II, while appealing for a peaceful resolution to the stand-off which reached its fourth week on Sunday, has also denied Philippines radio reports that several people were killed in the attack. He also dismissed reports that his brother crown prince Raja Agbimuddin Kiram, who is leading the charge in Lahad Datu, was arrested by the Malaysian authorities. "Hindi ako naniniwala. Mahuhuli lang yan kapag patay na (I don't believe it. He will only be caught if he's dead)," said Kiram in an interview with Philippines radiobzz. Meanwhile, Kiram's spokesmen Abraham Idjirani said in Manila that Agbimuddin had informed them of the rising tension at 6am. "This morning is a history, the Malaysian security forces started the first shot," Idjirani said, adding that he was uncertain if the authorties were aiming at Agbimuddin.
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| ‘Were Sivarasa, Santiago drafting or sleeping?’ Posted: 28 Feb 2013 02:16 PM PST MIC says they have disgraced Indians for not addressing the community's concerns in the Pakatan manifesto. Zefry Dahalan, FMT MIC today hit out at PKR's S Sivarasa and DAP's Charles Santiago for not ensuring that the Pakatan Rakyat manifesto contain promises made specifically to the Indian community. "They are disgrace to the community," said the party's information chief, VS Mogan. "It's very general," he said of the manifesto. "We can't see anything special for Indians." He said he had expected specific promises aimed at helping Indians progress economically and socially. "What were Sivarasa and Charles doing in Pakatan's manifesto drafting committee?" he asked. "Were they sleeping? Do they care about Indian issues? Or where they there just to make up the numbers?" Mogan heaped praise on Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, saying he had genuinely shown concern for the Indian community. "Everybody knows how many schemes have been introduced and how much money the PM has spent for Indians," he said. "For 2012 alone, he allocated RM12 million for Tamil schools in Negeri Sembilan. "For this year, MIC has requested RM16 million for Tamil schools in the state and I'm confident Najib will approve it. "The government allocated RM30 million last year and RM50 million this year for Indian businesses under the Tekun scheme. "Through Amanah Ikhtiar, we have also helped Indian ladies doing small businesses. "As the PM announced in Port Dickson last Sunday, the government will allocate 1,600 places in government polytechnic colleges for Indian students who score only three credits in SPM. "After they have received their diplomas, these students will be put on a fast track system, under which they can further their studies for bachelor's and master's degrees at local universities. The government has assured places for them."
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| ‘Cops not delaying probe into Umno man’s firm’ Posted: 28 Feb 2013 02:04 PM PST Bukit Aman Commercial Crimes Department chief Syed Ismail Syed Azizan says his officers are still gathering evidence. G Vinod, FMT The police have shot down the accusation of dragging their feet with regard to the probe on Doxport Technologies Sdn Bhd. Speaking to FMT, Federal Commercial Crimes Department chief Syed Ismail Syed Azizan said his officers are still scrutinising evidence and recording statements. "We passed the investigation papers to the Attorney-General's Chambers some time ago but we were told to get further details," he said. Recently, PKR women's chief Zuraida Kamaruddin questioned the delay. Doxport Technologies, headed by former Umno treasurer Abdul Azim Mohd Zabidi, is alleged to have cheated 60 British investors of RM12.8 million in 2008. One of the victims lodged a police report in 2011. Subsequently, several other investors lodged complaints with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MACC) and the Company Commissions Malaysia (CCM). Syed Ismail said that there are several reasons why the investigation is taking time, among them is due to the nature of commercial crime cases. "We need to scrutinise every single document thoroughly and refer them to witnesses. "Besides, the complainant lives overseas. At some point, we needed additional details from the individual and it took some time for the complainant to get back to us," he said, adding that the investigating officer is also busy with other cases. On claims that the police have only recorded statements from one person to date, Syed Ismail replied: "I don't want to be drawn into these accusations but rest assured that we are still gathering evidence on the matter."
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| Lahad Datu stand-off: Sulu Sultan's brother says shots fired at them Posted: 28 Feb 2013 01:56 PM PST
(The Star) - LAHAD DATU: Malaysian security forces on Friday started firing at a group of Filipinos holed up in a village in Sabah, the brother of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III claimed. In an interview with radio dzBB at about 10am on Friday, Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, the leader of the group now holed up at a village in Lahad Datu, said they were being shot at and had to "defend" themselves. "Biglang pumasok sa amin (They suddenly came in), we had to defend ourselves," Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram said. Asked what time did the Malaysian forces moved in, he said: "Oras na ito (at this time)." Sounds of gunshots were heard in the background while the interview was being conducted. The interview was then cut off. In a second interview with the radio station several minutes later, Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram said he had received reports that some of his men were wounded but added that there will be no retreat or call for a ceasefire. "Meron na (There have been casualties)," he said when asked if some of his men had been wounded. Asked if there were members of the Malaysian police who were wounded, he said: "Ewan ko (I don't know)." Shots were still heard in the background when the second interview was being carried out. Asked about his immediate plans, Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram said: "Lalaban (we'll still fight)." He said he himself was involved in the gunfight with the Malaysian forces. "Tuloy pa rin (The fight will continue)," he added. When asked if he would call a ceasefire, he said, "Sino mag-ceasefire? Sila mag-ceasefire (Who'll call a ceasefire? They should be the ones to do so)." However, the Malaysian authorities have not confirm whether there was any shooting in Lahad Datu.
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| Posted: 28 Feb 2013 01:54 PM PST Sulu Sultan's brother Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram told a television interview that they are ready to defend themselves should Malaysians attack them. (Agencies) - MANILA:The Sultanate of Sulu on Thursday said its followers would fight to the death if Malaysian security forces tried to evict them from the town of Lahad Datu in Sabah. "They will not leave," said Abraham Idjarani, the sultanate's spokesman. "They will fight if the Malaysian army enters their camp with guns. But they will talk with them peacefully if it is their desire to end this issue without using force." The Manila Standard quoted Idjarani as saying that the sultan's brother, Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, who leads the group of about 200 followers, had enough arms and men to hold their ground against the Malaysian forces. Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, asserting the sultanate's ownership of Sabah, has ordered his followers in Lahad Datu to stay put. In a television interview, Agbimuddin said they are not waging war but are ready to defend themselves should the Malaysians attack them. He reiterated that what they are doing is not a crime. "We are not bad, we are good people. We are law abiding citizens. We came here to live in our place. That's not a crime," he said in reaction to the warning from the Justice Department that they could be charged for inciting to war. Agbimuddin and his group of about 200 people remained holed up at Lahad Datu since Feb. 12 on the orders of the Sultan. The last deadline the Malaysian government gave to Agbimuddin to vacate the area expired on Wednesday. Idjarani on Thursday accused President Benigno Aquino III and his spokesman Edwin Lacierda of inflaming the situation and blamed them for rejecting the sultanate's conditions for talks. "If they are decent and civilized men as they claim to be, they would not order us to leave Sabah before we could talk to the President," he said. "They are the ones issuing angry words. They are the ones who are pushing for a fight." Earlier, Lacierda said the sultanate should not hold a gun to the President's head while asking for negotiations, saying the President wanted the Lahad Datu group to come back first to ease the tension in Sabah. Malacañang said its priority was to ensure the safety of some 800,000 Filipinos in Malaysia who might be affected by the armed incursion in Lahad Datu. Agbimuddin said Malaysian security forces have not yet attacked them; the six Malaysian security men who came to them on Wednesday backed out after his men fired warning shots. "We are on guard here every day, every night. The word 'surrender' is something not good for us. We are not outlaws. We are not bad elements," he said. He added President Aquino should negotiate with the Malaysian government on behalf of the Sultanate of Sulu to peacefully get back Sabah. On Thursday, the sultan's daughter, Princess Jacel Kiram, slammed President Aquino for branding as "foolhardy" their actions in Sabah. "Why are you calling it foolhardy?" Is it foolhardy to defend the patrimony of your nation? Is it foolhardy to fight for what is right? Is it foolhardy to sacrifice the lives of 235 people for the sake of truth?" she said in a statement. The sultan's daughter also criticized Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II for protecting the interests of Malaysia instead of those of his own people. She maintained that the sultan's followers can enter Sabah at any time without any consent, and would not violate any laws for doing so. "Is it a violation if you enter your own house, your own property? I don't know what reason the government has in ordering us to leave Sabah," she said.
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| Lahad Datu invaders say will ‘never surrender’ Posted: 28 Feb 2013 01:52 PM PST
Boo Su-Lyn, TMI The armed Filipino rebel group that invaded Lahad Datu has declared that it will "never surrender" and are willing to die in Sabah, Philippine media reported yesterday. Another online news portal also reported yesterday that the rebels fired some shots into the air last Wednesday to warn off the Malaysian security forces. "The word surrender is something not good for us. We are not outlaws. We are not bad elements... we are law-abiding citizens," Filipino rebel group leader Agbimuddin Kiram was reported as saying by the Manila Times online news site yesterday. Agbimuddin, the brother of self-proclaimed Sulu Sultan Jamallul Kiram III, said the group was prepared to fight to death if attacked by Malaysian authorities. Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar was reported by national news agency Bernama last Tuesday as saying that the invasion would be resolved "as soon as possible" despite the expiry of last Sunday's deadline for the gunmen to leave. Agbimuddin was quoted by the Philippine Daily Inquirer last Wednesday as saying that the rebels preferred a peaceful solution to the ongoing standoff, but would fight violence with violence if forced to defend themselves. Agbimuddin has insisted that he and his followers had no reason to leave Sabah as they have committed no crime in occupying Kampung Tanduo, a small coastal village in eastern Sabah. Jamallul has already told his "royal army" of about 180 to hold their ground despite instructions from Philippine President Benigno Aquino III last Tuesday to leave the village. The Philippine daily also reported yesterday that Jamallul had rejected Aquino's orders despite the president's warning that they may soon have to face the "full force of the laws" if they refused to leave Sabah peacefully. The armed group, suspected of being a faction of a Philippine Muslim rebel group, claims to belong to the "royal army" of the Sulu sultanate and are believed to number about 180 people, with 30 gunmen among its ranks, according to news wire The Associated Press. They had intruded into Malaysia on February 9 and have reportedly held national security forces at bay amid an enforced blockade that has cut off their food supply. Dissent appears to be growing within the group with several followers of Agbimuddin indicating a desire to return to the Philippines, Malaysia's The Star Online reported last Monday. The group had previously said they would not leave Sabah as they are "subjects of the sultanate of Sulu." The bizarre drama had threatened to stir tension between the Southeast Asian neighbours whose ties have been periodically frayed by security and migration problems caused by a porous sea border. News wire Reuters had reported that Malaysia pays a token sum to the Sultanate of Sulu each year for the "rental" of Sabah — an arrangement that stretches back to British colonial times. In 2000, a group of militants from the southern Philippines kidnapped 21 tourists from the Sabah diving resort of Sipadan. In 1985, 11 people were killed when gunmen, believed to be from the southern Philippines, entered Lahad Datu, shooting at random before robbing the local branch of Standard Chartered Bank.
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| Pakatan won’t deliver, says Gerakan Posted: 28 Feb 2013 01:46 PM PST
State Gerakan legal and human rights bureau head, Baljit Singh, said Pakatan had unrealistically promised many populist programmes just to fish votes to capture Putrajaya. But once it had helmed the federal government, said Baljit, Pakatan would always resort to its standard modus operandi to justify any non-delivery. "Pakatan promises the sun and the moon. But people should not get excited over it. Chances are it would not be fulfilled, especially based on Pakatan's track record," he said today. Recalling a quote of Selangor MB Khalid Ibrahim that "a manifesto is not a promise", Baljit said Pakatan may remind the people that it was not obliged to deliver on its election pledges. He added that Pakatan allies, PKR, DAP and PAS, were operating more as individual parties rather than a single cohesive unit. "Leaders of one party would always conveniently distance themselves and spurn their joint-responsibility to deliver an election promise made by a leader from another ally." 'Pakatan should not give false hopes' He cited the demolition of Indian traditional urban village, Kampung Buah Pala, commonly known as Tamil High Chaparral, in 2009, to back his claim. "Anwar told the villagers, "Kalau tak dapat geran dalam satu minggu, nama saya bukan Anwar Ibrahim." (If the title is not given within a week, my name is not Anwar Ibrahim). "He promised them that if the then opposition parties came into power, the state government would solve their problem within a week. "That was in 2008, but at height of the fiasco, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who is the DAP secretary general, famously said that he never promised anything to villagers. "Clearly Lim distanced himself from Anwar and spurned his responsibility to deliver on behalf of Pakatan," said Baljit. - See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/03/01/pakatan-wont-deliver-says-gerakan/#sthash.rHtPteOk.dpufPeople should not get excited over its election manifesto as its track record shows it's simply a ruse to fish for votes, says Baljit Singh - See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/03/01/pakatan-wont-deliver-says-gerakan/#sthash.rHtPteOk.dpuf
People should not get excited over its election manifesto as its track record shows it's simply a ruse to fish for votes, says Baljit Singh Athi Shankar, FMT A local Gerakan leader said the people should not to get carried away with Pakatan Rakyat's election manifesto because they won't be able to deliver on it. State Gerakan legal and human rights bureau head, Baljit Singh, said Pakatan had unrealistically promised many populist programmes just to fish votes to capture Putrajaya. But once it had helmed the federal government, said Baljit, Pakatan would always resort to its standard modus operandi to justify any non-delivery. "Pakatan promises the sun and the moon. But people should not get excited over it. Chances are it would not be fulfilled, especially based on Pakatan's track record," he said today. Recalling a quote of Selangor MB Khalid Ibrahim that "a manifesto is not a promise", Baljit said Pakatan may remind the people that it was not obliged to deliver on its election pledges. He added that Pakatan allies, PKR, DAP and PAS, were operating more as individual parties rather than a single cohesive unit. "Leaders of one party would always conveniently distance themselves and spurn their joint-responsibility to deliver an election promise made by a leader from another ally." 'Pakatan should not give false hopes' He cited the demolition of Indian traditional urban village, Kampung Buah Pala, commonly known as Tamil High Chaparral, in 2009, to back his claim. "Anwar told the villagers, "Kalau tak dapat geran dalam satu minggu, nama saya bukan Anwar Ibrahim." (If the title is not given within a week, my name is not Anwar Ibrahim). "He promised them that if the then opposition parties came into power, the state government would solve their problem within a week. "That was in 2008, but at height of the fiasco, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who is the DAP secretary general, famously said that he never promised anything to villagers. "Clearly Lim distanced himself from Anwar and spurned his responsibility to deliver on behalf of Pakatan," said Baljit.
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| BR1M oath: 'By Allah, I will vote for BN' Posted: 28 Feb 2013 11:40 AM PST
(Harakah Daily) - "I hereby solemnly swear and promise, in the name of Allah, that I will vote BN in the coming election, and that I will work to help UMNO to unite Muslims under the United Malays National Organisation, not to disunite Muslims, unlike Hj. Abdul Hadi Awang who wants Muslims and Malays in Malaysia to be destroyed and fall apart." The above is the oath which is stapled together with the 1Malaysia cash aid (BR1M) voucher. The oath typed wholly in capital letters in Bahasa Malaysia was distributed during a ceremony to distribute the cash aid at a secondary school in Beris Panchor, Bachok, Kelantan. Prior to this, several blogs and Facebook postings have reported of such an oath being required from recipients of BR1M. Bachok PAS vice chairman Hassan Mohamood said such a requirement from recipients made a mockery of UMNO leaders' claim that the cash aid had nothing to do with the looming general election. "Such is UMNO's dirty tactic which is desperately using the government machinery to salvage whatever left of their power," Hassan said. He however was confident that recipients would not support UMNO because they were aware that the party "is on a life-support". Meanwhile, during a separate BR1M distribution programme held at a school in the same constituency of Tawang, one recipient passed out while waiting for speeches by local UMNO leaders to end. Yaakub Ibrahim from Kampung Budi said his brother-in-law Nik Mahmud Nik Ismail who suffers from diabetes had arrived early to receive the cash aid. However, he grew tired waiting through a lengthy speech by the UMNO leader at the ceremony. He was later admitted at the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital in Kota Bharu.
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| What was inside Kiram’s lost letter to Aquino? Posted: 28 Feb 2013 11:05 AM PST
(Borneo Insider) - WHAT WAS in that letter so that Sultan Jamalul Kiram III could say that had the President paid attention to it, he and his followers would not have taken matters in their own hands? It was lost not in translation but in the appreciation of its urgency and significance. That is what happened to the letter sent to President Aquino in 2010 by Agbimuddin Kiram, crown prince of the sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo, expressing his clan's stand on the Philippine claim to the eastern Malaysian state of Sabah and the peace process in Muslim Mindanao. After congratulating and expressing his clan's support for the new Aquino administration, Agbimuddin informed Aquino about the creation of the Interim Supreme Royal Ruling Council (ISRRC) under the sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo as a result of the series of consultations in Simunul, Tawi-Tawi; KM-4 Indanan, Sulu; and Kawit, Zamboanga City, on June 20, 25 and 26, 2010. There is probably another reason why the letter got lost in Malacañang. The letter was dated June 28, 2010, two days before Aquino took his oath as President. Technically, then, he was not yet officially the sitting President. The letter was coursed through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (Opapp) but since Secretary Teresita Deles had not yet assumed office at the time, another officer there received the letter and it was this officer who decided it was "not urgent." Dismissed as such, the letter was relegated to the pile of papers deemed not needing presidential attention. The Opapp officer who made the decision was considered an expert in Muslim affairs. After the Sabah standoff began three weeks ago and the letter was mentioned in the early reports of the Inquirer, a source in Malacañang said the President inquired about it. Aquino was reportedly disappointed to learn that no one kept the letter or a copy of it. The same source, who asked not to be identified, quoted the President as saying: "Next time, when a letter is addressed to me, give it to me so I can read it." Seeking guidance Specifically, Agbimuddin in the letter asked for guidance from the new President on what course of action the ISRRC should take, especially involving the Sabah claim. "With highest esteem, may we inform His Excellency that during the consultation process, we asked our supporters what action, under the guiding light of your administration, the ISRRC of the sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo would take or adopt anent the Sabah issue, which became the national contract between the government of the Philippines and the sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo pursuant to the filing of such claim in the United Nations against Great Britain and Malaysia in 1962," Agbimuddin said. Anticipating Aquino's participation in international forums such as the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) leaders' summit, Agbimuddin stated his clan's position on the Sabah claim to guide the President in discussions on the issue in meetings with representatives of Malaysia. International forums Agbimuddin wanted Aquino to articulate two points for the clan: The special power of attorney given by the sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo to the Philippine government was revoked in August 1989 for lack of political will to push forward the claim by previous administrations from the time of then President Diosdado Macapagal, and the ISRRC had been legally established instead, taking over all actions pertinent to the Sabah claim. Agbimuddin was appointed chairman of the ISRRC by his elder brother, the sultan, in June 2010. Ignored for five decades Abraham Idjirani, secretary general and spokesman of the sultanate of Sulu, said the appointment of Agbimuddin as ISRRC chairman was the basis for the crown prince's exercising "authority" over Sabah, thus the six-hour "journey back home" to Sabah on Feb. 11 (most reports date the Sabah trip to Feb. 9). In his letter to Aquino, Agbimuddin expressed his clans' exasperation at being ignored through five decades of the discussions of the Sabah claim. Read more at: http://borneoinsider.com/2013/03/01/what-was-inside-kirams-lost-letter-to-aquino/
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| Nik Aziz brands Umno as communists Posted: 28 Feb 2013 10:58 AM PST
(The Star) - PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who has branded Umno as an apostate and infidel party, is now branding the party as communists. In his latest posting in his Tok Guru blog (www.blogtokguru.com), he said that Umno should be labelled as communists because it had rejected Islam although the party had built mosques. The posting was published on Wednesday after he delivered his speech at the Pakatan Rakyat convention which was held recently in Shah Alam. The Kelantan Menteri Besar claimed that Umno's version of Islam was that the religion was unsuitable for Malaysia because the country had a multi-racial population. "If that is so, what is the difference between Islam and the communists? The communists also built mosques, just like Umno, which is famous for building mosques. Hence, there is no difference between Umno and the communists," he added. "If we were to go to Singapore, Thailand, London or America, Islam is also unsuitable for these countries because of their multi-ethnic population. "This is what Umno wants if we were to subscribe to the party's Islamic ideology," he added. Nik Aziz said the Chinese members and supporters from DAP had accepted Islam because they wore shirts with PAS logos on them. "It means that Islam has been accepted not only in the peninsula, but also in Sabah and Sarawak," he added. Last week, Nik Aziz caused an uproar when he reportedly said the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) handout was like feeding padi and coconut husk to poultry and livestock and only meant to bring the farm animals closer to those who gave them the fodder. He later back-pedalled and tried to do damage control by reasoning that he made the analogy about BR1M recipients because Umno was responsible for the culture of giving cash to the people as a political bait and, therefore, treating them like animals. In an immediate reaction, Kelantan Umno information chief Datuk Dali Hussin said Nik Aziz and PAS were now desperate because Umno had become a serious threat to them. "It is also unbecoming for an ulama like him to liken Umno to the communists after he hurt all Malaysians with his BR1M remark. "His comments are getting ridiculous by the day in his desperate bid to gain political support. "This time, he has gone overboard by saying such things against Umno members, many of whom had fought the communist terrorists," Dali said.
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| No way Pakatan can fulfil manifesto, says Tunku Aziz Posted: 28 Feb 2013 10:47 AM PST
(NST) - BAD TRACK RECORD: Opposition playing 'silly games' for votes KUALA LUMPUR: FORMER DAP vice-chairman Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim said the opposition coalition's manifesto is just another list of promises that will not be fulfilled. "Those who believe and rely on those promises will be left disappointed," he said, adding that the nature of the manifesto only prove that the opposition do not have the experience to govern a nation. "Based on their track record, many promises will go unfulfilled," said Tunku Aziz at a press conference in Tropicana Golf and Country Resort here yesterday. "If Pakatan Rakyat leaders had any experience in their hands, they would realise that their promises cannot be delivered." He added that the opposition's plan of raising the income of Malaysians was just following what the Federal Government had laid out, but with an increase in figures. "Unlike Pakatan Rakyat, the government figures are prepared by teams of experts from the Finance Ministry, the Economic Planning Unit and Bank Negara Malaysia. "Are they (opposition leaders) doing this to get people excited? To win a few votes? "They are playing silly games. We have to think whether they are in a position to deliver." Experience, Tunku Aziz said, cannot be replaced by expectations or promises. He added that the opposition leaders should be a little more modest and learn more before beginning to make such promises to the people. "We cannot have this kind of behaviour in people who aspire to lead us and the future of our complex country, and we should take all these things much more seriously." On a separate matter, Tunku Aziz called on the Registrar of Societies (RoS) to investigate the "technical glitch" that happened during the DAP central executive committee elections in Penang in November last year. He said if DAP leaders were good and responsible, they would voluntarily step down while the RoS investigated the matter. "The CEC was improperly constituted, and the appointment of the top leadership cannot by any means be regarded as valid. "Now, we see the flaws of the DAP system. The convention in Penang made it very clear."
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| Samy: MIC has addressed all Indian problems Posted: 28 Feb 2013 10:36 AM PST
(fz.com) - Former MIC President Datuk Seri Samy Vellu vehemently denied that there are major problems plaguing the Indian community and insisted that he is still closely monitoring the solutions he had put in place to solve all the community's problems. Samy Vellu, who was the MIC's longest serving president until his resignation in 2010, was commenting on the opposition's claims that the Indian community is facing major problems including a lack of education, poverty and documentation issues. In an interview with fz.com, Samy Vellu said it was during his time that Maju Institute of Education (MIED) – the education arm of MIC – was formed. "The education problems of the Indians have been taken care of by MIC when I was the president. We spent RM120 million to educate (Indians) by building colleges and universities. "We have trained 45,000 Indian students to be craftsmen and we have even given out scholarships. "We have built a university, Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology (AIMST) for the Indian students to become doctors and there are also other races studying there," said Samy Vellu in defence of MIC. Samy Vellu said that despite stepping down from the president's post in MIC, he is still helming the efforts to assist Indians. "I am still the chairman of MIED, which owns the AIMST," said Samy Vellu. On whether poverty is rampant in the Indian community, Samy Vellu said that it has always been the policy of MIC to give the poor Indians jobs. "We have an organisation called Yayasan Pemulihan. Whenever we see people in poverty, we get them a job. We have started an organisation called Yayasan Strategik Sosial as well," said Samy Vellu. On the statelessness issue of Malaysian-born Indians, especially those in the estates, a problem which was highlighted by PKR, Samy Vellu said that the issue was merely being politicised. "I don't think the opposition have any knowledge of the statelessness issues of the Indians. What is the opposition? They just open the mouth and talk - they are only doing politics - but we are doing politics and social work. "All the stateless Indians have gotten citizenship and MIC has done it for many thousands of people. During my time itself, we had separate departments to look into the activities of Indians. Until today, I still see people for seven hours every Tuesday and record what they need and then after that I get them the needed help," said Samy Vellu. Read more at: http://fz.com/content/samy-mic-has-addressed-all-indian-problems | |
| Najib’s RM1.40 per day food budget Posted: 28 Feb 2013 10:29 AM PST
(The Rocket) - RM41.60 is enough to feed a family for a week, according to Prime Minister Najib Razak. In a speech boasting about the impact of the BR1M government welfare assistance program, Najib said that receipients of the RM500 aid would be able to buy food for one year. "We have calculated that on average, a family can buy groceries such as 10kg of rice, 5kg of cooking oil and other essentials per month with RM41.60. That means they have enough to buy food for 12 months with the RM500 BR1M," he told the crowd when officiating the Terengganu state level "Program Jelajah Janji Ditepati" in Dataran Syahbandar, as reported by news agency Bernama. Based on Najib's calculations, each family would have a household daily food budget of RM1.40. Rising food prices A forum user calling himeself "t3arsCulprit" pointed out that the cheapest price for a 10kg packet of rice costs RM20 and a 5kg bottle of oil cost RM15. User "scorptim" went further to divide the amount of rice that an individual could afford to consume within a month with a 10kg limit and three daily meals, working out to be 111g of rice per meal. Users "Mie131085″, "exBlasTer" and "Acher13″ also doubted that the RM500 would be sufficient to cover living expenses for a year. Illogical calculations Meanwhile, PAS's Parit Buntar member of parliament Mujahid Yusof Rawa called Najib's calculation "illogical", pointing out that the threshold level for poverty is a household income of RM1,200 a month. "It's hilarious, whether Najib said it wrongly or he said it unconsciously, but he was wide awake," Mujahid said. DAP's MP for Bukit Bendera, Liew Chin Tong called Najib "a political prince" who has no understanding of the lives and aspirations of the ordinary Joe. Liew said Najib's statement showed that he has no inkling of what the people endure in an economy that doesn't help the bottom 60 per cent. In his speech, Najib added that this showed that Barisan is a government that looks after the people. As such, he stressed that the people should now realise the truth and reject the opposition coalition. More than 20,000 people attended the event, including Najib's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said.
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| Sabah Standoff: Diplomatic Drama After Filipino Militants Storm Malaysia Posted: 28 Feb 2013 10:25 AM PST
(Time) - Some observers believe that the timing of the occupation is designed to disrupt the Malaysian national elections that are due before the end of June, and the issue has now become a political hot potato domestically. A diplomatic crisis is engulfing part of Borneo, after Filipino rebels seized control of a remote section of Malaysia's Sabah state as part of an unresolved territorial dispute that stretches back centuries. Malaysian security forces have surrounded 100 to 200 members of the Royal Army of Sulu, who have holed up in the village of Lahad Datu for the past two weeks in order to press their historic claim to the land. The Philippine and Malaysian governments are now engaged in tense negotiations in order to resolve the dispute without the use of force. The rebels, who hail from the autonomous island province of Sulu in the southwestern Philippines, had been given until midnight on Tuesday to voluntarily leave the area, but Manila has been desperately trying to negotiate an extension to this deadline to avoid bloodshed and a tense standoff currently hangs in place. The leader of the rebel unit is the brother of Jamalul Kiram III, one of the two main claimants to the title of Sultan of Sulu. Back in the 17th century, before the Philippines existed in its present form, the two principle sultanates in the region were Sulu and Brunei. In 1658, the Sultan of Brunei for some reason gave Sabah to the Sultanate of Sulu, which today is considered part of the Philippines. However, the picture is further complicated by an 1878 deal between the Sultanate of Sulu and the British North Borneo Company, in which Sabah was leased to the Europeans on a rolling contract. To this day, the Malaysian government pays a token sum, equivalent to around $1,500, to the Philippines every year in recognition of this continuing arrangement. The Royal Army of Sulu interprets this deal as a lease that can be canceled, while Malaysia believes that it represents the permanent transfer of the territory. It does not appear that the Malaysian authorities are willing to give up the land, which boasts valuable petroleum reserves, palm-oil plantations and also serves as an agricultural and manufacturing hub. Regional commentators have accused the Sulu rebels of trying to exploit past claims as a gateway toward ensuring future prosperity. "The governments of Malaysia and the Philippines are trying to manage this incident carefully," Jonah Blank, senior political scientist specializing in Southeast Asia for RAND Corp., a global policy think-tank, tells TIME. "We've seen many Muslim rebel groups arise or take refuge in the southern part of the Philippines, and Malaysia has brokered a fragile cease-fire: neither Kuala Lumpur nor Manila is eager to see that fall apart." Read more at: http://world.time.com/2013/02/26/sabah-standoff-diplomatic-drama-after-sulu-militants-storm-malaysia/#ixzz2MFdLX5NT | |
| Collapsed Cyberjaya flyover was closed for repairs, say PKNS, Works Ministry Posted: 28 Feb 2013 10:13 AM PST
(The Malaysian Insider) - The flyover near the Selangor Science Park 2 (SSP2) here that collapsed today was closed for repair works since last November, the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) said today. PKNS general manager Othman Omar said that the flyover, which was originally built by PKNS but has been handed over to highway operator PLUS Malaysia Berhad, was closed to repair a road that had begun to sink beneath it. However, PLUS has denied the flyover was handed to it, saying it is still under the purview of PKNS. Othman said that both PKNS and PLUS began investigations last December after noticing damage to the flyover from excavation works. "Before we could finish the investigation, the flyover has collapsed," Othman told reporters here.Minister of Works Datuk Seri Shaziman Abu Mansor said in a statement today that the flyover and the road below it were closed since December 7 last year, and will remain closed until December 31 this year, depending on the speed of repair works. "On December 7, I visited the bridge after I was informed by the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) that there was movements on one of the pillars at the Science Park 2 tiered interchange that connects to Putrajaya and Cyberjaya," said Shaziman. Shaziman's statement was confirmed by PKNS' deputy general manager Abdul Ghani Hashim, who said that four pillars on the Cyberjaya side suffered from structural problems. According to PKNS, the peaty land in the area caused the road underneath to sink, causing PLUS to hire a third party to run repair works. PKNS insisted that the flyover was in perfect condition when it was handed over to PLUS, but it was not designed to withstand deep excavation underneath which has caused structural disturbance. Othman today promised that works to rebuild the flyover will be started as soon as possible, with clean-up expected to take three weeks, and construction another eight months. "We don't want this to be a war of pointing fingers ... We want to take pro-active measures, we will fix this first. Hopefully along the way we will resolve this issue," he said. Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/collapsed-cyberjaya-flyover-was-closed-for-repairs-say-pkns-works-ministry | |
| 'RCI pointless if Dr M, Anwar not summoned' Posted: 28 Feb 2013 05:19 AM PST
(Daily Express) - Kota Kinabalu: SAPP Youth is urging the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on illegal immigrants in Sabah to call former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, former Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and several present government leaders to testify in the hearing. Its leader Edward Dagul, who gathered along with more than 50 members and supporters at the courthouse compound, Wednesday, said: "The public hearings will never be complete and Sabahans will never be satisfied unless these top leaders at the time like Dr Mahathir, Anwar and several present government leaders are called to answer many questions in the minds of the people. "People are worried that there is little time left for the RCI to bring these persons to testify in public because the next sessions are scheduled for March 5 and March 18, when it is expected that the election campaign will be in full swing. "Both Dr Mahathir and Anwar have expressed willingness to testify. Dr Mahathir and his administration have been implicated by earlier witnesses who appeared before the RCI. "As for Anwar, he has been specifically mentioned by two ex-Prime Ministers, namely Dr Mahathir and his successor Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, as being involved (in the issuance of citizenship documents to unqualified foreigners in some way)". "The next RCI hearing is the last chance for the people to be fully informed of the facts of Project IC and the illegal immigrant issue before the people make their choice of government in the ballot box. "We urge the RCI to take heed of the people's demands and expectations that the whole truth of the "Project IC" fiasco be revealed for the purpose of doing justice to the people of Sabah, whose dreams upon forming Malaysia have been dashed," he said. Also present were Likas assemblyman Datuk Liew Teck Chan and Luyang assemblywoman Melanie Chia.
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| PI Bala: A lot of hot air but no 'bomb' Posted: 27 Feb 2013 06:10 PM PST
(Yahoo News) - "Bala! Bala!" The crowd cheered as private investigator P Balasubramaniam walked with his hands raised into a packed hall at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH). And thus the night began with an air of anticipation – that something "big" will be revealed. Hundreds of people poured into the hall last night while others watched on a screen provided outside despite the rain yesterday evening. Close to 1,000 people from all walks of life -- from a young man with skinny jeans and eyeliner to elderly grandfather wearing a kopiah -- anxiously waited for the main event. The night began like a concert with opening acts to warm up the audience. Controversial political cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque or Zunar and Suaram director Cynthia Gabriel took to the stage to fire up the crowd and set the backdrop for Bala's "revelations". After more than an hour, Bala finally took the stage and sat with Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) chief Badrul Hisham Shaharin, who was the moderator. Bala, who had just returned home on Sunday, Feb 24, after being in hiding since 2008, was now centre stage, looking visibly nervous. He started his two-hour-long "talk" by recounting how he met Abdul Razak Baginda to the day he issued his second statutory declaration (SD). Bala, the key witness in the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder trial, had linked the then deputy prime minister Najib Razak to the murder in his first SD. However, he retracted the passage regarding Najib in the second SD the next day. - See more at: http://fz.com/content/pi-bala-back-arrives-klia-heros-welcome Bala was the key witness in the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder trial, and he had linked the then deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to the murder in his first SD. However, he retracted the passage regarding Najib in a second SD the next day. Bala stumbled on his words, constantly referring to PowerPoint slides to help remember the events, and it went on for so long that he even took a toilet break. "I am very sorry. I haven't been in the country for so many years so I hope you will have patience with me," he apologised to the crowd. Although Bala repeated and revealed nothing new, the audience were at the edge of their seats, glued to his words. The crowd cheered and jeered every time Bala mentioned the names of the prime minister and his wife. Bala also gave his version of what happened when he met businessman Deepak Jaikishan after he issued his first SD. "We went to one Chinese shop in Rawang and he (Deepak) was asking what do you get by doing that SD one? Then suddenly I received a call from my wife that she getting harassed by two Malay men outside the house... He (Deepak) said 'don't worry. If you can prepare this SD then everything will be solved'. Bala also claimed that he had allegedly met Datuk Nazim Razak at The Curve and that Nazim had threatened Bala's family because of the first SD. Badrul later promised that last night was the first of many public forums that SAMM planned to organise with Bala nationwide, promising to drop more "bombs" in Kelantan, Johor and Sabah. Bala declined to speak to reporters.
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| Anastacia Breast Cancer: Singer Diagnosed With The Disease For Second Time Posted: 27 Feb 2013 05:28 PM PST
(Huff Post) - Anastacia has revealed she has been diagnosed with breast cancer again. The 'I'm Out Of Love' singer has cancelled her European tour after finding out she was battling the disease for a second time. Fans were told of the news via a statement on her official Facebook page on Wednesday. "I feel so awful to be letting down all my amazing fans who were looking forward to 'It's A Man's World Tour'. It just breaks my heart to disappoint them" she said. The statement added that she is determined to beat the disease and live by her motto of, 'Don't ever let cancer get the 'Best of You!''. "A born survivor, Anastacia has one goal and that is to make a full recovery with the support of her family, friends and everyone around her," it added. The 44-year-old previously battled breast cancer in 2003 and made a full recovery through successful surgery and radiotherapy. She is to continue writing and recording her new album despite her diagnosis, and is hoping to reschedule the tour - which was due to start in London on 6th April - 'as soon as possible'.
1QTWnd3bnaw SEE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QTWnd3bnaw
TnOy6HEf7HU SEE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnOy6HEf7HU | |
| ‘There will be no political tsunami in Sabah’ Posted: 27 Feb 2013 04:49 PM PST Salleh observed that PKR also lacked credible Kadazandusun leaders and "no credible Muslim-Bumiputera leaders to strengthen Muslim support in PKR". (Bernama) - Najib Tun Razak, the architect of numerous government transformation programmes and 1Malaysia concept, is the preferred choice of Sabahans to continue as the Prime Minister of Malaysia, said Sabah Legislative Assembly Speaker Salleh Said Keruak. He also reiterated that "there will be no political tsunami hitting Sabah in the upcoming general election". He said this was evident from strong grassroots support and large turnout to welcome Najib during his recent visit to Sabah to drum up support, ahead of the crucial general election that has been called "the mother of all battles" Salleh said this was consistent with the findings of a recent survey conducted by the Merdeka Centre, rating Najib's popularity amongst Sabahans at the comfortable level of more than 70 per cent. "With the magic touch of Najib's 1Malaysia concept in transforming the country for a better future, I believe the voters will return BN in the 13th general election to continue to rule Sabah with a comfortable majority. "Having said that, I do not think polls tsunami will hit Sabah," he said in his lecture, entitled "Malaysian 2013 General Election: Will Polls Tsunami Hit Sabah?, to the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, today. Salleh said the 13th general election was an important election for the ruling BN as "it is perceived as a test to Najib's popularity as he needs a strong mandate to continue to rule Malaysia". The former chief minister expressed confidence that although the state BN component parties – PBS (Parti Bersatu Sabah), LDP (Liberal Democratic Party), UPKO (United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation), PBRS (Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah) MCA and Gerakan are likely to face a tough challenge in certain areas from the opposition, BN will win the Sabah state election, with "Umno is expected to retain all the 32 seats it currently holds". PKR lacked credible leaders According to Salleh, his confidence was based on several factors, including the failure of the opposition in Sabah to form a strong pact and the absence of a strong Chinese leader in the opposition. Salleh observed that PKR also lacked credible Kadazandusun leaders and "no credible Muslim-Bumiputera leaders to strengthen Muslim support in PKR". Apart from Pakatan Rakyat (PKR, PAS and DAP), there are two other opposition parties namely Sabah-based SAPP (Sabah Progressive Party) and Sarawak-based State Reform Party (STAR), and for now, it appears both Pakatan Rakyat and SAPP or STAR will fight each other rather than one-to-one fights against the ruling coalition. He said there were 25 parliamentary seats and 60 state seats at stake in Sabah, and of the 25 parliamentary seats, 20 are currently held by BN and five by the opposition. Salleh said of the 25 parliamentary seats, 11 are Muslim-Bumiputera majority, eight Kadazandusun Murut (KDM) seats, two Chinese and four mixed seats respectively while out of the 60 state seats, 31 are Muslim-Bumiputera majority, 17 are KDM-majority, eight are Chinese-majority, and four are mixed seats. During 2008 general election, Sabah BN nearly made a clean sweep, winning 59 of 60 state seats and 24 of 25 parliamentary seats contested. However, SAPP left the BN on Sept 17, 2008. He said with Sabah's contribution of 24 parlimentary seats, the state had since been regarded as BN's "stronghold or fixed deposit" and is expected to be the frontline battleground for the 13th general election, particularly in urban and suburb areas. Pairin Kitingan still strong On the recent establishment of the much-awaited Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI)on illegal immigrants that was well-received by political leaders and the people alike in Sabah, he described it as a step in the right direction which symbolised the federal government's seriousness in tackling the perennial problem. Expressing optimism about the ruling BN's chances in the coming general election, Salleh said the opposition in Sabah appeared to be "organisationally and structurally weak" as evident from their failure to form a united force to take on the giant size of BN machinery. "The "Semenanjung Agenda" vs "Borneo Agenda" has deepened the animosity between the Pakatan Rakyat and the United Borneo Front (UBF)," he added. Salleh stressed that the Kadazandusun Murut community support for charismatic Joseph Pairin Kitingan remains firm as many have shunned STAR Sabah Chapter chairman Jeffrey Kitingan's "Sabah for Sabahans" battle cry. "The show of unity by Pairin, Joseph Kurup and Bernard Dompok recently is a symbolic gesture that all the Kadazandusun leaders are prepared to set aside their differences to ensure a big win for the BN," he said, adding the opposition had failed to establish itself as an alternative party to BN in Sabah.
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| BN’s Tengku Adnan admits Pakatan leading social media battle Posted: 27 Feb 2013 04:22 PM PST
Syed Jaymal Zahiid, FMT Barisan Nasional (BN) admitted today that its rivals may be leading in the social media battle but described it as merely a superficial appeal that may not necessarily translate as votes. "Voters may not follow us on social media because we are the government and maybe they think we have the mainstream media.
Yesterday, BN chairman and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said Election 2013 will be Malaysia's first "social media election", which echoed views that sites like Facebook and Twitter will be a key battlefront to BN's defence of Putrajaya. "The coming months will be a fascinating period for people in both politics and the Internet. "I can confidently predict that this will be Malaysia's first 'social media elections'," Najib, who himself has more than one million followers on Twitter and some 1.2 million "likes" on Facebook, told the Malaysian Social Media Week event. The statement comes just after the country's sixth prime minister admitted recently that social media could be a double-edged sword for his party Umno, conceding that the Net was among the chief causes of BN's record loses in the last polls. BN lost its two-thirds parliamentary majority in the historic 2008 general election that saw four states — Perak, Penang, Kedah and Selangor — falling to the loose coalition of PAS, PKR and the DAP, that later formed Pakatan Rakyat (PR). Political analysts have said that Malaysians are turning more to the Internet to get information, which has led to politicians setting up Facebook and Twitter accounts to reach out to voters, bypassing the mainstream media that has seen lower newspaper circulation and smaller broadcasting audiences. There are currently about 13.6 million Facebook users in Malaysia out of a 28.3 million-strong population, which is a 48 per cent penetration of the population, according to monitoring website socialbakers.com. According to the Oxford Internet Institute, Malaysia, along with Brazil, has the highest Twitter use in the world. A total of 29 per cent of Facebook users in Malaysia are aged between 25 and 34 years. A recent survey released shows this demographic forms the largest pool of fence-sitters, with about five million of them now registered voters. This new tech-savvy group will be the new kingmakers at Election 2013. Analysts said much of PR's success came from its pivotal early recognition and exploitation of the Internet as an effective campaigning platform. To this day, the Internet is still seen an opposition-dominated domain. But Tengku Adnan argued that the scenario has changed since 2008 and the ruling coalition was fast catching up on the trends. "We have our thing too but if you only focus on the opposition side of course you won't see what we are doing," he said.
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| Bank Islam defends suspending chief economist Posted: 27 Feb 2013 04:03 PM PST Internal investigations revealed that Azrul had sent out series of e-mails relating to the bank's official documents from his office to third parties. - See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/02/28/bank-islam-defends-suspending-chief-economist/#sthash.kv75NiyK.dpuf Internal investigations revealed that Azrul had sent out series of e-mails relating to the bank's official documents from his office to third parties. (Bernama) - Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd has come out in strong defence of its recent move to suspend its chief economist pending the outcome of an internal inquiry for alleged "serious breaches of discipline". "In this country, people are free to make all kinds of predictions on the election. After all, they are mere personal opinions that don't in anyway affect financial institutions like us. "But in our internal investigation following Azrul Azwar Ahmad Tajuddin's remarks made at a regional forum in Singapore, we discovered evidence of violations of the bank's internal policies. These were listed out in detail in a show-cause letter handed to him," the source told Bernama. In the bank's view, the breaches were so serious that warranted it to lodge a report with the commercial crime division of the police, he added. The source said Bank Islam's rules on its officers invited to public forums were clear. "They have to seek approval from the management to participate in the forum and have their presentation vetted. "Azrul did not do all these. He went to Singapore completely without our knowledge and on the bank's time," he added. Further internal investigations by the bank also revealed that Azrul had, in recent months, sent out series of e-mails relating to the bank's official documents from his office to third parties, including highly confidential minutes of Bank Islam's board meeting. "He is not a board member of the bank and is not supposed to be possession of those minutes. "We discovered from the bank's computer server that other confidential bank matters were forwarded to outsiders. "These are very serious breaches of office policies and discipline that left us with no choice but to act firmly," he said. Asked to comment on the half-page advertorial taken out by non-governmental organisations and activitists in a newspaper on Feb 14 to voice their support for the beleaguered bank executive, the source: "To be fair to us, these people should have read the attachments we included to his show-cause letter where we listed out in great detail serious breaches which, in our view, warrant our action". "I would urge all of them to read the show cause letter and these attachments before jumping to conclusions," he said of the advertorial. "We are doing whatever it takes to protect the bank's interest. What we are doing is no different from what any other institution would do in similar circumstances. And, I'm confident our customers are behind us in this," he said. He said Azrul was due to appear before the bank's disciplinary board in March to defend himself based on the show-cause letter.
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| Storm brewing in Perak PKR following candidacy dispute Posted: 27 Feb 2013 03:43 PM PST
(The Star) - A storm is brewing over the PKR in Perak, following a dispute on the candidacy for the Kuala Sepetang state seat. It is understood the Bukit Gantang division is furious over an announcement by party vice-president Dr Lee Boon Chye that newcomer Sandrea Ng Shy Ching would be nominated as the PKR candidate for the seat. The problem arose because nobody in the division knows anything about Ng, who is said to be from Endau, Johor. Dr Lee had made the announcement during a press conference in Kuala Sepetang on Feb 21. A party source said that having a non-local parachuting into the state constituency went against the wishes of the division members and was an indication that incumbent assemblyman Tai Sing Ng would be dropped from contesting in the general election. "Dr Lee's action is disrespectful to the current assemblyman," the source said in an e-mail to The Star yesterday. The source said the division, at its annual general meeting last year, had unanimously agreed to have a local from the constituency or a division member to contest the state seat. "The division submitted its list of potential candidates for the Kuala Sepetang and Changkat Jering state seats in June last year. "The division members hope the national leaders will take note of this and take the necessary action to diffuse the unnecessary tension," he said. Dr Lee could not be reached for comment.
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| Posted: 27 Feb 2013 01:20 PM PST
Chen Lip Keong's Gamble On Cambodian Casino Makes Him A Billionaire (Forbes) - Malaysia now boasts 14 billion-dollar fortunes, up from 11 a year ago. The year of the dragon was a lucky one for Chen Lip Keong. The Cambodian casino group he founded, NagaCorp, raked in profits as gambling revenue soared. Best of all, NagaCorp owns a monopoly on casinos in Phnom Penh until 2035. In November it broke ground on its Naga2 expansion, which will include two hotels, restaurants, an entertainment complex and a shopping area, and is set to be completed in 2015. Chen debuted on our annual list of Malaysia's richest with $195 million in 2009, and shares of his Hong Kong-listed company kept climbing. Then over the past year his wealth jumped 68%. That makes him a billionaire for the first time, with a net worth of $1.01 billion, and ranks him No. 13 on this year's list. Malaysia now boasts 14 billion-dollar fortunes, up from 11 a year ago. At No. 12 Shahril and Shahriman Shamsuddin, the brothers behind Sapura Group, break into the billionaire ranks after a $3.7 billion merger deal. (Merger partner Mokhzani Mahathir, No. 15, saw his wealth rise nearly $300 million but fall just short of $1 billion.) The third new ten-figure bundle belongs to auto magnate Tan Heng Chew and his family with $1.2 billion at No. 11. The impending parliamentary elections, which must be held by June 27, have weighed on the stock market. But the KLCI moved up 4% over the past year, and the country's gross domestic product rose 6.4%. So 23 members of the list saw their wealth increase, led by perennial No. 1 and No. 2, Robert Kuok and Ananda Krishnan. On the downside, some 14 people suffered losses. Retailer William Cheng was the biggest loser in percentage terms–his fortune plunged by a third, dropping him ten places on the list to No. 31. This year FORBES ASIA expands our roster of Malaysia's richest to 50, from 40 in previous years. That helped 9 new people appear. One is Loh Kian Chong, another car tycoon, who debuts at No. 28. At 36 he's the list's youngest member. No. 16, Desmond Lim Siew Choon, another newcomer, developed the posh Pavilion Kuala Lumpur shopping mall. Three tycoons returned after a hiatus of a year or more. One is No. 49, Nazir Razak, a banker who is the son of Malaysia's second prime minister and the younger brother of the current one. That makes two members whose fathers were prime ministers; Mahathir is the other one. Read: Special Report: Malaysia's 50 Richest
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| Umno members among armed group? Posted: 27 Feb 2013 12:47 PM PST
(Free Malaysia Today) - KOTA KINABALU: The State Reform Party (STAR) wants the government to investigate claims that some of the more than 130 armed men currently surrounded by Malaysian security forces in Tanduo, Lahad Datu, are in fact Umno members. STAR chairman, Jeffrey Kitingan, said he has received disturbing reports that these men could also be holding dubious Malaysian documents as many of them had been here in the past and had sometimes been living in the east coast of Sabah. "I have been receiving reports that some of the armed foreign men currently holed up in Lahad Datu could be holding dubious Malaysian documents and, in fact, could be members of Umno or other Malaysian political parties," Jeffrey said when met by FMT at his residence in Penampang last night. He said the authorities including Umno must clarify the allegation so as to quash the rumours. The group landed in Lahad Datu earlier this month and settled in an oil palm plantation near the Felda Sahabat area. A tense stand-off has since ensued between the group and Malaysian police as well as the army. The group, which claimed to be a detachment of the Royal Sulu Army from the southern Philippines, is said to be armed with weapons that were already in the state, according to one of its leaders. The police have formed a perimeter around the village and the army is on standby. Malaysian authorities have said they wished to give the "invaders" a chance to withdraw without bloodshed. The latest deadline was yesterday. Read more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/02/28/umno-members-among-armed-group/
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| Ulama need reformasi for PAS to move forward Posted: 27 Feb 2013 11:40 AM PST
(fz.com) - There is a need for reformation among the PAS ulama (religious scholars) so that they would be more closely guided by Islamic principles, said PAS Deputy President Mohamed Sabu and if need be, they should re-learn these principles from non-Muslims who are practising them. Mohamed, who is better known as Mat Sabu, said that ulama should not merely polish their appearance, but also update themselves on issues of corruption and social justice. "Our ulama are not willing to read any books on socialism or communism, to know what these are about, and they need to open up more to the world. It is not only in Malaysia but the world over. There should be reform in Al Azhar University," he said. "It will take time for one to change, but the top ulama have to accept that it is time to reform their thinking. You can keep your jubah and serban, but thinking has to be more open, especially on social justice," said Mohamed. However, he acknowledged that it will take time for Malaysian Muslims to stand up to seek reform among the ulama. He was replying to the question of why PAS had failed in its governance of the Kedah state, as reflected in the Auditor-General's Report 2011, which had noted the weak financial performance of the state. Since PAS took over the state in 2008, many of the promised projects for the people in Kedah had failed to take off. The present menteri besar of Kedah Datuk Seri Abdul Azizan Razak is considered a member of the ulama as he is a graduate of Al Azhar University and was head of the Sharia' Department of the University of Malaya. Mohamed said that in comparison, PAS has managed to rule Kelantan effectively as menteri besar Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat is an alim (religious scholar) who is also very open in his ideas. "But then again, Nik Aziz is a gift of God to PAS," said Mohamed. Mohamed warned that if ulama do not reform before they are given power, they will stray from the will of the people and become like the Mughals of India.
Read more at: http://fz.com/content/ulama-need-reformasi-pas-move-forward | |
| Kedah MB sidelines ringleader and drops two others as GE candidates Posted: 27 Feb 2013 11:39 AM PST
(The Star) - Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak has made his move against the rebel group that had tried to topple him as Kedah Mentri Besar. He has sidelined the ringleader and dropped two other rebels in his list of candidates for the general election. Azizan, who is Kedah PAS commissioner, has cut off group leader Datuk Phahrolrazi Mohd Zawawi from the succession line by putting him in a parliamentary seat that is seen as an Umno stronghold. Phahrolrazi has been moved from the Pengkalan Kundor state seat to Jerlun, according to the list that Azizan submitted recently to the party's central leadership. Jerlun is now held by Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir. Assemblymen Dr Ismail Salleh and Dr Hamdan Mohamed Khalid, who were seen to be among the rebels, have been dropped as candidates in their respective constituencies of Alor Mengkudu and Tanjung Dawai. According to a highly-placed source, the new list was leaked recently, causing anger among supporters of Phahrolrazi and sparking public protests against Azizan. Several protesters have gone to the extent of asking Azizan to resign as Mentri Besar. More protests are reportedly being planned. Phahrolrazi's relocation is seen as an attempt to undermine his power base in the Kuala Kedah division where he is PAS chairman. This will pave the way for deputy Kuala Kedah chairman Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah, a strong ally of Azizan, to move up. Azizan, however, may not get his way. PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali confirmed that Azizan had submitted a fresh list that was different from an earlier list of election candidates but added that the central committee will have the final say on who will contest and where. Mustafa did not elaborate on either list. "We have received feedback from some people who are dissatisfied with the new list," he said. Azizan insisted that the changes were "a matter of strategy". "A lot of people qualify to be candidates but not everyone is suitable. Adjustments have to be made when issues crop up, if the candidate has problems," he said. He, too, declined to comment on specific names affected by the changes. "Elections are like giving birth. Before a baby is born, you can tell whether it will be a boy or girl but usually we won't name it yet," he said. The new list has also ruffled the feathers of some people who are not among the rebels. Pendang MP Datuk Dr Mohd Hayati Othman is believed to be unhappy about being moved from his parliamentary seat to the Sungai Tiang state seat, currently held by Kedah Umno's rising star Datuk Suraya Yaakob. The Pendang seat will go to PAS deputy president Mohamed Sabu, who has been looking for a winnable seat. In the original list, Dr Mohd Hayati was supposed to contest in Tokai where PAS has a strong base. But Azizan has reinstated Tokai assemblyman Datuk Taulan Mat Rasul, who is his close ally. Taulan, a syariah lawyer, was to have retired because he will be 71 this year. The sources claimed that Azizan regarded Dr Mohd Hayati as a threat because the medical doctor's name had been bandied about as a potential mentri besar.
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| 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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| Who has been funding Bala for the past 5 years? Posted: 26 Feb 2013 02:06 AM PST
(Perak Today) - After about 5 years private investigator, Balasubramaniam Perumal (Bala) went to hiding in India, last Sunday, February 24, he came back to KLIA, welcomed by about 50 PKR supporters. The welcoming ceremony confirmed that the party does have its involvement in running an evil plot to manipulate the murder case of Mongolian model, Altantuya to be linked to Prime Minister, Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak. The first thing Bala did when he got to KLIA was being under oath while holding onto a Bhagavad Gita and said that the first Statutory Declaration (SD) which links Najib in Altantuya's murder was true, but the SD2 was forced onto him, which proves PKR' role in this case. Instead of denying SD2, wouldn't it be better for Bala if he simply denies the third SD, he did already make false SDs, why not make up to 10 SDs? It is interesting to see how Malay Muslims in PKR accept Bala's action with the Bhagavad Gita, perhaps they are exited to see it considering that even PKR General Leader is not confident over the oath made witnessed by Allah S.W.T. During an interview with the media in KLIA, Bala had announced his preparedness to help Pakatan Rakyat's campaign by travelling across the country exposing the truth behind Altantuya's murder case. This does not shock people, because everyone knew that Bala's SD1 had links with PKR main leaders as they hope that manipulations and speculations on Altantuya's murder case could bring Najib down. PR's effort did not give any positive result after Bala denied Najib's involvement, added with Raja Petra Kamaruddin's statement saying that he did fabricate Altantuya's story by manipulating everything, and admitted that PM and his wife did not have anything to do with the case. Instead, it was exposed that PKR's General Leader, Anwar Ibrahim's role, which was involved in an effort trying to convince the murder suspects, Azilah and Sirul to mention Najib's name in this case. Any of Bala's move after this would not help PR in any way because people no longer believe in the credibility of this private investigator hired by Razak Baginda. People are more interested to know why Bala would steal the RM50,000 given by Razak Baginda which is supposed to be handed to Altantuya, and if Bala did not mean to steal it, people want to know where did the money go? And most importantly, people want to know who has been funding Bala for the past five years. That should have cost more than the RM50,000. Obviously the fund came from PKR leaders, because the party even sponsored Elizabeth Wong's secret lover, Helmi Malik in Indonesia as part of their efforts to put a stop on their scandal from public eye. The question here is, who is the leader and where did the money come from?
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| Poll: Eight in 10 Malays say Allah solely for Muslims Posted: 26 Feb 2013 02:00 AM PST
(The Star) - Eighty-three percent of Muslims interviewed in a recent poll agree that the usage of the word "Allah" is their absolute right, a survey here says. The poll by the Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research showed that 52% "strongly disagreed" with Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali's alleged call to seize and burn copies of the Bible which contain the word "Allah." The results were part of the poll titled "Public Opinion Survey No. 1/2013 Peninsular Malaysia Voter Survey," which was conducted between Jan 23 and Feb 6. A total of 1,021 registered voters were interviewed via telephone for the survey, which was aimed at gauging voters' perceptions of issues in the lead-up to the general election. The survey revealed that 48% of the respondents were "happy with the Government" while 45% reported that they were "happy with Barisan Nasional." Some 61% of the respondents expressed satisfaction with the performance of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Participants also rated fighting corruption as the top issue that required attention from the Government, followed by fighting inflation, improving the police and public safety, providing affordable housing, expanding public infrastructure in rural areas and improving government efficiency.
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