Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Dr M chews out MCA over quit threat
- No room for ‘personal views’, Anwar told
- Karpal wants emergency top-level meet
- Chua should know Umno's stand on hudud: Muhyiddin
- MCMC Censorship of ‘Undilah’ Video Absurd, Against the Spirit of Democracy
- Pakatan asks if all TV content needs censorship board nod
- MCMC: ‘Undilah’ block nothing to do with contents
- Top Catholic bishop tells non-Muslims to support hudud in Kelantan
- Zaid told: Apologise, quit or get sacked
- Outside force working to destroy Kita
| Dr M chews out MCA over quit threat Posted: 24 Sep 2011 07:21 AM PDT
(The Malaysian Insider) - Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad chided MCA today for lacking the Barisan Nasional (BN) spirit, after the party threatened to quit the coalition if Umno pushes for the implementation of hudud law. The country's longest-serving prime minister said the Chinese party was handing political foes DAP with ammunition ahead of an expected general election, saying that an MCA exit would fracture BN to the benefit of the opposition. "We did not say we would or not (implement hudud). We didn't say anything," the former prime minister was quoted saying in a Bernama Online report today. "There was no call for them to make the statement." Dr Chua made the threat yesterday following Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's statement that said Umno was also in support of the hudud law. Gerakan later expressed similar intent. Muhyiddin later said Dr Chua had made his warning without fully comprehending Umno's stand on hudud. The Umno deputy president explained that his party has always been clear that it supports hudud in principle, but could not enact the Islamic laws as Malaysia was not ready for them yet.
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| No room for ‘personal views’, Anwar told Posted: 23 Sep 2011 06:11 PM PDT
Karpal Singh tells the opposition leader that the latter's personal views will be construed as the party's official stand. (Free Malaysia Today) - DAP national chairman Karpal Singh took a swipe at Pakatan Rakyat supremo Anwar Ibrahim over the latter's "personal view" on the implementation of Islamic law in the PAS-run state of Kelantan. According to the veteran politician, leaders who held high positions did not have the luxury of expressing personal stands. "There is no such thing as a personal view when one is in a top political position. When you are a top leader, your views would be construed and perceived as the official party stand," he said. On Thursday, Anwar, the de facto leader of PKR, which forms the backbone of Pakatan, said he believes that in princple, Islamic law could be implemented in Kelantan. "Looking at specific areas, there is clear guarantee of an administration of justice and it does not in any way infringe on the rights of non-Muslims," said the opposition leader. Anwar then added that it was his personal opinion. In an immediate reaction, DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang stressed that his party's stand regarding PAS' theocratic aims had been consistent. "It is not suitable for Malaysia and it is not part of Pakatan's common policies," he noted. Lim also said that any such change required the agreement of all three Pakatan component parties – PAS, DAP and PKR. 'Out of the blue' Meanwhile, Karpal admitted that Pakatan was now embroiled in a controversy due to an unwarranted political statement from PAS spiritual adviser Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat regarding the Islamic state agenda. He hoped that Nik Aziz's statement did not reflect the stand of the PAS leadership and called on its president Abdul Hadi Awang to clarify the matter.
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| Karpal wants emergency top-level meet Posted: 23 Sep 2011 04:29 PM PDT
The DAP leaders wants the Pakatan top leadership to hold an emergency meeting as soon as possible on PAS' Islamic state agenda. (Free Malaysia Today) - DAP has called on Pakatan Rakyat to hold an emergency top leadership meeting to once and for all trash out the controversial PAS' Islamic state agenda. Declaring that DAP would always oppose the establishment of an Islamic state, its national chairman Karpal Singh called on the Pakatan secretariat to immediately arrange for the meeting. He said any delay to address the contentious matter would severely erode public confidence, especially among non-Muslims, on Pakatan. He acknowledged that the controversial issue was of fundamental importance to Pakatan's chances of capturing the federal government. "Public perception and confidence on Pakatan would be badly affected. Pakatan must quickly address and resolve such an important fundamental issue of governance. An emergency meeting must be held immediately to publicly clarify Pakatan's stand on the issue. "The controversy must end once and for all," he told reporters during his Bukit Gelugor parliamentary constituency visit here today. The Islamic state issue cropped out this week when Kelantan Menteri Besar and PAS adviser Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat declared the PAS state government's intention to implement hudud laws in the east-coast state. He also said that PAS had not abandoned its goal to set up an Islamic state. Karpal, a lawyer by profession, said the Islamic state could never be implemented in any part of Malaysia because the Federal Constitution did not allow it. He said state constitutions and laws could never contravene provisions under the Federal Constitution, which advocated a secular state. He insisted that those who drafted the Federal Constitution in 1957 ensured that the country remained secular to safeguard the interests and rights of a multiracial society. He recalled that a five-man Supreme Court bench led bythen Lord President Mohamed Salleh Abas, declared that the country was a secular state in a landmark decision on a case in 1988. He said former prime ministers Tunku Abdul Rahman and Hussein Onn also declared the country as secular. Even though another former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad claimed that Malaysia was an Islamic state, Karpal stressed that it was more of a "political than legal statement." 'No such thing as personal view' As if adding spice to the controversy, PKR supremo and Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim expressed support for Nik Aziz. But the Permatang Pauh parliamentarian was quick to clarify that it was his personal stand. However, Karpal felt otherwise. "There is no such thing as a personal view when one is in a top political position," he said. "When you are a top leader, your views would be construed and perceived as the official party stand," he added.
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| Chua should know Umno's stand on hudud: Muhyiddin Posted: 23 Sep 2011 04:01 PM PDT
(Bernama) -- Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and party leaders should have known Umno's stand on hudud law and should not be make it an issue. The Deputy Prime Minister said Umno's stand remained the same and it should not have been raised by Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties as it was different than PAS. "The issue mentioned by Chua does not arise. Don't create suspicion in the minds of the Chinese community and others including the Muslim community about the matter. "The stand we take is not new but that was taken by our past leadership," he said when commenting Chua's tweet today that MCA would leave BN if Umno implements hudud law. Muhyiddin said this to reporters after Friday prayers during his working visit to Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) campus here today. Asked whether Chua's action was seen as a threat, he said the matter should not arise as the stand taken by Umno leaders was clear. "I don't know whether Chua forgot about our (Umno) stand. It is not the same with PAS as we have our view. I believe Chua did not understand the real situation." He said Umno had never rejected hudud law as it is part of Islamic law but is unsuitable for implementation now. "Scholars can explain why we can't implement hudud law and this stand is not taken by Malaysia but also many other countries," he added. Asked about the statement by PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat that he was not concerned if DAP left the opposition for disagreeing with formation of an Islamic state and implementation of hudud in Kelantan, he said, "that's his problem." He said since time immemorial, PAS and DAP did not agree on many things even although they are in the opposition coalition. "It is not a real partnership. They may be sleeping on the same pillow but they have different dreams. They are heading for an imminent split. "With election just around the corner, the issues are getting clearer. The people can judge between our firm stand and their (opposition) different views.
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| MCMC Censorship of ‘Undilah’ Video Absurd, Against the Spirit of Democracy Posted: 23 Sep 2011 03:47 PM PDT By Masjaliza Hamzah via Malaysian Digest Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) is shocked to learn that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has issued a directive to broadcasters not to air a video promoting voting for the upcoming general election. MCMC's 'ban' of the Undilah project's public service announcement urging the rakyat to vote is absurd and against the spirit of democracy. Media reports on 23 Sept 2011, quoting unnamed sources, said the MCMC letter to broadcast giants Media Prima and Astro cited two reasons behind the 'ban': BN MP Tengku Razaleigh's admission that Malaysia was facing problems and the appearance of Opposition politicians. Apart from Pakatan Rakyat's Nurul Izzah Anwar, Tony Pua, Khalid Samad and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, the hip promo also featured two deputy ministers, celebrities such as Daphne Iking, and famous Malaysians Tony Fernandes and Lee Chong Wei rapping to a tune led by Namewee and Afdlin Shauki.The 'ban' came just days after Prime Minister Najib Razak, in his Malaysia Day message, announced a set of reforms affecting civil liberties, and promised Malaysia was on the path towards being the world's best parliamentary democracy. This latest case of censorship highlights the powers given to the MCMC to police broadcast and online content under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA), which governs the multimedia and communications industry. Given the politically-motivated nature of this directive from MCMC, CIJ wishes to highlight a few ironies in the composition and function of this "independent" commission which is under the direction of the Information, Communications and Culture Minister: - under Section 71 and 72 of the CMA, reports of investigations are given to the Minister who may direct the Commission to publish what it deems to be of national interest; READ MORE HERE. |
| Pakatan asks if all TV content needs censorship board nod Posted: 23 Sep 2011 03:38 PM PDT By Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 — Opposition lawmakers today heaped suspicion on the reason that "Undilah" was pulled off the air and questioned if it is common practice for all such clips to be first vetted by the Film Censorship Board (FCB). Expressing doubt over the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's (MCMC) explanation that "Undilah" has yet to receive the board's approval, Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua (picture) asked if all content aired on television was subjected to such strict controls.
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| MCMC: ‘Undilah’ block nothing to do with contents Posted: 23 Sep 2011 03:30 PM PDT By Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider CYBERJAYA, Sept 24 — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) claimed today that its decision to temporarily pull the "Undilah" video off the air was a routine measure that had nothing to do with the contents of the clip. In a statement to national news agency Bernama today, the regulatory body said it was "normal practice" to stop the broadcast of such public service announcements (PSA) as it was yet to earn approval from the Film Censorship Board. The commission said its decision was in accordance with "routine monitoring and enforcement activities" allowed under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. "In relation to that, it has become common practice for the MCMC to order the retraction of contents yet to receive approval from the Film Censorship Board. "In the case of the PSA produced by musician Pete Teo, as a result of a routine compliance monitoring exercise made by MCMC, it was found that approval had yet to be obtained from the board for the said PSA. "As such, the PSA should not have been aired on television till approval is obtained," MCMC said in the statement. Without the approval, the commission said Teo's 4.38-minute music video clip promoting the right to vote could not be aired on TV. Pursuant to the 1998 Act, it added, all broadcasters must pull the video off the air immediately. "This directive is about the compliance of broadcasters rather than the contents of the PSA," the commission said.
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| Top Catholic bishop tells non-Muslims to support hudud in Kelantan Posted: 23 Sep 2011 02:13 PM PDT
(Harakah Daily) - A top Catholic bishop has thrown his support for the implementation of the Islamic criminal laws stipulating deterrent punishment on serious crimes, or hudud, in Kelantan, provided non-Muslims were given "a cast-iron guarantee that it will not be implemented on us". In comments on the issue sparked by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's challenge to Kelantan Menteri Besar Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, Dr Paul Tan Chee Ing, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia, said it was wise for non-Muslims not to oppose such laws among Muslims "if they so desire". "I say it's time to allow Muslims in Kelantan, if they so desire, to implement shariah only for them and with that the hudud enactments provided non-Muslims are exempt from its implementation," online news portal Malaysiakini quoted Dr Paul, also the titular head of Catholics in the Melaka-Johor diocese, as saying. His comments come in the wake of a statement by Mahathir that Nik Aziz should implement hudud in Kelantan now that the former was no longer the prime minister who had once sent a letter warning the PAS-led state against any attempt to introduce the Islamic laws. "It shows he is not dogmatic. I say let him and all who hold with him have their way so long as non-Muslims have iron-clad guarantees of their exemption. I am in favour of Kelantan Muslims having hudud implemented for them only," the portal quoted him.
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| Zaid told: Apologise, quit or get sacked Posted: 23 Sep 2011 08:06 AM PDT He should return to Umno, says Kita executive Zahrein Zakariah. (Free Malaysia Today) - Kita president Zaid Ibrahim's recent controversial and solitary decisions have earned him three options from a party leader – apologise, resign or prepare to be ousted. Zahrein Zakariah, a member of Kita's central executive committee, today issued a second call for Zaid's resignation, saying the party no longer needed him. He suggested that he return to Umno. "I will continue calling for his resignation," Zahrein told FMT. "Nothing changes. I will rally the others to bring him down. And then we will introduce a new decision-making system which will be bottom-up." Asked if Kita could function without Zaid, he replied, "Yes it can. I repeat, Kita is not Zaid and Zaid is not Kita." Zaid began courting dissent when he sacked three party leaders. It sparked accusations of tyranny and persistent flouting of party protocol. He exacerbated the uproar when he apologised to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak for doubting his political will to make reforms. His most recent controversial move was to announce a Kita Democracy Roadshow to garner support for Najib's reform pledges. Zahrein said Zaid did not consult anyone in the party leadership on the roadshow, adding that members were angry, viewing the move as another one of his "apple polishing antics". Scandal list He expressed incredulity at Zaid's support of a prime minister and government that had "clearly lost the people's confidence" and had "killed democracy". "Maybe Zaid Ibrahim believes in Najib, but Kita does not," Zahrein said. "Barisan Nasional is failing big time and Kita wants nothing to do with it." He rattled off a list of "scandals" that he said had erupted since Najib came into power, including the Perak coup, the church burnings, the Teoh Beng Hock case and the accusations of corruption in the purchase of Scorpene submarines. "Zaid can talk for himself," he said. "He can polish all the apples he wants, but Kita will not follow. "There is no Kita roadshow for Najib. Zaid can call it the Royal Malaysian Circus for all we care. "Zaid is a one-man show and he is leading Kita in the wrong direction. Kita is a social justice movement aimed at setting things straight in Malaysia and it makes no sense for us to support Najib." Zahrein disagreed with party leaders who had said that Kita's image remained intact despite Zaid.
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| Outside force working to destroy Kita Posted: 23 Sep 2011 08:04 AM PDT Kita central executive committee member KS Kottapan says that there is a puppet-master orchestrating the attacks against Zaid Ibrahim. (Free Malaysia Today) - Certain money-minded leaders are the cause of the rift in Kita, central executive committee member KS Kottapan claimed today. He said that these leaders, who have been openly criticising party president Zaid Ibrahim in the past two weeks, wanted to drive the party in the wrong direction. He added that some of these critics have been sacked by the party. He also alleged that these sacked leader were being manipulated by some outside force to destabilise Kita. "I received a telephone call on Sept 13 midnight from a party leader, inviting me for a meeting. He said he was organising the meeting without Zaid's knowledge, and aimed at toppling Zaid as the party chief," he told FMT today. However, the meeting did not take place as the said leader was sacked from the party the next day. "I strongly believe someone from behind the screen is the puppet master. He is orchestrating the attacks on Zaid and Kita," Kottapan said. He added that the party has started investigating its internal problems involving the so-called "unhappy" leaders. "We will get rid of all these viruses which are affecting Kita," he said. Kita has been rocked by internal turmoil following the sacking of its central executive committee member Muhammad Firdaus Christopher on Sept 14. Firdaus was also in charge of the party's administration. Along with Firdous, party secretary-general Abdul Latif Abdul Tambi and former treasurer Rashid Azad Khan were also given the boot for insulting Zaid and working against the party's interest. In retaliation, the trio charged that Zaid held a tight grip over the party, often acting as a dictator. They also said that there was no transparency in the nine-month-old party. In recent days, several state Kita leaders have joined hands with the trio in attacking Zaid. Some have even called for Zaid to step down and hand over the party to younger leaders.
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Prior to this, Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim (left) said he was personally in favour of hudud laws being introduced in Kelantan as it would ensure justice.| You are subscribed to email updates from Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
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