Ahad, 7 Julai 2013

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Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

Posted: 06 Jul 2013 07:09 PM PDT

I, however, look at this from a very different perspective. Yes, Islam says that all God has to do is say 'be' and so it shall be. However, life is more complicating than that and God does not 'rule' this world by just clicking His fingers for things to happen.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest so let us take a break today and not talk about politics.

About 11 years ago, back in 2002, I was commissioned to write a book on the lectures by Dr. Tareq Mohammed Al-Suwaidan (photograph below). The lectures were in Arabic and the transcripts of these lectures were translated into English. From these transcripts I was commissioned to write the book called 'Stories of the Prophets'.

(See more details below).

It took a while to complete the book because the Arabic-to-English translation was quite literal and sometimes translations do not work that way. Hence I had to 'decipher' some of the sentences and this involved a lot of research and cross-references. I practically had to do a lot of reading on the Qur'an and the Hadith to get to the bottom of what Dr. Tareq was trying to say (or least what the translator was saying that Dr. Tareq said).

I won't claim that that exercise turned me into an expert on Islam, the Qur'an or the Hadith (or else that would make me an ulama' -- which would upset many people if I make that claim). Nevertheless it did force me to read and research and acquire a better understanding about the subject that I was writing about. I mean you cannot write a book about a certain matter and not grasp a deep understanding of the subject matter.

Anyway, today (other than to impress you with the fact that I have 'ghost-written' a book on Islam and the stories of the Prophets as revealed in the Qur'an) I want to discuss a small extract from that book, which you can read below. And that is the subject of all God has to do is say 'be' and so it shall be.

To the 'layman' Muslim, which means the majority of the Muslims, all God has to do is to click His fingers (assuming, in the first place, God has fingers) and it will happen. And that is all it takes for something to happen.

Things happen, not only for a reason, but also because of an earlier event or action. Hence, if you understand Islam (or any religion for that matter), you will understand the compatibility between religion and science. Hence, also, to argue that religion is incompatible with science is a misunderstanding of how things work.

I am not trying to sound like a philosopher or am trying to present myself as one. However, if we were to ponder on religion and science and ponder on the issue of our existence, you will come to a conclusion that God did not just say 'be' and we came into being. There are so many factors and events that influence and decide on whether we exist or do not exist.

Theologians and philosophers from the beginning of time have asked that very thought-provoking question with the most elusive answer: why are we here and what is the purpose of why we are here? I doubt we can answer that question so we can skip that question and go to another question that I always ask: did I almost not get here?

Did God just say 'be' and I came into being? Maybe when it involves the creation of the universe that may have been so. God said 'be' and the 'Big Bang' happened and, lo and behold, the universe was created -- and eventually we also came into being.

However, from that point of time to the day of my birth at midnight on the 27th of September 1950, other things happened that resulted in me being born. So it was not just a case of God saying 'be' and I got born. More importantly, if some other things did not happen that would have meant I would never have been born and you would not be reading this today.

So, was I created by God or was I created by certain events in history? Hence, did God have a hand in my creation or did history create me?

No, I am not trying to be blasphemous and say that God did not have a hand in why I am here. That would be a layman's way of looking at what they think I am trying to say. I am saying that if certain events did not happen back in time then I would not be here today because without these events it would not been possible for me to be born. And I am not just talking about my father and mother doing something that made it possible for me to be born. It is more complex than that.

So, if you were to ask me who then is responsible for my birth, I would most likely reply it was Sir Harold Alfred MacMichael.

Ah, now I can see some of you getting very confused. Who the hell is Sir Harold Alfred MacMichael and how come he is responsible for my birth?

Okay, Sir Harold Alfred MacMichael (photograph above) was the British Colonial administrator who coaxed the Malay Rulers to agree to the formation of the Malayan Union. When the Malays realised that the Rulers had been tricked into agreeing to the Malayan Union, they rose up in protest and demonstrated outside the Majestic Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. This event also triggered the formation of Umno, a movement that was initially set up to oppose the Malayan Union.

The British suddenly realised that the Malays were not really as docile as they had thought. For hundreds of years the Malays accepted any colonial master that wanted to rule over them. Now, suddenly, they rose up in protest, a shocking thing to happen at that time.

The British soon got cold feet and after two years the Malayan Union was aborted in favour of the Federation of Malaya. The British also realised that a sort of independence movement had emerged and soon enough they would need to talk about independence for Malaya.

It is not that that thought had not entered the minds of the British. Around 40 years before that the British had realised that come one day they would have to grant independence to the country. And that was why they set up schools like the Malay College Kuala Kangsar so that the Malays can be educated and trained to become administrators in the English tradition and with English values.

To accelerate the education and training of the locals soon after the Malayan Union fiasco, the British decided to send Malayans to England for a university education. At least if they were going to hand the country to the locals to manage they might as well educate and train these locals in English universities. Amongst the first Malays, Chinese and Indians that the British chose to send to England was my father.

And it was when he was in England that my father met and married my mother, much to my grandfather's chagrin.

My grandfather, who went on to become the Malayan High Commissioner to England, the Speaker, the Menteri Besar of Selangor, and finally the Governor of Penang, never went to England although he spoke English like Sir Winston Churchill. Hence my father, plus those early Malayans who were sent to England, did not need to be sent to England to administer the country. But he was. And because he was he met my mother and hence I was born.

What if Sir Harold Alfred MacMichael had not tried to pull that trick on the Malay Rulers? Would the Malays have risen up in protest? Would Umno have been formed? Would the British have panicked? Would they have decided to quickly send the Malayans to England to receive a British university education to prepare them to take over the country? Hence, would my father have been sent to England where he met my mother and which resulted in my birth?

In short, is my being the result of God saying 'be' or the result of so many events in history that if they had not happened then I would not have been born?

Anyway, those are the kinds of thoughts that run through my mind, which I try to rationalise and see how they dovetail with theological, historical and scientific facts and beliefs. And, boy, does that give me a whooping headache thereafter.

I do believe I think too much.

Anyway, have a good resting day and try not to think too much.

******************************************

When Allah decided to create the earth, sun, planets, stars, galaxies and everything within it, He commanded: "Be!" and they were. This is mentioned in the following verse of the Quran: Verily, when He intends a thing, His Command is, "be", and it is! (Ya Sin, chapter 36 verse 82)

As for how everything were created, what we know is only what Allah has revealed to us in the Quran - which is that He created the heavens, and the earth, and everything within it in six days.

This is mentioned in the following verse of the Quran: It is God Who has created the heavens and the earth, and all between them, in six Days, and is firmly established on the Throne (of Authority): ye have none, besides Him, to protect or intercede (for you): will ye not then receive admonition? (Al Sajdah, chapter 32 verse 4)

These "six days" mentioned in the Quran are not the same as our earth days that represent one rotation of the earth around the sun.

Allah created the earth on Saturday. On Sunday, Allah created the mountains. On Monday, the trees were created while, on Tuesday, He created the microorganisms. On Wednesday, Allah gave the earth light and, on Thursday, the animals were created. Then, on Friday, the last living thing, Adam, was created. Adam, the father of all humankind, was created late afternoon on Friday and, indisputably, is the last creation of Allah.

Dr. Tareq Mohammed Al-Suwaidan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.TareqAlSuwaidan

Dr. Tareq Mohammed Al-Suwaidan (born November 15, 1953) is a Kuwaiti entrepreneur, author and speaker, and a leader of the Kuwaiti Muslim Brotherhood. He is well known in the Middle East and in Muslim communities throughout the world for his management/strategic planning training, motivational speaking and television shows and appearances. According to Forbes magazine (Arabic edition: Forbes Arabia), Al-Suwaidan ranks second in annual net income among Islamic speakers in the Muslim world with an estimated net profit of $1 million in 2007. Al-Suwaidan was trained in the classical Islamic sciences in his youth and lived and studied in the United States, having received a B.S. in petroleum and natural gas engineering from Penn State University and an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in petroleum engineering from the University of Tulsa.

(READ MORE HERE http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tareq_Al-Suwaidan)

Kredit: www.malaysia-today.net

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

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Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

Umno’s future hangs on ‘kingmaker’ Muhyiddin, says ex-NST chief
Fearing contamination, Chinese pay more for imported infant goods
Be, and it shall be
Nik Aziz accuses US and Israel of being two-faced on Egypt
Zahid Hamidi: EO replacement may still allow for detention without trial
Tweak Federal Constitution to be in line with Islamic law, mufti suggests
Rolling Stones deliver biggest bang in nostalgic London show
Zahid Hamidi: Abolition of Sedition Act may lead to dispute of Federal Constitution
Survival of the fittest
KL-London relations rises to new heights
Our flag flies high in London

Umno’s future hangs on ‘kingmaker’ Muhyiddin, says ex-NST chief

Posted: 06 Jul 2013 08:11 PM PDT

"Has Muhyiddin, who showed the door out to Abdullah who won 140 parliamentary seats, missed the fact that Najib's performance was worse that that?"

Zurairi AR, The Malay Mail

Umno's number two Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin must make the hard decision to challenge the top spot for the sake of the party's future, former New Straits Times (NST) group editor-in-chief Datuk A. Kadir Jasin appeared to suggest in his blog post.

"The public must still remember Muhyiddin's role in the movement to hasten Abdullah's resignation and at once the rise of Najib, after Abdullah's bad performance in the 2008 general elections," said Kadir in his latest posting yesterday.

"Has Muhyiddin, who showed the door out to Abdullah who won 140 parliamentary seats, missed the fact that Najib's performance was worse that that?"

In the May polls, Najib-led Barisan Nasional (BN) not only failed to recapture its coveted parliamentary supermajority but also lost further ground to Pakatan Rakyat (PR), when it took 133 seats to the opposition pact's 89.

Despite the dismal performance, Najib's contemporaries have agreed to leave the party's top two positions uncontested in an election this year, in order to preserve stability in Umno.

Kadir noted Muhyiddin's dilemma in challenging Najib after such decision was announced, and also whether the top leaders will support his challenge.

Kadir also defended Muhyiddin's label of being "a Malay first" despite claims that he is being seen as racist, anti-1Malaysia and a sabotage against the concept's founder Najib.

He compared the hostility from non-Malays towards Muhyiddin with another former Umno president Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was labelled an "ultra Malay" before he replaced his predecessor Tun Hussein Onn.

According to Kadir, non-Malays especially Chinese did so because they wish to keep Umno and the government's leadership weakened, so that they can have the political leverage to make demands.

This was proven, he said, in the recent proposal to amend the Administration of Islam (Federal Territories) Bill 2013, which was ironically announced to be scrapped by Muhyiddin himself.

The party's fight for Malays, Islam and the nation must be at the top of the priority as Umno members choose a leader that will carve the party's future, reminded Kadir.

"If they are sincere towards that statement and are not only thinking about their own interests, they surely know and should bravely say in public, who is worthy and can be counted on to carry a heavy task for the sake of Malays, Islam, and country," he said.

"In conclusion, it is up to Umno leaders to choose which is more important – their dilemma to keep their manners or the future of the party."

A total of 146,000 Umno members will cast their votes for the top leadership of the party, adopting the 'electoral college' system which merges the election systems from the United States and the United Kingdom.

The date for election at the branch level had been decided from July 15 till August 31 while the date for election at the divisional and top party leadership levels had yet to be decided.

- See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/umnos-future-hangs-on-kingmaker-muhyiddin-says-ex-nst-chief#sthash.tuK1COA4.dpuf

In an apparent endorsement for the deputy prime minister, Kadir compared the performance of Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the May polls with former president Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, whom Muhyiddin (picture) allegedly helped oust from the party.

"The public must still remember Muhyiddin's role in the movement to hasten Abdullah's resignation and at once the rise of Najib, after Abdullah's bad performance in the 2008 general elections," said Kadir in his latest posting yesterday.

"Has Muhyiddin, who showed the door out to Abdullah who won 140 parliamentary seats, missed the fact that Najib's performance was worse that that?"

In the May polls, Najib-led Barisan Nasional (BN) not only failed to recapture its coveted parliamentary supermajority but also lost further ground to Pakatan Rakyat (PR), when it took 133 seats to the opposition pact's 89.

Despite the dismal performance, Najib's contemporaries have agreed to leave the party's top two positions uncontested in an election this year, in order to preserve stability in Umno.

Kadir noted Muhyiddin's dilemma in challenging Najib after such decision was announced, and also whether the top leaders will support his challenge.

Kadir also defended Muhyiddin's label of being "a Malay first" despite claims that he is being seen as racist, anti-1Malaysia and a sabotage against the concept's founder Najib.

He compared the hostility from non-Malays towards Muhyiddin with another former Umno president Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was labelled an "ultra Malay" before he replaced his predecessor Tun Hussein Onn.

According to Kadir, non-Malays especially Chinese did so because they wish to keep Umno and the government's leadership weakened, so that they can have the political leverage to make demands.

This was proven, he said, in the recent proposal to amend the Administration of Islam (Federal Territories) Bill 2013, which was ironically announced to be scrapped by Muhyiddin himself.

The party's fight for Malays, Islam and the nation must be at the top of the priority as Umno members choose a leader that will carve the party's future, reminded Kadir.

"If they are sincere towards that statement and are not only thinking about their own interests, they surely know and should bravely say in public, who is worthy and can be counted on to carry a heavy task for the sake of Malays, Islam, and country," he said.

"In conclusion, it is up to Umno leaders to choose which is more important – their dilemma to keep their manners or the future of the party."

A total of 146,000 Umno members will cast their votes for the top leadership of the party, adopting the 'electoral college' system which merges the election systems from the United States and the United Kingdom.

The date for election at the branch level had been decided from July 15 till August 31 while the date for election at the divisional and top party leadership levels had yet to be decided.

Fearing contamination, Chinese pay more for imported infant goods

Posted: 06 Jul 2013 08:05 PM PDT

In 2008, six infants were killed in China and thousands fell sick after consuming milk tainted with melamine. There have been several food scandals in recent months, involving rat meat in mutton, excessive hormones in chicken meat and toxins in rice.

(Reuters) - Sophie the Giraffe is a teething toy taking over the world one baby mouth at a time. The toy, handmade in France from Malaysian rubber sap, is the rage for parents of toddlers the world over, including China.

But the knobby chew toy is priced around $30 in China, nearly three times the price in France. It's not a shock for Chinese parents, who have long lived with imported baby products that are sharply more expensive than elsewhere in the world.

Last week, Chinese authorities began an investigation into possible price-fixing and anti-competitive practices at five foreign companies manufacturing infant formula milk, including Nestle SA, Abbott Laboratories, Mead Johnson Nutrition Co, Danone's Dumex brand and Wyeth Nutrition.

Several other products aimed at infants and toddlers appear to be exorbitantly priced in China. Import duties are only a part of the reason, experts say - much of the premium for imported infant products can be ascribed to fears that locally made goods may be contaminated.

Chinese parents, who are mostly only allowed to have one child, simply do not want to take the risk of possible contamination in local baby products.

Foreign companies know this and many take advantage.

"Brands have been able to get away with this just because of the fear factor about buying unsafe products," said Benjamin Cavender, principal analyst at China Market Research Group.

"If you look at how consumers spend their money, they are disproportionately willing to spend money on anything that their child will be eating or what will be touching their child's body."

But when it comes to children, the fear of domestic goods goes beyond food to items like toys and diapers. Many local toys have been found to have toxic levels of substances like lead, arsenic and mercury.

For many Chinese and expatriates living in China going to Hong Kong or overseas for holidays, the shopping list includes diapers and infant formula, and they buy in bulk.

In March, Hong Kong passed a law that classified milk powder as a restricted export, alongside items like rough diamonds, mandating that anyone without a licence caught exporting more 1.8 kg, about two cans of milk powder, will be fined or jailed.

Security guards patrol shops at Hong Kong's international airport to make sure the rule is not broken.

In Britain, shops are rationing sales of baby milk after Chinese visitors and bulk buyers cleared their shelves to send the goods to China. Boxes of baby milk costing around 10 pounds ($15) in Britain are on sale on Chinese websites for up to three times as much.

Other imported infant items are similarly marked up in China.

Sophie the Giraffe retails for about 8 euros ($10.33) on Amazon's French website.

Under Chinese law, Sophie would face an import duty of 10 per cent if imported as a rubber item and a value-added-tax (VAT) of 17 per cent. If it is imported as an animal toy, there is no import duty but the VAT still applies. Transport and distribution costs would also apply.

Shanghai Tongzhen Trading Co. sells the toy for $27 on Chinese e-commerce platform Jingdong Mall.

After China announced the investigation into infant formula, Swiss food company Nestle and French rival Danone said they will cut the price of the milk powder in China.

A can of Karicare Gold 3 infant milk powder from Nutricia, a unit of Danone, retails in New Zealand and Australia for around $19. In China, the official Nutricia store on the online Taobao Mall sells one can for 190 yuan ($31).

The VAT is still 17 per cent but import duty for milk powder stands at only five per cent.

Cai Junfang, a Shanghai woman who has a two-month old baby girl, says she manages the high prices by breastfeeding and using local diaper brands.

"The prices of imported baby goods are indeed very high,"said Cai, adding that the quality of imported goods was however generally better than domestic products.

But when it comes to her baby's milk formula, she's not taking chances.

"There has been too much media exposure on the domestic formula safety. The most important thing is my baby's health," she said.

Be, and it shall be

Posted: 06 Jul 2013 07:09 PM PDT

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest so let us take a break today and not talk about politics.

(See more details below).

So, was I created by God or was I created by certain events in history? Hence, did God have a hand in my creation or did history create me?

So, if you were to ask me who then is responsible for my birth, I would most likely reply it was Sir Harold Alfred MacMichael.

Ah, now I can see some of you getting very confused. Who the hell is Sir Harold Alfred MacMichael and how come he is responsible for my birth?

And it was when he was in England that my father met and married my mother, much to my grandfather's chagrin.

In short, is my being the result of God saying 'be' or the result of so many events in history that if they had not happened then I would not have been born?

I do believe I think too much.

Anyway, have a good resting day and try not to think too much.

******************************************

As for how everything were created, what we know is only what Allah has revealed to us in the Quran - which is that He created the heavens, and the earth, and everything within it in six days.

These "six days" mentioned in the Quran are not the same as our earth days that represent one rotation of the earth around the sun.

Dr. Tareq Mohammed Al-Suwaidan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.TareqAlSuwaidan

(READ MORE HERE http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tareq_Al-Suwaidan)

Nik Aziz accuses US and Israel of being two-faced on Egypt

Posted: 06 Jul 2013 04:45 PM PDT

Lee Shi-Ian, TMI

The United States and Israel were slammed as hypocrites by PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat for championing democratic principles but keeping quiet over the events in Egypt.

He said Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi had been elected as president in clean and fair polls but had not been given the opportunity to complete his term.

"This is the true face of The United States and Israel. They are the ones who champion democracy and they are the ones who besmirch democracy as well," he said.

Harakahdaily reported Nik Aziz as saying Morsi's enemies were uncomfortable with him and would not allow his administration to run smoothly.

"Hence, it is not strange for The United States to support the coup by the Egyptian military.

"The other Middle Eastern countries which supported the coup are also tools of The United States," he alleged.

Nik Aziz said Israel represents the Jews while the US represents the Christians, and they are always trying to dim the light of God.

"They have forgotten that the rise of Islam is like a fast-flowing river, if you block it at the side, it will flow through the centre.

"If you try to block it at the centre, it will flow over the top of the barrier and to the bottom. If all angles are blocked, it will wait to break through the barrier," he said.

The Egyptian people have risen to protest against Morsi's removal as president and to voice their anger and frustration at the military.

"The people of Egypt will not stand aside and watch secularists fulfill their ambition of returning to power," Nik Aziz said.

Nik Aziz said The United States and Israel would continue playing their games in the Middle East.

"In public, they will shout democratic slogans, but when they have been stabbed by democracy, then they will violate it," Nik Aziz said.

Posted: 06 Jul 2013 04:34 PM PDT

(MM) - The new security law replacing the repealed Emergency Ordinance (EO) may end up looking very much like its forebear which had allowed detention without trial, the home minister hinted today.

Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (picture) told reporters there had been proposals to embed preventive detention provisions into the proposed law, a second draft of which will be ready by September.

"I cannot announce it now, (but) there are proposals," he said, adding that the police needed to be empowered to act against offenders.

Ahmad Zahid acknowledged that such provisions, however, would be difficult to push through Parliament as it would draw much opposition from across the political divide and civil society.

"But I have to be rational as well, because the Bar Council and the opposition are not for it," he said.

The home minister said his Cabinet colleagues, Datuk Paul Low and Datuk Nancy Shukri, who are both ministers in the Prime Minister's Department, have been tasked with collecting input from the Bar Council, non-governmental organisations and politicians.

"Three ministers are coordinating ... I have already given the note to both of them, I think we're sitting down by next week," Ahmad Zahid said.

The EO was a security law introduced after the 1969 race riots that allowed the authorities to detain a person without trial for up to two years, similar to the much-criticised Internal Security Act (ISA). Both were repealed in 2011.

The EO was usually enforced against hardcore gangsters but had also been applied to children who were held in the same detention facilities as adults.

Ahmad Zahid has been among the most vocal proponents for maintaining preventive security measures, which he argues is necessary to effectively curb crime.

The minister blamed the removal of the EO as contributing to a spike in crime.

"When robbers and criminals are released, they go on to have minions. They are the ones who commit street crimes. Try supporting the return of EO in a new name," he said after opening the International Anti-Drug Day event here.

Ahmad Zahid was previously reported as saying the 2,600 people detained under the EO were now "roaming" the streets after being freed following its abolishment.

The police too have sought to attribute complaints of rising crime to the repeal of the EO, but it is unclear which crimes have a direct correlation with the released detainees.

Tweak Federal Constitution to be in line with Islamic law, mufti suggests

Posted: 06 Jul 2013 04:29 PM PDT

(MM) - Parliament should amend the Federal Constitution to make it a better reflection of Islamic law, Pahang Mufti Datuk Abdul Rahman Osman said today in the wake of a row over the conversion of minors to Islam.

Conservative Muslims have been pressuring the government to push through its bill to amend the Administration of the Religion of Islam (Federal Territories) to allow a single parent who is Muslim to convert his or her child who is below the age of 18.

"If we see any Acts in conflict we must discuss again, review until it fulfils syara'," the senior cleric told Sinar Harian Online, and added, "... perhaps the Constitution should be amended if it doesn't follow syara' or Islam."

The Najib administration withdrew last week its proposal to formalise the unilateral conversion of minors into federal law, which it had tabled in the Dewan Rakyat just days earlier after drawing widespread complaint by non-Muslim groups as unfair and disagreement from some ministers.

Section 107(b) of the Administration of the Religion of Islam (Federal Territories) Bill 2013 was introduced in Parliament on July 3.

Leaders from both sides of the political aisle have openly opposed the proposed amendment, including Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz, the minister who had announced the Cabinet prohibition on unilateral child conversion in 2009, speaking out against a proposed law that aims to defeat the decision from four years ago.

In 2009, as then minister in charge of law, Nazri had said the government would ban the unilateral conversion of those aged below 18 to Islam.

Several other conservative Muslim clerics have insisted that any child whose parent embraces Islam must follow suit, but Abdul Rahman's remarks appear to take the matter a step further.

However, he said his suggestion was in accordance to the country's supreme law.

"From what we understand, the official religion of the federation is Islam, so what has to be done has to go back to Islam," he was quoted as saying by the Malay news portal.

"If we follow federal law if the child has not passed 18 years of age even though he has reached the end of puberty he cannot change his religion, but in Islam according to the syara', if the mother or father is Muslim, the child must follow the Muslim mother or father," Abdul Rahman reportedly said.

Custodial tussles in cases of unilateral child conversions have been a growing concern over the years and provide a high-profile glimpse of the concerns of Malaysia's religious minorities over the perceived dominance of Islam in the country.

It also highlights the complications of Malaysia's dual legal systems where Muslims are bound by both civil and syariah laws, the latter of which do not apply to or recognise non-Muslims.

Rolling Stones deliver biggest bang in nostalgic London show

Posted: 06 Jul 2013 04:26 PM PDT

(Reuters) - The Rolling Stones blasted through the past into the present yesterday with a rip-roaring show in London's Hyde Park that paid homage to their last concert here 44 years ago.

Frontman Mick Jagger strutted, howled and belted his way through a two-hour set that gave a nod to founding member Brian Jones, whose death in 1969 turned their last appearance at the royal park into a tribute.

"Anybody out there who was here in 1969?" Jagger called out to applause from a sea of grey hair after opening with "Start Me Up" and "It's only Rock and Roll".

"Well welcome back, it's nice to see you again."

Jones had already left the Stones the last time Jagger, guitarist Keith Richards and drummer Charlie Watts played the park at a gig meant to introduce his replacement, Mick Taylor. Guitarist Ronnie Wood joined in 1975.

But two days before their appearance, the 27-year-old Jones drowned in his swimming pool under the influence of drugs and alcohol, turning that concert into a commemoration.

Now the band with an average age of 69 stormed through the classics from "Brown Sugar" and "Honky Tonk Woman" to "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and "Sympathy for the Devil" — with rubber-lipped Jagger strumming the guitar for the latest single "Doom and Gloom".

The Stones bounded across the stage and along a catwalk stretching into the sea of 65,000 fans gathered on a sultry summer evening in 21st century central London, sipping beer. The unmistakeable aroma of marijuana wafted in the air.

The night belonged to the reconciliation of past and present for a crowd of old and young steeped in Stones lore, watching the band on stage with images of past concerts occasionally flashing past on big screens rising up behind the band.

Jagger donned a white smock-like outfit similar to the one he wore in 1969, played the harmonica and quoted a piece of poetry. The references to Jones and the old days were unmistakeable even if his name was never mentioned.

Mick Taylor takes a brief turn

Taylor — who left the Stones in 1974 — appeared on stage for a rollicking version of "Midnight Rambler," where he delivered a masterclass in the guitar solo before jamming in front of Watts with Wood and Richards.

"Mick's very first show was with us here," Jagger told the crowd. "We found him in a pub and put him in front of 250,000 people."

The crowd reflected the longevity of the band and their continued popularity across the generations.

"This is my birthday present from my dad," said 34-year-old Dan Kemsley, who had been waiting in front of the stage alongside his Stones-mad father John since noon.

Nostalgia has played a major part in the Rolling Stones' activities the past year as they celebrated 50 years in the music business and embarked on a North American tour.

The Rolling Stones lived up to their reputation as one of the greatest rock and roll bands when they played to more than 100,000 revellers at last weekend's Glastonbury festival.

The band emerged alongside the Beatles in the early 1960s to become one of the most successful groups in rock and roll history with hits such as "You Can't Always Get What You Want" and "Satisfaction", which rounded off the show amid fireworks.

They last went on the road for their "A Bigger Bang" tour from 2005 to 2007, playing 144 shows around the world and grossing more than US$550 million (RM1.75 billion), making it one of the world's most lucrative rock tours.

They play another concert in Hyde Park on July 13.

Live performances have emerged as the major money earner in the music business as record sales go digital, with growing numbers of veteran acts returning to the stage and attracting well-heeled, aging fans willing to pay high ticket prices.

Zahid Hamidi: Abolition of Sedition Act may lead to dispute of Federal Constitution

Posted: 06 Jul 2013 04:22 PM PDT

(The Star) - The abolition of the Sedition Act 1948 may lead to the dispute of four core aspects enshrined in the Federal Constitution, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

According to Zahid, the four core aspects are the special rights of Malays, the status of Malay rulers, the status of Islam as the Federal religion and the status of Bahasa Melayu as the national language.

The Home Minister said he wanted the Act retained so that these will not be questioned.

"The Cabinet cannot decide to abolish (the Act) but (it can propose) to amend.

"If the Sedition Act is abolished wholly, (people) will have the rights to touch on these four areas although these are enshrined in the Constitution.

"I will not compromise if there are parties who want to touch on any of these four main aspects of the Constitution.

"Those who do, must be charged under the existing Sedition Act 1964," said Dr Ahmad Zahid on Sunday after launching the commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking here.

Survival of the fittest

Posted: 06 Jul 2013 04:16 PM PDT

A 'long, hot summer' lies ahead for Umno as its leaders brace themselves for the run-up to the party election and the mini storms that may break out as delegates air their grievances about the general election.

Joceline Tan, The Star

DATUK Seri Najib Tun Razak will survive as president of Umno. The rumblings in the party for the Umno president to take responsibility for the general election result has quietened down.

In fact, the chatter in Umno circles the last few days has been about the appointment of Baling MP Datuk Abdul Azeez Rahim as chairman of Tabung Haji. Azeez is quite an affable and well-liked figure in Umno but opinion about the appointment has not been very flattering.

It was quite a contrast to views on the appointment of former Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman as Sime Darby chairman. They appreciated the fact that the gentleman politician had taken the hits for Umno in Gelang Patah.

Najib is on safe ground but it is not guaranteed to be a smooth ride as yet. As the Malays say, "air yang tenang jangan sangka tak ada buaya" (there may be crocodiles beneath still waters).

"You can't stop people from contesting even if they can't win. There will always be some 'Sulaiman Palestine' person out there," said Kok Lanas assemblyman Datuk Alwi Che Ahmad.

Alwi was referring to Sulaiman Ahmad aka Sulaiman Palestine who challenged Tun Hussein Onn for the presidency in 1978 and got 30% of the votes.

Every political party has individuals who are unhappy about one thing or another and who will jump into the ring as a show of protest or to prove a point.

One name that comes to mind is Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah. Another possibility is Pulai MP Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed who had expressed interest in the last round.

"Anyone who wants to challenge (Najib), go to the mirror and ask yourself – can you fill the post? I simply cannot see anyone of Najib's or Muhyiddin's experience for now," said Cheras Umno chief Datuk Seri Syed Ali Alhabshee.

The presidency has not been contested since 1987 when the fight between Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Razaleigh split the party down the middle.

Dr Mahathir, said a political insider, had this episode of Umno's history in mind when he said that Umno "does not really understand democracy" because the loser usually cannot accept the result.

The elder statesman has since made it plain that he is against a contest for the two top posts.

Dr Mahathir's topmost priority, said the insider, is the survival of Umno rather than the survival of Najib or Muhyiddin. Those who have had private sessions with Dr Mahathir would know he has critical views of some of Najib's policies, his overtures to the Chinese and even Najib's family members.

Many in Umno who were unhappy with Najib's inability to do better than his predecessor have also come to the same conclusion about the contest.

They were angry, but after they cooled down, pragmatism took over and they told themselves that Umno had actually done better than in 2008 and that Najib had done the best he could.

They can see that Najib and Muhyiddin, despite their very different upbringing, have worked well together. Muhyiddin is a loyal deputy and Najib treats him with respect.

Quite ironically, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was a contributing factor in Umno closing ranks around Najib. Anwar's series of 505 rallies spooked as well as angered the Umno side.

They saw it as the action of a frustrated politician attempting to topple an elected government.

Or as Lanchar assemblyman Datuk Sharkar Shamsuddin put it: "When they win it is clean elections, when they lose it is dirty."

The focus in Umno has since moved on to the contest for the three vice-president (VP) posts. Two of Umno's young leaders Khairy Jamaluddin and Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir have emerged as future personalities to watch out for.

The demographic changes taking place on the political landscape favours their generation and the party has been forced to look beyond the Najib generation.

Khairy ended his spell in purgatory when he was appointed Youth and Sports Minister. It is a good place to be for a young politician because he is often in the sports pages where he can reach out to an important cohort of voters. Moreover, he is the first Youth and Sports Minister who looks like his BMI is a perfect 20.

Some think the young Turks are ready to dip their toes into the VP pool.

But Khairy has told his team that he wants to finish what he set out to do in Umno Youth. The "senior game", as he terms it, requires an entirely different game plan and that will come when he has proven himself.

"Khairy is secure in Pemuda because most of us know who we want up there," said Bukit Bintang Youth head Tengku Azman Zainal Abidin.

Mukhriz has his hands full with the challenge of reestablishing Barisan's standing in Kedah. PAS has a strong presence there and he will have to work hard and smart to ensure that Kedah does not become a swing state like Terengganu.

Sources said Mukhriz may try out for the supreme council to test his reach in the party. Going for the VP at this point in time would be a case of too much, too soon.

But the prevailing opinion in the party is that the VP level needs some shaking up. Of the three incumbents – Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Datuk Seri Dr Hishammuddin Hussein Onn and Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal – only Ahmad Zahid looks assured of staying up there.

Umno members approve of his handling of his previous defence portfolio and hope he will be a tough Home Affairs Minister. There has been talk that Ahmad Zahid is being pushed to go for the No. 2 post but he is a Najib loyalist and Najib would not want to see him doing that.

"Zahid's PR is 100%. I will vote for him but if he goes for the deputy presidency, I have to think again," said Sharkar, another Najib loyalist.

Many also think International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed should move up.

Mustapa topped the list of supreme council members in the 2009 party polls.

"I would endorse Mustapa, he has integrity and is not linked to any scandal. His role in Kelantan should be recognised," said publisher Datuk A. Kadir Jasin.

Others said to be interested in the VP contest include Tan Sri Mohd Isa Samad, Datuk Seri Musa Aman and Tan Sri Mohd Ali Rustam. Several Mentris Besar may also go for it and they include Datuk Sri Mohamad Hasan (Negri Sembilan) and Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin (Johor).

"We should not stop qualified candidates, young or old, from contesting the VP posts. Only when there is a wide range of choice can we choose the best," said Alwi.

But over and above that, party leaders are bracing themselves for the proverbial "long hot summer" when the branch and division meetings start.

"In states and divisions that were successful (in the general election), all will be smooth. But those which lost, the meetings could be hot. That's where you find unhappy people," said Kapar deputy chief Datuk Faizal Abdullah.

The issue of winnable candidates will likely take centrestage at the meetings.

Barisan's poor performance in Selangor and Terengganu was blamed on candidates that were far from winnable.

Despite all the talk about winnable candidates, many of those picked were people who had connections rather than people who were winnable. The defeat of all of Najib's political secretaries, they said, was a case in point.

In Selangor, Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohamed, who resigned as Barisan state coordinator, will have to endure the heat. He is blamed for several controversial decisions on candidates in Selangor, some of which caused his own shocking defeat in Sepang.

Mohd Zin had axed his division deputy and vice chiefs who were incumbent assemblymen in the Sepang area.

It was a contentious move because they were winnable candidates. His own party Youth chief was so outraged that he stood as an independent against Mohd Zin.

Selangor is where the more worldly and vocal Umno members are and they are expected to air their grievances.

They may also question Najib's overtures to the Chinese, the weaknesses of component parties and why Umno failed to capture the young votes.

There are also bound to be right-wing voices urging Umno to return to its original roadmap of "bangsa, agama dan negara" (race, religion and country). But, said Faizal, urban-based Umno members know that the way forward cannot be too Malay-centric.

"The party has to stand up for the Malays but we need to look at the big picture as more Malays become urbanised," said Faizal.

Most of all, the party grassroots will want assurances that Umno will still be in power after the 14th general election.

They want to see their beautiful PWTC headquarters remain the symbol of their place in power and not become the opposition headquarters.

KL-London relations rises to new heights

Posted: 06 Jul 2013 04:10 PM PDT

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and London Mayor Boris Johnson addressing the media at the official launch of the 9th World Islam Economic Forum in the British capital on Wednesday.

MUTUAL GAIN: Launch of Battersea project during Najib's UK visit highlights Malaysia's new relationship with Britain

(Bernama) - PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's four-day visit to the United Kingdom, which ended on Thursday, has taken Kuala Lumpur-London relations to greater heights.

This is especially so with the launch of the iconic Battersea Power Station (BSP) project in London by a Malaysian consortium comprising SP Setia Bhd, Sime Darby Bhd and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).

The 15.6ha redevelopment project, with gross development value of STG8 billion (RM38 billion) will see some 3,500 new homes built as well as offices, commercial space and a park in West London, and is expected to take at least 10 years to complete and create 15,000 jobs.

Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin, chairman of joint venture company BSP Holding Co, said on Wednesday that the project marked the move by local companies from being "juara kampung" (village champions) to international champions.

"Combining the strengths of the three companies, we can beat every company in the world to become world champions and not just look at being jaguh kampung."

On Thursday, the Financial Times, in an article titled "Malaysia moves into London" quoted Najib as saying that Malaysia's aggressive investment in the UK, especially in the property market here, would turn the former colony of the British Empire into a major player in the property market.

The FT said last year, Malaysia spent STG1.4 billion, almost all of it in London, more than any other Asian country, snapping up City of London offices and the vast redevelopment project at BSP.

Najib told the British media at the official launch of the 9th World Islam Economic Forum (WIEF) that Malaysian investment in the UK had been on the upswing, with companies, including government-linked firms, looking at investing in real estate and purchasing buildings in London.

The prime minister said Mara was looking at a few London properties and EPF, flushed with funds, was looking for opportunities to invest here, adding that this was good for the British economy.

The upcoming WIEF, to be held here from Oct 29 to 31, is expected to deliver tangible investments. At the previous forum in Malaysia, deals worth an estimated RM28 million were struck.

The WIEF said the Islamic financial sector was currently estimated at STG1.2 trillion and is expected to grow to STG1.6 trillion by 2015, with Islamic nations accounting for nearly 25 per cent of the world's population.

"London will seek to extend its role as a western hub for Islamic finance, building on the STG22.3 billion that has been raised to date, via its status as the leading exporter of financial services across the world," it added.

Themed "Changing World, New Relationship", the forum is expected to attract more than 1,500 government leaders, captains of industries, academics, regional experts and corporate managers from 100 countries.

WIEF will also help build closer relations between Malaysia and the UK, while expanding trade and investment between the Islamic world and European countries.

If Malaysian investment in London is on an upswing, so too are ties between both countries, and Najib has described Malaysia's relationship with the British government under Prime Minister David Cameron as a partnership of prosperity.

For the BSP project, for example, Cameron and London Mayor Boris Johnson cooperated by settling all issues within a short time, including the decision on extending the Northern Line Tube to Battersea with a government financial guarantee.

Our flag flies high in London

Posted: 06 Jul 2013 04:08 PM PDT

SP Setia makes a powerful statement in London with the Battersea project that showcases the builder's ability and gives the city a much-needed economic boost.

Wong Chun Wai

BATTERSEA has become the most talked about word in London. Malaysians travelling to this city over the last few days have been asked the same question by Immigration officers on arrival: "Are you here for Battersea?"

At Bayswater in Central London, one of the city's most cosmopolitan areas with significant populations of Arabs, Greeks and even Brazilians, I was asked by an Arab salesman at Whiteleys if I was from Kuala Lumpur and whether I was attending the Battersea Power Station development launch.

British friends, especially those with links to Malaysia, also asked for help to get invitations to the Battersea regeneration event on Thursday.

Everyone wanted to be part of history. It is safe to say that there has never been any property groundbreaking event in Europe which was attended by two prime ministers and the mayor himself!

All three – Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, David Cameron and Boris Johnson – endorsed the project, declaring the enormous economic benefits that would be brought to the city.

Foreigners, including house buyers, see the Battersea property project as a good investment. Londoners see thousands of jobs being created and, better still, a RM4bil underground rail line in the works.

It was exactly 30 years ago on Thursday when the Battersea Power Station stopped producing power for the city but, as SP Setia boss Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin rightly pointed out, that power is back again in Battersea to bring a planned RM38bil development to the area.

It is a massive project by all counts, with the first phase comprising a block of 865 apartments that will be completed in two years. All the apartments have been sold, mostly to Malaysians, Singaporeans and Hong Kong buyers.

The project, which is backed by Sime Darby Bhd and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), is unprecedented for a Malaysian consortium in one of the world's biggest financial centres. The icing on the cake is that Liew beat Chelsea football club boss Roman Abramovich to the prized land, where Stamford Bridge, the club's stadium, is not far away.

Local residents associations also lent their support to the Malaysians as they feared Abramovich's plan to relocate the stadium to Battersea could cause traffic disruptions but bring few new jobs to the area.

After 30 years, life will be rekindled at the abandoned coal-fired power station once the project is in full swing. Located on the south bank of the River Thames, the station once generated about a fifth of London's electricity.

It was used as the backdrop for Pink Floyd's Animals album in 1977 and this writer has been made to understand that talks are ongoing to convince the remaining members of the hugely successful band to reunite for a charity concert at the iconic site.

In more recent times, Battersea was used to launch the Conservative Party's election manifesto, according to Boris Johnson.

At one point, it was bought by John Broome, chairman of Alton Towers, who wanted to turn it into a British Disneyland. Hong Kong businessman Victor Hwang wanted to turn it into a shopping mall but the plan never took off.

The groundbreaking event by Najib and Cameron saw plenty of history being made. The two premiers carried out bilateral talks for 30 minutes on the upper floor of the site sales office – where the show unit is located!

Johnson, as usual, cycled his way to Battersea while it has to be recorded here that a Malaysian bomoh was flown all the way to London to ensure the unpredictable British weather was beaten. Whether it was the bomoh's expertise or sheer luck, the rain stayed away.

Now that the fanfare is over, the real work needs to be done. The sales of the first phase have been a roaring success. SP Setia, in fact, had to turn away buyers.

The real challenge would be the subsequent phases. Getting Arab investors and buyers for the higher-end units would bring higher value to the project. There is also a need to secure sales from European, American and East European buyers.

Liew, who is well known for his down-to-earth approach, played down his visionary role in making the Battersea project a success. Instead, he attributed the success to the backing of Najib and the British lawyers. He consistently reminded journalists, who billed it as Malaysia's success story, that he has never felt so proud of being a Malaysian, a sentiment shared by his countrymen regardless of their race at the event.

But the reality is that Battersea is really a feather in his cap. His leadership, professionalism, dynamism and commitment have made this first step to changing the skyline in London possible. He has successfully flown the Malaysian flag in England.

This should serve as a reminder to Permodalan Nasional Berhad, the giant Malaysian asset management company that now owns the majority share in SP Setia, that Liew should be allowed to carry on his work with no interference.

In the day-to-day management, Liew and his men know their job inside out and they have the track record to prove it.

Let the professionals do their job and I am sure his financial backers, Sime Darby and EPF, would feel the same way. Their concern is that their investments must see good returns, that's all.

Kredit: www.malaysia-today.net

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