| What Sickened Me ... Now Listen Carefully ... Posted: 15 Jan 2013 10:57 AM PST 
is the fact that one humiliates those with a lesser "degree" A REPUBLIC OF VIRTUE Dr Azly Rahman is the fact that one humiliates those with a lesser "degree"
that arrogance without substance is the key
this fact sickened me
when one does not know the difference between humility and stupidity
there is a malay advice to follow "resmi padi"
translated as to follow the wisdom of the padi
the more you know the more you gained wisdom through humility
but how could that lady be so blind yet graced with arrogance and stupidity
when one's learning is not one's monopoly but to be shared with the less fortunate in society,
and not to use it as a tool to knock one's head with utmost idiocy
one owes one's learning:
to Society
that taught one to be a agent of change in an otherwise capitalist society
to Nature
that taught us to go back to the Origin of Things we borrow from and turn them into Capital and Technology
O' lady how misguided you are in not seeing that all you have is only temporary
that has to be given back to those you borrow from to make you a person of a "higher degree"
i wish you well though
and less angry
in your way to be a better educator who will teach others with more humility
for all that ever exists between us and those "degrees"
we mistake as intellectual profundity,
is that of nothingness ...
to be given back to Humanity
as we act
as the malays say
like the padi
" ikut resmi padi
makin tunduk apabila makin berisi .."
bless us all
in peace and harmony .... -- ar ********************************** OUR USUAL REMINDER, FOLKS:
While the opinion in the article/writing is mine,
the comments are strictly, respectfully, and responsibly yours;
present them rationally, clearly, politely, and ethically. https://www.facebook.com/#!/azly.rahman http://azlyrahman-illuminations.blogspot.com/ |
| Allah’s Stress: A Poem for Malaysia Posted: 15 Jan 2013 10:53 AM PST PAS what's wrong with you?!
First you say can, now say cannot
Even if you REALLY think 'Allah' is for Muslims only
At least win the elections first la, CAN OR NOT?! Alwyn Lau In the beginning God make the heavens and the earth, But too bad Man also made UMNO God has a plan and He loves us, But how can anything good come from Jib-Kor & Co? Christians already use 'Allah' for so long But now they say only Muslim can use Something about God's special name... Which non-Muslims only know how to abuse Everybody memang tahu it's all political 'Allah' or no 'Allah', Malaysia will still be the same (la) Traffic jam, bad manners, good food, bad football, Only politicians can be so lame (la) You know what a red herring is? It's a kind of fish Or a smart-sounding distraction To fulfil some powerful joker's wish Dirty polls, rural poverty, racial problems, injustice Like work not enough for both Barisan and Pakatan But suddenly must buat kecoh over God's name, Even the atheists also pengsan PAS what's wrong with you?! First you say can, now say cannot Even if you REALLY think 'Allah' is for Muslims only At least win the elections first la, CAN OR NOT?! Because UMNO memang tak peduli You know I know they know - even my nasi lemak know They only want to keep 67% of their pants in parliaments Are they defenders of God? Yeah, then Nik Aziz is Justin Bieber's tailo Elections coming near and Jib-Kor getting desperate, "Cepat-cepat! Let's raise some hell la, "Let's target the Odd One In: PAS "Create friendly-fire in Pakatan, we sit back enjoy the sandiwara" So sick of this, almost want to vomit Malaysian politics always like this, everyday talk sh*t, Powerful people wasting the common people's time Rape the country, then say everything is fine, Thankfully Allah is Good, We know He's the best That day I heard Him say we must vote UMNO out, Because if this continues? Allah also stress. |
| Pahang non-Muslims can't use 'Allah' word Posted: 15 Jan 2013 10:51 AM PST 
(Bernama) - Non-Muslims in Pahang are prohibited from misusing the word of 'Allah' and 34 other words associated with Islam, said its mufti, Datuk Abdul Rahman Osman. He said this was enshrined under the Administration of Islam and Malay Customs of Pahang Enactment 1989 which carries a fine up to RM5,000 or imprisonment up to two years or both upon conviction. Non-Muslims are barred from using the word in statements, speeches, publications or broadcast for it could mislead and affect the faith of Muslims, he told reporters here today. He was commenting on the hullabaloo over the use of the word 'Allah' which erupted after DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, in his Christmas message, urged the federal government to allow Christians to use 'Allah' in the Bahasa Malaysia version of the Bible. Abdul Rahman said the issue should be resolved by enforcing the enactment and abiding by the edict passed by the Muzakarah (Conference) of the Fatwa Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs to avoid disputes, disunity among ummah, and confusion in the society. |
| Harris: Projek IC a false story Posted: 15 Jan 2013 10:47 AM PST 
(The Star) - A former chief minister has rubbished claims of an organised effort to issue Malaysian identification documents to immigrants in Sabah under an alleged operation called "Projek IC". Describing such claims as false,Tan Sri Harris Salleh (pic) told the Royal Commission of Inquiry on Sabah's immigrant problem that he had no authority to order Malaysian agencies to give out identification documents when he was chief minister between 1976 and 1985. He was being questioned by conducting officer Munoj Kurup about such claims. Harris said he had never heard of Projek IC and that the Federal Government was the sole authority for the issuance of identity cards and other documents. He said he did not bother reading any publications about such claims as "I can't be bothered to read cerita palsu (false stories)". Harris said that Federal agencies may have tried to hasten the processing of documents for immigrants such as the IMM13 for those granted refugee status due to the large numbers of applicants. He said that as far as he was aware, those holding the IMM13 documents would eventually be eligible to apply for permanent resident status in the country and could subsequently seek Malaysian citizenship. To a question by Manoj, Harris said "the Federal Government never reported to the state" the number of immigrants who were given citizenship while he was chief minister. He said his Parti Berjaya-led state government was pressed to resolve the refugee problem when it came to power in 1976 as many of them had set up squatter settlements along Kota Kinabalu's seafront causing an eyesore. |
| When pumps fail Posted: 15 Jan 2013 10:44 AM PST 
One does not need a degree in rocket science to understand why there is a need for maintenance. R. Nadeswaran , The Sun SOME members of the Thomas Cup winning team of 1967 referred to him as the "tormentor". That's because he was their fitness coach and he spared no one. Those in sports circles knew him as a double international having played soccer and hockey for Malaya. Those in the football fraternity knew him as "Uncle Nada", but T. Nadarajah worked with the Selangor Waterworks Department in Pantai, Kuala Lumpur, where everyone saw the other side of him. Every year, he used to organise a walk for waterworks employees and in the mid-seventies, I was assigned to cover the event. They all came – the sweepers, plumbers, technicians and engineers. Food was prepared in the compound of the department and for a good measure, beer and toddy flowed. And for prizes, Uncle Nada gave away fruits, vegetables and the main prize was a rattan cage containing five chickens. He said something along the lines that medals and cups are useless to the workers. He would rather give them something which could end up on the dinner table. And one of the most telling remarks he made was: "They can be plumbers and labourers, but it is their hard work that keeps water flowing through your taps. Round-the-clock, they ensure that everything is working." It was an era when bottled water – mineral, distilled, purified, etc – was never heard of. If you were thirsty, you just turned on the tap, clasped your hands and drank the water direct from the source – without any worry or hassle. These days the only beneficiaries of the quality of water are the makers and distributors of water filters. The quality of water leaves much to be desired and tying a piece of cloth to the mouth of the tap will attest to this. I will not delve into the politics of water but raise some pertinent, common sense questions that have to be addressed. I have no intention of going into the contractual disputes between the Selangor government and the concessionaires. Let it be reiterated that privatisation was supposed to enhance quality and service, not to be detrimental to the people. Raw water and processed water are two different things. The problem is the processing of water and it has nothing to do with new dams. From what I have read, the water crisis has nothing to do with privatisation or new treatment plants. It has everything to do with failure of mechanical equipment to pump the water. Was it changed or did it disappear with privatisation? Read more at: http://www.thesundaily.my/node/183515 |
| Sabah people advised to be wary of quarters spreading lies Posted: 15 Jan 2013 10:42 AM PST  Listen to me instead
(Bernama) - "In this world of globalisation, there are irresponsible quarters spreading lies in the Internet that our young people are being influenced by them," she said in her speech at the presentation of school aid at SMK Bandaraya near here yesterday. The people of Sabah were today reminded to be aware of certain quarters spreading lies and tarnishing the government's image, especially on social websites, for their political interests. Sabah Assistant Minister of Resource Development and Information Technology, Datuk Jainab Ahmad, said not all information or materials posted and shared in cyberspace were true. "Therefore, I urge the people in the state, especially the young generation, to read the right information. "In this world of globalisation, there are irresponsible quarters spreading lies in the Internet that our young people are being influenced by them," she said in her speech at the presentation of school aid at SMK Bandaraya near here yesterday. Jainab said many of the young people were confused and did not realise that many things posted in cyberspace were "purposely sensationalised even though they are not true" to attract readers. "This situation can lead to uneasiness and create split among the people. "If not contained, it can create problems in our country," she added. |
| Sharifah Zohra not with us, was hard to control, says KIMMA president Posted: 15 Jan 2013 10:40 AM PST 
(The Malaysian Insider) - Controversial speaker Sharifah Zohra Jabeen, who openly attacked a student at a forum last year, is no longer a member of the Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress (KIMMA), said its president Senator Datuk Syed Ibrahim Kader, who also accused the former National KIMMA Women's Head of having a "hard to control" behaviour. Sharifah Zohra is president of little-known organisation Suara Wanita 1 Malaysia (SW1M) that is seen to be aligned to the ruling BN, was caught on video berating the student — who had stood up to voice her views on the Bersih electoral rally and free education — with remarks such as "when this is our programme, we allow you to speak" and "when I speak, you listen". "Many phone calls to me have asked the same question. "So, I wish to affirm that she is no longer with KIMMA. Whatever she has done and said now does not involve us or our stand," said Syed Ibrahim, not specifying whether she was kicked out of the party or had resigned. Syed Ibrahim confessed to knowing of Sharifah Zohra's vocal and aggressive behaviour when she was in KIMMA and of receiving many negative reports about her. "Yes, we do know about her (Sharifah Zohra's) wild and aggressive behaviour and it is hard to control her," he added. "However, she is no longer in our party." Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/sharifah-zohra-not-with-us-was-hard-to-control-says-kimma-president/ |
| Viral video reveals varsity ‘brainwash’ tactics, says student Posted: 15 Jan 2013 10:39 AM PST  The undergraduates were told in the forum not to emulate opposition leaders such as Nurul Izzah Anwar. — File pic
(The Malaysian Insider) - The university student shown being berated for her views on a viral YouTube clip has said it revealed to the public how state-funded universities use student forums to "brainwash" undergraduates. Second-year law student Bawani KS also expressed surprise that she was now an overnight sensation for questioning panellist Sharifah Zohra Jabeen at the Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) student forum held last December 8. "Now the public will know what's happening in public universities and how they could organise a 'students in politics' forum and yet use it to 'brainwash' the students by telling them that street rallies are wrong while showing pictures of Opposition leaders like Nurul Izzah (Anwar) and telling us not to emulate them," Bawani told The Malaysian Insider. The 27-year-old social activist was glad that the incident went viral as it may get more people to join in her cause to fight for free education for all Malaysians.  When told she has been dubbed "Little Ambiga", ostensibly after Bersih co-chair Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, Bawani (left) laughed it off and went on to say how important it is for people to know that they should continue to fight for their rights.
She said Sharifah Zohra did not owe her an apology but that one was due to all of the students in the forum. "She had belittled all of the students and underestimated all of us," said the undergraduate, who is a member of Parti Socialis Malaysia and its organisation, Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas. While not upset at being told off openly, Bawani is still very worked up over how the whole forum was organised to turn university students against Bersih and street rallies held to highlight the people's rights. "In most parts of the forum, they showed video clips of rallies and pictures of women involved in rallies and then tell the students that this is not how women should act or behave and that those actions are wrong," she recounted when contacted in her hometown in Kampar where she is having a short break from the university. She also expressed surprise that Higher Education Deputy Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah contacted her over the incident. "He told me he is supportive of me and I replied that NGO leaders like Sharifah (Zohra) should not be allowed to organise such one-sided forums in public universities," she said. Bawani said it would be fairer to have a forum where both sides of the political divide are present to openly debate their different views on issues. Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/viral-video-reveals-varsity-brainwash-tactics-says-student/ |
| Just When You Think That Karpal Singh Is The Most Principled DAP Leader... Posted: 15 Jan 2013 05:26 AM PST 
Khoo Kay Peng I doubt there is any DAP leader or delegate has any intention to challenge the party election results. However, DAP national chairperson Karpal Singh stressed that DAP's decision not to hold fresh party polls to rectify the electoral blunder, should be final as it cannot be challenged in court. In a short statement today, the Bukit Gelugor MP said the repeated calls for DAP to call a fresh election "should, and must, take into account section 18(c) of the Societies Act 1966 relating to the finality of the decision on such matters by a political party".
He quoted the section which stipulates "the decision of (any) political party to be final and conclusive".
"The decision of a political party or any authorised persons by the party or by its constitution, rules or regulations made thereunder on the interpretation of its constitution, rules or regulations or on any matter relating to the affairs of the party shall be final and conclusive and such a decision shall not be challenged, appealed against, reviewed, quashed or called in question in any court on any ground, and no court shall have jurisdiction to entertain or determine any suit, application, question or proceeding on any ground regarding the validity of such a decision".
Ironically, it was a provision planted by Dr Mahathir Mohamad after his near defeat in the UMNO's party elections by subjugating the judiciary. The DAP has been quite vocal of Dr Mahathir's interference of the judiciary and the draconian amendment which has given leaders of political parties near autocratic powers.
I have more problem with Karpal's recital of Section 18(c) of the Societies Act 1966 to quash and quell any possible opposition against the party's decision not to hold fresh elections than the blunder itself. It shows that Karpal and his party leadership have no qualm to use any draconian legal provision created by an authoritarian leader such as Dr Mahathir Mohamad as long as it fits and fulfills the needs of his party. READ MORE HERE |
| Lest we forget Posted: 14 Jan 2013 10:58 PM PST 
Nevertheless, the point is, that 'historical crowd' did not help the opposition do better. Instead, the opposition did worse. And we celebrated too early our 'success' in 2000 because we translated the crowd in that most historical demonstration into an election victory. THE CORRIDORS OF POWER Raja Petra Kamarudin What BN and Pakatan should be worried about Tay Tian Yan, Sin Chew Daily Barisan Nasional (BN) probably had not anticipated that the January 12 rally could cause a stir at all. Past records show that rallies initiated by Pakatan Rakyat, other than the Bersih rallies, could only manage under-10,000 attendance, at best 20,000 to 30,000 on full mobilisation. The 10,000 to 30,000 that took to the streets could be easily seen as diehard supporters of the opposition pact that would remain loyal whether Pakatan had performed up to the mark or BN had put in any effort to change. Such a figure could be easily digested by BN and so long as the attendance was placed within this bracket, the impact it would leave on the ruling coalition would be minimal. BN laid its hopes on the silent majority. So long as these people adopted a wait-and-watch attitude, BN should be able to bring them into its fold. BN has vast resources at its disposal and Pakatan can make mistakes at times. That explains why Najib prefers to wait instead of rushing to dissolve the Parliament. The attendance of last weekend's rally far exceeded the estimates of the BN government. Whether it was the 50,000 estimated by the police, the 100,000 claimed by BN, or even the 150,000 some others have estimated, the figure was way higher than what the BN had anticipated. Where did these additional participants come from? Why had so many answered Pakatan's call? Could the moderate stance adopted by the police and government embolden the masses to take to the streets? This is what BN was eager to find out. If we take 100,000 as a reference, it shows that many erstwhile passive Pakatan supporters and political neutrals have indeed changed their minds. They refused to stay silent and chose to throw their arms around Pakatan. Some of them did not have a firm or solid political inclination in the past but have now begun to care about social issues and national development. They were led there by a plethora of factors ranging from dismal government policies, discrepancies in economic development, environmental concerns, widespread public sector corruption and lack of transparency in electoral procedures, among others. They want a country with a bright future, a more promising society. When they felt the government had failed them, or the government had slackened in implementing its reform agenda, they rose up to demonstrate their feelings. The moment Pakatan's appeals met with their aspirations, they would walk out of their passivity and silent past to embrace Pakatan. When they have become active opponents to the government, a snowballing effect would ensue, enticing more people to their camp. BN should become truly worried when more and more people have chosen to drop their silence, and the ruling coalition. As for whether a tough crackdown could stop the people from going to the street, I would say no. People would still pour out onto the streets and if subjected to oppressive operations from the government, will be more enraged, bringing the anti-government sentiment way further and broader than anyone could cope with. What BN did right was to respond with a peaceful gesture which has spared it from much more horrible eventualities. Something that BN can do now is to expedite reforms to win over the rest of the silent majority. As for Pakatan, it has to make sure not to commit even the slightest mistakes to sustain the momentum. The policies of PAS-led Kedah state government have dealt a blow to the integrity of Pakatan Rakyat; so have the controversies over the use of the word "Allah." Improper handling of either could signal the start of its downfall. *********************************************** 
THE 100,000 CROWD FIVE KILOMETRES LONG On 5th November 2000, one year after the general election of 29th November 1999, one of the largest demonstrations in Malaysian history was held along the Kesas Highway, which was met with extreme show of force and brutality by the Malaysian police. This got the government so worried that soon after that they detained without trial ten of those involved in its organisation, me being one of those ten. According to the testimony of the Malaysian police during the RCI that was conducted to investigate the extreme force that was used, no less than 100,000 demonstrators took to the streets that day. For the first time in history both the police and the organisers agreed on the figure, 100,000. That November 2000 demonstration, one year after the general election of 1999, was supposed to be the foundation for the 'big push' in the following general election expected around 2004 or so. Due to that exceptionally large crowd of 100,000, against the backdrop of about six million voters, that gave the opposition great encouragement. Surely that 100,000 crowd turnout was going to help the opposition do better than it did in the November 1999 general election. In the 1999 general election, the opposition won two states and 45 Parliament seats. In the following general election expected in 2004 or so, the opposition can easily increase this to five states and more than 80 Parliament seats. But this did not happen. What happened instead was the opposition lost one state, Terengganu, and got reduced to less than half the Parliament seats, only 21. There is, of course, more than one reason for this disaster, partly the opposition's fault and partly because of what the ruling party did. Nevertheless, the point is, that 'historical crowd' did not help the opposition do better. Instead, the opposition did worse. And we celebrated too early our 'success' in 2000 because we translated the crowd in that most historical demonstration into an election victory. Let us not make that same mistake again -- as we have done so many times since then in Sanggang, Indera Kayangan, and so on, until the 2004 general election when the opposition got its arse whacked good and proper. I suppose the English proverb 'don't count your chickens before they hatch' holds true here. And this time around the voter turnout would probably increase from just six million in 1999 to more than ten million. |
| Yo, people, listen up! Posted: 14 Jan 2013 07:16 PM PST 
And herein lies the tragedy. When I talk to the non-Malay students I get the impression that those selected and sent overseas are the crème de la crème. But when I talk to the Malay students I do not get this impression. In fact, if I had been given the job of vetting through the students, many, or maybe even the majority, of those selected would have been disqualified. NO HOLDS BARRED Raja Petra Kamarudin Sharifah Zohra Jabeen Syed Shah Miskin certainly stirred a hornet's nest and in the process spawned an entirely new satire/music video industry. So much has been said about this incident that I think it is totally unnecessary for me to comment about the matter any further. What is of interest to me, however, is Sharifah's comparison of those with a mere 'O' level to those who are university graduates. According to her, those who do not have a tertiary education are inferior to those who do. Actually, if you were to drive on Malaysian roads, you will never be able to differentiate between those who have no (or a lower) education and those who have a higher/tertiary education. From their bad manners on the road and the inconsiderate attitude that they demonstrate, you will never be able to tell the difference. If education is meant to make you a better and more learned person, Malaysia has certainly failed in this respect. Whether you have a Ph.D. or you are a fisherman or farmer it makes no difference. The way Malaysians drive, those who have a Ph.D. and those who have never gone to school are exactly the same. I have said this before, many times, and I am going to say it again. In the UK, you go to a driving school to learn how to drive. That is because you need to know how to drive to be able to pass your driving test and get a driving licence. In Malaysia, you go to driving school to learn how to pass your driving test. It does not matter whether you know how to drive or not. Passing your driving test and getting your driving licence does not depend on whether you know how to drive. It depends on whether you got your driving licence 'through' the driving school. Hence people who know how to drive, but did not go through a driving school to sit for their driving test, will fail the driving test while those who do not know how to drive, but went through a driving school to sit for their driving test, would pass the driving test. And that is why the majority of Malaysians do not know how to drive plus the fatality rate due to traffic accidents in Malaysia, on a per capita basis, is ten times that of the UK. Actually, more than half of those people driving on Malaysian roads should never have been allowed to drive. The tragedy is not so much that they kill themselves but that they kill others due to their recklessness and inconsiderate attitude. Do you want to know one thing? If you have a driving licence from Brunei, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa, Canada, Australia, the Republic of Korea, (mainly the Commonwealth and EU countries), etc., (a total of 50 countries in all) you can exchange it for a UK driving licence. Malaysian driving licences, however, are not accepted for exchange. That says a lot about the 'quality' of Malaysian driving licences. And the same applies to Malaysia's education system. Just like in the case of Malaysian driving schools, Malaysia's education system is not about getting an education and becoming learned but about passing your exams. And they will 'lower the bar' if necessary to allow more people to 'jump over'. Hence those who do not deserve to pass get passed and are then sent for their tertiary education, and in some cases to an overseas university. Over the last four years since 2009, I have bumped into many Malaysian students -- those post graduate students doing their masters and/or Ph.D. as well. And I have come to a very troubling conclusion. Nevertheless, this is merely my own opinion and, not being from the academic field, I am looking at things from the eyes of a layman and not from the eyes of an academician. First of all, Malaysian Malays at overseas universities are mostly government-sponsored students while those non-Malay Malaysians, according to what they tell me, are FAMA-sponsored students. When they first told me they are 'FAMA-sponsored' students I thought they meant FAMA the Lembaga Pemasaran Pertanian Persekutuan (SEE HERE: http://www.fama.gov.my/). "Does FAMA give out scholarships or grants?" I asked these non-Malay and mostly Chinese students. This was certainly news to me. I had to chuckle when they explained that FAMA means fada-mada (father-mother). But this is no chuckling matter. I feel it is sinful that all the Malay students are 'government scholars' whereas the non-Malay students are 'private funded'. Why is there not a more equitable balance, at par with the racial composition of the country? I know this has, for a long time, been a bone of contention amongst the non-Malays. The Malays, no doubt, hide behind the New Economic Policy (NEP) to justify this 'sin' while the non-Malays resent the NEP for this very reason. Hence discussing this matter is just going to open up a can of worms and I suspect the comments below this article are going to turn this article into a race-bashing exercise. But I am not trying to turn this into a race-bashing exercise. My concern is that when I speak to these students (of all races) I find that the attitude, mentality and intelligence level of the Malay students leave much to be desired whereas the attitude, mentality and intelligence level of the non-Malay students are far superior compared to that of the Malay students. And herein lies the tragedy. When I talk to the non-Malay students I get the impression that those selected and sent overseas are the crème de la crème. But when I talk to the Malay students I do not get this impression. In fact, if I had been given the job of vetting through the students, many, or maybe even the majority, of those selected would have been disqualified. The other side of the argument, of course, is that if only the 'higher grade' Malay students are selected and sent overseas while those who fail to make the grade are excluded, then the ratio of Malay to non-Malay students sent overseas would be very low. At the end of the day, the ratio of Malays to non-Malays would probably be reduced to 1 in 10. I can understand and appreciate this argument. We need to give the Malay students a chance. If not then very few Malay students would have the opportunity of an overseas tertiary education. Other countries, too, have racial quotas to help the minorities get ahead. But in the case of the other countries, the racial quotas and the lowering of the bar are meant to help the minorities, who otherwise would be left behind. Malaysia, however, is doing this for the majority, not the minorities such as the Ibans, Dayaks, Orang Asli, etc. Instead of lowering the bar to allow as many Malays as possible to 'jump over', the government should explore how to increase the standard of education to enable more people to clear the bar (without having to lower it). In other words, don't teach Malays how to pass their driving test. Teach Malays how to drive. Then, when they sit for their driving test, they will pass. If you mass-produce graduates like on an assembly line, then you will end up getting low quality people. And that is not the objective of an education. So those who have degrees/masters or Ph.D. should not be too proud of that fact. It is not the piece of paper that you possess which we should talk about but the quality of that paper. And when you open your mouth you reveal that the paper you possess is…well…not worth the paper it is written on. |
| ‘Jeffrey desperate because STAR falling apart’ Posted: 14 Jan 2013 04:36 PM PST 
Angkatan Perubahan Sabah chief Wilfred Bumburing has reminded STAR's Jeffrey Kitingan of his own "cari makan politics" past. Joseph Bingkasan, FMT KOTA KINABALU: Tuaran MP Wilfred Bumburing believes that State Reform Party (STAR) chief Jeffrey Kitingan's incessant attacks on him is because of Angkatan Perubahan Sabah's (APS) increasing presence in KadazanDusunMurut areas. Bumburing said it was now obvious that Jeffrey, who's been claiming absolute strength in KDM areas, was "desperate" because "STAR is falling apart since the formation of APS". He said the dissolution of the STAR Papar division last month with the exit of well-known activist Patrick Sindu and more than 1,000 members was an indication of the beginning. All of them joined PKR. "My political history is well recorded and I need not have to elaborate. "In contrast, the people in general especially Sabahans are well versed with the political record of Jeffrey Kitingan," Bumburing said. He also hit out at Jeffrey for accusing him of practicing "cari makan politics". "If l were to practise politics of "cari makan" then the best platform would be to remain in BN. "Wouldn't you find it very ironic for someone who left the comfort of a ruling party like BN to join the opposition camp and thereafter be labelled as practising 'politics cari makan,"? he asked alluding to Jeffrey's comments last weekend. Bumburing reminded Jeffrey that he too had practiced the 'cari makan' politics and the latter's own history of moving from party to party reflected this and his one deep desire to become the Chief Minister of Sabah. "But with Jeffrey just 'cari makan' is not enough for him. He must 'makan besar'. "Jeffrey Kitingan mentioned about certain people who are prepared to sell their soul to secure position. "Let me remind Jeffrey, lest he has forgotten about his own record. "Did he not (once) join the federal government as a deputy minister? Can he also explain to the people about his application twice to become an Umno member? asked Bumburing. READ MORE HERE |
| Who is the kingmaker? Posted: 14 Jan 2013 04:03 PM PST 
Lim Sue Goan, Sin Chew Daily Utusan Malaysia recently published a photo of a Malay participant in the Perhimpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat rally on Saturday holding a DAP flag. It is a scene unimaginable during the Mahathir administration. The DAP had been labelled as an anti-Malay party over the years. Did the photo show that Malays have not only accepted the DAP, but are also willing to openly show their support? If it is a trend, the change of regime will then not be something impossible. In fact, the 13th general election is the first election in history with the highest chance of a regime change. The possible regime change mentioned by the opposition earlier was only wishful thinking as political conditions were not conducive yet. During the 1990 general election, the opposition parties formed the United Opposition Front (UOF) and shouted slogans to change the regime. It triggered a wave of ripples, but the BN regime remained steady. The opposition was always defeated in the last century as Umno grabbed most of Malay votes, until the outbreak of a party crisis within Umno in 1987, when Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah formed the Semangat 46 party after failing to challenge Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Only then, the opposition saw a hope of overturning the BN. However, Tengku Razaleigh's influence was not reflected in the Malay community. Semangat 46 suffered a great loss in the 1990 general election and many political critics blamed him for wearing a Kadazan headgear with the so-called Christian cross on it during an activity in Sabah. In fact, the key was because Malay voters did not wish to change. The Chinese were passionate at that time. Therefore, the DAP was able to win 14 state seats in Penang and it could have taken over Penang if it had gained three more seats. Lim Kit Siang also ended the political career of Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu. In addition, PAS took over Kelantan. The opposition ushered in another opportunity to change the regime in the 1999 general election. The then Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was dismissed and arrested in September 1998, triggering the Reformasi movement. Anwar's wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail founded PKR and later formed the Alternative Front with PAS and the DAP. PAS was the big winner in that election. The DAP suffered a great loss, with even Dr Chen Man Hin, Karpal Singh and Lim Kit Siang losing their seats as Chinese voters were scared away by the Islamic state issue. The newly founded PKR won five parliamentary seats or 11.67 per cent of the votes. It is not true to say the Reformasi movement had set off the anti-ruling party current among the Malay community. If Malay voters opposed Umno, BN should have lost power. In the 2004 general election, BN was able to regain Malay votes. Umno encountered a split after Mahathir lashed out at Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi during the 2008 general election. Indirectly, it led to the political tsunami. And now, could they still change the regime after Umno has reunited? It is not practical to hope for a split in Umno to achieve the change of power as votes would eventually return to BN. The alternative coalition can overcome the saying that describes Umno as the protective umbrella of the Malay only by changing the mindset and pursuing reforms. Most Perhimpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat rally participants were Malays. However, would rural voters accept the DAP? Different from the previous two general elections, there are four million swing voters this time, including 2.9 million new voters. The key to defend Putrajaya depends on whether racial politics is still working. History might repeat itself if racial politics resurfaces. |
| Wife: Koay forgot to pray to the ‘tokong’ Posted: 14 Jan 2013 03:44 PM PST 
(The Star) - A Facebook posting by the wife of Pulau Tikus DAP assemblyman Koay Teng Hai has become a talking point as she implied that Koay was in his current situation as he did not pray to the "tokong" (deity). Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press reported that Lee Su Li posted on Koay's Facebook: "Teng Hai, Teng Hai! You pray in almost all the temples in Penang but you forget to pray to The One' ...." (this is a direct translation from the posting in Mandarin). Lee's posting was in reply to Koay's message to his supporters where he apologised for being suspended from the party for six months. Even though Lee did not directly state who she was referring to, some people had linked the posting to the incident where Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mansor Othman had allegedly said that Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was regarded as a "tokong" by the people in Penang. The remarks came public in a leaked recording, which was later reproduced in an online news report and a news broadcast. Lee's reply had received "Like" from some Netizens. Koay was suspended from the party for missing a crucial Penang state assembly meeting. His action almost resulted in Pakatan Rakyat missing the necessary two-thirds majority vote to amend the state constitution. When asked by the Nanyang reporter whether he would contest as an independent candidate, Koay said he would only comment at the appropriate time. Koay said he had received a lot of messages from his supporters and thanked them for their support. |
| Star apologises to lawyer Rosli Dahlan Posted: 14 Jan 2013 03:33 PM PST In October 2007 we had published two news articles about the arrest and prosecution of lawyer Rosli Dahlan with the titles "ACA arrests Singapore lawyer" and "Lawyer charged with hiding information on his assets" respectively. We acknowledge that the words used in the articles refer to lawyer Rosli and they were untrue and should be clarified as follows: > That he is not a Singapore lawyer and is in fact a Malaysian lawyer; > That he does not hold a PR Status and in truth is a Malaysian citizen; > That he is not and has never been a nominee for the senior police officer under investigation nor for that matter any other police officer; > That he had not failed to file a declaration required by the Anti-Corruption Agency and in truth and in fact had filed a statutory declaration dated 20.09.2007, within the period stipulated by the notice served on him, under section 32(l) (c) of the Anti-Corruption Act 1997 declaring that he does not hold any assets for any police officer; > That he was never issued with any order to declare his spouse's assets nor was his spouse asked to make any declaration of her assets; and > That he is not connected to, nor did he hide any assets, nor was he charged for hiding any assets of the senior police officer who was then under investigation by the ACA. Our said news articles have conveyed the meaning that Rosli was a foreign lawyer who had acted in manner contrary to the proper behaviour and ethics of an advocate and solicitor. We wish to clarify that we did not intend to cast any such negative imputation against the character or reputation of Rosli and any such imputation is greatly regretted. If such imputation was conveyed in the article, we hereby unreservedly and unconditionally apologise to Rosli for any distress or embarrassment that he may have suffered as a result of the publication. |
| Myth of ‘Umno is Malay; Malay, Umno’ forever shattered! Posted: 14 Jan 2013 03:16 PM PST 
It is too late to change the personnel at EC. Besides, that would not make any difference. They have been indoctrinated to believe that their agency is just another electoral instrument of Barisan instead of an independent agency answerable to the King and thus the citizens. The only credible way to ensure fair and free elections would be to invite external observers. M Bakri Musa, The Malaysian Insider While Umno apologists and sycophants in academia, blogosphere and the mainstream media quibbled over such minutia as the number of participants at last Saturday's massive KL112 (January 12) rally, two facts are indisputable. First, that peaceful and largely Malay demonstration, the largest the nation had ever witnessed, forever shattered the myth that Umno is Melayu, and Melayu, Umno. Second, given a modicum of respect by and without provocation from the authorities, Malaysians are quite capable of partaking in peaceful rallies. On this second point the authorities, specifically the police under its new leadership, are finally learning that water tankers, personnel with anti-riot gear or tear-gas canisters and other crude displays of power often precipitate rather than prevent violence. Bersih 3.0 demonstrated that very clearly. The size and orderliness of the rally, together with the bravery and determination of the participants, was reminiscent of the transformative event of over 66 years earlier, the opposition to the Malayan Union Treaty. That altered the course of our history. Insha' Allah (God willing), last Saturday's rally too, will. The power imbalance between those demanding change and those in power back in 1946 was enormous. Then it was mostly illiterate and unsophisticated Malay peasants facing the much superior and more formidable colonial authorities. Yet in the end, right won over might, and justice prevailed! Today, while the Umno government is detested to the same degree as the old colonials, it is nowhere as sophisticated a wielder of power as the British. Meanwhile, those clamouring for change are far more worldly, more committed and in far greater numbers than their adversary, Umno and its supporters. More importantly, unlike the colonials, today's Umno government is crippled with corruption and incompetence while also being crude wielders of power. All the more we should expect that right and the truth, as well as justice, will again prevail. National Laureate Pak Samad's stirring reading of his poetry "Di Atas Padang Sejarah" (On This Field of History) last Saturday at Merdeka Stadium prompted me to make that comparison with the anti-Malayan Union movement. He is old enough to remember and may have even participated in that historic protest. "Di atas padang sejarah," Pak Samad asserted in his poetry, "pantang kita mungkiri janji." (We must not renege on our promises.). Today, the successors to those who brought us Merdeka over 55 years ago have betrayed that great promise. While Pak Samad's gray hair and rousing poetry lent an air of history and gravity to the moment, the Blue Gang's Ito Mohammad and his "Ubah Sekarang" (Change Now!), specifically composed for the occasion, gave the gathering a certain hip! There was no mistaking however, the seriousness of his message. "Ubah sekarang," Ito belted out in his trademark rhythm and blues beat to the cheers of thousands, "Kita cari kebenaran! (We seek the truth!) Ubah sekarang/Teggakkan Keadilan (Institute justice!)" Then to the roar of the crowd, he added, "Ubah Sekarang/Send-off Barisan!" Ito is a talented performer and a committed crusader with a definite mission, in the mould of Bono. Ito is for truth and justice, to give meaning to Merdeka, for the sake of our children and grandchildren. One thing is certain: Ito is no carma (cari makan — hired hand) artist! The anti-Malayan Union movement was led by the charismatic, farsighted and savvy Datuk Onn; so too KL112 in the person of Anwar Ibrahim. In many substantive ways Anwar is a far more formidable and superior leader. Onn meekly obeyed the commands of his Sultan in the sycophantic manner of Hang Tuah, and was banished to Singapore; Anwar in the chivalrous tradition of Hang Jebat had the courage to take on a man far more powerful (at least then) than the Sultans or King — Mahathir. Anwar paid greatly, physically and in many other ways, for his defiance but in the end, unlike Jebat, Anwar prevailed. Last Saturday was proof of that victory. Meanwhile his old nemesis Mahathir was left to rant in his blog. Far more important than leaders are the commitments of their followers. Umno could not have organised a rally a fraction of the size of KL112 without resorting to bribes, outright giveaways, or having their carma artists, academics and journalists singing high praises for its leaders. There was a pathetic attempt, no doubt by a bumbling Umno operative, at a Facebook posting, calling those rally participants to collect their fees! That posting bombed as it was immediately exposed for the hoax that it was. Those Umno hired hands were not even sophisticated enough to pull a cyberstunt! Anwar commits to 10 goals, the top being free and fair elections. Elections must not only be fair and free but, more importantly, be seen as such. Our Election Commission lacks credibility, both in conducting elections as well as maintaining the integrity of the electoral rolls. It is too late to change the personnel at EC. Besides, that would not make any difference. They have been indoctrinated to believe that their agency is just another electoral instrument of Barisan instead of an independent agency answerable to the King and thus the citizens. The only credible way to ensure fair and free elections would be to invite external observers. Free and fair elections should be the priority. The responsibility for maintaining the integrity of the electoral process extends beyond the EC and Election Day. READ MORE HERE |
| Exco Kedah: Garis panduan Tahun Baru Cina ditarik balik Posted: 14 Jan 2013 03:09 PM PST 
Nomy Nozwir, The Malaysian Insider Kerajaan Kedah menarik balik garis panduan mengenai sambutan Tahun Baru Cina, dan memberi kelonggaran berdasarkan kesesuaian sambutan perayaan tersebut, kata Exco Kerajaan Negeri Datuk Dr Hamdan Mohamed Khalib. Beliau yang merupakan Exco Belia dan Kesenian, Kebudayaan dan Warisan berkata, kelulusan diberikan oleh kerajaan negeri bagi melaksanakan program tersebut dengan tatacara yang sesuai berdasarkan kod etika pemakaian yang sesuai dengan budaya kaum tersebut. "Garis panduan yang baru dikeluarkan untuk pihak badan City Plaza dan Pertubuhan Gerakan Belia Bersatu Malaysia Negeri Kedah untuk menjalankan program tersebut dengan jayanya tanpa syarat-syarat garis panduan yang terdahulu. "Ini cuma garis panduan, boleh diubahsuai mengikut keadaan, yang penting kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat tidak sombong dan tidak takut untuk mengakui kesilapan yang berlaku," kata Khalib melalui satu kenyataan hari ini. Menurut Khalib, mengenai isu berkenaan garis panduan bagi penganjuran program '1Malaysia Sambutan Tahun Baru Cina 2013', Khalib berkata, berlaku terlepas pandang mengenai garis panduan yang melibatkan acara perayaan. Beliau berkata, garis panduan yang dikeluarkan kerajaan negeri bertujuan untuk mengawal masalah sosial yang berlaku di negeri tersebut, terutamanya melibatkan remaja Melayu-Islam. "Pun demikian, untuk program-program melibatkan kaum Cina, India dan Siam, berkaitan dengan sambutan perayaan keagamaan dan budaya, garis panduan diberikan kelonggaran," kata Khalib lagi. Berkenaan dengan isu hanya pelajar sekolah yang dibenarkan dalam persembahan itu, Khalib enggan mengulas, sebaliknya berkata ia bergantung kepada garis panduan yang ditetapkan. Dalam kenyataan media dari pejabat Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Azizan Razak berkata penganjur hendaklah memastikan setiap peserta yang terlibat dalam persembahan pentas pada program tersebut, sama ada lelaki atau perempuan (kanak-kanak atau dewasa) mestilah berpakaian sopan atau tidak menjolok mata. Penganjuran program '1Malaysia Sambutan Tahun Baru Cina 2013' oleh kerajaan negeri Kedah yang akan berlangsung di Star Walk Alor Setar, Kedah, pada 15 Februari depan. Presiden MCA Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek menyifatkan garis panduan kerajaan PAS Kedah mengenai sambutan Tahun Baru Cina, sebagai menggugat serta menghakis hak dan kebebasan golongan bukan Islam di negeri itu. READ MORE HERE |
| ‘Don’t politicise illegals issue’ Posted: 14 Jan 2013 02:52 PM PST 
The first hearing of the Sabah RCI was told that the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) had in 1985 ordered the ceasing of the registration of Filipino immigrants. Free Malaysia Today KOTA KINABALU: The first sitting of the much anticipated Sabah Royal Commission of Inquiry into illegal immigrants in the state which began yesterday heard a suggestion for the matter not to be politicised. Historian Ramlah Adam said the illegal immigrants issue in Sabah should be viewed as a national issue and not as a political one. She said viewing this issue in any other way would only mean that the commission was not sincere in resolving the problem. "Any party that looks at it as a political issue is not sincere in wanting to resolve it," said Ramlah, a former lecturer at Universiti Malaya who had written numerous books and conducted research on history. She was responding to a question by conducting officer Manoj Kurup. Earlier she said the Filipinos came to Sabah because of various factors, among them, genealogical and religious similarities, for employment and also because they shared the same ocean. "I believe this unwritten and unexpressed relationship existed in the name of religion, brotherhood and ancestry," she said. Ramlah was testifying at the hearing to investigate the decades-long allegations that the government had helped thousands of illegal immigrants gain citizenship in return for votes to the ruling coalition. (Umno entered Sabah in 1991 and has since been accused of legalising the tens and thousands of illegal immigrants to ensure it stays in power in Sabah.) Also at yesterday's hearing, Prof Emeritus Dr Ranjit Singh said that the state had seen a sudden "jump" in population in the 1991 consenses. Exponential increase in 1991
Testifying before RCI chief, former chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak Steven Shim, he said in the 1970 Sabah Census, the population was noted as 651,000 and there was no category for non-citizens. But in 1991 the population consensus indicated that there were 1.7 million people in Sabah, of which about 423,000 were non-citizens. He said this was not because of "a natural population increase but due to non-citizens." He said the census did not mention "who" these non-citizens were. Ranjit also disagreed with RCI panel member Herman Luping that the non-citizens recorded in the 1991 census were "transient people" "With due respect, to my understanding transient people are those coming in and out using boats and ships. As far as I am concerned when a government takes a census, it is the people who are residing at the place. "I think they were residing in Sabah but without citizenship," added Ranjit, who has written four books and 50 articles said the history of Sabah. His book "The Making of Sabah" (1865-1991) third edition, which offered a detailed rundown of the demographic development of Sabah's population, was tendered as an exhibit. According to the book, the first official consensus in Sabah was taken in 1891 and that time the total population in Sabah was 67,000. The Dusun tribe formed the majority with 34,000 people. The rest comprised Bajaus (11,000), Chinese (7,000), Suluks (3,700) and Brunei (3,700). Other indigenous communities were lumped together at 6,000 while the numbers of the Orang Sungai tribe was unknown. READ MORE HERE |
| Swiss MPs: Freeze Taib assets from ‘criminal origins’ Posted: 14 Jan 2013 02:45 PM PST 
Taib Mahmud's estranged daughter-in-law Shanaz Majid's sworn testimony is evidence for a 'criminal complaint' filed by MPs in the Swiss Parliament. Free Malaysia Today Twenty-two MPs have tabled a motion in the Swiss Parliament seeking to freeze Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud's assets in Switzerland following the shocking disclosure by his estranged daughter-in-law Shanaz Majid in a Malaysian court during her divorce proceedings. The MPs also asked that these "assets" be held in trust and eventually passed on to the Sarawak people. The motion was filed yesterday. In the motion, the MPs described Taib as "having abused his public office in a spectacular way" and referred to Shanaz's sworn testimony
as evidence of how he "illicitly" enriched himself. (Taib's family assets had been "estimated at 20 billion Swiss franks".) Shanaz was once married to Taib's eldest son Mahmud Abu Bekir. In her testimony Shanaz listed out Mahmud's wealth which included personal accounts in Canada, US, Carribean, France, Monaco, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Malaysia and Hong Kong. Shanaz also said Mahmud was worth "in excess of RM1 billion" and held two personal accounts with US$25 million in Edmond de Rothschild in Luxembourg and another US$31 million in the bank's two other accounts in Switzerland. She further added that Mahmud had: "Two HSBC accounts in Jersey which have deposits of US$34 million, while an HSBC account in Hong Kong holds deposits of US$9.6 million in Mahmud's name. All these accounts have a combined value of US$100 million." "He has five bank accounts at the Pictet and Cie bank in Bahamas, the Caribbean, with deposits of US$18 million, and another account at the Safra bank in Bahamas with deposits of US$2 million. "Eight personal accounts are under my husband's name at the Safra Bank in Monaco with deposits amounting to US$38.3 million. "Besides this, he also has seven bank accounts under the Union Bank Switzerland with deposits of US$27 million, and another account under HSBC Bank in Jersey which he may have withdrawn." In her testimony, Shanaz had also confirmed that Taib was the richest man in Malaysia and possibly South East Asia. 'Criminal organisation' Yesterday's motion was accompanied by a letter to the Attorney General of the Swiss Confederation Michael Lauber. In the letter, Geneva MP Carlos Sommaruga described Taib, his family and "entourage" as having formed or being part of a "criminal organisation" as defined by article 260 of the Swiss Penal Code. He also demanded that the government confisticate all assets "at the power of this criminal organisation" that had been deposited in Switzerland as defined by article 72 of the Swiss Criminal Code. Meanwhile, Swiss daily Sonntagszeitung reported that Taib had been the "largest beneficiary" of the oil palm plantations in Sarawak. "In power since 1981, the granting of logging concessions and the establishment of industrial monopolies have made him the richest man in Malaysia. "According to the Bruno Manser Fund, the Taib clan has amassed US$20 billion. Part of these funds are likely to be held in Switzerland," noted the report. READ MORE HERE |
| Immunity for Deepak: PKR promises justice Posted: 14 Jan 2013 02:42 PM PST 
Pakatan cannot guarantee protection for Deepak Jaikishan, but it can promise that he will be dealt with justly. Anisah Shukry, FMT PKR has assured businessman Deepak Jaikishan that should Pakatan Rakyat come into power, a mechanism will be set up to guarantee justice for him and others who risk persecution to expose the truth. "We will provide enough procedure and protection for all citizens who are entitled for it and that applies to everybody, whether it is Deepak or (former inspector-general of police) Musa Hassan or (prime minister) Najib (Tun Razak)," PKR vice-president Tian Chua told FMT. "So it is not necessary for Deepak to try and strike a bargain with Pakatan because we will ensure justice prevails regardless," he added. The Batu MP said this when asked to comment on Deepak's request that Pakatan guarantee him protection as a state witness should the opposition pact win the next general election. In return, Deepak said he would expose the alleged wrongdoings of Najib and wife Rosmah Mansor during the mammoth People's Uprising Rally, which was held on Saturday. However, Pakatan remained mum on the issue throughout the assembly, and Deepak merely showed up at the rally as a participant. Tian Chua clarified that it was not up to Pakatan leaders to guarantee Deepak either immunity or protection under the Whistleblowers Act. Instead, he stressed, it was up to the "independent mechanism" that the opposition pact put into place to decide whether Deepak was entitled to it. "I believe that if Deepak's cause is genuine and if he needs protection in order to expose his wrongdoings, then he would surely be entitled to protection. "But that would be for the mechanism to decide, not us politician," he added. No blanket agreement now 
Asked what kind of mechanism Pakatan would put into place, Tian Chua said it would be similar to that of a truth and reconciliation commission or an anti-corruption agency. READ MORE HERE |
| Mat Sabu setuju keputusan Majlis Syura Ulama PAS Posted: 14 Jan 2013 02:37 PM PST 
(Bernama) - Timbalan Presiden PAS Mohamad Sabu yang sebelum ini menyokong penggunaan kalimah Allah oleh orang bukan Islam, menukar pendirian bersetuju dengan keputusan Majlis Syura Ulama PAS iaitu Allah tidak boleh digunakan dalam Bible versi bahasa Melayu kerana tidak menepati kehendak sebenar kalimah ini. Mohamad yang lebih dikenali sebagai Mat Sabu, berkata pendiriannya mengenai penggunaan kalimah Allah dalam Bible versi bahasa Melayu seperti diminta Setiausaha Agung DAP Lim Guan Eng, adalah sama dengan keputusan Majlis Syura Ulama PAS. "Pendirian saya macam pendirian Majlis Syura (Ulama PAS)," katanya kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan Markas Pilihan raya Muslimat PAS Kota Baharu di sini, malam tadi. Beliau mengulas keputusan mesyuarat Majlis Syura PAS Ahad lepas, yang memutuskan kalimah Allah tidak boleh digunakan dalam Bible versi bahasa Melayu kerana tidak menepati kehendak sebenar kalimah ini. Mesyuarat yang dipengerusikan Menteri Besar Kelantan Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat itu menegaskan tindakan menterjemah perkataan 'God' atau 'Lord' dari mana-mana kitab agama bukan Islam kepada Allah tidak dibenarkan kerana ia salah dari segi makna. Masyarakat Islam terutama mufti dan cendekiawan Islam, menentang pendirian asal Nik Aziz yang juga Mursyisul Am PAS dan juga Presiden PAS Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang dan Mat Sabu yang menyokong orang bukan Islam boleh menggunakan kalimah itu. |
| ‘Tsunami Johor’: 85 peratus Cina sokong Pakatan Posted: 14 Jan 2013 02:34 PM PST 
PAS dakwa sokongan meningkat 20 peratus berbanding 2008, manakala pengundi Melayu meningkat kepada 35 peratus. Muda Mohd Noor, FMT Sokongan pengundi Cina kepada Pakatan Rakyat di Johor meningkat kepada 85 peratus berbanding 65 peratus dalam pilihanraya umum 2008. Manakala sokongan pengundi Melayu ialah pada tahap 35 peratus berbanding 22 peratus pada 2008, dakwa PAS hari ini. Pesuruhjaya PAS negeri, Datuk Mahfodz Mohamed berkata, perangkaan terbaru ini hasil bancian yang dibuat parti mengenai kecenderungan pengundi Johor. "Kami mendapati sokongan pengundi Cina kepada calon Melayu dari Pakatan Rakyat adalah antara 65 hingga 70 peratus, manakala sokongan kepada calon kaum Cina adalah 85 peratus. "Pengundi india jumlahnya kecil tetapi saya percaya 60 peratus daripada mereka akan mengundi Pakatan Rakyat. "Tsunami politik akan melanda Johor," kata tokoh veteran PAS ini. Beliau sendiri akan bertanding kerusi negeri tetapi enggan memberitahu kawasan berkenaan. PAS Johor akan mengumumkan senarai calon yang akan bertanding sebaik sahaja parlimen dibubarkan. "Kita sudah ada senarai calon, cuma tunggu masa sahaja," katanya lagi. Menang 18 kerusi Johor mempunyai 56 kerusi negeri dan 26 kerusi parlimen. Kerajaan sedia ada mesti membubarkan parlimen sebelum 7 April ini. READ MORE HERE |
| Law student becomes overnight sensation (VIDEO INSIDE) Posted: 14 Jan 2013 02:29 PM PST 
There was an overwhelming support for student KS Bawani who spoke in favour of free education at a forum at Universiti Utara Malaysia. K Pragalath, FMT A second year law student became an overnight sensation when she stumped a NGO leader with her questions on free education. KS Bawani took on Suara Wanita 1Malaysia (SW1M) president, Sharifah Zohra Jabeen at a forum entitled 'Are University Students in Line with Politics' last month in UUM. The video of the forum was uploaded on Facebook and microblogging site, Twitter and it went viral. "I am happy with the support that I am receiving from the public. Overnight I received 2,000 friend requests on Facebook. "I also saw people supporting me by creating six to seven Facebook pages. This is aside from 600 to 700 Facebook tags. I have also received numerous calls," she said after the video showcasing Sharifah's rebuttal to her arguments made it rounds. In the video entitled 'Forum Suara Mahasiswa Part 4′, Sharifah was unable to counter Bawani's argument in favour of free education and went ballistic against Bawani. Sharifah insisted that Bawani listen to her explanation. She said 'listen' and 'let me speak' seven times. Bawani however noted that she had not faced any restriction from the university administration since the forum last month. She also credited Parti Sosialis Malaysia for raising her awareness on the issue of free education. Bawani is a PSM Youth activist and is also active with an NGO called Community Development Centre (CDC). READ MORE HERE |
| As varsity video goes viral, Umno leaders move to head off storm Posted: 14 Jan 2013 11:31 AM PST 
(The Malaysian Insider) - A video of a pro-Barisan Nasional (BN) speaker publicly chewing out a university student at a forum that has gone viral is embarrassing the authorities and has forced both a deputy minister and the Umno Youth chief to engage in damage control to prevent its fallout from impacting the ruling coalition ahead of Election 2013. The speaker, identified as Sharifah Zohra Jabeen, president of little-known organisation Suara Wanita 1 Malaysia (SW1M) that is seen to be aligned to the ruling BN, was caught on video berating the student — who had stood up to voice her views on the Bersih electoral rally and free education — with remarks such as "when this is our programme, we allow you to speak" and "when I speak, you listen". Higher Education Deputy Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah took to Twitter last night and posted his personal mobile phone number with a message urging the student, identified only as Bawani K.S., to contact him after another Twitter user remarked that she had an account on the microblogging site. A few hours later, he tweeted: "Just spoken to Bawani on d phone. She is in high spirits." Bawani's feelings on the issue remain closed off. Her Twitter account, @Bawani_ks, was inaccessible as she had locked it to only her followers. However, the matter appeared far from over as other Twitter users plied the deputy minister with questions for his view on the lopsided exchange between the speaker and Bawani. "Patutny benarkn Bawani habis brcakap,lps tu jawab dgn bijaksana [Should have let Bawani finish speaking, then reply wisely]," the media-savvy Saifuddin answered to the Twitter user, @Mr_Nurislam. His Umno party mate, Khairy Jamaluddin, also took to Twitter to distance the ruling coalition from Sharifah Zohra Jabeen after the video row sparked outrage from Netizens, some who have started several hashtag discussions on the microblogging site, including #SharifahZohra and #listen. "And on UUM issue. Please #listen to me: this Jabeen lady DOES NOT represent BN. Sekian," the Umno Youth chief tweeted several hours ago on his account, @Khairykj. He added, "Siapa2 pun boleh salah guna 1Msia. Takde siapa dlm BN yg kenal Sharipah Jabeen ni [Anyone can misuse 1Malaysia. Nobody in BN knows this Sharipah Jabeen]" in reply to a Twitter user who pointed out that the speaker had worn a button badge with the 1 Malaysia logo commonly identified with the BN coalition. Khairy's attempt at damage control, however, was greeeted with disdain by some Netizens, including one Don Iznan who remarked over Twitter: "By saying #SharifahZohra not representing BN, KJ actually means that sharifah is from Umno.See?Hahaha." Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/as-varsity-video-goes-viral-umno-leaders-move-to-head-off-storm/ |
| Rep turns ‘independent’ Posted: 14 Jan 2013 11:17 AM PST 
(The Star) - Pulau Tikus assemblyman Koay Teng Hai, slapped with a six-month suspension by the DAP for missing a crucial state assembly meeting, said he will now serve his constituents as an "independent" representative. He is, however, adamant that he had not broken any party rules. "I did not break any party rules as I did not receive any official notification from the party on the date and state assembly agenda," he said. Despite his claim of innocence, Koay, who was chairman of the backbenchers club in the state assembly, said he would file an appeal soon and called on his supporters to "calm down and don't act out against the party". He said he will serve as an "independent" assemblyman unless his appeal against the suspension is accepted. Koay was absent from the state assembly when the House met on Nov 1 last year to pass the Penang Constitutional Enactment (Amendment) Bill 2012, aimed at preventing elected representatives from party-hopping. The DAP disciplinary committee issued a show-cause letter to Koay last month for allegedly skipping the sitting. He was given 14 days to appeal to the party's central executive committee. Koay had gone to the United States for a holiday despite having his leave rejected twice by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who is also DAP secretary-general. "I expect to receive the official suspension letter today and will respond accordingly," Koay said here yesterday. "I hope the CEC will take into account that I've been a loyal party member and DAP Socialist Youth leader for 13 years. "Furthermore, my leave was approved by the state legislative assembly Speaker and the Bill was successfully passed," he said. On the prospects of contesting in the general election, he said: "If the suspension stays, I will not be eligible to contest as a DAP candidate and I will not stand as an independent. He said all DAP logos would be removed from his service centre in line with the suspension ruling. "I am truly sorry to the party and my supporters," said Koay. |
| SMM menentang Brainwash di UUM Posted: 14 Jan 2013 11:05 AM PST 
Tindakan moderator tersebut boleh dianggap sebagai biadap, mengelirukan, serta memperbodohkan mahasiswa yang turut ikut serta dalam majlis tersebut. Seorang pengampu dan penyamar seperti moderator tersebut ternyata tidak sesuai dan tidak layak menjadi pengemudi majlis ilmu seperti itu. Adam Adli Bin Abd Halim, Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia. Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia dengan ini mengucapkan tahniah, dan menyatakan sokongan dan dokongan penuh kepada mahasiswi Universiti Utara Malaysia, Saudari Bawani yang telah menzahirkan suatu keberanian luar biasa dalam mempertahankan kebenaran, keadilan berhujah, dan prinsip tegas beliau berkaitan hak mahasiswa dan perjuangan rakyat.
Seharusnya, tindakan matang yang dipamerkan oleh Bawani ini dicontohi oleh seluruh mahasiswa. Kesedaran tinggi dalam memahami isu berkaitan mahasiswa, masyarakat, dan negara adalah asas penting yang seharusnya dimiliki oleh lebih ramai lagi mahasiswa, sesuai dengan takrifan sosial yang melihat mahasiswa sebagai golongan berilmu dan kritis. Fungsi dan sifat mahasiswa sebagai golongan berilmu dan kritis dalam kalangan masyarakat berjaya ditampilkan dengan cemerlang oleh mahasiswi bernama Bawani ini.
Tindakan Saudari Bawani telah memberikan suatu harapan baru dalam usaha mengembalikan kewibawaan mahasiswa dewasa ini. Tanpa menghiraukan sebarang risiko, beliau telah bangkit untuk bersuara bukan sahaja bagi diri beliau, sebaliknya juga buat mahasiswa dan rakyat kebanyakan.
Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia pada masa yang sama turut ingin menyatakan kejengkelan terhadap aksi kurang matang, tidak profesional, dan tidak cerdik yang ditunjukkan oleh moderator dalam majlis forum yang dianjurkan UUM tersebut. Tindakan moderator tersebut boleh dianggap sebagai biadap, mengelirukan, serta memperbodohkan mahasiswa yang turut ikut serta dalam majlis tersebut. Seorang pengampu dan penyamar seperti moderator tersebut ternyata tidak sesuai dan tidak layak menjadi pengemudi majlis ilmu seperti itu.
Sekali lagi, kami menyatakan pujian, dan tahniah kepada Bawani yang berani. Semoga keberanian beliau menjadi contoh dan pedoman kepada golongan mahasiswa lain.
Salut untuk mahasiswa yang berani!
Hentikan pembodohan mahasiswa! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [MTadmin - On a different note, see Namewee's take at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qcd6GkPM-k ] |
| Hasan cabar Anwar buat kenyataan rasmi terima keputusan Majlis Syura Ulama PAS Posted: 14 Jan 2013 02:54 AM PST 
(Agenda Daily) - Presiden Jalur Tiga (JATI), Datuk Dr Hasan Ali mencabar ketua pembangkang Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dan pemimpin DAP supaya membuat kenyataan rasmi menerima keputusan Majlis Syura Ulama PAS berkenaan larangan penggunaan kalimah Allah untuk orang bukan Islam. Dalam kenyataannya Isnin, Hasan berkata kenyataan pemimpin-pemimpin pembangkang itu boleh menghilangkan sebarang keraguan mengenai penerimaan Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) dan DAP terhadap PAS dalam meneruskan perjuangannya. "Ketegasan Majlis Syura itu menjadi tamparan yang hebat sekaligus menyanggah dan membidas (setiausaha agung DAP) Lim Guan Eng, Anwar Ibrahim dan golongan parasit dalam PAS. "Sekali lagi dalam isu kalimah Allah golongan parasit bertindak sebagai juru mengiakan permintaan dan desakan DAP," katanya. Mesyuarat Majlis Syura Pas malam semalam memutuskan kalimah Allah tidak boleh digunakan dalam Bible versi Bahasa Melayu kerana ia tidak menepati kehendak sebenar kalimah ini. Mesyuarat yang dipengerusikan Mursyidul Am PAS, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat itu menegaskan tindakan menterjemahkan kalimah 'God' atau 'Lord' dari mana-mana kitab agama bukan Islam kepada perkataan Allah tidak dibenarkan kerana ia salah dari segi makna. |
| Making our journey as a nation less arduous Posted: 13 Jan 2013 10:37 PM PST On a daily basis, the staff members of my radio station want to debate issues that really matter to the country on a rational, analytical and non-partisan basis. We want to bring representatives of both sides of the political divide to the table (or rather our studios) to see where their fault lines lie, and whether there is room for agreement or compromise. We want Malaysians to call in to our talk shows and put forth any question to their elected representatives and their opponents so that we can all benefit from their explanations. But we cannot do these things freely. Malek Ali, founder of BFM 89.9 in fz.com FIFTY-FIVE years since Merdeka. Forty-nine years since the formation of the Federation of Malaysia. "At the crossroads" aptly describes our country. And some decisions we make today as citizens will set the tone for our journey as a nation for years to come. Here are some of our choices: Ethnic diversity: Strength or weakness? Do we see our multi-ethnicity as an advantage or disadvantage? History is laden with examples of ethnic strife, so that seems to be the natural order of the human condition. But where ethnic diversity is accepted, enduring civilisations appear to emerge. In our context, shall we use ethnicity to forever argue one's ethnic share of the Malaysian pie and play off one ethnic group against another for expedient political purposes? Or do we take advantage of our multi-ethnicity to become the trade fulcrum between the current and future economic giants of China, India and Indonesia, as we did 600 years ago, and expand our economic and human potential? It boils down to choosing between leaders who see strength in our ethnic and cultural diversity versus those who view it as a zero-sum game. Leadership: Populist or principled? In the context of political leadership, it's easy to be a populist. Goodies for the public are easy to grant. And it is even easier to be a populist in the opposition as promises can be made without needing to be directly accountable for them, at least not for a while. Principled leadership is a much rarer commodity. The principled leader accepts that an unpopular policy might hurt his chances at the polls, but he still goes through with it because it is the right thing to do. I wish there were a leader that said to me: "I will have to reduce petrol subsidies and here's the three-year subsidy reduction plan. I will have to introduce the goods and services tax (GST) because we need to widen our tax base. But in return, I promise you the eradication of wastage and corruption and within five years we will have the first phase of the MRT system completed, start to give great education, provide decent public housing and come close to running a budget surplus. Do we have a deal? I can't see any politician today who is brave enough to tell me what my options truly are. Religion: Public or personal domain? As citizens, we really need to address the elephant in the room by asking ourselves to what extent we want religion to play a part in our public lives. To me, religion is an intensely private matter and I resent the state playing the role of moral guardian and enforcer, especially when hypocrisy abounds. This could be a minority view, but regardless, let's put this discussion on the table. Let's truly debate the issue of the constitutional circumscription of the powers of the state in matters of religion. Let's also discuss the areas where civil law and Islamic law collide and which should take precedence in such an event. Do we want leaders who fudge the role of religion in Malaysia or do we want those who are brave enough to table it for rational debate? |
| Selangor siar maklumat bekalan air mulai esok Posted: 13 Jan 2013 10:29 PM PST 
Pejabat Menteri Besar Selangor Kerajaan Selangor akan menyiarkan maklumat terkini khususnya yang melibatkan usaha-usaha yang dilakukan kerajaan negeri untuk membantu memulihkan bekalan air di Lembah Klang di beberapa akhbar utama pelbagai bahasa bermula esok. Maklumat yang disiarkan itu adalah hasil pemantauan dan pertemuan harian Jawatankuasa Pemantauan Bekalan Air Negeri Selangor dengan Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas), pihak berkuasa tempatan di Selangor dan pihak-pihak lain yang terlibat. Maklumat ini bagi membolehkan orang ramai terutamanya di Lembah Klang mengetahui perkembangan terkini melibatkan usaha-usaha yang dilakukan oleh kerajaan Selangor untuk memulihkan bekalan air kepada lebih 28,000 pengguna di Selangor dan Kuala Lumpur yang terjejas sejak awal tahun ini. Langkah menyiarkan maklumat di akhbar ini untuk memastikan semua pihak yang terlibat bekerjasama dalam memastikan bekalan air kembali pulih demi menjaga kepentingan dan kebajikan rakyat yang menderita akibat kegagalan pihak tertentu melaksanakan tanggungjawab yang telah diamanahkan. |
| Gripped by water issues Posted: 13 Jan 2013 10:25 PM PST 
It's public knowledge that from day one of coming to power, the Selangor government, led by Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, was bent on making life difficult for Syabas. Among other things, it refuses to approve the much-needed capital expenditure (capex) for Syabas to implement projects under the agreement and has stopped the company from imposing a tariff increase on water from January 2009 as provided under the agreement. Azman Ujang, The Sun I HAVE a confession to make. Since I started this column almost one and a half years ago, I have been obsessed with writing about Selangor's water politics. The issue threatens to hold the water security of the state, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya to ransom amid warnings of a critical water crisis by next year.This is my seventh column on water. Although 2014 has been singled out by Syabas, the Selangor water services concessionaire, and the federal government as the year when the crisis would set in if the Selangor government continues to stall granting a development order for the Langat 2 treatment plant, I always believed that it would happen earlier. I'm not an alarmist or a pessimist, just a realist because having lived in Selangor for the last 30 years, it's obvious that this is one state where the pace of development has been uncontrolled and unstoppable. Added to this is the massive transformation of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya in terms of construction development and population increase, for which the most basic need is water. Thousands of people from all over the country are settling down in the Klang Valley daily because this is where the hub of the economy is, providing jobs and business opportunities in a nation experiencing a population boom. Malaysia has also become one of the world's top tourist destinations with Kuala Lumpur being the main gateway, thus adding even greater pressure on water demand. The harsh realities of an earlier-than-anticipated water crisis were driven home with the onset of the New Year when some 500,000 people in 90 areas in Ampang, Cheras and Gombak had their taps running dry and had to make do with supply from Syabas tankers. The disruptions were due to a drastic decline in the water pumping level at the Wangsa Maju pump-house by 30 million litres a day (MLD). It used to pump 210MLD but had to be scaled down to avoid damage due to over-pressure. Now Syabas is working round the clock to instal bypass pipes, and supplies are due to be restored in two days if all goes well. As of the weekend, Syabas had deployed nearly 2,900 tankers at great cost to deliver water to affected areas. Well, this is just a harbinger, or even a preview, of what could be a bigger crisis if partisan politics is still the weapon or trump card used by Selangor in its game of brinkmanship with the federal government over a critical issue. Dr Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri, an academician and water expert, is disgusted with Selangor and Pakatan Rakyat politicians for putting the blame on Syabas for the crisis, while failing to carry out its responsibilities under the water concession agreement. He has a point. Under the Selangor water concession agreement signed in 2004 that led to the privatisation of the state's water industry, river cleaning and water catchment areas, giving approval to operators of water treatment/supply for construction of new pump stations and the upgrading of plants and pump stations fall under the jurisdiction of the state government. Ahmad Zaharuddin said the state government owned a 30% stake in Syabas and is represented on its board by two directors, Noorusa'adah Othman and Suhaimi Kamaralzaman, but the way it keeps blaming Syabas is as if it wants to conceal its stake or that the company has no link to the Selangor government. "Why blame others? Why not discuss during a board of directors meeting what is wrong and what needs to be rectified," he told Bernama, while saying that he found it amusing that the state government even planned to sue Syabas for the water disruption. This is akin to suing itself, as it owns 30% of Syabas. It's public knowledge that from day one of coming to power, the Selangor government, led by Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, was bent on making life difficult for Syabas. Among other things, it refuses to approve the much-needed capital expenditure (capex) for Syabas to implement projects under the agreement and has stopped the company from imposing a tariff increase on water from January 2009 as provided under the agreement. This non-approval for a tariff increase had led Syabas to file a legal suit two years ago against the state government for a compensation worth over RM1 billion. All this is done because Khalid has come out with his plans to take over the state's water assets and restructure the water business, an issue he keeps harping on as the reason why he's stalling the development order for the Langat 2 plant, a federal government project to prevent a water crisis in the long term. He is not only adamant about rejecting the construction of the new plant, but has dug deeper into his bag of water politics, when he said he would wait even for 100 years to implement the restructuring plan. In another twist to the state government's water politics, Parti Keadilan Rakyat director of strategy Rafizi Ramli accused Syabas of making the people suffer in the hope of trying to topple the Selangor government. Rafizi said he was even convinced that this was Umno's political game that "had received the consent of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak". Najib quickly rubbished Rafizi's allegation. He made it clear that the Barisan Nasional government does not play politics over water which is everyone's fundamental right. "The opposition should not play politics when it involves the survival of the people," Najib said over the weekend. He said the situation would be "disastrous" if the Langat 2 plant, now over 30 months behind schedule, was not built. The federal government, however, is going ahead with building the plant and is ready to fight in court. Tenders for the RM1.2 billion project were closed last month. A highly placed legal source said that Selangor could only reject the application for the development order within the law. This means that political consideration won't stand in court. In the meantime, to prevent dry taps crippling more areas in densely populated parts, I think Syabas needs to rationalise the flow of water based on its capacity to produce treated water and not based on the seemingly unlimited demands of consumers, especially households. Given the constraints pending the Langat 2 plant coming into operation, would it not be more sensible to ration the flow if it's technically possible and if this is the reality? According to news reports, tempers flared among consumers who had to wait in long queues for water tankers. Certainly, rationing enables consumers to store water for their needs in their homes during specified hours and is better than collecting from tankers. As the prime minister said: "It is sad to see scenes of people carrying buckets of water in the affected areas, especially those who live in flats. "Some have to carry the buckets up 10 floors. The young can manage, but what about the elderly?" If Khalid and the state government are unmoved, Najib has offered the people of Selangor a way out. "All these problems will be a thing of the past if Barisan Nasional is returned to power in Selangor," he said in Semenyih on Saturday. With the general election expected within the next two months, and water being a matter of personal survival, Najib's pledge should be taken seriously to solve the water woes once and for all. Azman Ujang is a former editor-in-chief of Bernama. |
| Action against Bank Islam chief economist on the cards? Posted: 13 Jan 2013 10:20 PM PST 
(Harakah Daily) - A prediction about the outcome of the next general election has landed Bank Islam Malaysia's chief economist in trouble, with a possible disciplinary action on the cards. On January 11, Singapore's Straits Times reportedly quoted Bank Islam's Azrul Azwar Ahmad Tajuddin (pic) as telling a forum in the city-state that Barisan Nasional may win only between 97 and 107 seats in the coming polls, not enough to form the next government. Presenting his views at the Regional Outlook Forum, Azrul warned that Pakatan Rakyat's slim win could spell some "instability", and even said there was a possibility of "economic sabotage" by businesses aligned with BN. BIMB managing director Zukri Samat immediately wrote a disclaimer to the daily, saying it had nothing to do with Azrul's views. "The views expressed by Mr Azrul are entirely his personal view and should not be linked or attributed to Bank Islam whatsoever," he added. According to news portal The Malaysian Insider, the BIMB's management would meet over Azrul's statement. Deputy Finance minister Awang Adek Hussin meanwhile criticised Azrul for his views, saying he should not be talking about politics "in view of his influential position in a bank that is based on the Islamic concept in Malaysia". Awang also added that he would let BIMB decide on the "type of action" against Azrul. "True, Azrul Azwar expressed his personal view, but does that show his professionalism?" asked Awang as quoted by UMNO mouthpiece Utusan Malaysia. The right-wing paper has however claimed that Azrul had predicted a "narrow win" for BN. |
| Video of forum speaker insulting student goes viral Posted: 13 Jan 2013 10:11 PM PST 
(Yahoo! News) - A video of a public university forum speaker insulting a student has gone viral on online forums and Facebook. (http://www.malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/letterssurat/53851-mahasiswa-standard-malaysia) The 24-minute video showed the speaker - Sharifah Zohra Jabeen, president of little-known women's organisation called Suara Wanita 1Malaysia or SW1M - dismissing a student who stood up to highlight points on Bersih and free education with remarks including "when this is our programme, we allow you to speak' and 'when I speak, you listen". (*All quotes are verbatim) The forum entitled "Seiringkah mahasiswa dan politik?' (Are graduates and politics aligned?) was held at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) in Sintok, Kedah on Dec 8. The video began with students taking an oath to go against 'deviant culture', 'destroyers of peace', 'street demonstrations' and support 'peace and harmony among multi-racial Malaysians without the interference of third parties'. It then cuts to the student, Bawani KS, who stood up to highlight a court ruling about Bersih and question why Malaysia was not able to offer free education like other countries. Halfway through, Sharifah cuts her off by incessantly repeating "Listen, listen, listen, listen..." before thanking her for 'having the guts'. She then asked the crowd: "Students in the hall, 2,300 students everywhere. Did I give her respect? Did I give her respect? I came up to her, shook hands with her and gave her respect as another woman? Do you think I need to answer her question with this attitude?" Accusing Bersih leader Ambiga Sreenevasan of being an 'anarchist', Sharifah slammed the student for highlighting the need for free education in the country as is done in other nations. She told the student that "if you equate Malaysia to other countries, what are you doing in Malaysia?". "Go to Cuba, go to Argentina, go to Libya, go everywhere. Because all the students in this hall are happy with whatever the government does for them," she said. She then berated the student for having the 'very least of education'. "Today each person here has education and today, I'm very sorry that simultaneously, you have proven that you have a very least of pendidikan (education). You know what pendidikan you need? Respect the adults. Always have a differentiation gap between age. That's why you have a mother, grandmother,daughter, child, babies." "Do you think humans have problems? Animals have problems too," she stressed, citing an example of cats that do not get leftovers in restaurants, along with dogs, cows and fish. 'The difference between you and me is a degree and a O'Level. That's all.  A Facebook profile said to belong to Sharifah Zohra Jabeen.
"Whatever you say, you are still in UUM. If you are not happy, you are very much suitable to go to another university," she said. Another panelist stood up to interject and she cut him off saying "You know what Peter, I think all these people are tired. Who wants a Galaxy Note (Prizes had been up for grabs at the forum)?" she said. Angry Netizens began sharing links to a Facebook page said to belong to Sharifah while SW1M's fan page was flooded with angry comments from the public. Some of them are as follows: Khai Hokage: I think ur president Sharifah should change her field coz she talk about animal better then she talk about democracy. hahaha.. Mohd Syukri Sulaiman: You got degree meh?when you die you also become dust lorh,for God sake,respect other people please? Jo Ven Teh: Listen listen listen..lights,tv,lifts,leaves and air cond all have problem 2... Listen listen listen .. SyedAdie Al-idrus: aku rasa esok tutup page nih! (I think it is best to close this page) hahahaha! James Gan: After watching your speech in the forum suara Mahasiswa, other than the fact that you are older than me, I am not sure what else is worth respecting. Darren Sim Chee Hui: Hey you racist !!! You better make apologize to the Indian girl...!!! Give you an advice: If you don't respect all races, we won't respect you either !!!! Akram Ahmar: Presiden paling banggang.... shame on U...u want a respect??? respect others first!!! Shakir Ameer: and you wonder why your page has very little 'likes' despite the publicity. Shame on you people. Sunil Rendawa: If this Sharifah Zohra Jabeen character is the head of Suara 1 wanita, You people have a very sad organisation indeed. Headed by an idiot, where do you lot think you are going ? Abd Hanif Rahmat: sharifah zohra jabeen listen.. listen.. listen.. u degree i no have pmr.. i dont know speak english, but i want u apologise to bavani infront all student uum and must take a video for the apologise.. tell them u wrong that time.. u follow perasaan bila bercakap.. and tak mo listen bavani speak.. take note.. :) Nicholas Cheng Yee Shen: Dear Shafirah, For an individual who is supposed to have possessed a degree and university education, your command of English is rather poor to begin with. I've seen high school students with better command of English than you. If you believe that you are entitled to respect from me, think again. May I remind you, it is because of people like you that this country, this great country of Malaysia, is going downhill. Precisely that. What do you think of Sharifah's comments towards Bawani? Post your thoughts in the comments section below. |
| Nik Aziz makes u-turn over word "Allah" Posted: 13 Jan 2013 07:58 PM PST 
(Bernama) - Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who previously agreed that "Allah" could be used in Bibles, has made a U-turn in his stand by clarifying why the word cannot be used by non-Muslims. The PAS Syura Council last night decided that non-Muslims should not use the word in translation of their religious texts, but are free to use it orally following outcry from the Muslim community over Nik Abdul Aziz and PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang's stand. Nik Abdul Aziz, who attended the council's meeting, said the council's decision was made out of fear that if "Allah" was used in Bibles, the meaning would run contrary to the actual meaning understood by Muslims. "There is only one God. The Almighty. If other religions have one or more God, that's ridiculous. If they want to use it, it is wrong," he told reporters on his return from Kuala Lumpur at the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, Pengkalan Chepa here, today. The controversy erupted after DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, in his Christmas message, urged the federal government to allow Christians to use 'Allah' in the Bahasa Malaysia version of the Bible. PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang drew the flak when he said Islam did not restrict non-Muslims from using the word "Allah" as long they did not misuse it to the extent of confusing Muslims. Nik Abdul Aziz, who is PAS spiritual leader, said the Christians, who believed in the Trinity, could not use the word at all for it was against the actual meaning. In its decision, the PAS Syura Council said the Arabic word cannot be translated into or translated from other languages for it is a specific word used to refer the Muslims' God. |
| DAP slams PAS over Kedah CNY guidelines Posted: 13 Jan 2013 07:47 PM PST 
Syed Jaymal Zahiid, The Malaysian Insider The DAP has lashed out against its allies PAS over the controversial guidelines issued by the Kedah government, calling its ban on adult females from appearing for Chinese New Year stage performances as ridiculous, unacceptable and unwise. "Not only does the guideline not respect the right of non-Muslims, but it also discriminates against women. The PAS-led Kedah State Government must immediately review and abolish this guideline," its assistant national public secretary Teo Nie Ching said in a statement. The PAS-led Kedah administration again saw itself mired in controversy when it recently issued guidelines for the organisers of the 1 Malaysia Chinese New Year Celebration 2013 scheduled for February 15 at the Star Walk Alor Setar in Kedah. The guidelines included, among other things, the appropriate attire for officers and singers involved. It also stated that performers are encouraged to sing motivational songs and that if extreme singing and dancing activities were to take place, the state government has the right to shut down the programme. In the past, the Kedah government under Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak (picture) has faced severe criticism, including from fellow Pakatan Rakyat leaders, who deemed his conservative policies as insensitive to non-Muslim rights. Some had described his administration as a liability to the bloc's polls preparation while a few had admitted that the controversies could see PR facing an uphill task in defending the rice-bowl state at the 13th general elections. Teo raised this prospect again, saying that the Kedah PAS government was alienating supporters just months before the bloc takes on its rivals in what will be the keenest polls to date. "As a matter of fact, it is not the first time that the PR Kedah Government has found itself in this type of controversy. "It has not only resulted in PR coming under heavy criticism from BN component parties, therefore weakening PR's chances during GE13, but moves such as these distance the rakyat further away from the administration," she said. READ MORE HERE |
| Mahasiswa standard Malaysia Posted: 13 Jan 2013 05:24 PM PST o_YEKBkUmLw Adakah ini hasil dari kelemahan sistem pendidikan Malaysia? Mahasiswa yang anti-kerajaan dijadikan pengkhianat negara? Or watch at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_YEKBkUmLw Inilah standard piawaian mahasiswa di Malaysia. Mereka ingin berjuang untuk akademik tanpa memperdulikan perkembangan atau pergolakan politik Malaysia. Mereka ini masih tidak memahami masa depan mereka adalah di tentukan oleh politik. Kemungkinan mereka rasa terjamin lepas graduan mereka dapat di sektor kerajaan, mereka dapat berkhimat untuk rakyat dan hidup aman dan selesa seumur hidup.
Mereka amat takut dan gentar, bahawa politik itu permainan kotor, mereka tidak memahami ratusan pemimpin dunia ini adalah mahasiswa yang giat dalam politik ketika di bangku universiti. Cohn-Bendit dari French，di India ada student parliament mereka tidak mengenal Thaksin Shinawatra .....
Adakah ini hasil dari kelemahan sistem pendidikan Malaysia? Mahasiswa yang anti-kerajaan dijadikan pengkhianat negara? Adakah ini satu strategi parti pemerintah untuk membasmikan cerdikiawan-cerdikiawan di bangku universiti. |
| Rosli Dahlan magnanimous in victory against The Star Posted: 13 Jan 2013 05:22 PM PST 
BREAKING NEWS!!!! THE STAR DEFEATED AND HUMBLED by Din Merican This morning I prepared myself to go to the Jalan Duta Court Complex to observe the trial where Lawyer Rosli Dahlan is suing The Star newspaper for defaming him in 2007. While I was on the way, I was told that it's over and I can turn back home. Over? What do you mean it's over. The trial hasn't even started, so how can it be over? Is Rosli being prevented again from telling his story in court? Or is this another ploy to prevent me from reporting on Rosli's trials and tribulations to bring accountability to those "Rogues in Government" and the mainstream media which worked hand in glove with these rogues to destroy his career and reputation? In 2007, the mainstream media conspired with the Unholy Trinity consisting of former IGP Musa Hassan, A-G GaniPatail and rogue elements in the MACC to discredit Dato Ramli Yusuff's investigation into Musa Hassan's link with the underworld Along loan shark syndicate of Goh Cheng Poh @ Tengku Goh. When A-G Gani Patail abdicated his constitutional duty by refusing to prepare affidavits for the Police CCID, Rosli thought that it would be his patriotic duty to act for the Deputy Home Minister Dato Johari Baharom, CCID Director Dato Ramli Yusuff and six rank and file Policemen. So, he prepared their affidavits, which was a fatal mistake. This angered A-G Gani Patail who wanted to release Tengku Goh. A-G Gani Patail was already angry with Rosli for helping the CCID's investigation against Malaysia Airlines former Chairman Tan Sri Tajuddin Ramli whereas AG Gani Patail wanted to NFA that case. Unknown to Rosli, A-G Gani Patailhad a covert relationship with Tajudidn's proxy, Shahidan Shafie. This only came to light in 2011 when A-G Gani Patailwent to hajj with Shahidan Shafie like one big happy family, and they even shared their rooms! Yet, A-G Gani Patail was cleared by the MACC. 
On the other hand, for helping the Police and MAS against these crooks, A-G Gani Patail made use of the MACC to fix Rosli. So, on the eve of Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2007, Rosli was brutally arrested, dragged in handcuffs, kept in the MACC underground dungeon overnight deprived of food and sleep to disorientate him. The next day, they paraded him like a circus animal along the Jalan Duta Court's corridors in handcuffs and then charged him in court. The mainstream media had a field day. Here was a senior Malay lawyer with an unblemished record and good standing in society that will be taught a lesson for going against the establishment. They were intent on making him an example so that others will never ever dare to go against those in the corridors of power. So they sensationalised the " RM27 Million Cop Story and said that Rosli is a Singapore lawyer implying that he had hidden that money in Singapore. They knew that was untrue. They knew that was false. But they didn't care. This was a demolition exercise and they will make minced meat out of Rosli. That was what that was supposed to happen. READ MORE HERE |
| Anwar, Chandra told to settle out of court Posted: 13 Jan 2013 05:13 PM PST 
(NST) - The High Court today advised parties in the RM10 million defamation suit by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim against academician Dr Chandra Muzaffar (above) to settle the matter out of court. Counsel Datuk Firoz Hussein Ahmad Jamaluddin who acted for Chandra told the Press that judge Datuk Nik Hasmat Nik Mohamad set April 3 for mediation. "If the parties fail to mediate, the suit will go for trial on the same day," he said. Yesterday, Nik Hasmat also allowed Anwar's application to amend his statement of claim. Anwar was represented by lawyers N. Surendran and Latheefa Koya. Anwar is suing Chandra over his alleged defamatory statements made at a forum at Menara Star in Petaling Jaya on March 3, 2008, which were subsequently published in newspapers. He claimed that Chandra spoke the offending words to disparage him in both his private and official capacities. In his statement of defence, Chandra denied uttering maliciously and falsely any defamatory comment concerning Anwar. Alternatively, he claimed that if the words were defamatory, which he denied, then they were published on an occasion of qualified privilege without malice.
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| What are BN's and PR's Fiscal Policies? Posted: 13 Jan 2013 05:03 PM PST 
The 13th general election is just weeks away and the two opposing coalitions do not feel the need to show the electorate their fiscal policies. All we get are populist freebies being handed out by both coalitions which are superficial and unsustainable. These are not fiscal policies to redistribute wealth, never mind fundamental changes in economic policies, including nationalization of utilities. Dr Kua Kia Soong, Suaram Adviser We look at the Republicans and Democrats in the US, Conservatives and Labour in the UK and we say that their general election is like choosing between Coca Cola and Pepsi Cola because mutatis mutandis, they all stand for the same neo-liberal capitalist policies. Nevertheless, we notice that for at least a year of electoral campaigning before their general elections, these Cola parties are expected to put forward their respective fiscal policies before the people. The Democrats, for example, want to tax the super-rich a bit more and have more public spending while the Republicans want spending cuts and tax cuts for the rich. Surprisingly in Malaysia, the 13th general election is just weeks away and the two opposing coalitions do not feel the need to show the electorate their fiscal policies. All we get are populist freebies being handed out by both coalitions which are superficial and unsustainable. These are not fiscal policies to redistribute wealth, never mind fundamental changes in economic policies, including nationalization of utilities. Well, the ruling BN coalition will just carry on as they have for the last 55 years waiting to be dumped by the rakyat but what are PR's fiscal and public spending policies? Do we have to wait for the election to be called and all the manifestoes to be printed in small print and these important policies submerged by the usual campaign rhetoric? Financing the Welfare State One of the most transformational makeovers by PAS is their proposal for a welfare state instead of their erstwhile insistence on an Islamic state as the end-all and be-all of politics. Is there a consensus within the PR coalition for such a proposal? We don't hear DAP or PKR echoing this. Will this be in PR's last-minute manifesto and how will it be financed? Why can't we hear it now or are they going to give the excuse that BN may steal their idea? PR claims that "good governance" will save so much money that it will allow us to do wonders. Without fundamental changes in policy from that of BN's, this is a mere pipe dream. Take PKR's stand on guaranteed minimum wage for example… Guaranteed Minimum Wage Policy The Selangor GLCs have successfully implemented such a policy with RM1,500 as the base line but the PKR director of strategy, Rafizi Ramli has been quoted as saying a minimum wage beyond RM1,100 in the other sectors would have an adverse effect on industries. He says this is according to a classified World Bank report. Since when has the World Bank been concerned about the plight of the lowest paid? So, does this mean that PR will not have a RM1,500 guaranteed minimum wage policy as demanded by the workers' network? We are unlikely to achieve the objective of a high-income society if we continually depend on low-wage labour and use the same excuse about the adverse effect on industry. When Singapore implemented such a policy with its National Wages Council in the 1970s, it was met with the same objections from those who were not prepared to up wages for their workers. It looks like they are now forced to face another round of reality check after the recent revolt by their foreign workers. With a guaranteed minimum wage policy acceptable to the labour organisations, our small and medium industries can be supported by other means of revenue and government incentives. That is why we need to have a debate about fiscal policies. So where will the money come from? Since the existence of the first human societies, taxes have been a means of financing public works and other expenditure. The question is whether the burden should be on the bottom 90 per cent or the top 10 per cent income earners. This is where a progressive fiscal policy is expected of any coalition that is contesting the general election. Taxing the Rich The rich pay a substantial share of taxes across the developed world, and this share has risen in recent decades. According to the OECD, the top 10% of earners contribute about a third of total tax revenues—28% in France, 31% in Germany, 39% in Britain and 42% in Italy. America's wealthiest households contribute a larger share to government than in any other OECD country, at 45%. In Europe, they certainly have more to show for it – social services, unemployment benefits, a national health system and other social benefits. Despite this, William Buffett, one of America's richest men recently criticized the US tax system as manifestly unfair since he is taxed at a lower rate than his secretary! Malaysia's income tax system grants greater tax savings for the rich as well as encourages tax evasion. We rank among the world's top countries for illicit outflow of money. In addition, the limited coverage has resulted in poor revenue generation. Without sufficient revenue, individual income tax cannot provide substantial funds for poverty lifting projects. In recent years, the oil boom has provided the bulk of Malaysia's revenue. These windfall gains should have been scrupulously invested for our future generations. Instead, they have been blown on populist mega projects and financing the annual budgets. Oil's share of revenue is above 30% while nearly 50% come from direct taxes. Review Fiscal Incentives and Tax Exemptions to Multinationals The granting of fiscal incentives to companies like Lynas is a trend that has existed for many years under the BN government which has offered generous tax holidays to such foreign investors. Some of these foreign investors have the effect of displacing existing investments that paid taxes. Thus, the country not only faces a reduction in tax revenue, there is no net increase in employment. The energy guzzlers in Sarawak (foreign-owned aluminium smelters, mining companies, etc) are not only expecting the same kind of fiscal incentives including tax holidays, they are opportunistically waiting for the tariff rates of the Bakun and Murum dams to fall further before they commit their investments. So what is PR's policy toward the granting of such fiscal incentives in general and these toxic, energy guzzling industries in particular if they come into federal power? These are some pointers for a progressive fiscal policy in the Malaysian civil society 13th general election demands: 1. Impose a higher marginal tax rate on high income earners and a correspondingly lower tax rate for lower income earners; 2. An incremental Capital Gains Tax on property; 3. A progressive inheritance tax; 4. Implement regular review and monitoring of the tax laws and implementation to ensure there are no tax loopholes; 5. Review capital allowances and tax holidays for foreign firms; 6. Regulate and impose a tax on all international financial transactions and hedge funds; 7. A progressive tax on all luxury goods. Defence Cuts and a Progressive Economic Policy While we are agonizing over giving our lowest paid workers a guaranteed minimum wage of RM1,500, the government is coolly shopping for the next generation Multi-Role Combat Aircraft to replace the MIGs. British Aerospace (BAE) is trying to flog their Typhoons and other special offers in a RM10 billion arms deal! Is it also time for PR to tell us their defence policy or will they merely be interested in exposing the commissions that will be creamed from this next big arms deal? The Scorpene deal (costing RM7 billion) has been the biggest single deal so far and we still haven't got to the end of that story! This plus a progressive economic policy including nationalizing all utilities and essential services including water resources, health, public transport, energy, ensuring they are owned and controlled by the Malaysian peoples at federal, state and local levels, will bring respite to our lowest paid workers who deserve a decent standard of living and not populist crumbs. |
| KDEB explains Selangor gov't stake in Syabas Posted: 13 Jan 2013 04:34 PM PST 
(Bernama) -- Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Berhad (KDEB), the investment arm of the Selangor government, said today the Selangor government only had a minority share limited to board representation in Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas). Its president, Suhaimi Kamaralzaman, said the state government only owned 30 per cent equity and had two directors in Syabas. He said Syabas was still the key player in handling the operations and maintenance of water facilities. "The day-to-day operations and maintenance of the water facilities are carried out by the management of Syabas who are appointed by the majority shareholder of Puncak Niaga Holdings Berhad," he said in a statement to Bernama. Suhaimi was referring to comments made by Universiti Utara Malaysia academician and senior lecturer Dr Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri on Saturday. Ahmad Zaharudin Sani had said that under the Selangor water concessionaire agreement, river cleaning and water catchment, giving approval to operators of water treatment or supply for construction of new pump stations and upgrading plants and pump stations were under the jurisdiction of the state government. Suhaimi said the State Water Monitoring Committee (SWMC), chaired by the Selangor state secretary, had been monitoring Syabas, particularly its action and recovery plans, on a daily basis. "KDEB representatives, who are also members of the SWMC, are responsible for constant liaison with the Syabas management to ensure that all action plans are implemented expeditiously and efficiently," he said. |
| Religion, Politics and Business Posted: 13 Jan 2013 04:23 PM PST 
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, in a desperate bid to divert attention away from what he knew would come to be alleged as party polls manipulation and fraud, saw it fit to raise the "Allah" issue. That it raised religious temperatures is an understatement that needs no further elaboration. Freedom Come Freedom Go I have always maintained religion and politics is an explosive mix which should never be considered by any justification.
It is not a question of being secular in thought and expression.
The younger Christian generation may not be aware of past (and present) Catholic and Protestant acrimony, violence and bloodshed in Northern Ireland.
One of the most violent terrorist group at the times were the Catholic IRA, the Irish Republican Army. Presently, the Northern Irish political party Sinn Fein is closely associated with the once militant IRA.
There can be no denying turmoil around the world have arrived out of religious representation and misrepresentations, religious interpretation and misinterpretations, for political expediency.
In predominantly Muslim Malaysia, religion is a highly sensitve issue even though the country is hailed as a model and moderate Muslim country.
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, in a desperate bid to divert attention away from what he knew would come to be alleged as party polls manipulation and fraud, saw it fit to raise the "Allah" issue.
That it raised religious temperatures is an understatement that needs no further elaboration.
It is a fact that the taboo word for the Pakatan Rakyat is "Hudud" and for the ruling coalition, Barisan Nasional, the word "Allah".
But Lim Guan Eng's plot is lost when even it's own coalition partner has come out to declare that 'Non-Muslims can't use Allah'.
Pakatan Rakyat can now lay claim to fame of having two religious parties in Malaysia, PAS and the fast rising powerful Christian influenced DAP, led by Brother Lim Guan Eng and his "Allah" exploits.
Even the party of Prime Minister hopeful and hopeless Anwar Ibrahim, Parti Keadilan Rakyat, has a staunch proponent of Christian evangelism, Jimmy Chua Jui Meng.
From "Voice of Hope",
"Datuk Chua shared with us of how God has been gracious to him and his family. As a youth he had accepted Christ into his life, but through the years of studies, law practice and politics he drifted far from God. At the peak of his career, when he simply did not have time for God, he became greatly oppressed by demonic spirits. Unknown to him at that time, He had been subtly charmed and had 'voodoo' planted into his body. It was through fervent prayers and fasting by church leaders that he was delivered and had seven needles taken out of his body in the name of Jesus. This ordeal became the turning point in his life. Since then, his faith has been renewed and he has decided to follow his faithful Master, Jesus, doing just what a disciple of the Lord should do - preach the gospel to the nations." Ask Jimmy Chua and I am more then certain he will tell you the reason he joined PKR, revelation from God. From Fantastic Christian Testimony Of Datuk Chua Jui Meng, "But when I prayed, this is only the fourth testimony I've given because I was very reluctant earlier on to give testimonies, you know when I prayed in the spirit, the Lord told me to give a testimony, it's the duty of a Christian but testify wisely. Therefore the secrets don't leak out. [audience laughs and claps] Testify wisely. And then again, before last night's meeting, I was praying, you know what the Spirit of the Lord said to me? "Speak from the heart. Speak from the heart." And that is the absolute wisdom of God. But the story just now I told you, what I want to conclude with, God and Christ are absolutely fantastic, awesome, and glorious. Glory be to God." I cannot, however, see how Jimmy Chua can justify the above statement in his delusion filled political exhortation, " Who hijacked the Death Railway money?""The revelation by the Japanese Embassy that it had paid compensation to the Malaysian government for families of victims of the so called "Death Railway" project in the 1940s is shocking.
The sum of RM207 billion or whatever the amount must be revealed by Mahathir. He was close to the Japanese government and corporate sector when he promoted his Look East Policy aimed at enhancing trade with Japan." It came to pass his own coalition partner, PAS, had in it's online portal Harakahdaily carried a clarification from the Japanese embassy denying any such sum compensated and occassion to have been disbursed. READ MORE HERE |
| The Price of Politicizing the Word "Allah" Posted: 13 Jan 2013 03:45 PM PST
Khoo Kay Peng By now, Dap leader Lim Guan Eng should have regretted publishing his Christmas message which called on Putrajaya to allow the use of the term "Allah" in the Malay language Bible. It is so unnecessary because the matter is still on trial in the Malaysian court. The second mistake, realizing that his party may actually cause some anger amongst Muslim voters in Peninsula Malaysia his party clarified that the use should only be permitted in Sabah and Sarawak. If the use of "Allah" is allowed in Malay Bible, why should it be only confined to both Sabah and Sarawak only? It should be consistently applied throughout the whole country.
Dap should learn never to politicize religion or race for its own political benefit. Race and religion are double-edged swords. They cut both ways. Lim Guan Eng should start to accept and admit that he is not immune to silly mistakes like this one which has been blown out of proportion by his political nemesis. The bad thing is the impact may be felt by all innocent Muslims and Christians if religious tension build up.
A number of leaders in Pas, an ally of Dap in Pakatan Rakyat, supported the use of "Allah" by non-Muslims. Now, its syura council (the party's highest decision making body) says that it is forbidden to use the term as a direct translation to God.
What appears to Lim as an easy point scoring opportunity is now turning into a nightmare for him and his party's continuous liaison with Pas. Malay speaking Christians are not going to be happy with Pas' u-turn and some non-Malay speaking Christians may be unhappy too because they may see it as a direct opposition to the religion. Non-Christians may see it as a constitutional issue which contravenes the right to freedom of religion. READ MORE HERE |
| Where were the Indians during Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat? Posted: 13 Jan 2013 03:30 PM PST 
Deepak Jaikishan keeping the Indian flag flying (Malaysian Digest) - The Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat (HKR112) assembly on Saturday may have been considered a success, questions have been raised regarding the low turnout by the Indian community. The minimal involvement of the Indian community in HKR112 could be due to the perception that the event is skewed more towards PAS members and does not encompass all races, Universiti Sains Malaysia's deputy dean of the Social Sciences Faculty, Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said.
"This can serve as a lesson to the organizers to make sure that the issues raised are balanced out for everyone.
"It could also be due to the Indian community adopting a cautious approach. Some of them may feel that they have been used in previous rallies," the political analyst told Malaysian Digest today.
Underneath the cautious approach, Dr Sivamurugan said the Indian community's support towards the government has shown positive development, although not as a whole.
His opinion was echoed by another political analyst and economist, Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnman, who said the Indian community could have "changed their mind" and have adopted a wait-and-see approach in the run-up to the 13th General Election.
"The Indian community feels that the steps adopted by the government could resolve their woes. For now, they are adopting a wait-and-see method; they are being patient as there are only a few months away till elections.
"They are smart, they will rise if any quarter does not provide equal treatment to them," said Ramon, who is also former Transparency International Malaysia president.
However, Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-president, N. Surendran, begged to differ.
Surendran maintained that the Indian community is angry with the government for its failure to resolve their problems despite the country's comparatively small Indian population.
"It's absolutely untrue to say that the Indian community did not go down to the ground to support the assembly. Indians make up only seven per cent of the country's population.
"I personally observed many friends from the Indian community who showed up, and they are angry over issues such as lack of MyKad and birth certificates," he said.
Surendran's views, however, were challenged by MIC's P. Kamalanathan, who said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is sincere in helping the Indians in the country.
"MIC has also acted to meet the needs and resolve the Indian community's problems; we've fulfilled our responsibilities."
He believed that the low Indian turnout was due to distaste over the Opposition's overwhelmingly skewed perspective on issues.
Kamalanathan, who is also Hulu Selangor Member of Parliament, added that the assembly wasn't even necessary to begin with, as the assembly's list of demands has already been answered by the government, such as in the case of the abolishment of the Internal Security Act (ISA).
"All they wanted to do was to organize a show of strength and support," he said.
Despite the differences in opinion, all however agreed that the assembly was a win-win situation for all parties, be it the organizers or the government.
They believed that it was proof that political transformation was alive, and that Malaysia is indeed able to hold demonstrations under peaceful conditions. |
| Himpunan rally: Taib’s men ‘shocked’ and divided Posted: 13 Jan 2013 03:22 PM PST 
A federal-leaning Sarawak MP has warned Pakatan Rakyat that it is playing with fire with such rallies. Joseph Tawie, FMT KUCHING: Chef Minister Taib Mahmud's Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) party is divided in its view of the mammoth Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat rally in Kuala Lumpur last Saturday. Whilst some see the rally as the people rising to demand change, others have condemned it outright. The divided views are perhaps indicative of aging Taib's personal struggles to keep in check his federal-leaning party leaders. PBB deputy information chief Peter Minos, when contacted, described the rally as a "wakeup call". "It is a wake-up call for us. Do not underestimate the strength of the opposition. "We should be wary of the threat from the opposition Pakatan Rakyat pact in the coming general election. "I was surprised the organisers could draw a big crowd which I could see from a distance, and they are mostly Pakatan supporters." Minos went on to add that the rally turnout showed that the opposition alliance was a force to be reckoned with. Another PBB insider, who declined to be named, said peninsular-based Umno and BN reports had in the past given the impression that the "situation was under control". "But I am shocked at the crowd. The blogs are full of ground reports and they all cannot be lying. "Umno intelligence have been downplaying the opposition's strength. Najib (Tun Razak) must take note of this," the insider said. Pakatan playing with fire
Meanwhile three other PBB leaders, rumoured to be Umno-leaning, have condemned the rally organisers. PBB secretary-general Stephen Rundi said street demonstrations did not augur well for the country's prevailing peace, political stability and economic prosperity. "I don't agree with the trend of politics as we have law and order as well as proven system to safeguard the nation and its sovereignty. "We have full confidence in the system which also protects the opposition. "Hence, going to the street and staging demonstrations will only cause chaos and disorder or even worse, ruin our harmony and the future of our beloved country, especially our economy, deterring foreign investors from coming," he said. READ MORE HERE |
| Constitution gives no licence to expand syariah jurisdiction, says ex-CJ Posted: 13 Jan 2013 03:18 PM PST 
Debra Chong, The Malaysian Insider An amendment to Article 121 of the Federal Constitution does not empower syariah courts to take over the jurisdiction of civil courts, former Chief Justice Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad said today, giving heft to the protracted conflict arising from Malaysia's dual-track judicial system. He said the amendment was "not a licence to expand the jurisdiction of Shari'ah Courts and to oust the jurisdiction of the civil courts." The Muslim-dominant country, which provides for syariah courts to run alongside civil courts, has created several grey areas due to an overlap of powers. The retired top judge noted that many people, especially syarie law experts, have been mistaken in the belief that clause (1A) in Article 121, which lays out the extent of judicial power, absolutely excludes civil courts from trying disputes that touch on Muslim rights. Abdul Hamid (picture) said that many arguments have been put forward in legal conflicts that if an offence is within the jurisdiction of the syariah court, it is no longer to be tried in a civil court any more by virtue of Article 121(1A). "What about cases in which one party is a Muslim and the other is not?" he asked in his speech at a law conference in the city. "Secondly, the amendment is not a licence to expand the jurisdiction of Shari'ah Courts and to oust the jurisdiction of the civil courts," he said. Abdul Hamid, who was chief justice between 2007 and 2008, recounted that the question had cropped up before the Court of Appeal nearly a decade ago in a sodomy conviction, saying that the courts had failed to address the issue of constitutionality of section 25 of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Federal Territories) Act 1997. "To me, that section is unconstitutional and void," he said today. Disputes of jurisdiction between the Islamic courts and the civil courts have been increasing of late especially in matters dealing with religious conversion and child custody as well as the latest ongoing storm over the right of non-Muslims to call their gods "Allah", a word conservative Islamic scholars insist be reserved for their god. Civil liberty activists and lawyers have noticed a trend that the judiciary has been putting Islamic law above all other laws in Malaysia, signalling an erosion of the Federal Constitution. READ MORE HERE |
| Shadow Budget doesn’t add up Posted: 13 Jan 2013 02:35 PM PST 
(The Star) - The Opposition's shadow Budget failed to consider that Petronas' profits are shared with, among others, the petroleum service contractors, says International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed. He said a certain amount of profit should be apportioned to petroleum companies as agreed upon earlier. "The Pakatan Rakyat's Budget aims to increase oil royalties to the states from 5% to 20%. This means that less profits will be shared between Petronas and the petroleum service contractors like Shell and Esso. "Hence, Petronas will give lower annual dividends to the Government," he said at his ministry's office in Jalan Duta here. Mustapa said if the Opposition were to form the Federal Government and went ahead with its own Budget, it would not have enough funds to fulfil their general election pledges. "They will lack funds to make foreign investments and yet, Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says he wants to offer free education to the people," he said, adding that the shadow Budget was "reckless, irresponsible and foolish". Mustapa said the National Higher Education Loan Fund (PTPTN) had disbursed RM46.8bil in loans, of which RM25.7bil was borrowed from various finance agencies. "If the Opposition wants to offer free education, how are they going to pay off these loans? The Pakatan Budget also includes its pledge to abolish tolls, which would require an expenditure of RM6bil to compensate concessionaires," he said. "We are saddened by such populist moves. The Opposition is hiding facts while the people are tricked into believing that it is workable." Mustapa claimed that "not a single sen" was incorporated into the Pakatan Budget to fulfil their promises to the public and likened it to "cheating people in broad daylight". Pakatan also claimed that it could reduce the country's deficit from 4.0% to 3.5%. However, Barisan Nasional leaders have countered this, alleging that the Opposition Budget would cause the country to have a deficit of 7.2%. |
| PAS-led government takes the bang out of CNY stage performances Posted: 13 Jan 2013 02:32 PM PST Dr Chua showing a copy of the directive to reporters. With him are MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha (left) and MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai. (The Star) - In yet another controversial decision, the PAS-led Kedah government has enforced new rulings for stage performances during Chinese New Year. The state government will stop Chinese New Year stage performances on the spot if they failed to meet the guidelines. The state has banned professional female singers in shopping malls and other open public places. Only male performers are now permitted to sing and dance in shows held in such places. As for female performers, only secondary schoolgirls will be allowed to do so. But with bands providing live music also barred from open entertainment events, performers can only use recorded music accompaniment or minus-one recordings (pre-recorded music). Malls and shopping centres have been told that only songs with religious themes or those with positive messages will be allowed to be performed, effectively excluding pop songs. Besides submitting lists of performers and songs, the organisers must ensure the artistes are not carried away or do not go overboard. Kedah Health, Youth and Sports, Culture, Art, Heritage and Biotechnology Committee chairman Datuk Dr Hamdan Mohamed Khalib issued the directive to Kota Setar district officer Datuk Haji Bakar Din on Jan 9. First in the four-point guidelines list is a rule that artistes as well as those in charge of the shows must be dressed conservatively and not menjolok mata (indecently). A copy of the directive was given to MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek in Sungei Petani on Friday. He showed it to reporters after the Perak MCA anniversary celebrations here yesterday. Dr Chua said the guidelines violated the rights and freedom of non-Muslims. He said the DAP, as part of Pakatan Rakyat and being an ally of PAS, owed non-Muslims an answer to this latest violation. "This is because DAP helped PAS take over Kedah. Is the DAP saying again that this is a small matter?" he asked. He said non-Muslims had their rights and freedom over food, attire, music, entertainment and leisure. MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heung said non-Muslims could lose their identity under such policies. "If non-Muslims continue to accept these, then all things Chinese and Indian, including their culture, could be lost if Pakatan continues to run the state," said the Alor Setar MP. Chor said an agreement to such regulations would spell the end of a pluralistic society. He added that such guidelines were never imposed in Kedah until the Pakatan government took over. Gerakan also slammed the Kedah government for its "restrictive" policy on Chinese New Year entertainment activities. State party chairman Dr Cheah Soon Hai said the directive eroded the rights and interests of non-Muslims, adding that the state government was insensitive and disrespectful to the Chinese community. "Female artistes are being discriminated against as singing and dancing are their sources of income. The guidelines will have far-reaching effects on celebrations like Chap Goh Meh, the Hungry Ghost Festival, the Lantern Festival and Deepavali," he said. |
| PAS Syura Council: Prevent translation of ‘Allah’ by non-Muslims Posted: 13 Jan 2013 02:14 PM PST  PAS leaders said the word 'Allah' is a universal word and can be spoken by those who are not Muslims. – File pic Ida Lim, The Malaysian Insider The PAS Syura Council yesterday decided that non-Muslims should prevent the use of the word "Allah" in translations of their religious texts, but are free to use it orally. Following weeks of controversy over the usage of the word "Allah" by non-Muslims, the party's religious council said that the Arabic word cannot be translated into or translated from other languages. The council explained that the word "Allah" is a specific and holy word used to refer to the Muslims' god. "Therefore, translating the word God or Lord from any non-Muslim kitab agama (religious texts) to the word Allah tidak dibolehkan (cannot be allowed) because it is wrong from the aspect of meaning and wrong usage, does not fulfill the actual purpose and can bring about an obvious confusion. "Therefore, it has to be prevented," PAS' spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and his deputy Datuk Dr Haron Din wrote in a statement yesterday. But the PAS leaders said that the word "Allah" is a universal word and can be spoken by those who are not Muslims. They said that this statement clarifies the meaning of the statement by the PAS spiritual adviser, the party's president and the whole party leadership. Political allies PAS and DAP had recently appeared to send mixed messages over the use of the word "Allah" by Christians in their Bahasa Malaysia bible, before the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leadership made their stand clear last week. Last Tuesday, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang explained PR's position, saying that non-Muslim communities should not abuse the word to spread confusion among Muslims, but said that this did not mean they were not allowed to use the word. "Islam does not stop those of other faiths from using kallimah 'Allah' in their practice, although [in the usage of the word by non-Muslims] it does not refer to the original meaning of the word as according to the al-Quran," he read from a statement. READ MORE HERE |
| PAS: Bukan Islam boleh guna ‘Allah’ tetapi tak boleh terjemah Posted: 13 Jan 2013 02:10 PM PST 
Md Izwan, The Malaysian Insider Kalimah Allah boleh digunakan oleh sesiapapun kerana ianya adalah alami (universal), kata Majlis Syura Ulamak PAS dalam satu kenyataan yang ditandatangani oleh Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz dan Datuk Dr Haron Din. Semalam, Majlis Syura bermesyuarat bagi membincangkan kemelut dan kontroversi terbaru yang melibatkan kalimah Allah hingga mewujudkan polemik serta pelbagai pertikaian oleh banyak pihak. "Kalimah Allah adalah alami (universal) kerana Allah Tuhan sekalian alam," kata Majlis Syura. "Siapa pun boleh menyebut kalimah Allah seperti mana orang Arab Jahiliyah yang tidak Islam menyebut Allah lah yang menjadikan alam ini." Dalam mesyuarat semalam juga menyaksikan PAS mengambil pendirian membenarkan bukan Islam menggunakan kalimah tersebut tetapi melarang mana-mana kalimah asing yang hendak diterjemah kepada kalimah Allah. "Menterjemah kalimah God atau Lord dari mana-mana kitab agama bukan Islam kepada perkataan Allah tidak dibolehkan," kata satu kenyataan Majlis Syura. "Ini kerana ianya salah dari segi makna dan salah guna, tidak menepati kehendak sebenar yang boleh membawa kekeliruan yang nyata." Dalam kenyataan itu lagi, Majlis Syura berharap ia dapat menjelaskan maksud kenyataan oleh Presiden PAS tersebut dan seluruh kepimpinan PAS. Nik Abdul Aziz (gambar) yang juga Menteri Besar Kelantan pada 8 Januari lalu dilaporkan bersetuju orang bukan Islam termasuk pemimpin mereka dibenarkan menggunakan kalimah Allah walaupun perkataan itu merupakan hak eksklusif bagi orang Islam. Menurutnya langkah itu sebagai memberi ruang kepada orang bukan Islam mengenali ajaran agama Islam sebenarnya. "Bagi (pendapat) saya, orang bukan Islam perlu diberi ruang menggunakan perkataan itu kerana ia merupakan gerakan dakwah untuk mendekatkan orang bukan Islam kepada agama Islam," katanya. Pendapat Nik Abdul Aziz itu sekali gus menimbulkan percanggahan dengan Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan dan ulama serta kalangan pemimpin PAS. |
| People’s rally in Sabah a ‘fiasco’ Posted: 13 Jan 2013 02:00 PM PST 
A political pressure group in Sabah has taken to task local oposition leaders' misplaced priorities. Queville To, FMT KOTA KINABALU: While more than a 100,000 are said to have attended the Himpunan Kebagkitan Rakyat rally in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday (photo), the affair in Sabah proved to be a flop. Just a couple of hundred youths turned up for the event at the Chong Thien Vun Park here on Saturday. The blame was placed on the organisers and the lack of charismatic leaders to motivate would-be attendees in the run-up to the event. Blogger and activist Ronnie Klassen described the rally as a fiasco with an estimated 300 participants at the park. Klassen believes that the event here was poorly organised and reflected the discord and disunity among the organisers comprising youths aligned to the various opposition parties such as Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), DAP, PKR and PAS. "Instead of showing solidarity among themselves, these youths were literally elbowing each other in order to steal the limelight. But, I don't blame them; I blame their so-called leaders for they themselves were fighting with each other most of the time. "With such an attitude, they (the opposition) must be dreaming or hallucinating if they really think they can defeat the BN in the coming general election. Anyway, I wish them good luck," he said. The confusion was demonstrated at the press conference held at the end of the rally with speakers merely shouting slogans such as "Jatuhkan Umno/BN" and "Tenggelam BN". Klassen, who is also the deputy chairman of Demokrasi Sabah (Desah), a Sabah-based political pressure group who are pushing for a 'one-to-one' fight between the opposition and BN, also pointed to the conspicuous absence of state opposition leaders at Saturday's rally here. READ MORE HERE |
| PAS tetap larang guna ‘Allah’ Posted: 13 Jan 2013 01:57 PM PST 
Keputusan mesyuarat Majlis Syura Ulama malam tadi yang dipengerusikan Mursyidul Am PAS, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat serta dihadiri Timbalannya Datuk Dr Haron Din. (FMT) - Majlis Syura Ulama PAS Pusat sebulat suara bersetuju memutuskan penggunaan kalimah Allah tetap dilarang dalam mana-mana kitab agama bukan Islam. Majlis Syura yang bermesyuarat malam tadi dan dipengerusikan Mursyidul Am PAS, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat serta dihadiri Timbalannya Datuk Dr Haron Din menegaskan penterjemahannya tidak dibolehkan kerana bimbang ia membawa kekeliruan yang nyata. "Kalimah Allah adalah kalimah khusus yang Allah menamakan diri-Nya Allah. Kalimah itu tidak boleh diterjemahkan kedalam mana-mana bahasa dunia kerana tidak menepati kehendak sebenar dari kalimah ini. "Demikian juga kalimah asing hendak diterjemahkan kepada kalimah Allah. "Oleh kerana itu menterjemahkan kalimah 'God' atau 'Lord' dari mana-mana kitab agama bukan Islam kepada perkataan Allah tidak dibolehkan kerana ianya salah dari segi makna dan salah guna tidak menepati kehendak sebenar yang boleh membawa kepada kekeliruan yang nyata. Oleh itu ia hendaklah dicegah," katanya dalam satu kenyataan. Keputusan Majlis Syura ini bercanggah dengan Majlis Tertinggi Pakatan Rakyat Selasa lalu yang sepakat menyatakan bahawa penganut agama lain tidak dihalang daripada menggunakan perkataan tersebut dalam amalan mereka, dengan syarat ianya "tidak disalahgunakan." Sementara itu, Nik Aziz berkata Majlis Syura Ulama juga telah membincangkan isu sedutan amanat Presiden PAS Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang dan memutuskan untuk mendesak kerajaan supaya membenarkan Presiden memperjelas isu tersebut sekurang-kurangnya satu jam secara langsung menerusi TV1 dan TV3. |
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