Khamis, 15 September 2011

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WIKILEAKS: UMNO QUESTIONS ANWAR IBRAHIM OVER "FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE" ROLE

Posted: 15 Sep 2011 01:00 AM PDT

State news agency Bernama and mainstream press outlets carried stories May 20-21 reporting that Khairy publicly demanded an explanation from former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim over Western press reports that Anwar had close connections to outgoing World Bank President Wolfowitz and played a role in the appointment of Shaha Ali Reza to work at the Foundation for the Future.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

1.  (C) Summary: Prime Ministerial son-in-law and UMNO youth leader Khairy Jamaluddin has publicly called on opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim to explain his role in the Foundation for the Future and his connections with outgoing World Bank President Wolfowitz.  Anwar, as Foundation chairman, issued a statement clarifying the Foundation's appointment of Shaha Ali Reza in 2006.  With the government's dominance of the mainstream media, UMNO will attempt to use this story to weaken Anwar's reformist and Islamic credentials, and portray Anwar as somehow in America's pocket.  End Summary.

2.  (U) State news agency Bernama and mainstream press outlets carried stories May 20-21 reporting that Khairy publicly demanded an explanation from former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim over Western press reports that Anwar had close connections to outgoing World Bank President Wolfowitz and played a role in the appointment of Shaha Ali Reza to work at the Foundation for the Future.  Khairy told reporters: "Anwar must explain his role in the scandal.... Anwar has to explain because this is an irregularity and abuse of power at the international level."

3.  (SBU) Khairy's remarks followed media accounts in late April that attempted to draw connections between Anwar and the World Bank President.  The Malaysian media carried the stories on the eve of the highly-charged Ijok by-election, which pitted Anwar's opposition party against a candidate from the ruling National Coalition (ref A).  Anwar's campaign strategy focused heavily on criticism of corruption in UMNO and the National Coalition, and in particular focused attacks on Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

4.  (U) Anwar Ibrahim, writing as Foundation for the Future chairman, issued a statement on May 20 in reaction to the "incessant propaganda from the UMNO controlled media." Anwar's statement described the Foundation's decision in mid-2006 to "regularize" Shaha Ali Reza's assignment by the World Bank to work at the Foundation.  His statement concluded that "the Foundation will not hesitate to institute legal action" should there be no clarification by the media. Malaysian papers carried reports of Anwar's statement on May 21-22.

5.  (U) Post has received a number of local media inquiries on this issue.  Per instructions, we have referred these journalists to the Department.

6.  (C) Comment: After enduring Anwar Ibrahim's sharp criticism over corruption and DPM Najib's alleged links to a murder scandal (reftels), UMNO has seized on Western press accounts of Anwar's role at the Foundation for the Future as a means to hit back. 

By implying that Anwar's actions constituted "abuse of power" and by highlighting press reports of Anwar's connections to a former senior U.S. official, UMNO will attempt to undermine the opposition leader's reformist and Islamic credentials. 

We expect UMNO also to use the story, at least behind the scenes, to help propagate a belief that Anwar is somehow in America's pocket. With its effective control over the mainstream media, the ruling National Front government will be able to stir this pot if and when it best suits UMNO's purpose.

LAFLEUR (MAY 2007)

 

Ibrahim Ali FINALLY admits that Malaya was colonised for 400 years

Posted: 14 Sep 2011 05:03 PM PDT

Ibrahim Ali finally admits that Malaya was colonised over a period of 400 years. Actually the Portuguese colonised Melaka exactly 500 years ago in 1511 and the Northern states paid tribute to and were vassals of the Kingdom of Siam while the Southern states were part of the Riau Empire.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Perkasa: 'Melayu dijajah 400 tahun, tindakan afirmatif dua dekad DEB mana cukup'

(The Malaysian Insider) - Presiden Perkasa, Datuk Ibrahim Ali, menegaskan orang Melayu dan Bumiputera telah dijajah lebih 400 tahun dan, oleh itu, tidak mungkin boleh maju dalam dua dekad sejak Dasar Ekonomi Baru (DEB) dilaksanakan.

Tempoh 20 tahun DEB berakhir 1990 dan matlamat dasar itu diteruskan menerusi dasar-dasar susulan sejak itu.

Sehubungan itu kata beliau, orang Melayu dan Bumiputera sewajarnya diberi masa dengan menganggap bahawa tempoh DEB antara 1970 hingga 1990 sebagai fasa pertama dan era selepas 1990 sebagai "fasa kedua."

"Harus diingat bahawa Melayu dan Bumiputera telah dijajah lebih 400 tahun. DEB hanya dilaksanakan dari 1970 hingga 1990.

"Mana mungkin (kaum yang) dijajah 400 lebih boleh maju, berjaya dalam tempoh 20 tahun dan waktu DEB dilancar dan dilaksanakan, orang Melayu dan Bumiputera belum bersedia dan serba kekurangan," kata Ibrahim dalam satu kenyataan dikeluarkan hari ini.

Ibrahim menggunakan rujukan dijajah dengan tempoh pelaksanaan memajukan orang Melayu dan Bumiputera ketika negara berhadapan dengan polemik sama ada Tanah Melayu benar-benar dijajah oleh British dan kuasa asing.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/bahasa/article/perkasa-melayu-dijajah-400-tahun-tindakan-afirmatif-dua-dekad-deb-mana-cukup/

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

Sovereignty of Malay Rulers a legal fiction

DR CHANDRA MUZAFFAR, The Star

In the midst of the controversy over Mat Sabu and Bukit Kepong certain views have been expressed about British rule which may have the unintended effect of confusing rather than enlightening.

It is true that the Malay states – unlike Penang, Malacca and Singapore – were not British colonies in the formal sense. Nonetheless, they were under British rule. The sovereignty of the Malay Rulers was a legal fiction.

The Ruler was required in both the Federated and Unfederated Malay States to seek, and act upon, the advice of the British Resident or Adviser "on all questions other than those touching Malay Religion and Custom". 

In other words, decision-making powers were effectively in the hands of the British.

Apart from laws and treaties which established the actual locus of authority with the British, every important dimension of the economy was under their control. Issues pertaining to land, resources, labour, capital and market in the Malay states were all determined by British policy and British interests.

This made the situation in the Malay states no different from the three British colonies in their vicinity. Indeed, it was British control over both the internal and external economy of the Malay states that rendered them de facto colonies.

Economic control led to the exploitation of Chinese and Indian workers in the tin mining and plantation sectors and the marginalisation of the Malay masses in the peasant sector.

The creation of a dual economy with the commodity based, exported oriented sector directed towards the colonial metropolis was a common characteristic of most colonial economies. In reality, the Malay states bore all the iniquities and injustices associated with colonial rule.

It is mainly because there was de facto colonialism that Umno in the 50s and Parti Kebangsaan Melayu in the 40s championed the cause of merdeka (independence) from the British.

They were focussed upon the substance – rather than the form – of British rule.

 

Kredit: www.malaysia-today.net

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Infighting in Pakatan Johor

Posted: 12 Sep 2011 05:32 PM PDT

Therefore, the DAP wishes to gain more seats in Johor, while PAS, currently having two state seats in Johor, wishes to expand its influence and the PKR, having no seat in Johor yet, is anxious to make a breakthrough. They are having their own calculations and a common goal.

By LIM MUN FAH
Translated by Soong Phui Jee
Sin Chew Daily

There are only about 500 days left before the deadline to hold the next general election. All parties have started making preparations and deployments for a life and death war, while factional fights have also gradually surfaced.

Let's start with the BN's Gerakan.

The Gerakan has lost Penang in the 2008 general election but managed to retain a parliamentary and two state seats in Johor. Many might think that the parliamentary and two state seats are not so important since there are so many seats in the parliament, as well as the state assembly. However, to the Gerakan, which is holding only two parliamentary and four state seats nationwide, the seats are indeed as precious as half of its life!

Unfortunately, there is an outbreak of infighting in this critical period. Gerakan central committee member and Pemanis state assemblyman Lau Chin Hoon has demanded Johor Gerakan chairman Datuk Teo Kok Chee's resignation. Lau also challenged Teo for an internal debate.

As for the Pakatan Rakyat, the Johor seat distribution negotiation between the DAP and the PKR has been trapped in a deadlock and they can only leave it to the central leaders. PKR state chairman Datuk Chua Jui Ming accused the DAP of violating the agreement for revealing the negotiation process to the public.

The infighting between Lau and Teo would bring less impacts to the overall situation compared the the inter-party fight between the DAP and the PKR as it a substantial issue affecting the state's development.

Johor is one of the strongest bastion of the BN. In addition to the seats in Sabah and Sarawak, Johor has also contributed much in helping the BN to retain power during the 2008 general election.

The fact is, in addition to the Gerakan, the MCA and the MIC also rely on Johor to survive. For the MCA, seven of its 15 parliamentary and 12 of its 35 state seats are from Johor. Meanwhile, one of the MIC's three parliamentary and four of its seven state seats are also from Johor.

Therefore, the MCA said earlier that Johor is going to be its battlefield in the forthcoming general election while the DAP take Johor as its front-line battlefield. It has even made winning the Johor state power as its ultimate goal.

Statistically, Johor has a total of 56 state seats. The Pakatan Rakyat, which is currently holding only six of the total seats, would need to win at least 23 seats to make state regime change possible.

Objectively speaking, it is almost a mission impossible to have a regime change in Johor. However, it is definitely possible for the alternative coalition to gain more seats in Johor and help the change of central power.

Therefore, the DAP wishes to gain more seats in Johor, while PAS, currently having two state seats in Johor, wishes to expand its influence and the PKR, having no seat in Johor yet, is anxious to make a breakthrough. They are having their own calculations and a common goal.

However, it is a standard taboo to have a chaos even before the war is started. It all depends on how the confronting coalitions settle their respective infighting or they might have to suffer a great defeat in the end.

 

Kredit: www.malaysia-today.net

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After PKR-DAP spat over seats in Johor, more friction in the offing?

Posted: 15 Sep 2011 04:20 AM PDT

(Bernama) - The spat between PKR and DAP, two of the three partners of the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR), over allocation of seats in Johor may be just the beginning of intense bickering, according to some political analysts.

They believe that such tiffs will crop up in the states as the leaders at that level are unlikely to look for a compromise until intervention by their top leaders.

"The intense bickering in Johor is due to the fact that the opposition is planning to make more inroads in the state in the next election. What happened in Johor in 2008 was that PKR was not that strong enough to build itself.

"Only after (former MCA minister) Datuk Chua Jui Meng became the state chairman did it (PKR) try to get more seats to contest but the DAP is still very strong, especially in the Johor Baharu area," said political commentator Datuk Cheah See Kian.

He felt that such spats were not likely to occur only in Johor, but believed that the parties would eventually close ranks.

"They will eventually compromise. For example, in the 2008 general election, DAP wanted 21 seats in Penang after originally demanding 23. They said 21, no more compromise after that. However, after discussions with (Datuk Seri) Anwar (Ibrahim), DAP agreed to take 19 as Anwar managed to convince DAP to give PKR two more seats as the party would have to depend on Malay support to form a government," he added.

However, James Chin, a political analyst from Monash University in Petaling Jaya, said the DAP-PKR quarrel was more intense this time around due to the fact that DAP was working toward being a more multi-racial party and this had put it at odds with PKR, which had been contesting in "mixed" constituencies in the previous elections.

He believed that "personal reasons" also played a part in the squabble as many members in the opposition pact, particularly DAP, were said to be not too happy with Chua's decision to join PKR and his subsequent appointment as Johor PKR chairman.

"When Chua was MCA vice-president, he helped BN to destroy DAP. Many people are not happy and find it difficult to work with him even though he is PKR vice-president at the national level and Johor state chairman, which has given him the mandate to negotiate for seats," said Chin.

The DAP-PKR friction over seats in Johor somewhat resembled the misunderstanding between the same two parties in the recent Sarawak state election where they initially failed to have a consensus on how many seats to contest.

It was only resolved after the PKR national leadership allowed its state leadership to negotiate directly with the DAP state leadership, but still they could not avoid multi-cornered fights with a local opposition outfit, Sarawak National Party (SNAP).

After the Sarawak state election, DAP and PKR were also feuding over the proposed "shadow state cabinet" posts after DAP Sarawak chairman Wong Ho Leng announced a line-up.

Even for the next general election, PKR is reportedly aiming for 15 parliamentary seats in Sarawak, a matter which may draw a difference in opinion from Sarawak DAP.

Not only that, DAP and PKR may also have the same problems in Sabah and would also have to contend with the opposition-based Sabah Progressive Party or Parti Maju Sabah (SAPP).

SAPP had already declared that it will stand in at least 40 state seats in Sabah. This includes all the eight Chinese-majority areas, where it will basically pit its candidates against those from DAP and PKR.

Even in Penang, a state now controlled by the DAP, DAP veteran Zulkifli Mohd Noor had been reported to be asking his party to reclaim six seats contested by PKR previously. His suggestion has drawn a lot of flak from Penang PKR leaders.

The DAP-PKR feud in Johor took place despite an earlier comment by PKR de facto leader Anwar that the issue of seat allocation among the three PR partners - DAP, PKR and PAS - had been resolved in most states with that in a few in the process of being finalised.

Anwar was reported to have said that a national-level PR meeting decided that component parties in the states should not make any announcements for the time being.

"We find there have been some statements from individuals, but it is not advisable to announce anything yet," he said at a recent Aidilfitri open house.

"We have done far better this time than in 2008," he said, explaining that the major parameters in terms of preparations had already been resolved before the next election in contrast to the last-minute agreements in 2008.

A political analyst at Universiti Sains Malaysia, Dr Sivamurugan Pandian, said although there was a crack in solidarity, the opposition parties would be smart enough to sweep it under the carpet for the time being and resolve the matter later.

He said this raised questions of whether the seats controversy was orchestrated and part of PR's strategy to divert attention from solving the real issues until their top leadership could come out with a plan to overcome the ongoing problems.

"What has happened to their so-called Common Policy framework (CPF) and shadow cabinet? Until now, they have not implemented them. If the CPF is already there, then the friction would not have been there in the first place," he said.

But the latest controversy over seats has no doubt created speculation and negative perceptions over PR's solidarity.

As pointed out by PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution last Wednesday, the misunderstanding was not going to help the coalition. He urged PR members not to wash dirty linen in public.

 

Internal Security Act to be abolished

Posted: 14 Sep 2011 10:58 PM PDT

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak says two new laws will be introduced to safeguard peace and order.

(Bernama) - : The Internal Security Act (ISA) 1960 will be abolished and two new laws will be introduced to safeguard peace and order, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said.

The prime minister also announced that the government would repeal the Banishment Act 1959 and reviewing other laws to be in line with current needs.

A comprehensive study will be carried out on the Restricted Residence Act 1993 and the Printing Presses and Publication Act 1984 where annual renewals would be done away with, and replaced with issuance of licence until it is revoked.

Announcing the matter tonight in his special Malaysia Day message, Najib said the two new laws would be formulated "under the spirit and umbrella" of Article 149 of the Federal Constitution to prevent subversive elements as well as fighting organised terrorism and crime, in order to safeguard peace and public order.

In the message delivered in front of 800 people at Angkasapuri and aired live over TV1 and TVi, the prime minister said the new laws replacing the ISA would provide for a shorter detention period.

He added that extension of detention can only be done through a court order, except in the law concerning terrorism where the power remained with the minister.

"Generally, the power to extend the detention period will shift from the executive to the judiciary, except in matters concerning terrorism," he said.

Stern action against street protesters

Najib had promised when he first took over the helm of the country's administration on April 3, 2009 that he would carry out a comprehensive review of the ISA.

Najib said tonight that the government would ensure that the rights of those being taken action under the new law would be safeguarded in line with the spirit of the Federal Constitution.

He said the government also assured that individuals would not be detained because of their political ideologies.

"The government will also review Section 27 of the Police Act 1967, taking into account the provision in Article 10 of the Federal Constitutions concerning freedom of assembly," he said.

Najib stressed, however, that stern action would remain against street demonstrators.

He said that the permit to assemble would be given under certain set of criteria to be determined later, taking into consideration the norms at the international level.

Najib said the government would not hesitate to amend or repeal laws which are no longer relevant.

 

Dr M: I would have sacked Anwar even if advised not to

Posted: 14 Sep 2011 06:24 PM PDT

Tun Dr Mahathir denies allegation by Perak Mufti, says it is not true

(The Malaysian Insider) - Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today denied Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria asked him not to sack Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in 1998 but added he would ignored the advice even if it was given.

In a blog posting today, the former prime minister reasoned that at the time, witnesses had already convinced him of Anwar's sodomy crimes and he was not prepared to accept an "immoral" person as his successor.

"Even if the Mufti did advise me, and I deny that he did, I would not be able to take that kind of advice.

"The learned Mufti may be prepared to accept an immoral person to become the Prime Minister of Malaysia. I am sorry but I hold my responsibility as an 'amanah', a trust, and I never can be prepared to accept an immoral prime minister," he wrote.

The Malaysian Insider published Harussani's statement last month saying he had attempted to meet with Dr Mahathir 13 years ago to advise him against sacking then deputy prime minister Anwar and against charging him in court for sodomy.

"I would have ignored the claim by the Mufti that he advised me. But the report is in the online news portal and that has political implications unfavourable towards me," Dr Mahathir complained.

The Perak Mufti had explained that he was concerned back then that Anwar's sacking would bring about split Malays, and that he had repeatedly cautioned the former prime minister to think about an alternative solution.

READ MORE HERE

 

Jamil Khir: I did not steal zakat money

Posted: 14 Sep 2011 05:14 PM PDT

(The Malaysian Insider) - Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom has denied that he used Islamic tithes to build a mansion for his family.

The minister in charge of Islamic affairs told a press conference today he had lived in the Kampung Batu Muda home since 1994 and renovations were paid for with his own money.

"Wallahi, I did not take zakat money. You can check with the Federal Territory zakat department and get a clean audit.

"I dare to swear if they dare," Jamil Khir told reporters.

The Malaysia Today news portal had published a picture of Jamil Khir's home yesterday (picture above), alleging that it was worth millions of ringgit.

In the report, PKR Youth deputy chief Khairul Anuar Ahmad Zainuddin had challenged the minister to explain how he could afford such a home after three years in office with a monthly salary of not more than RM15,000.

But the senator said today the allegations were a "desperate political" move to tarnish his image.

"I have lived there for 17 years and I do not know why it is now being raised. It is just renovations.

"I don't want to prolong this issue. Before this I was not unemployed. My last post was as a Major-General with a pension and gratuity. Not up to RM1 million but it was enough," he added.

He also said that the expansion of his home was due to the increasing number of people in his family, including his parents and his six children who also earn their own income now.

 

Nasi lemak: The dish to unite a country

Posted: 14 Sep 2011 03:54 PM PDT

By NZ Herald

An ethnic Chinese rapper accused of stirring Malaysian racial tensions has brought his social commentary to cinemas with a food-themed comedy celebrating the country's mixed cultural recipe.

But Wee Meng Chee - better known by the alias Namewee - characteristically pulls few punches in Nasi Lemak 2.0, an unusually daring exploration of a tide of racial distrust that has stoked concern in multi-ethnic Malaysia.

The comedy, named after the national rice dish and which opened last week, takes an unflinching but ultimately fond look at many of the racial stereotypes that Muslim-majority Malaysia's various ethnic groups aim at each other.

The main character, an arrogant chef played by Wee, expresses revulsion at Islamic practices such as circumcision.

In another scene, an ethnic Chinese student complains of difficulty getting into college, a reference to quota policies and other privileges favouring the dominant Malay ethnic group.

 

"My message is that the system in Malaysia is unequal ... But when we live together, we eat together, there is no racism," said Wee, sitting for an interview with AFP wearing his trademark beanie pulled down to his eyes.

More than half of Malaysia's near 28 million population are Malay Muslims, who live alongside sizeable Chinese, Indian and indigenous minorities.

Overt racial and religious antagonism has been largely avoided since deadly race riots in 1969.

But tensions have increased recently amid rising resentment over the Malay preferential policies, a trend toward what many say is increasing Islamisation of society, and other recent disputes.

Wee first stirred the hornet's nest in 2007, shooting to celebrity with a song mocking the national anthem.

In 2009, authorities threatened sedition charges over another song, Nah - based on a real incident - which lashes out a Malay school headmistress who makes racist slurs against her ethnic Chinese and Indian students.

Wee insists he is a patriotic Malaysian and that his art is meant to provoke a positive discussion leading to fairness and social harmony.

With potentially divisive snap elections expected to be called soon, Prime Minister Najib Razak has pushed his "1Malaysia" campaign promoting ethnic unity, and Wee said the film was meant to support that.

However, he adds: "I want to show the real Malaysia, how we live together. For 1Malaysia to work we have to be treated equally."

"I just want to share my music, my creativity with my true feelings without hiding anything."

The film's plot is anchored in Malaysia's undisputed common cultural touchstone: love of the country's diverse and spicy cuisine.

Wee plays Chef Huang, who studied Chinese cooking in China and ridicules Malay food.

Roped into a cooking competition, he finds however that he needs the help of people from all races - including a Malay with four wives and Indians who dance Bollywood-style - to create a delicious new version of nasi lemak.

Co-producer Fred Chong told AFP the movie - which mixes several of the nation's languages and dialects - made more than 1.5 million ringgit (A$472,988) in its first four days in cinemas, closing in on a previous high of 1.6 million ringgit for a movie by an ethnic Chinese producer.

Malaysia's film market is dominated by Malay and, above all, Hollywood films.

Nasi Lemak 2.0 was made on less than 1 million ringgit after private investors pulled out last year, spooked by the threat of sedition charges against Wee. None were ever filed.

Despite the film's positive message, Wee remains outspoken.

He said Nasi Lemak 2.0 was aimed at internet-savvy Malaysian youngsters fed up with official calls for unity by the Malay-dominated government that has been in power for decades.

"Our government always treats the people who are against them or disagree with them as criminals," he added, referring to the threatened sedition charges.

With its cast of local stars, song-and-dance numbers, martial arts routines, and numerous jokes drawing on current events, the movie has proven a hit with some, and Wee's Facebook page has been bombarded with supportive postings.

"Nasi Lemak 2.0 may not be perfect, but it has its moments," leading English daily The Star said in a review.

"It's a Malaysian movie, yes, but it is out to make us take a good hard look at ourselves... and laugh."

 


 

SNAP’s presidential race mired in money politics?

Posted: 14 Sep 2011 03:36 PM PDT

(The Borneo Post) - KUCHING: Money politics has crept into the tussle for the president's post of Sarawak National Party (SNAP) during its coming triennial general assembly (TGA) this Sept 24 and 25.

A concerned senior party member said a certain candidate for the president's post is offering as much as RM3,400 for each delegate to cover air tickets, hotel room, pocket money and dinner.

"It saddens me when I heard and learned that money politics is now practised in the party by a certain individual who aspires to become the party president."

"So it is my fervent hope that such thing (money politics) will stop for the sake of the party because the TGA is not about money, but the leadership quality, commitment and responsibility to serve and deliver."

"The party is not and must not be sold," he told The Borneo Post yesterday.

He advised party members not to be influenced by money politics, but to choose candidates who have the calibre and leadership quality to lead the party.

SNAP secretary-general Edmund Stanley Jugol when contacted said he has been told by a few delegates that they were promised money by "someone".

He denied being involved with money politics in the party, adding: "I do not have money."

Jugol warned of severe consequences for those who resort to bribing delegates to vote for them at the TGA.

"We are watching the situation closely and those involved will be suspended or sacked. There is also a possibility that we will refer them to Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)," Jugol warned.

Jugol said money politics have happened in Umno where the guilty members were sacked, and SNAP will sack members found guilty of doing that.

Meanwhile, SNAP president Edwin Dundang is sticking to his decision not to seek re-election in the coming TGA.

In a telephone interview, Dundang said the decision was to pave way for younger party members to lead the party.

"Many senior party members have accepted (my decision not to contest) and that I give way to younger ones," said Dundang who has indicated several times that he will not seek re-election to helm the party.

According to Dundang, so far two candidates – secretary-general Edmund Stanley Jugol and Michael Lias – are contesting for the president's post. Nomination for the president post closed on Sept 17.

SNAP, the oldest state political party was formed on April 10, 1961 and deregistered by the Registrar of Societies (RoS) in 2002.

However, it won the appeal last year when the Court of Appeal set aside the RoS decision.

In the last April 16 state election, the Election Commission (EC) reported that from the total 672,667 (68.66 per cent) registered voters who turned up, SNAP only received 15, 663 votes (2.33 per cent).

In the election, the party contested in 26 seats and lost all.

Is Mat Sabu an undercover communist?

Posted: 14 Sep 2011 03:30 PM PDT

By Stephanie Sta Maria, FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: Who is whispering into PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu's ear? And was his controversial statement on Mat Indera part of covert efforts by communist sympathisers to revive the ideology in Malaysia?

These were the questions posed at a Perkasa-organised forum on "Communism, Mat Indera and Independence" at Kelab Sultan Sulaiman last night.

The perplexed inquirer was a panellist and former Special Branch officer, Zulkifli Abdul Rahman, who wondered why Mohamad, better known as Mat Sabu, raised the Bukit Kepong incident during his ceramah at Tasek Gelugor, Penang, last month.

Even stranger yet, he said, was that Mat Sabu chose Mat Indera as his idol when the latter has been long dead and is not well-known to the former.

"It's a mystery," Zulkifli told the 500-strong crowd. "Why not Rashid Maidin or Shamsiah Fakeh? What inspired him to choose Mat Indera?"

"And who is Mat Sabu? He is not a communist… that I'm sure, but who among those surrounding him planted this idea in his head? Was this controversy deliberately engineered? And if so, by whom?" asked Zulkifli.

Zulkifli, 75, warned that while the communist armed movement is dead, its ideology is still very much alive and infiltrating institutions of education.

He explained that there were two types of communism – first being the armed movement and second being the subversive front or the Communist United Front.

"The Communist United Front were undercover communists who spoke fluent Malay and had identity cards which allowed them to merge into society," he said.

"(Malayan Communist Party secretary-general) Chin Peng himself said that the conversion to communism is as strong as a religious conversion."

"The communists will never abandon their mission of conversion and are targeting the educated ones now. This is why I'm curious as to why Mat Sabu suddenly spoke of communism."

Zukifli added that Mat Sabu was wrong in branding Mat Indera a freedom fighter as even Chin Peng had admitted that he was a communist during a meet-the-students session at the National University of Canberra, Australia, in 2004.

Another panellist and former army chief, Lieutenant General Jaafar Onn, meanwhile, pointed out that Mat Sabu's praise of Mat Indera was akin to praising the communists who dealt great suffering upon the Malays.

And that, to him was unthinkable, considering what he had heard first-hand when his father was serving as an army officer in Batu Pahat in 1945.

"The communists wanted to establish a communist republic and went into villages on a recruitment drive," he recalled. "Whoever rejected them were accused of being in cahoots with the Japanese and shot."

"The villagers came to see my father to seek his help and relate how their families were tortured. I remember two people talking about their family members being burnt alive, hung upside down to die and tossed in river with bound hands and feet."

'Mat Sabu has destroyed the Malays'

Jaafar, 78, who is also the son of Umno founder, Onn Jaafar, questioned whether these were the people that Mat Sabu was hailing as freedom fighters.

 

READ MORE HERE.

Deliver reforms or face polls snub, Pakatan warns Najib

Posted: 14 Sep 2011 03:27 PM PDT

By Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider

PETALING JAYA, Sept 15 — Pakatan Rakyat (PR) lawmakers today warned Datuk Seri Najib Razak against announcing overly ambitious promises tonight, saying a more "mature" electorate would still reject his administration if the reforms are not implemented before the polls.

The lawmakers pointed out that Malaysians have been repeatedly misled into believing many such reform promises in the past and have now grown more doubtful of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government.

"History, when it repeats itself for the second time, becomes a joke.

"Pak Lah (Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) did this... he promised the sky and the people trusted him and gave him a huge mandate.

Now, whatever Najib promises he must deliver before elections are called. If he cannot deliver, I do not think people will believe in those promises," the DAP's Liew Chin Tong (picture) told a joint press conference with other PR leaders here.

Najib is expected to announce a raft of reforms centred on security and press laws tonight in a bid to jump-start his 29-month administration that critics say has been stalling lately.

The prime minister is to address the nation in a special live telecast at 8.45pm in conjunction with Malaysia Day tomorrow after the weekly Cabinet meeting yesterday decided that he must tell Malaysians about reforms for the Internal Security Act (ISA) and several laws related to the media.

MORE TO COME HERE.

 

Govt’s soft approach exploited, says Hisham

Posted: 14 Sep 2011 03:23 PM PDT

By Sa'odah Elias, The Star

PUTRAJAYA: The Government's initial "soft" approach towards Bersih 2.0 had been exploited by those with political agendas, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

He said the whole thing was exploited by people who had ulterior motives.

The Government, he said, had always upheld civil liberty and had been accommodating with the organisers as they said their planned rally would not be political, but things started to change later.

"So at the very last minute we thought that we could not take any chances.

"We did not want to take the risk of the whole scenario changing and becoming racial or religious," he said here yesterday.

Hishammuddin said that was also why Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had offered the organisers a stadium venue for their rally, an offer that was never withdrawn.

"But when you are dealing with people with political agendas, in whatever they do they will keep shifting the goal posts.

"If you offer a stadium, they would want a stadium in the middle of the city and they will want to parade all the way there," he said.

Hishammuddin said it was the same with the Government's plan to use biometrics for the identification of voters in the coming general election, which the Opposition had objected to.

Now, he said, they wanted the use of indelible ink.

"When we planned to have the Parlia­mentary Select Committee address all their demands, they said they would not even go unless we extended the campaign period.

"A lot of these arguments have political agendas. Issues can be exploited by people who have ulterior motives," he added.

Najib is expected to make several announcements in his Malaysia Day message today, some of which were said to directly involve the Bersih rally.

Economist: No tax cut in budget

Posted: 14 Sep 2011 03:21 PM PDT

By Wong Sai Wan and Mergawati Zulfakar, The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Major political, social and security reforms are among the highlights of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's Merdeka/Malaysia Day speech that will be aired on private and public TV channels live tonight.

The Prime Minister is expected to announce measures that will make it less restrictive for people to express themselves and those who have seen the speech say that it "will redefine the political landscape of Malaysia".

"This is all about the democratic process. This is what the people have been clamouring for. The Govern-ment is listening to them.

"And it is all about the transformation process by the Government. We already have the Government and economic transformations. This is now the time for political transformation in line with current global developments," said a source.

Najib is expected to make announcements on laws and practices that are deemed draconian and undemocratic by the people, including the Internal Security Act (ISA) and the Emergency Ordinance.

While senior aides said that the ISA would not be repealed, they said Najib would announce measures to "update" it, including on the length of the detention period.

In what can be seen as an answer to criticisms on the Government's handling of the Bersih 2.0 rally, Najib is also expected to announce measures to relax control on the freedom of expression and the right to assemble.

A government official said the recent announcement of the formation of the parliamentary select committee to improve the electoral process was part of the reform process.

The Government is also expected to introduce reforms for media practitioners, including on censorship and the need for them to renew their permits annually.

"The Government needs to move on with the times and do ourselves a favour without having to control publications," said another source.

Home Ministry deputy secretary-general (security) Datuk Abdul Rahim Mohamad Radzi said on Tuesday that the Government would be more open towards media practitioners by getting their feedback due to the changing global landscape and rapid information technology development.

He had said the ministry would also be studying legislation in other countries regarding demonstrations and assemblies, taking into consideration civil liberties as well as national security.

Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim said the Prime Minister's address would be televised at 8.45pm.

"He will be speaking in front of about 800 people comprising Cabinet ministers, senior government officers, members of Barisan Nasional component parties and non-governmental organisations at Auditorium Perdana, Angkasapuri.

"He is expected to stress on key issues concerning major changes deemed crucial for the Government and the country," he said after chairing a post-Cabinet meeting at his ministry at Wisma TV, Angkasapuri, here yesterday.

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Khoo And Zainal Are Burying Umno's Bad News

Posted: 14 Sep 2011 03:16 PM PDT

By Mariam Mokhtar

When historian Prof Khoo Kay Kim, said that "system pendidikan didikan negeri kita lemah" (our educational system is weak), that was probably his most sensible statement in a forum which took place in Ipoh on 9 September.

The historian was a speaker at the Merdeka forum, organised by the Institut Darul Ridzuan (IDR). The topic discussed was "Peristiwa Bukit Kepong: Siapa Wira sebenar?"

Other speakers included the former IGP Hanif Omar, former Perak police chief Yuen Yuet Leng and Universiti Teknologi Mara Science administration and policy studies Prof Ramlah Adam.

However, Khoo is disingenuous to accuse others of manipulating history when he dropped the clanger that:"Malaya tak pernah dijajah oleh British".

In an article which appeared in a mainstream paper, he claimed that history should not be distorted. Isn't he guilty of the charge which he levelled on others?

First it was the Ministry of Education who butchered our educational system. Second, the incompetent teachers helped in the massacre. Third, academics destroyed the future of our students.

So, what hope have parents of ensuring a sound education for their children when conflicting and confusing messages are given by someone who is considered a learned scholar in Malaysia's educational establishment?

Khoo said that the British were only 'pekerja' (workers) and we were wrong to call them 'penjajah' (colonisers).

Is there a major shift in thinking in the world of Malaysian academia and has the Ministry of Education ordered a complete revamp of history and its other educational policies? Or is this an attempt to discredit Mat Sabu of PAS?

Recently, Prof Zainal Kling of the National Professors' Council (MPN) also claimed that Malaya was never colonised by the British.

Interestingly, former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad also lent his support to the academics and said that technically, Malaya was not colonised; the British only acted as colonialists.

Mahathir said, "The Sultans decided to invite the British to come and advise them on how to administer the country. We were not conquered in that sense. But the fact remains that when the British were here, they operated as if we were colonized".

The general election is approaching and support for Umno is waning. Prime minister Najib Abdul Razak has been heavily criticised more for his wife's handbags and her reckless spending.

There is also the issue of the Bersih 2.0 demands and Najib's disastrous handling of the March for Democracy.

Two foreign lawyers were deported and the German government announced it was investigating the corruption claims made about Sarawak's Chief Minister, Taib Mahmud.

The lacklustre former PM Badawi Abdullah also caught the public eye when it was disclosed that he used public money to go on an expensive fishing trip.

The most damaging revelations have been that the EC, the NRD and the government are guilty of systematic electoral fraud. This is what Umno/BN are trying to hide.

How could Khoo and Zainal be so ignorant and deny that British Malaya was not a colony? Why would they make such ludicrous statements now?

Malaya was one of the richest colonies and the monies principally from rubber and tin went west, to fund the British East India company and later the British Empire. Every English schoolchild new the rhyme, "Malay penin' for rubber and tin".

We were exploited then, as we are now. Perhaps we were too lazy to administer the country ourselves and would rather pay for the services of the British to administering our own country.

Today, some of us are too lazy to register to vote, so that we may bring about change to a stagnating country.

Perhaps we are a nation of idiots because in present day Malaysia, we allow Umno to siphon off the nation's wealth into the hands of a few individuals. To the ordinary person, the colonial masters took from us then and in present day Malaysia, the Umno/BN elite take from us.

Many people will remember that it was the British who introduced race barriers in our clubs and institutions. Instead of the whites, those who steal from us now are Malaysians, but they still perpetuate racism in this land.

Zainal and Khoo are an insult to Malaysians. If Khoo claims that our educational system is substandard, then what have academics like them done to address this failing? Why tell the audience at these various Merdeka road shows that we have a poor grasp of history?

The poor education of our children is not just an historical problem. Why have the academics not engaged with each other, including those with opposing viewpoints, and agreed to improve standards of education?

Isn't it the job of academics to inform, educate and influence the Ministry of Education?

Whilst all the attention is concentrated on this issue, the true horror of what is happening to our education system, and in our schools is being neglected.

The Merdeka denial means that we have been lied to all these years and foolishly celebrate an event which is not worth celebrating; it seems that there was no Merdeka. So why have the Dataran Merdeka (Merdeka Square)? Why bother with the 100-storey Warisan Merdeka?

What about the memory of the people who died in the struggle for independence, whichever political persuasions they may have belonged to?

The Merdeka denial is a poor attempt to bury all the bad news associated with Umno/BN.

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M’sia Day marred by whiff of graft, clamour for secession

Posted: 14 Sep 2011 05:00 AM PDT

Three European environmentalist and human rights NGOs had triggered the investigation by writing to Chancellor Angela Merkel, urging her to freeze the Taib family's assets in Germany.

The NGOs – the Bruno Manser Fund, Society for Threatened Peoples and Rainforest Rescue – alleged Deutsche Bank provides a respectable front for company assets owned by Taib and his family in North America.

"Deutsche Bank International's Jersey and Cayman branches are administering the Jersey-based Sogo Holdings Ltd, through which several illicit Taib family assets in the US are held," the NGOs claimed in a joint statement. "In Malaysia, Deutsche Bank is running joint ventures with Cahya Mata Sarawak (CMS), the Taib family's business flagship, under the names of K&N Kenanga Holdings and Kenanga Deutsche Futures."

Deutsche Bank has offices in Kuala Lumpur and Labuan. The bank has been seeking to expand its private banking network to rope in ever wealthier multimillionaires such as Taib. This is despite the bank struggling with a US government lawsuit accusing it of having misled investors, and with a British Serious Fraud Office investigation into its alleged misrepresentation of asset-backed securities.

azlanTaib, Premier Najib Razak and Deutsche Bank have not commented on the German government's investigation into alleged money-laundering: it appearsTaib and Najib continue to hope that the German and Swiss financial regulators' attentions will simply blow over.

Taib postpones Baram dam

At home, Taib has also been stirred by local protests into suspending plans to build the ambitious Baram dam. Kayan, Kenyah and Penan locals angrily opposed his plans for forced resettlement of some 20,000 natives for the construction of the dam.

NONETaib's spokesperson, and second minister at Taib's omnipotent natural resources and planning ministry, Awang Tengah Hassan (right), announced last Friday that the government would first build the Baleh hydroelectric power (HEP) dam, upstream from the notorious Bakun dam in central Sarawak, before taking on the Baram dam.

"The beauty (sic) of the Baleh HEP is that it would not affect the livelihood of many people, making it easier to implement as very little resettlement would be involved," he gushed, according to a local daily.

Awang Tengah conceded that building the Baram dam would require extra social studies, in apparent reference to the lack of any meaningful social impact assessment (SIA) or environmental impact assessment (EIA) on the Baram dam.

The EIA and SIA, required by law for each of the twelve mammoth HEP dams planned by Taib's administration, are all jealously guarded secrets. Local environmentalists say these studies were conducted over two decades ago, and were simply airbrushed to provide impetus to these 'mega projects'.

baram residents demoThe Baram dam was destined to be another windfall for loggers granted access to the vacated native lands, and construction companies awarded contracts for the dam. CMS, and other companies owned by members of Taib's family, have already prospered from past dam contracts.

But Taib must have been unnerved by an open revolt, including scathing condemnation by grassroots NGOs such as the Orang Ulu National Association, Borneo Resources Institute Malaysia, Baram People's Protection Committee, Sahabat Alam Malaysia, Sarawak Indigenous Lawyers' Alliance, Sarawak Native Customary Land Rights Network (TAHABAS) and the pan-Malaysian Natives' Network (Jaringan Orang AsalSeMalaysia).

The natives' protests were even covered in the supine local press.

READ MORE HERE

 

GERPAR!! RM80,000 Sebulan Untuk Parpukari Bagi Kerja-Kerja Fitnah?

Posted: 13 Sep 2011 10:44 PM PDT

Tidak menuduh, tetapi menjadi persoalan bagaimana seorang blogger Umno memperolehi sebanyak RM80,000 sebulan ? Apa pekerjaan Parpukari atau nama sebenarnya Mohamad Salim bin Iskandar selain dari blogging?

Sahabat saya MiloSuam yang blognya berada di kedudukkan ranking paling atas pun amat jauh sekali untuk mencecah pendapatan RM80ribu sebulan. Blog Parpukari adalah jauh lebih tertinggal daripada blog MiloSuam. Persoalan ini bukan hanya perlu dijawab tetapi perlu disiasat oleh SPRM.

Sila lihat slip di bawah yang tertera nama dan nombor IC sekali;

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From the team of 15 Malaysia: UndiLah Launching at 16th Sept 2011

Posted: 14 Sep 2011 11:10 PM PDT

JhlyvlstcM8 
Or watch the trailer at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhlyvlstcM8

From the Team that brought you '15Malaysia' and 'HereInMyHome', brings you 'UndiLah', a Pete Teo PSA music video promoting the Rakyat's right to vote.

Again, we have done an independent, bi-partisan and ZERO-budget production involving over 180 people including common folks, politicians from all parties, athletes, entrepreneur, musicians, actor/actress and a Star War character.

Song performed by Afdlin Shauki, Namewee, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, and names like Pete Teo, Lee Chung Wei, Wee Ka Siong, Tony Pua, Nurul Izzah Anwar, Tony Fernandes, Lai Meng, Jehan Miskin and many more are among some of the volunteers that contributed to the success of the project.

Again, this By Malaysians, Of Malaysians, For Malaysians Music Video is up for FREE DOWNLOAD through its official website www.undilah.com <http://www.undilah.com/> and the music video will be released at the strike of midnight of our Malaysia Day, 16th Sept 2011.

Official Website: www.undilah.com <http://www.undilah.com/>
 
Please help us to spread the news or contribute in any way you can.
 
Lastly, thank you for your interest and please help engage Malaysians to claim our ownership of this lovely country.
 
Yours truly,
Albert Law
Producer of 'UndiLah'
 

Snap Elections - Right At The Door Steps

Posted: 14 Sep 2011 11:00 PM PDT

By XGeneration-Harapan

Could it be that PM Najib is going to announce the immediate dissolution of parliament leading to snap polls tonight afer announcing some much awaited news of the relaxation on curbs on a host of civil liberties and maybe some further goodies for the rakyat?

If he really does that, I bet that this is going to catch all the opposition figures in a real surprise move but if you look from his angle, isn't this a fantastic move? By what he is going to do, he doesn't even need to answer to Bersih or PAS, the missing clone voters, the controversial church raid etc. Just by one smart move, he now can solve all his headaches of having to give solutions on how to tackle the problem of bringing prices of daily consumerable (edible & non-edible) down.

Once and for all, he doesn't need to worry about the difficulties in finding safe seats for MCA and Gerakan. By doing this, he basically is able to outsmart Anwar on his current court case whereby there is a strong possibility that Annuar could overturn the verdict and thus turning the tables on his accuser and those behind it. This will have a lot of repercussions and as a result putting the government in a worrisome and embarrassing situation.

By having an election now, it will also potentially give a new lease of life to Sarawak CM Abu Taib Mahmud who is facing imminent MACC as well as some other foreign government probe against his finances as well as having to face all the NCR cases that are coming up ever so often and deals a very hard blow against his reputation and creating an unstable govt.

Then again what about all the controversial cases that are pilling up against our AG Abdul Gani Patail as reported by RPK and other prominent Malaysian personalities, how long can he repulse these accusations and attacks as so far all he could do was to keep mum? Do you really think that dealing with such serious accusations, you can just hide in a corner? If ever they are successful in bringing the AG down, you can imagine how big a can of worms they would have opened at the expense of Najib? It is going to be a mouthful!

If after hearing all these "favorable" news, you are still not convinced, then you better tell me when would be an even more opportune time to call for snap elections? Look at what is happening to our so-called formidable opposition. They can't even unite for one moment "to win the war for once" but have to fight over each other's dead body just to secure a seat during the present Pakatan Rakyat's seat allocation exercise.

And it is as if the party is not hot enough, we now are joined by HRP openly demanding 23 seats from PR! Oh my dear Malaysians brothers and sisters, if this is not the best moment to strike, when do you think is an even better timing?

Then again do you remember that the JAIS report to be given to the MB of Selangor has intentionally been delayed for one month? Everything cannot be so coincidental. Don't you agree that it is a nice question to ask oneself? Why did JAIS ask for one month grace?

Now see if I can answer it. If they were to submit a report to the MB and if it comes out to be something very negative about the Christians which in this case they are going against the National Christian Body and not just against one single church itself, do you think Najib would allow such an ugly incident to take place?

Of course not! So by postponing it by one month, by the time the report is allowed to surface, Najib would have already announced the dissolution of Parliament. And as he already knows it at the back of his palm that basically most non-Malays regardless of them being Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs etc are not likely to support BN, then what does he have to lose if let's say all the Christians do not support him?

But if the report comes out timely and poisonous enough, he would have reaped what he wants and that is the Malays. They would be furious with what they read from the report and thereafter this will create a deafening ballistic result on the Malay parties who are deemed to be working hand in glove with these so-called "ungrateful" Christians Friends. In politics, winning the game is all about timing and how deep you are willing to stab.

Other than the situation being totally murky where politics are concerned, we must also remind ourselves that it is already well accepted that there is currently huge pessimism on the world financial situation with the economy of some of the "rock solid" financially strong countries in the world going on the slide with high worrisome unemployment figures rising unabated, and also with crude oil price dropping and is expected to drop more in the foreseeable future (it has dropped quite substantially over the last 6 months), coupled with so much negative news of our beloved country's finances being sucked dry through so many scandals, PKFZ, MAS, Bakun Dam, Project MRT etc, etc, can someone tell me that my guess is totally out if I stick my neck out to put a bet on Najib that he will certainly think he will never get another better moment!

I do hope that whatever I imagined above is wrong for if I am right, then I cannot imagine the consequences! Only God Can Save Malaysia!

 

That Effing Show #64: Sejarah Malaysia Revisited

Posted: 14 Sep 2011 10:59 PM PDT

Hallelujah boys and girls. Have you heard the good news?

The best and brightest minds in Malaysia have come together in the form of a Majlis Professor Negara and announced that this land of ours was never conquered by those tea drinking pale faced limeys but was merely a protectorate.

Confused? Well so are we. What does it mean? Does it mean we have to rewrite all of our history books? Does it mean that this post-colonial hangover we've been suffering for the last 54 years was nothing more than a hallucination? And the most important question on every woman's mind.

What's going to happen to Farish Noor? As it is Malaysia Day, (Happy Malaysia Day btw!) we at That Effing Show have decided to delve a little deeper into this latest revelation.

We've done the research. We've pointed and laughed. We're doing all the work so you don't have to.

Click! http://yumm.my/oYnRSq

 

Malaysian Scorpene Submarine Corruption Case Legal Briefing

Posted: 14 Sep 2011 05:48 PM PDT

The Solicitors International Human Right's Group (SIHRG) and Malaysian Human Rights NGO (SUARAM) will be hosting a briefing and fund raising event in relation to the French Scorpene submarine deal in which French giant shipbuilder DCNS is alleged to have paid millions of Euros in kickbacks to top Malaysian officials.

Joseph Breham, a renowned French lawyer from Sherpa, a non-profit organisation dealing with human rights legal issues and Cynthia Gabriel from Suaram will provide up-to-date briefings followed by an open dialogue session. William Bourdon, a colleague of Mr Breham, who is also part of the French legal team, was unfortunately deported by Malaysian authorities in July this year en route to speak at fund raising events in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur. Please join us for what is bound to be an interesting and engaging evening.

Date : Friday 30th Sept 2011

Venue : Lecture theatre BPP Law School, 68-70 Red Lion Street, London WC1R 4NY

Time : Registration : 6pm  Briefing and Dialogue Panel : 6.30pm-8.00pm

A nasi lemak supper will be on sale at the venue. All proceeds will go towards the legal fund. Admission is free but donations towards the legal case are welcome.

Please register at http://malaysianscorpenesubmarinecorruptioncaselegalbrief.eventbrite.com/

For further details pertaining to the case please see below:

http://malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/guest-columnists/39450-malaysian-submarines-the-trail-of-retrocommissions-is-becoming-clearer

Briefing on the Scorpene Submarine Case

Chronology:

5 June 2002:   Malaysian Government signed an agreement with French DCNS and Spainish Navantia for the procurement of two (2) Scorpene class submarines.

The procurement contract was through direct negotiation with the manufacturing companies, said to be with the service of Perimekar Sdn Bhd.

According to the Government explanation, the contract was divided into two parts:

a.   Cost of two Scorpene submarines together with the package that covers Integrated Logistic Support and training amounted to Euro 969.15m (however on 14 May 2008, Najib told the Parliament that this part cost Euro 999.15)

b.    Payment to Perimekar Sdn Bhd in the name of "coordination services" for a period of six years, the sum was Euro 114.96m

It is widely believed that payment for the second package was in reality the commission for Najib/Rosmah through Razak Baginda as the owner of Perimekar.

With the exchange rate at the time, the cost was equivalent to:

1)    Payment for submarine cost between: RM 2.14b (Euro=RM3.2 in 2002) – RM 5.43b (Euro=RM5.6 in 2008) (nowEuro=RM4.7)

2)    Commission: probably about RM 540m (exchange rate at the time of payment)

26 July 2006: Royal Malaysian Navy announced these vessels will be named after the first and second prime ministers. The first hull will be named KD Tunku Abdul Rahman and the second hull KD Tun Razak.

24 Oct 2007:   The first vessel, KD Tunku Abdul Rahman was launched by then Defence Minister Najib on at the DCNS dockyard, Cherbourg, France.

(According to Sharribuu, Altantuya was in France with Najib during the launch)

3 Sept 2009:   The first Scorpene submarine KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, arrived at a Port Klang naval base after a 54-day voyage from France. The second of the series, KD Tun Razak, is scheduled for delivery in late 2009. However it only arrived in mid 2010.

10 Feb 2009:   It was reported that KD Tunku Abdul Rahman could not dive due to technical faults. The Navy sources admitted that the defect had prevented it from diving for three months. However the Government claimed that the problem was fixed in early February and it was allowed to undergo tropical water trial since then.

As a result, builder DCNS SA extended the warranty for the submarine, which was supposed to expire on 25 January 2010, until May 2010 so the submarine could complete its trials as the first step to obtaining its Initial Operational Capability (IOC).

25 May 2010:  KD Tunku Abdul Rahman warranty expired.

2 July 2010:    KD Tun Razak, the second Scorpene submarine, arrived at the Lumut RMN Base. It was more than 6 months behind schedule.

7 July 2010:    Marhalim Abas of the Malay Mail again reported that Malaysian submarine crews had remained on dry land since the first arrival due to continuous problems of KD Tunku Abdul Rahman; the crews risked to lose their submarine rating for unable to participate any trial dive.

Both submarines are now parked at Sabah Sepanggar Naval base, to date neither of them had undergone the necessary tropical water trial dive.

What is the actual cost of the Scorpene submarines?

Agreement signed with DCNS/Navantia costed Malaysian taxpayer Euro 1.08b (with Euro 114.96m commission for Perimekar). Nonetheless, we later found out that the price did not include many items.

What are the missing items that need additional payments?

1.   Maintenance services: Malaysian Government had awarded a joint venture Boustead-DCN Bhd (BDCN) as the services provider for the submarine maintenance. Until today the cost had not been finalized. Nonetheless, in June 2009 Boustead Heavy Industries in a statement to Bursa Malaysia informed that the government had expressed an intent to award a contract worth RM600 million to its joint-venture unit for in-service support for submarines.
March 2010: Defence Minister Zahid Hamidi clarified that for the first year maintenance would cost about RM270m and the annual maintenance cost will be capped at RM600m per year.

2.   LIMA 2009: Defence Minister announced additional contract worth Euro37.5m (about RM150m) for the supply of Support and Test Equipment (S&TE) for Scorpene submarines.

3.   Weapon not included: on 22 June 2010 Defence Minister answered parliament question revealed that the Government has paid Euro219.265m (about RM890m) for 40 units Exocet SM39 missile and 30 units Black Shark torpedo, to be delivered by 2013.

4.   Infrastructure for submarine base in Sabah (not yet constructed)?

5.   Training for crews, support staff etc. No price yet.

 

Grand total (rough estimate):

Hardware: two Scorpene class submarines                         RM 5,430m

Commission: in the form of services by Perimekar               RM 540m

Package for simulation and training, S&TE                          RM 150m

Weapons: 40 Exocet missiles and 30 Black Sharp torpedo     RM 890m

Total: RM 6.98b

Maintenance service (under negotiation)                             RM 270m (first year)/ RM600m (max)

Money spent to date                                                         RM 7.3b    

If we add RM600m maintenance                                         RM 7.58b (for 3 years)

Uncertain for repair cost to overcome defect                         RM ???

 

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Chandra Muzaffar: Malaysia secara ‘de facto’ dijajah British, sebab itu merdeka dituntut

Posted: 12 Sep 2011 04:03 PM PDT

Secara realiti, kata beliau, negeri-negeri Tanah Melayu telah berhadapan dengan segala bentuk ketidakadilan yang ada kaitan dengan pemerintahan penjajah.

"Disebabkan wujudnya penjajahan 'de facto', Umno pada tahun 1950-an dan Parti Kebangsaan Melayu sejak 1940-an telah menggerakkan perjuangan kemerdekaan daripada British.

"Mereka (pihak yang mendakwa tidak ada penjajahan) memfokus kepada isu — berbanding bentuk pemerintahan British," kata Chandra (gambar) dalam satu kenyataan hari ini.

Pengerusi Yayasan 1 Malaysia ini mengulas pandangan dua profesor mengenai polemik sama ada negara ini dijajah oleh British ataupun sebagainya.

Malah, semalam bekas perdana menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad mengakui bahawa Malaysia tidak pernah dijajah oleh British tetapi menegaskan, penasihat-penasihat mereka telah bertindak seolah-olah pihak itu adalah pemerintah yang sebenar berbanding Raja-raja Melayu. Perdana Menteri keempat itu berkata, British telah bertindak seolah-olah "kita dijajah."

"Sultan-sultan telah memutuskan untuk mengundang British datang dan menasihati mereka bagaimana untuk mentadbir negara ini.

"Dari segi itu, kita tidak ditawan. Tetapi hakikatnya, apabila British berada di sini, mereka bertindak seolah-olah kita dijajah," kata beliau.

"Dalam lain perkataan, British tidak beri nasihat, mereka beri arahan," kata beliau sambil menambah, penasihat memerintah dan pemerintah pula memberi nasihat.

Laporan media hujung minggu lalu menyebut berdasarkan fakta sejarah, Tanah Melayu "tidak pernah terjajah", sebaliknya, hanya dinaungi atau dilindungi oleh British.

Kenyataan itu yang menyusul pandangan Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Khoo Kay Kim mengundang kontroversi baru sementara menurut Profesor Datuk Dr Zainal Kling, "fakta sejarah menunjukkan Tanah Melayu tidak pernah terjajah (oleh British)."

"Ini mesti dibaiki dari sekarang oleh semua pihak sama ada pelajar, guru, ahli politik atau pentafsir politik," kata Zainal.

Katanya lagi, sejak Perjanjian Pangkor ditandatangani pada 1874, tidak pernah tercatat dalam perjanjian itu bahawa negeri akan dijajah, sebaliknya hanya dilindungi atau dinaungi.

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