Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Beri peluang Pak Lah jawab
- Simplistic arguments and band-aid solutions
- I am insulted
- MyWatch: Gang members recruited while still in school
- Women promote mosques 'for all' in Britain
- Asian universities top Times list
- Malaysia falls behind on international compliance
- Barisan would have lost without postal, advance votes, says Merdeka Centre
- Race-based policies a fact, says Khalid
- Karpal's soon-to-be-released book was 26 years in the making
- Violent crime needs strong response
- More clout for cops to fight crime
- Utusan Malaysia: Under Singapore’s Kuan Yew, the Malays are sidelined
- 'The awakening': Peluang mentelaah sejarah pimpinan UMNO (preamble)
- DAP: Why are firearms suddenly so available in Malaysia?
- Hotbed of crime in Penampang
- Abdullah should be ready for a stinger from Dr Mahathir, warns Utusan Malaysia
- DAP says willing to hold public inquiry on party polls
- How about asking the right questions on that book on Pak Lah?
- Azmin eyes the top seat
- ‘Inflation may kick-in next year’
| Posted: 11 Aug 2013 12:51 PM PDT
(Sinar Harian) - Ketua Pembangkang, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim berharap bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi diberikan peluang untuk menjawab perspektif negatif mengenai buku 'Awakening-The Abdullah Badawi Years In Malaysia'. Anwar berkata, penerbitan buku itu membuktikan Abdullah berani untuk memberikan pandangan dan memiliki wacana segar yang boleh diperdebat dalam kalangan pemimpin."Isunya boleh diteliti malah adalah lebih baik sekiranya perwakilan Umno membahaskannya selain membangkitkan isu perkauman dan gangguan kuasa mahupun projek ketika persidangan (Umno) berlangsung. "Diskusi sihat ini akan memberikan impak kepada pimpinan Umno dan lebih relevan diperdebatkan memandangkan beliau (Abdullah) berani menyatakan pandangannya secara terbuka," katanya selepas menghadiri Majlis Jamuan Aidilfitri di Kampung Simpang Tiga, Kubang Ulu semalam. Hadir sama isterinya, Datin Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. Semalam, Sinar Harian melaporkan buku terbabit mengandungi koleksi artikel penulis berlainan latar belakang termasuk pemimpin pembangkang dan bukan tulisan Abdullah walaupun ada disiarkan wawancara editor buku dengannya. Perkara itu disahkan Adun Seri Setia, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad yang turut menyumbangkan artikel di dalam buku berkenaan. |
| Simplistic arguments and band-aid solutions Posted: 11 Aug 2013 12:43 PM PDT
The key to a safer Malaysia is to have political will, proper enforcement and curbing cross border arms smuggling. The government must also seriously look into preventing cross border smuggling. And these laws must be complemented with the government's will to tackle the culture of corruption and impunity in the police force, Immigration and Customs. By Charles Santiago, FMT What is gun control? According to Wikipedia, it is any law, policy, practice, or proposal designed to define, restrict, or limit the possession, production or modification, importation, shipment, sale, and/or use of firearms.There are a minimum of 370,000 guns owned in Malaysia, which has a total population of 28 million. Japan has a population of 127 million and 710,000 guns. Malaysia has a ratio of one gun to every 78 people, higher than Vietnam which has a ratio of 80:1. But Malaysia has strict gun ownership laws. Only those with a license are allowed to own arms. Those caught possessing firearms without a license can face up to 14 years in prison. And having a live bullet can warrant the death penalty. So where do the guns, used in the recent shooting spree, come from? In 2011, Time magazine reported a dizzyingly-complex arms smuggling route in the region. The reporter said guns were readily available along the Cambodia-Thailand border as leftovers from the Pol Pot rule. She also said Malaysians were smuggling firearms (including rounds of ammunition) into the country, which were bought in Thai military camps. |
| Posted: 11 Aug 2013 12:37 PM PDT I feel insulted because the statement shows a deep insensitivity, as if a program about the life of the head of my Church is something on par with pornography or material of dubious ethical and moral value. Patricia Anne Martinez, TMI As an ordinary Malaysian Christian, specifically a Catholic, I want to place on record that I am deeply INSULTED.I just watched the program "Pope from the end of the world" on the Astro History channel. It is a biography (and nothing else) of Pope Francis. Perhaps it was featured before, but it was the first time I watched it. Before the program was aired, the following appeared on the screen: "THIS PROGRAM PORTRAYS DEPICTION OF RELIGIOUS FIGURES AND REPRESENTS VIEWS OTHER THAN MUSLIMS'. VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED." The disclaimer - if it can be called that, was shown FOUR TIMES throughout the program. I feel insulted because the statement shows a deep insensitivity, as if a program about the life of the head of my Church is something on par with pornography or material of dubious ethical and moral value. There is no such cautionary statement before the repeated showing of programs such as the Victoria's Secret Lingerie collection, or for that matter Miss Universe or Miss World (and there is a fatwa against beauty pageants in Malaysia!), to advise Muslims that 'views' other than their own are being aired, and 'discretion' is advised. The statement advising Muslims about exposing them to views other than their own and that viewer discretion is advised, intimates therefore that aspects of the program COULD BE OFFENSIVE to Muslims' point of view. |
| MyWatch: Gang members recruited while still in school Posted: 11 Aug 2013 12:29 PM PDT
(The Star) - MyWatch co-founder S. Gobi Krishnan said recruitment into triad gangs start in the school compound, mainly along racial lines and at a young age. He said boys as young as 13 or 14 years old would be offered protection from older "big brothers" of other races in the gang."When they turn 15, their 'big brothers' will give them a small amount of drugs to distribute, something smart, as police will not suspect the schoolchildren, and the boys will earn a small profit from the cut," he said. "Soon, they become closer to the gang and drop out of school, and the 'big brother' will introduce them to alcohol, girls and nightclubs," Gobi said. "Then, they will go on to follow the 'big brothers' instructions to fight or chop up someone." Gobi, who is also People's Welfare and Rights Coalition (Power) president, said gangs usually targeted youths from the urban poor, who came from broken families and lived in flats near their schools, as they were the most vulnerable and accessible. He added that when the boys turned 17, they would be initiated into the gang through a ritual. "They would say some prayers and then someone would use a knife to cut flesh out of their hands," Gobi added. "And the boys need to withstand the pain to show they are strong enough to be in the gang." Gobi said the youths had an easier way out by joining gangs because it promised them a good life. "The downside is that they will probably be killed if they wanted to leave," he added. "Unless they get caught by the police and jailed, that would be their safest exit." Power, a civil rights group, deals with youth gangsterism while MyWatch is a prominent anti-crime group which acted as a watchdog of the police force. |
| Women promote mosques 'for all' in Britain Posted: 11 Aug 2013 12:19 PM PDT
(The Nation) - "There is nothing in the Koran that says that women and men can't pray together or that women can't lead prayers," said Tauqir, whose long black shirt with long sleeves matches her Dr Martens shoes, while a keffiyeh is arranged around her neck. In the damp basement room of a Caribbean restaurant in London, Naima leads prayers for an audience of male and female worshippers.They face Mecca, directed by an arrow scrawled on a blackboard in pink chalk. But Naima -- she did not want to give her full name -- had just begun the Al-Fatiha when a young woman got up and hurried out of the room in Camden in the north of the British capital. As if on cue, "Should I Stay Or Should I Go" by punk band The Clash was playing in the restaurant. Leila Bakkioui, 25, clad in a headscarf, admitted she was reeling.
"I went downstairs to pray and a sister led the prayer," she explained breathlessly to her friend Tana Rasekh, who was waiting for her in the restaurant. |
| Asian universities top Times list Posted: 11 Aug 2013 12:03 PM PDT
(The Edge) - Of the 30 countries featured in the list, Malaysia did not rank. A survey carried out by the Times Higher Education, ahead of its inaugural World Academic Summit in October, shows that Asian universities are front runners in getting investments for their researches.The Times World Academic Summit Innovation Index gives a global snapshot of how successful the world's top universities compete for research funds. There are nine Asian countries featured in the Index, with over 50% of its institutions ranked in the top 10 list — more than any other continent. Coming in at the top of the list is Korea, where the findings of the survey show that global companies are investing the equivalent of nearly US$100,000 (RM325,000) in each Korean scholar to carry out work in innovation and research on their behalf. This is compared to less than US$10,000 per head for countries lower down the index. Second on the list is Singapore, with companies willing to fork out US$84,500 per researcher. As recent as last month, scientists at the Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) showed off their latest "invisibility cloak" by making a cat and a goldfish vanish. The device — which is capable of making anything within its confines disappear from direct sight — could have serious real-world applications in the field of security or entertainment.
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| Malaysia falls behind on international compliance Posted: 11 Aug 2013 11:51 AM PDT
(The Edge) - Malaysia's lack of commitment to comply with United Nations(UN) conventions may affect foreign investments and the goal of becoming a developed nation by 2020. Malaysia's lack of commitment to comply with United Nations (UN) conventions may affect foreign investments and the goal of becoming a developed nation by 2020."Increasingly more companies are looking at human rights, their environment standards as important issues for them to consider when they are choosing locations for their investments," Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute CEO Tan Sri Michael Yeoh told The Edge Financial Daily. He said foreign investors will have more confidence in investing in the country if it abides by certain international standards. Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) chairman Tan Sri Hasmy Agam said investors link their investments to basic international standards before they invest or trade in a country to ensure stability. "If Malaysia is progressing, the country is able to convince investors. However, what happens if we are regressing and we have no international standards to gain investor confidence?" he told The Edge Financial Daily. |
| Barisan would have lost without postal, advance votes, says Merdeka Centre Posted: 11 Aug 2013 11:39 AM PDT MIC president Palanivel won his Cameron Highlands parliament seat thanks to the postal and advance votes. TMI pic, August 12 2013. (TMI) - Merdeka Centre said that after stripping and analysing the data, it concluded that BN could have lost as many as 30 parliamentary seats if it did not win the postal/advance votes. Numbers tell a story and the startling story that has emerged from studying the past general election results is this: Barisan Nasional could not have gone back to Putrajaya without the controversial postal and advanced votes system.These votes alone gave BN victory in 22 parliamentary seats, which made all the difference. Without those 22 seats, BN would have tied with opposition Pakatan Rakyat at 111 seats. Without those key postal and advanced votes, MIC would be without the two Cabinet ministers Datuk Seri S Subramaniam (Segamat) and Datuk Seri G. Palanivel (Cameron Highlands). Several seats in Johor and the Federal Territory would have also fallen to Pakatan Rakyat. This new information was revealed in a voting pattern study by Merdeka Centre, which was obtained by The Malaysian Insider. Merdeka Centre said that after stripping and analysing the data, it concluded that BN could have lost as many as 30 parliamentary seats if it did not win the postal/advance votes. Data from different voting channels from the 222 parliamentary seats was analysed using a system designed to uncover natural groupings or clusters. The study was able to show the voting patterns in GE13 and confirmed the rural and urban divide in Malaysia as well as the 20 percent swing of Chinese voters away from Barisan Nasional. |
| Race-based policies a fact, says Khalid Posted: 11 Aug 2013 03:40 AM PDT
(Sun Daily) - Former Singapore prime minister Lee Kuan Yew's opinion that Malaysia's race-based policies would not change even under Pakatan Rakyat rule may ruffle the feathers of some in the coalition, but not the one heading the government of Selangor. Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim agreed with Lee, who had written thus in his new book, One Man's View of the World. "He is telling the truth, because if 60% of the population of the country are Malays, the political inclination will be trying to get the support of the Malays," he said at the Selangor government's Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house on Thursday that attracted 20,000 guests. However, Khalid added that how such policies are translated to equity is a different matter. "I'm quite sure that if you study the Anglo-Saxon politics in US and UK, there is a certain level of tinkering. There is not going to be a totally, absolutely non-discriminatory and egalitarian society," he said. Khalid nevertheless disagreed with Lee that BN's win of Chinese and Indian backing would be at the expense of Malay votes. "If it were true, there would be no situation where a nation of multi-racial composition can be together. You cannot look at Malaysia as a heterogeneous country isolated by activities," he said, citing how open houses during religious festivities are often celebrated together happily by all regardless of ethnicity. He also addressed another controversial point in a soon-to-be launched book about former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, titled Awakening: The Abdullah Years in Malaysia – on the obstacles to economic reform, because of Umno and the Malays' fixation on 30% bumiputra equity. "The introduction of the private sector did not solve the issues in the allocation of active ownership among the bumiputra. (It) has increased the renter class, not owner-operators. The private sector only releases licences, not jobs," he said.
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| Karpal's soon-to-be-released book was 26 years in the making Posted: 11 Aug 2013 03:09 AM PDT
(The Star) - Veteran politician Karpal Singh's biography, Tiger of Jelutong, will make its debut soon. The DAP chairman Karpal Singh said the book, written by New Zealand writer Tim Donoghue, will be launched in Kuala Lumpur soon. "It took 26 years to complete and it has 325 pages. The book will also be available overseas," he said.  Karpal with his book Tiger of Jelutong. He said that the book was completed in 1999 and was ready for publication but he lost in the then election. "I told him the tiger is dead or was half dead and the book can wait for a better time." "So in 2004 when I won in the elections, he called me up. (The book project) started again and was updated with more events," he said. The book recorded the various issues and events in Karpal's life and the major cases he covered.
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| Violent crime needs strong response Posted: 10 Aug 2013 04:38 PM PDT
SPECIAL COMMISSION: A set of concrete policy recommendations must be developed to reduce such cases within a certain period While we look for answers on the root causes of the problem, we also have to act fast to help restore public confidence. Foreign tourists should also feel safe about visiting Malaysia. A. Jalil Hamid, NST SPENDING Raya in my hometown of Penang, a colleague reminded me not to drive a particular luxury German marque in the traffic-choked city centre. I didn't ask why, but a few days ago, a motorist was killed while he was driving an expensive car in Anson Road in George Town. He was hit 10 times at point-blank range, according to the police. The murder of 37-year-old K. Veerapan, who had a previous record for drug-related offences, was among the latest in the spate of gun violence and organised crime that has gripped the nation and raised further public alarm about our security and safety. We were assured by the country's top policeman, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar, that the recent incidents of shootings around the country were all targeted, not randomly chosen and that the overall security situation remained under control. Some in the media are hyping the series of shootings as the start of some gangland turf war by hardcore criminals. Some attributed these to be the work of ex-Simpang Renggam detainees bent on reclaiming their turf. In Veerapan's case, the blood being spilled in broad daylight on the resort island of Penang will raise the pressure on a police force already struggling to battle street crime. The government has pledged that the authorities would clamp down on "brazen" crime as police hunt for contract killers in other high-profile murder cases. These include the murders of Arab-Malaysian Banking Group former top executive Hussain Ahmad Najadi on July 29 in Kuala Lumpur and Customs deputy director-general Datuk Shaharuddin Ibrahim in April. While we look for answers on the root causes of the problem, we also have to act fast to help restore public confidence. Foreign tourists should also feel safe about visiting Malaysia. Apparently, some Singaporeans, alarmed at the recent spate of shooting cases, have postponed their trips to Malaysia, according to the Singapore media. I know one expatriate living in Kuala Lumpur who decided to move down south of the border because the spouse was worried about petty crime. In dealing with the violent cases, there should be a clear, deliverable plan for the short, medium and long terms to deal with the situation. We cannot leave things to chance. It is almost a crisis-like situation that requires a strong response from all sides -- the government, the lawmakers, the police, the judiciary, civil society and Malaysians in general. The government, through a special commission, should develop a set of concrete policy recommendations within, say, three months to reduce violent crime. I know it is almost impossible to stop or deter any violent crime, but at least we will be deeply committed that we will do something to reduce it. From dinner conversations to Raya open house functions, it is clear that the people are worried and they want action. Now is the time to prove that we can do something. The government has said it would provide the police with whatever is necessary for them to enhance their capacity to fight serious and organised crime. Stressing that the government would not allow the situation to persist, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has said the issue would be raised at the next Parliament session. Speaking of legal clout to deter organised crime, there is raging debate whether the spate of the recent shootings was linked to the repeal of the Emergency Ordinance and the Internal Security Act, both of which provide detention without trial. These were part of the wider political reforms. There is this school of thought which suggests that serious crime can only be controlled through preventive security laws such as the EO, rather than through modern policing methods. Others argue that even when the EO was in force and until it was repealed in 2011, we had had brutal crime cases and that the reinstatement of the EO or the introduction of its successor would not necessarily help deter the influx and the possession of illegal firearms. Everyone would, however, agree that hardcore criminals should be put behind bars, but in this current climate only through the due legal process. |
| More clout for cops to fight crime Posted: 10 Aug 2013 04:32 PM PDT
SHOOTING CASES: Government to look into laws to give police extra powers, says Najib (NST) - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has vowed to provide the police more authority to fight serious crime, including extra powers under existing laws. He said his administration was looking into the matter, even more so after a series of shooting cases that had hit the nation. "We (the government) have instructed the police to investigate these shooting cases thoroughly, and measures are being taken to tighten security at all entry points into the country. "We will also look into laws to allow the police to be given more authority to handle such cases without any room for abuse," he told TV3 at the Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at Seri Perdana on Thursday. The spate of shootings continued yesterday, with a man firing warning shots at a bus driver for overtaking a four-wheel-drive he was travelling in near Sagindai, Ranau on Friday. A soldier was also shot along the Malaysia-Thai border early yesterday. There were four shootings in Perak and Penang over the last two days. Penang alone saw three incidents, leaving one dead and one wounded on Thursday and early Friday. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the victims of the recent spate of shootings around the country were all targeted and not randomly chosen. He said the increase in firearms in the nation might be because of some weak points along the country's borders. Khalid said the force had formed a task force to work on all the shooting cases, adding that he believed that most of the cases could be solved soon. |
| Utusan Malaysia: Under Singapore’s Kuan Yew, the Malays are sidelined Posted: 10 Aug 2013 04:25 PM PDT
Copies of Singapore's former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's latest book entitled One Man's View of the World are displayed for sale at his book launch at the Istana in Singapore August 6, 2013. The 400-page book contained harsh words about Malaysia (The Malay Mail) - "Awang believes that Malaysia's approach, while not ideal, is better in offering equal opportunity to the talents of all races than Singapore," Awang wrote. Utusan Malaysia told Lee Kuan Yew today to aim his criticisms at his own policies in Singapore, saying unlike in Malaysia, where Chinese businesses are allowed to prosper under a Malay rule, Malays on the island republic are sidelined.The Umno-owned daily suggested that by criticising Malaysia, Lee was attempting to hide the weaknesses of his own country, particularly on the subject of openness and democracy "where his record is lowest". "Awang believes it is more appropriate for Kuan Yew to criticise his own country, although he is so proud with its meritocracy approach. Is his meritocracy system fair and perfect?" "Which race dominates Singapore in all industries? Are the minority races given the full space to grow?" wrote Awang Selamat in today's Mingguan Malaysia, the daily's weekend edition. "In some cases, meritocracy [in Singapore] is just cosmetic," he added. Citing examples, Awang claimed of numerous complaints of the difficulties faced by Malay job seekers in the island state's airlines industry. "The same applies for Cabinet ministers. Where in the past there used to be several Malay ministers, today there is only one," he said. Awang represents the collective voice of the paper's editors. Lee, Singapore's founding father, had doused the administrative policies of his neighbour nation in cold water in his latest book One Man's View of the World, suggesting that Malaysia had become a "much more orthodox" Muslim Malay country since the time Tunku Abdul Rahman. In a Q&A section in the book, the former Singapore prime minister was asked if Malaysia could become more like Turkey than Saudi Arabia, in the sense of becoming "relatively open, imbibing some of the more international values". But Lee appeared to scoff at the suggestion, and reminded that the Malaysia of today was unlike before when its leaders were more "relaxed". "Now, under the influence of the Middle Eastern states, they are much more orthodox. They used to serve liquor at dinners and drink with you. When I was there, the Tunku would invite his friends over and drink whisky and brandy with them. "Now, they toast each other in syrups," he added. Lee, who turns 90 next month, was also asked if Malaysia could become a "progressive Muslim country", to which he replied: "You believe that? What do you mean by a progressive Muslim country? "That they will not wear their headdress, that they will shake hands, men and women, and sit down, that a non-Muslim can be drinking beer and have a Muslim sit down and drink coffee with him?" Lee also suggested that it was Malaysia's adoption of orthodox Muslim ways and its alleged insistence on promoting that one dominant race above others that had led to the country's major talent leak. Malaysia faces a severe talent flight issue with an estimated 5 per cent of skilled locals exiting the country on an annual basis—with most bound south for neighbouring Singapore. A World Bank report from 2011 concluded that 20 per cent of Malaysian graduates opt to quit the country, again with Singapore cited as the preferred destinations. Worryingly for Malaysia, the report concluded that these migrants were being replaced by unskilled and uneducated foreigners. In his new book, Lee had said: "They are prepared to lose that talent in order to maintain the dominance of one race." The New Economic Policy and other policies in its vein have been blamed for driving the country's non-Malays to find an exit, with Singapore being the destination of choice for geographic and cultural reasons. Lee noted that the percentage of the Chinese and Indian ethnic groups in Malaysia's population had dwindled since 1970, saying that a 2010 census showed lower figures for both groups. In the same book, Lee also indicated that Malaysians who are counting on either Datuk Seri Najib Razak's 1Malaysia concept or the federal opposition Pakatan Rakyat to usher in a new era for race relations are being unrealistic. The former Singapore prime minister said the 1Malaysia slogan had not lived up to the initial excitement it created, adding that the Malay ground had not moved with Najib's ambitious plans to unite the different races in Malaysia. However, Utusan Malaysia disagreed with Lee's assertions and told the former Singapore prime minister to accept the fact that Malaysia cannot use the same development model as its neighbour. The paper noted that just like Malaysia, Singapore too suffers a similar brain drain problem. "Awang believes that Malaysia's approach, while not ideal, is better in offering equal opportunity to the talents of all races than Singapore," Awang wrote.
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| 'The awakening': Peluang mentelaah sejarah pimpinan UMNO (preamble) Posted: 10 Aug 2013 04:19 PM PDT
Sesungguhnya kita wajar mengetahui kenyataan yang buku ini bukanlah buku tulisan Abdullah Badawi tetapi buku yang diterbitkan oleh dua orang ahli akademik dan Abdullah hanyalah menjawab persoalan yang timbul semasa temu bual diantara editor penerbitan ini dengan Abdullah Badawi sahaja. Aspan Alias Perihal 'The awakening: Abdullah Badawi years in Malaysia' yang diterbitkan oleh professor James UH Chin dan Bridget Welsh itu sudah mula membawa bahangnya dengan begitu ramai yang memberikan komen negatif terhadap Abdullah. Ia menjadi panas kerana buku itu dikeluarkan serta diterbitkan semasa perhimpunan agung UMNO yang sangat besar akan berlangsung tidak berapa lama lagi. Ramai berpendapat penerbitan buku ini merupakan satu sau isu politik dalaman UMNO kerana ia dilancarkan semasa perhimpunan agung UMNO semakin hampir. Sesungguhnya kita wajar mengetahui kenyataan yang buku ini bukanlah buku tulisan Abdullah Badawi tetapi buku yang diterbitkan oleh dua orang ahli akademik dan Abdullah hanyalah menjawab persoalan yang timbul semasa temu bual diantara editor penerbitan ini dengan Abdullah Badawi sahaja. Tetapi isunya bukan siapa yang menulis dan hal siapa yang ditulis dalam buku itu. Isunya sekarang apa yang disebut oleh Abdullah dalam temubual yang di selitkan didalam buku tersebut. Dalam temubual itu Abdullah telah memberikan pandangan peribadi beliau tentang apa yang dilakukan oleh Dr Mahathir terhadap beliau (Abdullah). Abdullah hanya menjawab bagaimana beliau dibenci dan tidak disukai oleh Dr Mahathir semasa beliau menjadi Perdana Menteri, sebagai pengganti kepada Dr Mahathir yang telah 'meraja' selama 22 tahun di negara kita ini. Yang sangat menarik, Abdullah telah menjawab soalan-soalan yang dikemukakan terhadap beliau dan memberikan pandangan beliau dengan nyata dan jelas tanpa ada halangan. Jika ada pihak yang menggunakan isu ini sebagai bahan perbahasan dalam menghadapi perhimpunan agung UMNO nanti, itu bukan hal bagi saya dan yang 'sebalok' dengan pandangan saya. Biarlah UMNO atau perwakilannya membahaskannya. Bagi saya, yang penting ialah isu sebenar yang menjadikan pertelingkahan diantara Dr Mahathir dan Abdullah yang sangat serius seolah-olah dua orang pemimpin yang telah berputus arang sekarang ini. Bagaimana berpatah arang itu berlaku perlu diketahui umum kerana ia melibatkan ego dari satu pihak dan maruah bagi satu pihak yang lagi satu. Mahathir kesal kerana memilih Abdullah sebagai penggantinya sebagaimana Tun Hussein Onn yang kesal memilih Dr Mahathir sebagai pengganti beliau. Saya lebih berminat untuk memberikan olahan terhadap bagaimana Dr Mahathir begitu berkesan menjadi Timbalan lantikan Hussein Onn dan menyebabkan Hussein Onn terpaksa meletakkan jawatan sebagai Perdana Menteri dan Presiden UMNO hasil dari 'insubordination' Dr Mahathir sendiri. Yang lebih menarik lagi bagaimana setelah berjaya menurunkan Hussein Onn, Dr Mahathir telah berjaya menurunkan pengganti beliau sendiri, iaitu Abdullah Badawi setelah beliau meletakkan Abdullah sebagai penggantinya. Pendeknya Dr Mahathir dalam sejarah politik beliau hanya pandai menjatuhkan pemimpin termasuk yang telah memilih beliau dan yang menjadikan beliau sebagai pemimpin besar negara. Perkara ini perlu difahami untuk mengetahui bagaimana Dr Mahathir berupaya dan berkesanggupan menjatuhkan pemimpin pilihan beliau sendiri. Tentunya Dr Mahathir mempunyai 'kemahiran' luar biasa kerana berjaya menjatuhkan orang yang menaikkan beliau dan menurunkan orang yang menjadi pilihan beliau sendiri. Itu sebabnya saya pernah memberikan anologi yang Dr Mahathir ini adalah seperti kelendan lori, boleh menaikkan barang kedalam lori dan menurunkan barangan yang dinaikkan oleh beliau apabila sampai ketempat dan waktu pilihan beliau. Dalam masa beliau berkuasa beliau tidak mempunyai selera dan kemahuan untuk membina kepimpinan negara kerana beliau lebih tertumpu kepada memelihara kedudukan dan kemudahan beliau sendiri diatas 'penyeksaan' pihak yang lain. Beliau berbeza dengan Tun Abdul Razak yang telah membina dan mendidik ramai pemimpin yang berkualiti untuk negara bagi menerajui negara dalam jangka masa yang panjang. Tetapi Dr Mahathir ingin menggunakan masa yang panjang itu untuk kegunaan dan kepentingan beliau sendiri. Justeru negara telah menghadapi ketandusan kepimpinan yang tidak mungkin dapat diselesaikan jika tidak ada kemahuan dari ahli-ahli UMNO untuk melakukannya. Jika ramai pun dikalangan ahli-ahli UMNO mahukan perubahan mereka tidak pun memahami apa yang hendak diubah. Budaya yang terbentuk dari zaman Dr Mahathir sehingga sekarang ini tidak memungkinkan UMNO itu mampu diubah dan di lakukan transformasi terhadapnya. Jawapan Abdullah Badawi dalam temubualnya dengan penerbit dan editor buku 'The awakening' ini, memberikan peluang untuk sesiapa yang mahu tahu bagaimana perkara yang dilakukan terhadap Abdullah itu boleh berlaku. Bahkan bukan setakat itu sahaja, Ia juga boleh memberikan jawapan kenapa mereka yang tidak sepatutnya menjadi pemimpin negara dijadikan pemimpin sehinggalah pemimpin yang ada pada hari ini. |
| DAP: Why are firearms suddenly so available in Malaysia? Posted: 10 Aug 2013 04:14 PM PDT
(The Star) - DAP wants to know why there appears to be a ready supply of firearms in Malaysia, especially given the recent rise in local shootings. Party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said despite harsh penalties against illegal gun ownership, it did not appear to have stopped secret societies from using them. "Blaming the repeal of the Emergency Ordinance that released many hardened criminals into society does not fully explain how the supply of guns has suddenly surged in Malaysia," he said in a statement Sunday. Lim urged the police to find out how the guns come into Malaysia and plug the holes. The repeal of the Emergency Ordinance (EO), Lim said, did not explain what he described a sudden "surge" in local gun supply. More than 20 people have been killed in a wave of shootings across the country since April 12 this year. Top DAP leaders have become seriously concerned and will hold an emergency meeting Monday night to discuss, among other things, the recent rise in violent crime has affected local businesses and tourism, Lim said. Lim said that the meeting would be held even though some leaders were away on holiday. As a short-term measure, Lim called for more police to be put on the streets, claiming that only about 9% of 112,583 (10,150) uniformed officers in Malaysia were in the Criminal Investigation Department. He said that at least half of Malaysia's police force were needed to fight crime. "There should be at least 56,000 personnel in uniform patrolling the streets and not the present 10,150," he said.
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| Posted: 10 Aug 2013 04:11 PM PDT
(The Star) - Those familiar with the cyber gaming business say that operations are done by gangs linked to two main groups – Red Door and Blue Door – who are the big players. The town of Donggongon in Penampang has often been dubbed the "illicit" gaming capital of Sabah.Located about 10km from Kota Kinabalu, it is a busy commercial hub with shopping complexes and supermarkets. It is also just a few kilometres away from Beverly Hills where 44-year-old Sarawakian businessman Tiong Choon Kwong was gunned down in a drive-by shooting last week. Word on the street is that the order to kill Tiong came from underworld kingpins in Sarawak. His death came amid a wave of shootings and killings of suspected underworld figures in peninsular Malaysia. Described as a resort developer by police, Tiong's past as a former Restricted Residence detainee led some people familiar with underworld activities to suspect that rivalry for control of the lucrative cyber gambling and illegal four-digit activities in Sabah has erupted. Police, however, have yet to establish if such business rivalry could be the motive behind the shooting of Tiong, who was originally from Sibu, Sarawak and was placed on restricted residence in Kudat in the north of Sabah. Those familiar with the cyber gaming business say that operations are done by gangs linked to two main groups – Red Door and Blue Door – who are the big players. Smaller illicit operations are usually controlled by the Black Door and Yellow Door groups. According to people familiar with Sabah's underworld operations, the Red Door group are made up of international operators with locals and West Malaysians linked to figures from Hong Kong and Taiwan. The Blue Door consists mainly of locals and West Malaysians. Over the years, Sarawak triads have moved to Sabah and taken control of a good portion of the illicit activities. The Sarawakian groups gained a foothold after the police crackdown on illicit money lenders and gambling syndicates in Sarawak between 2005 and 2006. More than a dozen suspected gang leaders are believed to have been sent to Sabah under the Restricted Residence Ordinance after the crackdown. Many are believed to have started gaming operations in towns where they were sent to, like Sandakan, Tawau, Lahad Datu, Semporna and Kunak. Many believe the Sarawakian operators in the state are linked to their respective taiko (leader) in Sarawak and Tiong's shooting might be totally a Sarawak affair. Penampang MP Darell Leiking said Tiong's death should be an eye opener for everyone. "The serious problem is the illegal cyber gaming outlets operating all over Penampang especially with many of them operating right under the nose of the local authorities and police," he said in a statement. "They are causing Penampang to be a district of crime," he added.
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| Abdullah should be ready for a stinger from Dr Mahathir, warns Utusan Malaysia Posted: 10 Aug 2013 04:04 PM PDT
(TMI) - Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi should be ready for a taste of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's "caustic and cynical" rebuttal over the former's remarks in his new book warned Utusan Malaysia. The paper said it was just a matter of time before the country's longest serving prime minister would reply his successor's cutting criticisms.Awang Selamat, the collective voice of the paper's editors, said Abdullah's remarks in the book "Awakening: The Abdullah Badawi Years in Malaysia" has dissipated any hope of improved relations between the two. "I'm praying that a healthier debate will take place so that any negative fallout doesn't affect Umno and Barisan Nasional. This needs both leaders to cooperate," Awang wrote in his weekly column in the Umno-controlled Utusan Malaysia. In the book, Abdullah, popularly known as Pak Lah, spoke about how the country would have gone bankrupt had he bowed to pressure from Mahathir to continue spending without control on mega projects. Abdullah said Mahathir only wanted his suggestions to be followed without question and refused to listen to the opinion of others. He cited an example where he went to see Mahathir to explain the postponement of several mega projects due to a budget deficit but his proposals were rejected and he was told to continue spending. READ MORE HERE
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| DAP says willing to hold public inquiry on party polls Posted: 10 Aug 2013 03:52 PM PDT
(MM) - The DAP offered today to hold a public inquiry into its party polls last December, saying it had "nothing to hide" over the episode which has now led to a directive for it to go for a fresh leadership election. The DAP and the Registrar of Societies (RoS) have been in a deadlock over the matter since July 30 when the party refuse to comply with the authority's order for fresh polls.
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| How about asking the right questions on that book on Pak Lah? Posted: 10 Aug 2013 03:46 PM PDT
Malaysians should read the book to get a better sense of the man who promised so much when he took over from Dr Mahathir in October 2003 and why he ended up delivering so little. (TMI) - Only in Malaysia. Only in Malaysia, would there be an inquisition on a book assessing the performance of a former prime minister. Who is the publisher? Are the editors linked to the opposition? Why is Nurul Izzah Anwar launching the book in Singapore? What is the motive behind the book? Such is the ferocity of speculation and politicisation that the co-editors, academics James Chin and Bridget Welsh, have had to issue a statement clarifying that, A) the book is not Abdullah Badawi's memoirs; and, B) the book was not put together or sponsored by Abdullah Badawi. The irony is that the man who has had his five years in office dissected is not the one kicking up a fuss over the book titled "Awakening: The Abdullah Badawi Years in Malaysia", even though there were some unkind remarks about him. Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, who eyed the top job in Umno, wrote in the foreword that "perhaps it could be said, he fell into the same trap as many Third World leaders as he too succumbed to corrupting tendencies of power". In a real tizzy over the book are politicians and bloggers linked to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who would like to paint the book as a collaboration between Abdullah and the opposition, and therefore worthy of vitriol and rejection by Umno. Also in a spot of bother are Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's strategists - the same people who led him to believe that a two-thirds majority was in the bag. They too are wondering if there is a hidden hand behind the collection of essays and interviews on Abdullah's years as prime minister. How about we assess the book for its content and nothing else? That is always a good starting point when reviewing a book. Without a doubt, the most interesting part of the book is from pages 3 to 38, where Abdullah is interviewed on a laundry list of subjects from the attacks by Dr Mahathir to the dynamics in Umno, to worsening race relations in Malaysia. The rest of the book contains a couple of other interviews and essays on Abdullah's performance in office by political commentators and academia. Malaysians should read the book to get a better sense of the man who promised so much when he took over from Dr Mahathir in October 2003 and why he ended up delivering so little. Unmistakable throughout the book is the sense that the man was completely overwhelmed by the expectations of the nation. It is akin to promising to win Malaysia's first Olympic gold medal but only having the skill and stamina to go past round two. Also coming through crystal clear is the in-built resistance to change and reform offered by Umno during the Abdullah years. This part is important for Malaysians to read and digest because it clearly shows a political elite unable and unwilling to do anything which would upset their place at the buffet line called Malaysia. No matter who leads the ruling party, and how many slogans he can muster, Umno does not accept good governance, transparency, anti-corruption efforts, inter-faith dialogue. The party's entrenched powers detest reform. Abdullah tried it, faced the blowback and walked away with a whimper. Najib Razak attempted it, got singed by Umno and Perkasa and is still licking his wounds. So how can an obstinate political party that has become so detached from the aspirations of the majority of Malaysians bring light to this hope-starved country? Can any personality in Umno's current second echelon line-up of Ali Rustam, Zahid Hamidi, Hishammuddin Hussein succeed where Abdullah, Najib and even the great Dr Mahathir failed? These are valid questions to ponder as Malaysia celebrates its 50 years of existence.
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| Posted: 10 Aug 2013 03:33 PM PDT
A thrilling leadership struggle is shaping up in PKR as Azmin Ali prepares to claim his place at the top spot which has been occupied by Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail since the formation of the party. Joceline Tan, The Star AZMIN Ali and his wife Shamsidar Taharin returned from their umrah on Wednesday afternoon. The PKR deputy president has been to Mecca many times but the journey this time had a poignancy to it. Hours before leaving for the airport, the couple had gone to the home of his 79-year-old mother Che Tom Yahaya. Ties between mother and son have been strained because of Azmin's politics and he had not been to see his mother for about two years. The reunion was thus quite emotional, at least for Che Tom, who shed tears especially when Azmin dropped to his knees at her feet and kissed her hand. He said he had realised his mistake and asked for her forgiveness. The couple had brought along their two younger children as well as Shamsidar's parents.  Azmin seeking forgiveness from his mother before leaving for Mecca. Azmin's show of filial piety softened his mother's heart especially given that it was taking place during the Holy Month. But the matriarch was unyielding on one issue – she told him he must dissociate himself from Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. "That one, let's wait. We take it step by step," he replied. Politicians often perform the umrah to seek divine guidance and Azmin, as everyone knows, is at some sort of political crossroads. The reappointment of Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim as Selangor Mentri Besar (MB) after the general election has been a crushing disappointment to him and his supporters. Azmin needs to make a big move within the party if he wishes to be in line for the job. He feels let down by Anwar whose clout in Pakatan Rakyat seems to have failed him on this issue. Anwar may be Pakatan's choice for PM but he was outvoted on the question of who was to be MB. No one can tell for sure what had transpired between Azmin and Anwar on the MB matter but Azmin's camp claims there was an understanding between Azmin and "KU" (Ketua Umum), as Anwar is known in the party, that their man would take over from Khalid. (From left) Azmin and Khalid seen in a rare moment of togetherness at a function graced by the Selangor Sultan at the new Mesjid Nakhoda in Gombak. The relationship between mentor and mentee is no longer what it used to be. The first sign of that was Azmin's absence at the 505 rallies and his statement that Pakatan should accept the election result and start serving the people who voted for them instead of holding rallies. He also implied that Khalid had failed as MB of Selangor and even made remarks about nepotism, a dig aimed at the papa-mama-daughter power triangle in the party. When Azmin, who is Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman and Gombak MP, called a packed press conference at the PKR headquarters a few days before Khalid was sworn in as MB, party leaders thought he was about to announce his resignation. Anwar had even asked secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution to be on stand-by to contest a by-election. That was how dire things had grown between Azmin and the other top-guns. But Azmin instead reaffirmed his commitment to the party and a potential party crisis was averted. For a while after May 5, that stoic mask of his slipped and people caught a glimpse of the other Azmin. But the mask is firmly back in place.  Wan Azizah: Wields moral authority in the party. Since then, Azmin has played it cool. He has ceased his attacks on Khalid and at a mosque function in Gombak that was graced by the Selangor Sultan, Azmin could be seen deferentially keeping two steps behind the MB. But he was nowhere to be seen at the Selangor government Hari Raya open house on Thursday where Khalid looked thrilled to bits when Anwar and Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail made their grand entrance. The party election is still about eight months away after being postponed to next year. There is a sort of pent-up eagerness about the polls because the stage is set for a grand showdown. "It is a topic now, especially the post of president. But it's very sensitive, everyone is waiting to see who makes the first move," said Selangor Youth chief Azmizam Zaman Huri. Despite reports to the contrary, president Dr Wan Azizah is still eligible to defend her post. Amendments to the party constitution limiting the president to three terms or nine years are effective from the last party polls in 2010 and Dr Wan Azizah can continue if she wants to. She has held the post unchallenged since the party's formation. But is that all about to end now that Azmin has been pushed against the wall? Is the party about to see a contest in the top post for the first time ever? Azmin knows he is not going anywhere as long as Dr Wan Azizah is up there. The lady whom everyone knows as Kak Wan has become a powerful figure behind the scenes. She does not throw her weight around but she exercises "soft power". For instance, the three PKR assemblywomen appointed to the state exco are aligned to her. She has been called a "figurehead president" and even "sleeping beauty" but her clout has grown rather than diminished. "I don't see anyone being able to beat Kak Wan. Her popularity is unique. Even though she does not do much, she has appeal on the ground," said a Youth wing leader from Johor. Very few people think Azmin would dare to challenge Dr Wan Azizah. It would amount to trying to topple the lady who had made sacrifices for the party. Besides, those who know him said he will do it only if he thinks he can win and that he is doing his homework now. "He is experienced, he understands politics. If he wants to go for it, why not? Even Tan Sri Khalid, if he is interested he can try, no problem," said Azmizam.  Azmizam: The top contest is a sensitive issue. A great deal of Dr Wan Azizah's clout was facilitated by Faekah Husin, her former political secretary who is now political secretary to the Mentri Besar. Faekah manages the Mentri Besar's politics for him and has earned a reputation as the "Iron Lady". Faekah was the glue for the powerful alliance between Khalid on one side and Wan Azizah and her daughter Nurul Izzah on the other. It was also a very anti-Azmin alliance. Fallout But there has been a big fallout between Faekah and Dr Wan Azizah. No one can quite put their finger on what went wrong between the two former besties but it is said to have something to do with appointments to the board of state GLCs or what one might call the spoils of war. Dr Wan Azizah minus Faekah would make the challenge a little less formidable for Azmin. But, according to a party insider, there is a dark horse in the wings. Nurul Izzah, the top vice-president, is apparently keen and ready to go for the presidency. She is riding high after winning again in Lembah Pantai. No one doubts that Dr Wan Azizah will make way for her but will Anwar give his blessings? Moreover, it is not going to look good for the party if the presidency goes from mama to daughter with the approval of papa. On top of that, Nurul Izzah is only 32. Imagine if Khairy Jamaluddin, now 36, tries to go for the Umno presidency; he would be criticised inside and outside the party. There has also been chatter that Khalid is also eyeing the presidency but not many people take it seriously. Selangor is a complicated state, the MB has a lot on his plate and his health seems to be a creeping issue. Immediately after the general election, he flew off to Germany for a mysterious "operation on his leg". More recently, he almost passed out after the swearing-in of the state exco. The video of him slurring and listless during the press conference is up on YouTube. He was apparently hit by an acute low-sugar attack but the incident has led to speculation of diabetes. PKR elections used to be about Anwar and his desire to have loyalists up there who can defend him in his political and private life. But the party polls this time will see PKR leaders positioning themselves for the next general election. The more ambitious ones are impatient to move up so that they will be in a good spot if Pakatan succeeds. After their success in two consecutive general elections, many party leaders are starting to look beyond Anwar. They are more confident than ever that the party will survive with or without Anwar. But for now, they will still look to him for signals especially on the question of the presidency. Even Azmin, despite the strained mentor-mentee ties, would not dare to move against Dr Wan Azizah unless Anwar gives the nod. Or will he? Anwar is a smooth operator. If he feels that it is time for Azmin to move up, he would know how to ask Dr Wan Azizah to make way. His problem is having to choose between two persons who have been steadfast to him through all his ups and downs.
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| ‘Inflation may kick-in next year’ Posted: 10 Aug 2013 03:26 PM PDT
"The downward pressure on the ringgit would also become a concern if outflows continue to increase following the US Federal Reserve's intention to cutback bond purchases." (Bernama) - Despite strong economic growth in recent times, the external environment remains a key challenge to Malaysia to maintain a positive growth in near-term. Weak commodity prices, anemic global demand for electrical and electronic products and waning strength of emerging economies such as China and India will pose a challenge to an open economy including Malaysia. Malaysian Rating Corp Bhd Chief Economist Nor Zahidi Alias said global economic uncertainties and jitters that surrounded the 13th General Election were major factors that dragged Malaysia's economy in the first half of the year. "At the same time, weak commodity prices dented the export sector and affected the headline growth," he said. Nor Zahidi said the situation was also being amplified by weaknesses in some emerging economies, including China, which is expected to experience a slower-than-expected growth of between seven percent and 7.5% this year. Nomura in its latest global market research that focused on China remarked that one percentage point drop in China's gross domestic product would lower global growth outside the world's second biggest economy with the hardest hit economies being in Asia. The biggest casualty would be Hong Kong, with growth falling by one percentage point or more, it said. The impact is also large on commodity-producing countries including Malaysia, Australia and those in Latin America despite being located much further away from China. China is the word's largest consumer of commodities including natural rubber and copper. Standard Chartered Bank Regional Head of Research Edward Lee said there were many factors to affect long-term sustainable growth such as a stable macroeconomic environment. "Malaysia has been very successful in maintaining high and sustained growth. Naturally, the battle does not stop here," he said. Higher global food, oil prices However, inflationary pressure may start to kick next year especially if the electricity tariff was adjusted and petroleum subsidy was further reduced, Nor Zahidi said. Lee said global food and oil prices have picked up recently and turned positive on a year-on-year basis. "This may add to inflation although any impetus currently is expected to be moderate. We expect a full year inflation at about 2.1 per cent," he said. Nor Zahidi said the price pressure would also come from the goods and services tax (GST) if it was implemented next year. "We view the impact of GST, if introduced next year, will be a one-off event, but its implication on consumer spending cannot be underestimated," he said. Lee expects further fiscal consolidation to take place in near-term for the government to sustain its long-term fiscal position and to address rising household debts. "Lending conditions may gradually tighten in some areas. For example, the BNM has already introduced new micro prudential rules to address the high household debt," he said. The downward pressure on the ringgit would also become a concern especially if outflows continue to increase following the US Federal Reserve's intention to cutback bond purchases, said Nor Zahidi. "The concern may deepen if Malaysia's current account surplus continue to shrink," he said. Less worrying for Malaysia On the domestic side, the situation was less worrying as some imbalances such as high household debts may induce policymakers to implement measures that will moderate the pace of private consumption, Nor Zahidi added. Malaysia's current account surplus has narrowed to RM8.7 billion in the first quarter 2013 from as high as RM40 billion in the third quarter of 2008. Malaysia's current account surplus has narrowed significantly over the last two years, reaching a 10-year low of 3.7% of GDP in Q1 2013 from over 10% of GDP in 2011. The narrowing has been driven by a combination of weak exports, strong domestic demand and low commodity prices.
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