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• Pakatan states 'have failed in legislative reform'
• Zaid: PM must apologise over May 13 reference
• ‘Explain Hindu burial land given to Muslims’
• Answer Musa’s claims, cops tell top brass
• Indonesian embassy warns maids to avoid Malaysia
• M'sians abroad now eligible for postal voting
• Pak Lah’s kin linked to power meter supply storm
• SB tailing me, says Musa
• Need for independent public inquiry into police top brass and Home Ministry — Kua Kia Soong
• APS to back pro-Pakatan candidates
• Musa too abused powers while IGP, says Ramli Yusuff

Pakatan states 'have failed in legislative reform' Posted: 03 Dec 2012 09:07 PM PST Lee Leong Hui, Malaysiakini Almost five years after forming the state government in four states, Pakatan Rakyat has failed to reform the institution of the legislature, according to Selangor speaker Teng Chang Khim. Teng attributed this to the refusal of politicians, who exert control over the Executive, to give up their powers. He also said there was lack of political will for reform to make the legislative assemblies independent of state governments. "If I were to set up a KPI (key performance index), it would show that Pakatan has failed in this respect," Teng (left) told a forum on parliamentary reform at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall last night. Teng, who is Sungai Pinang assemblyperson, noted that only the Selangor state assembly has been pro-active. It has formed three select committees, as well as the Special Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency, to scrutinise the state government's performance. It has also set up 'live' online streaming of sittings. "We have been talking about this (select committees) for many years, but when we became the government, how many states have implemented this? Only Selangor has done so," he said. Teng pointed out that society, too, lacked understanding of the doctrine of separation of powers and failed to pressure politicians holding executive posts to reform the legislature. "What is the speaker? Nobody pays attention to the speaker, no matter how great he or she is," he said cynically. Selangor gov't found wanting Teng also said the Selangor government had yet to agree to table the Assembly Service Commission Enactment Bill 2009 - which he had drafted - for passage through the state assembly. The enactment would have made the state assembly fully independent of the Executive in terms of resources and funds, as is the practice in other Commonwealth countries that have a "remarkable" legislature. "The separation of powers is about sharing of power, but it is not happening here. Before we came into power, we had said it loud and clear that we would do so," he added. "But afterwards, we are not willing to let go of power... When you change your position, you change your mindset as well."

Zaid: PM must apologise over May 13 reference Posted: 03 Dec 2012 07:42 PM PST Sean Augustin, fz.com Former de facto law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim says Datuk Seri Najib Razak should apologise for references to the May 13 tragedy made at the recent Umno general assembly. Zaid said that claims the 1969 racial riots would recur if Umno lost the next general election or if it returned with a weak majority was uncalled for and made him 'sick to his bones'.   He said Najib - the prime minister and Umno president - should distance himself from such statements, which he feels were outright threats, immediately.   As prime minister for all Malaysians, Najib should apologise to the nation for the inflammatory statements made by the delegates of the party he leads, said Zahid.   "No one should capitalise on a national tragedy for the reprehensible purpose of exploiting emotions ahead of the coming election.   "I hope Malaysians-and especially Malays-will find this statement repulsive and punish Umno accordingly," the lawyer turned politician wrote in his blog, zaiduntukrakyat.com.   The May 13th spectre is often resurrected by politicians and right wing groups, especially in response to what they perceive as threats to the rights of Malays.   While racial rhetoric was largely absent at the Umno general assembly, Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Sharizat Abdul Jalil had mentioned May 13, in her written opening speech, when discussing the fate of the Malays if the party under performed in the coming general election.   That part of the speech however was not read.     Sharizat however later defended her remarks saying she did not commit any wrong and flayed the media for lacking professionalism.   Zaid, in his blog, also wondered why Najib led the 'virulent attack' against liberalism which he defined as a  political philosophy founded on the principles of freedom, liberty and equality.    Liberalism, he said, supported the free-market economy, the individual's right to ownership of property, free and democratic elections as the foundation of government, freedom of religion and basic human rights.   "The constitution of the Federation of Malaysia was founded on these principles, and our proclamation of independence contained the words 'liberty, freedom and justice for all.' So, why are the prime minister and his followers in Umno attacking the constitution and the core values of this country?" he asked.

‘Explain Hindu burial land given to Muslims’ Posted: 03 Dec 2012 07:35 PM PST Hindraf questions Selangor's state government's decision to convert a 3.38 hectre plot of Hindu burial land to a Muslim cemetery.  K Pragalath, FMT Hindraf wants the Selangor state government to explain its decision to convert a 3.38 hectre Hindu burial land in Teluk Piai, Kuala Selangor, to a Muslim cemetery. "Why grab the land when Selangor is 7,955 square kilometres?" asked Hindraf's P Uthayakumar in a letter addressed to Selangor Menteri Besar, Khalid Ibrahim. Uthayakumar, who is also Human Rights Party's pro-tem secretary general, was responding to a news report in Malay daily, Sinar Harian today on the matter. In the report, Malaysian Indian Welfare and Cemetery Management Association president M Raman had asked the state government for an alternative plot of land for a Hindu cemetery. Raman said the state exco, at a meeting in July last year, despite acknowledging that the plot of land in Teluk Piai was a Hindu cemetery decided to regazette it as a Muslim cemetary. Raman said this was revealed in the 2010 Selangor Cemetery Inventory Report. "Even a letter from the rural and urban planning department dated Aug 28 this year states that the land, in Lot 13, Api-Api, Kampung Teluk Piai, is a Hindu burial land," said Raman. Uthayakumar said: "Reconvert, re-gazette, issue permanent land titles and restore this historical Hindu cemetery in the memory of the rubber tappers who contributed extensively to Malaya's economy." He also requested for a copy of the 2010 Selangor Cemetery Inventory Report under the Selangor Freedom of Information Enactment 2010 to ascertain the number of Hindu cemeteries in the state and how many of them have been gazetted. Uthayakumar also raised concerns over the status of the Hindu cemeteries in Barisan Nasional administered states. He gave three examples: the Bukit Jalil Hindu cemetery that was re-gazetted as Muslim burial ground, a cemetary in Kuala Sawah, Negeri Sembilan that was wiped out and a burial ground in Rantau, Seremban that was desecreated.

Answer Musa’s claims, cops tell top brass Posted: 03 Dec 2012 07:29 PM PST Police want the top brass to look into the ex-IGP's claims of criminal elements and political interference in the police force.  Anisah Shukry and Teoh El Sen, FMT The police are split over ex-inspector general of police Musa Hassan's claims of political interference and criminal elements in the police force but one common sentiment prevails – the top brass must take responsibility over it. "Of course it is damaging to the police force but then again, there is no smoke without fire, so there is an element of truth in it," said a senior policeman on condition of anonymity. "Perhaps in a way it is good because if the top level wants to change, it is high time to look into it," he told FMT. Last week, Musa dropped a bombshell when he accused Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein as one of the politicians who interfered with police investigation. The former top cop also suggested that criminal elements had infiltrated the police force, revealing that there were cases where the links went high up and "nobody dared talk about it." His damning comments coincided with Umno's general assembly; the party's last huddle before it faced the 13th general election. Umno top leaders, including Hishammuddin, had not directly answered Musa's claims since last week, choosing instead to dismiss them as attempts to sidetrack the public from the issues raised during the general assembly. Meanwhile, current IGP Ismail Omar said that he did not have the time for things that were "not important" – a response that courted ire from Musa who labelled the former as "snobbish." 'Ismail is a poor leader' Commenting on this, the senior police officer told FMT that Ismail lacked leadership quality. "He shouldn't be there in the first place, he's merely a puppet. Whenever he is summoned by the ministry, he comes back crying. "Whenever he is pressured, he doesn't act professionally, he screams at his officers. He is someone who is hard to work with, no backbone, no guts," he said. READ MORE HERE

Indonesian embassy warns maids to avoid Malaysia Posted: 03 Dec 2012 04:20 PM PST (AFP) - Indonesia Tuesday warned its nationals not to work as maids in Malaysia after a weekend raid freed 105 women who were confined against their will and forced to work without pay. In the latest maid abuse scandal to hit Malaysia, authorities said they had freed 95 Indonesians, six Filipinas and four Cambodians who toiled as housemaids by day but were locked inside a building near the capital Kuala Lumpur at night. Recurring reports of abuse of Indonesian maids have soured relations between the two Southeast Asian neighbours and in 2009 prompted Jakarta to angrily cut off the supply of domestic workers to Malaysia. The two sides announced a year ago that the ban would be lifted after they reaching an accord to provide maids better protection and working conditions. But the latest case showed Indonesians were still at risk, especially those who come to Malaysia illegally without going through proper recruitment channels, a spokesman for Jakarta's embassy said. "The Malaysian authorities should take tough action... It's better for Indonesian maids not to work in Malaysia," spokesman Suryana Sastradiredja told AFP. "They (Malaysia) are asking for Indonesian maids but they cannot protect them well." The women freed on Saturday -- who according to Malaysian media reports had arrived illegally over the past several months -- have been taken to a shelter and will eventually be sent back to Indonesia, Sastradiredja said. Sastradiredja said that since the ban was lifted, fewer than 100 Indonesian maids had arrived through official channels, turned off by the low salaries and abuse reports. But, citing reports from Indonesian and Malaysian activists, he said Jakarta fears thousands more may have been duped into coming illegally with promises of well-paid work since the ban was set in 2009, and were now working in vulnerable situations. One of Southeast Asia's most affluent and developed countries, Malaysia has long attracted women from its poorer neighbours, mostly Indonesia, seeking work as maids. Before the ban, some 300,000 Indonesians were legally registered as working as maids in Malaysia. Recurring incidents in which foreign maids have been confined, abused, beaten, or even killed have repeatedly rankled Malaysia's neighbours. In October, an advertisement in Malaysia that offered Indonesian maids "on sale" went viral online in Indonesia, sparking new outrage. Last month, police said they were investigating a man in northern Malaysia for allegedly raping his 15-year-old Indonesian maid, while in a separate case, three police officers were charged with raping a 25-year-old Indonesian woman at a police station. Cambodia also banned sending maids to Malaysia last year following numerous abuse complaints.

M'sians abroad now eligible for postal voting Posted: 03 Dec 2012 04:13 PM PST (Bernama) - Postal voting facilities for Malaysian citizens living abroad, apart from absentee voters, will be implemented for the coming general election. Election Commission secretary Datuk Kamaruddin Mohamed Baria said it was in line with recommendations from the Special Election Committee On Improving The Election Process for Malaysians living abroad and absentee voters to be given postal voting facilities.   For this to be implemented, the EC was finalising the policies, logistics planning, manpower and financial allocations before amendments on the Election Regulations (Postal Voting) 2003 was made, he said.   "After the regulations are finalised, the EC will set a date for its implementation and will be brought for approval by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.    "Following this, the regulations will be gazetted and then tabled at the Dewan Rakyat," he said in a statement today.   Kamaruddin explained that although the third meeting of the fifth session of the 12th Dewan Rakyat had ended, and new regulations had not been tabled, it did not mean the regulations could not be enforced during the general election.   "The EC will ensure that the date for implementation of the regulations is set, so it can be used in the general election.   "Tabling of the regulations at Dewan Rakyat, according to Section 17 of the Election Act 1958, is required by law after it is approved by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, setting of the enforcement date and gazetting of the regulations are done," he said.   With the enforcement of the regulations, Malaysians who meet the EC's requirements will be eligible for postal voting.

Pak Lah’s kin linked to power meter supply storm Posted: 03 Dec 2012 03:24 PM PST Mohd Farhan Darwis, The Malaysian Insider The family of former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was linked today to a company that supplies the controversial digital electricity meters to Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) alleged to have hiked up energy consumption bills and gained the national utility company billions of ringgit in profit. According to PKR's investment bureau chief Wong Chen, Noor Asiah Mahmood, who is the younger sister to Abdullah's (picture) first wife, the late Tun Endon Mahmood, owns Ombata-Ambak Holdings Sdn Bhd, which has a 15 per cent share in Malaysian Intelligence Meters Sdn Bhd, the latter which is one of five companies contracted by TNB to supply the new digital meters. Wong alleged that the programme to switch analogue power meters for digital ones had showed consumers would be contributing RM6.88 billion to TNB's profit over the course of 10 years. The programme has been stopped temporarily on the orders of Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui since October. "Our research shows TNB has 8.03 million consumers now and the average price for each meter is RM250, therefore this programme had the potential to reach RM2 billion. "For the financial year 2012, TNB's revenue from all consumers is RM34.4 billion, if the electronic meter had given a conservative raise of two per cent, the additional burden on consumers would be as much as RM688 million a year. "Seeing as the life expectancy of this meter is only 10 years, consumers would ultimately have to pay as much as RM6.88 billion to TNB for that duration," Wong told a news conference at the opposition party's headquarters here. PKR strategy director Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who was also present, said the issue was not a small matter as consumers would have to pay up to 50 per cent of the cost of their power bills. "Therefore, PKR urges TNB to be transparent and responsible in this matter to reveal who are the electronic meter suppliers, the price paid for the meters and whether it was competitively priced at local and international standards, and whether an open tender had been called or was it a direct negotiation?" Nik Nazmi asked. The Seri Setia state lawmaker also called for TNB to fund an independent body to investigate consumer complaints on the new meters and to act on the findings that bind the utility company to consumers. Last October, Chin said TNB had halted the replacement of analogue electricity meters with electronic meters until a standard operating procedure could be fixed. He had made the decision after receiving public complaints saying power consumption had spiked after switching to the new digital meters, causing them to be also billed "retrospectively". "This operation will go on but our main task is to educate people on the new meter," the minister had said then. However, Chin had said replacing the analogue devices with the new meters would continue for households where the electricity meters were damaged or suspected to have been tampered with, resulting in losses.

SB tailing me, says Musa Posted: 03 Dec 2012 02:30 PM PST Following his explosive revelations at a press conference last week, the former IGP finds himself on the other side of the police radar. Teoh El Sen, FMT Ironic as it may sound, former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan has claimed that he is being tailed by special branch officers. This followed his controversial press conference last week, where he claimed that criminal elements had infiltrated the police force and revealed that politicians interfered with investigations. Apart from him, Musa said that R Sri Sanjeevan from the NGO My Watch which organised the press conference was also being tailed. Musa is the patron of the newly-formed NGO. "To me it's funny lah. Why must you put me under surveillance? As if I am a threat to security. "I would like to advise them not to follow me lah. I won't destroy the nation, that's number one. Number two, I think you have better work to do, like following criminals, who are really jeopardising the safety of the public," the former IGP told FMT. "So I think it is stupid of them [to follow us], wasting the rakyat's money. If you want anything just call me, I'll tell you everything," he added. On how he found out, Musa said:"Of course I know who is following me but I didn't want to confront them. Don't want to embarrass them. Of course they ran away when they saw me." Asked why he was being tailed, Musa shrugged and replied: "I don't know, probably instructions from up top. Maybe the IGP himself, I don't know." Musa said that although in the past he had been tracked by syndicates and tontos "plenty of times", this was his first time being followed by a policeman. "Never by policemen, but by syndicates and tontos you know, who want to know my movements. I still remember when I was in the drugs unit. That's why whenever I got out of the house, I would never follow the same route for fear that people might either follow me or ambush me and all that. We must be aware of my environment, being a trained police officer, you know," he added. READ MORE HERE

Need for independent public inquiry into police top brass and Home Ministry — Kua Kia Soong Posted: 03 Dec 2012 12:51 PM PST (TMI) -- The serious allegations of misconduct against the former IGP Musa Hassan through a statutory declaration (SD) made in 2009 and the recent claim by the ex-IGP himself that criminal elements had infiltrated the force as well as interference of politicians in investigations warrant an urgent independent public inquiry to restore public trust in the police force. These allegations contained in the SD were by police officer Noor Azizul Rahim Taharim, who served as Musa's aide-de-camp from 2005 to 2007. The document accuses Musa of wrongdoings during his tenure and exposes how he had purportedly silenced critics with transfers and trumped-up charges.  Azizul claims that former CID director Christopher Wan had revealed to him that Musa had directed the setting up of a covert blog to publish allegations of corruption against then Deputy Home Minister Johari Baharom. The contents of the blog, he said, damaged Johari's reputation and subjected him to a probe by the Anti-Corruption Agency. "I am also aware of the statutory declarations made by several policemen, police informants and subjects of police actions showing links between Musa and the underworld, specifically concerning restricted residence detainee Goh Cheng Poh @ Tongku and one shadow figure, BK Tan. Based on my personal knowledge and involvement as the ADC to the IGP, I can confirm that the statements made by these deponents concerning Musa were true…," he alleged. Referring to the SDs of ASP Mior Fahim Ahmad and ASP Hong Kin Hock, Azizul confirmed that their allegations had basis. The pair had claimed that there was manipulation of promotions, ranks and postings in the police involving BK Tan. "The credibility of these officers would be 'demolished' such that whatsoever information they gathered about Musa would be discredited. These officers would suffer hardship being transferred away from their families and home base. They would also get bypassed in promotions and suffer disciplinary action without the proper process. Consequently, less able officers climbed the ranks and the victimised officers were used as warnings against others… This process of 'mecantas' [pruning] explains the apparent lack of ability by PDRM to tackle crime, the lack of motivation and low morale within PDRM that saw crime escalating at an alarming rate during Musa's tenure," he added. After former premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi gave Musa a two-year extension in 2007,"this served as a powerful endorsement that the government was fully behind Musa. A sense of fear also gripped many within PDRM and outside when not long after that in October 2007, the lawyer who assisted CCD [Ramli] in the Goh Cheng Poh @ Tengku matter [after the A-G's Chambers declined to prepare affidavits for the CCD] was himself arrested in a most humiliating manner and charged one day before Aidilfitri. "The message was clear that Musa had the support of the ACA, the Attorney-General and the prime minister in all his actions. The fear among officers in PDRM became the need for self-preservation after six rank-and-file policemen including Ramli were charged with various offences. Not long after that, the A-G ordered the release of the said Goh Cheng Ph @ Tengku." (FMT, 4.12.12) These are serious allegations by the former aide-de-camp of the ex-IGP which have demoralised the entire Malaysian police force. Earlier in the week, the ex-IGP himself had pointed the finger at Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein when he charged that politicians had interfered with investigations. Musa's revelations that the police force had been infiltrated by criminal elements and that the current IGP Ismail Omar was weak in heading the police force are enough reason for the urgent establishment of an independent public inquiry. These exposes of unprofessional goings-on in the police top brass and skeletons in the cupboard of the Home Ministry provide us with some clue as to why the recommendation by the Royal Commission on the Police in 2005 for an Independent Police Complaints & Misconduct Committee has failed to be implemented after so many years.  The government must ultimately be held responsible for dragging its feet on this vital reform to stop deaths in custody, police shootings and the culture of impunity in the Malaysian police force. The just accomplished Leveson Commission over British media practices brought about by phone hacking of the British media cannot compare with these much more serious allegations against the Malaysian police top brass and the home minister.   * By Dr Kua Kia Soong, Suaram adviser.

APS to back pro-Pakatan candidates Posted: 03 Dec 2012 11:56 AM PST (FMT) -- Contrary to expectations, the loose Sabah opposition platform, Angkatan Perubahan Sabah (APS) will not promote any particular candidate in the coming general election. Throwing its opponents and detractors off guard, the pro-Pakatan Rakyat political platform headed by Tuaran MP Wilfred Bumburing will instead focus its strength on uniting Sabahans behind opposition candidates challenging the Barisan Nasional's hold on power. The group sees it as its best chance to be able to effectively bring about a change of government in the 13th general election. "We in APS are committed to support any candidates that will be fielded by any of political parties in PR (Pakatan) in the coming election," Bumburing told a gathering on Sunday that he used to celebrate his 61st birthday. The former deputy president of United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) urged APS members, supporters and sympathisers to reaffirm their commitment towards achieving their goal which was changing the government. "APS' commitment is to align ourselves with the political parties that make up Pakatan Rakyat as well as work alongside other non-governmental organisations that are also aligned with the other organisations in Pakatan," he said. Bumburing said the grouping had formed a pro-tem supreme council and each of its members had been allocated specific duties to streamline and coordinate its activities. The supreme council is made up of a mix of well-known politicians and Sabah activists. Former Tuaran MP Kalakau Untol, a former federal deputy minister, is chief organising secretary while deputy president is former Upko vice-president ex-senator Maijol Mahap. The vice-presidents are businessman Dr Richard Gunting, ex-assemblyman Laimun Laikim and retired senior government officer Hernman Tionsoh. Native rights Youth leader is Denis Gimpah of Tamparuli while Pertus Francis Guriting of Tambunan is the secretary-general. Guriting is being assisted by Benson Inggam of Kuamut. Brendan Mojilip is treasurer-general assisted by James Miki of Beluran. Lesaya Lopog Serudim from Kiulu is information chief while assistant is Patrick Sadom of Sipitang. Retired senior government servant Alex Kando from Inanam is APS liaison chief. The post of women's wing chief is still vacant. Bumburing also announced the appointment of 13 other supreme council members. They are former senator and ex-Kuala Penyu assemblyman John Ghani, ex-Tuaran MP Monggoh Orow, Mail Balinu, Itoh Manggonb, Biou Suyan, Ismail Banaran,Stephen Michael, Liberty Lopog, Maruddin Suabon, Paul Kadau, Edwin Ambu, Maurice Awit and herman Mianus. Touching on his 61st birthday, he said since it was a special day for him he wished to renew his pledge after resigning from the government ruling party on July 29 "to champion the welfare of the people of Sabah, especially the native." The former deputy chief minister said APS would fight for the rights of the natives in land ownership under the native customary right (NCR). He said it was sad to note that the native of Sabah had been deprived of ownership of land on which they had been toiling for generations.

Musa too abused powers while IGP, says Ramli Yusuff Posted: 03 Dec 2012 11:05 AM PST (TMI) -- Tan Sri Musa Hassan had abused his power while he was the Inspector-General of Police and colluded with the Attorney-General to escape from being arraigned in a 2006 criminal court case, his former colleague and rival in the force, Datuk Ramli Yusuff, has alleged. The retired Commercial Crimes Investigation Department (CCID) director was responding to the ex-IGP's bombshell at a new conference last week in which the latter had accused Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein as among ministers and politicians who had interfered with police matters. "CCID once captured a criminal named Goh Cheng Poh @ Tengku Goh in December 2006. Tengku Goh made his affidavit and implicated Musa Hassan's name. "Then I handed it to the A-G's office but it was never filed in court, resulting in the habeas corpus application by Tengku Goh being allowed and [he] was freed," Ramli told The Malaysian Insider when contacted. The retired police veteran has been a vocal critic of Musa and A-G Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, both whom he blames for putting him in the dock on a corruption charge in 2007, which several mainstream media had sensationalised as the case of the "RM27 million cop". "Instead, the A-G directed the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) to get confidential files regarding this case and hunted down informants to change their original testimonies," said Ramli, who was once the nation's third-most senior police officer. Asked what proof he had to support his allegation, he said: "If what I say is not right, I am ready for Musa or Gani to take legal action against me. Berani kerana benar [bold as true]." Ramli also stood up for Musa's successor, IGP Tan Sri Ismail Omar, and said the latter should be given the chance to prove his capability. "The negative perception started during Musa Hassan's term. Tan Sri Ismail Omar is making an effort to improve that image," he said, referring to the endemic poor public confidence in the police force. "To me, it is not just if Musa attacks relentlessly the IGP now." Ramli said that Musa's criticism against the public institution the latter once led and the government was nothing new. "He started becoming vocal and criticised the government when Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin announced his service would not be extended," Ramli said, referring to the ex-IGP, and adding that it was the source of Musa's disgruntlement. Musa served as IGP for three years before retiring on September 13, 2010, after a corruption case that was closed in July 2007 for lack of evidence. The nation's former No. 1 watchman had last week described his working relationship with Hishammuddin as cordial, but the home minister did not see eye-to-eye with him on the command of the police force, saying that his refusal to indulge those who tried to interfere had likely been the reason why his tenure had not been extended. The police force and other enforcement agencies fall under the home minister's portfolio. "When I found out that instructions were given to junior officers and OCPDs (Officer in Charge of Police District) without my knowledge, then something is wrong. "So, I highlighted to him section 4(1) of the Police Act ... command and control of the police force is by the IGP, not a minister. "I talked to him nicely, he didn't like it ... that's why (my tenure) was not extended," Musa told a news conference last week organised by Malaysian Crime Watch Task Force (MyWatch), a crime watchdog which had claimed that it will "challenge any statistics that the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) comes out with". READ MORE

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Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info

Sumber Asal Berita :-

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

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• Much work for Umno leaders after the general assembly
• Election hype and debates
• That liberalism, pluralism menace
• The fear to hold polls
• DAP must stick to Pakatan plot
• God, Comedy and the Umno General Assembly
• Musa Hassan’s motives
• PAS should accept public rejection of its puritanism
• Best to get it over with fast
• Wan Azizah should contest in Penang
• Numbers do not denote strength
• Just words and lip service

Much work for Umno leaders after the general assembly Posted: 03 Dec 2012 03:17 PM PST There are as many as 2.9 million new voters in the next general election. Umno can sit back and relax only after it has convinced these young voters aged between 22 and 29 years old. Lim Sue Goan, My Sinchew The recent Umno general assembly has once again proved the enthusiasm of the Malays in politics, and their allegiance to leaders. However, no matter how successful the assembly was and how well it demonstrated solidarity, the party's general assembly will never be the battlefield of the party. The assembly was filled with tears. Party president Datuk Seri Najib Razak successfully touched many delegates. However, the most important thing would be to touch voters. Therefore, no matter how high the morale was, Umno leaders still have much work to do to bring the momentum to the general election. Firstly, Najib must rectify the problem of overconfidence and arrogance in leaders at all levels. For example, Wanita Umno leader Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil's May 13 statement triggered concern while Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob even said that the MCA should "close shop" if it loses Bentong in the next general election and he will also cut off his ears and jump into the Pahang River. Such a cavalier attitude has been turned into a ready-made issue to be attacked by the alternative coalition, while making voters uncomfortable. Adnan also said BN will win 13 of the total 14 parliamentary seats in Pahang, while having half chance to win the remaining one seat. He even said that the number of parliamentary seats BN wins in Pahang will be equal to the number of Kuantan residents in favour of the Lynas rare earth refinery. It is puzzling how he can so amidst the strong opposition against the Lynas project? The top priority now would be to teach leaders about humility. Only those who are modest will know their own inadequacies. Secondly, Umno must restore the people's confidence as soon as possible. Various controversial issues have eroded public confidence in the existing system, including whether the rise of the national debt would cause the reduction of subsidies after the election or, worse, lead the country towards bankruptcy? The government has guaranteed the safety of the rare earth refinery but it has not fully explained about the Asian Rare Earth (ARE) plant in Bukit Merah. The construction of ARE's second permanent disposal facility is scheduled to be completed in March 2013 and it will be monitored by the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) for 300 years. Three hundred years involve a few generations and it is afraid that the country might have to bear a huge cost. The government also said that Lynas must ship rare earth waste abroad, but Lynas said that all waste will be converted into commercial by-products. Who should we listen to? Who can ensure that all waste will be converted into by-products? There are as many as 2.9 million new voters in the next general election. Umno can sit back and relax only after it has convinced these young voters aged between 22 and 29 years old. Thirdly, Najib must offer the people a new direction. The transformation plans have reached a bottleneck and failed to solve corruption problems as well as boost vitality in the economy. The RM40 million political donation and former Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan's criticism of the police force have reflected the lack of transparency in the existing system. The government-related enterprises' performances are also poor. MAS's accumulated loss has reached RM8.19 billion and it has to implement a reorganisation plan. Meanwhile, Petronas posted a 21.3 per cent fall in third-quarter net profit. What should we do if the world economy encounters a recession next year? Transformation and reforms are not just about adjusting the minor parts. It should not be controlled by politics either. If the BN is able to put an end to the various problems which are shaking its credibility, it will then be on the way to success. The problems come from them, instead of the alternative coalition.

Election hype and debates Posted: 03 Dec 2012 03:04 PM PST It is not up to the political elites to decide what is, or what is not, Malaysian culture, especially when it comes to the much anticipated prime ministerial debate. Three generations have passed; 12 general elections have come and gone; six prime ministers have helmed the bridge of the beautifully built but badly sailed ship of Malaysia; yet, there has only been one government, one ruling party, one business plan and one corrupt hole that those at the top keep digging at the expense of the rakyat. By Howard Lee, FMT The general election is just around the corner. At every corner you turn and in every conversation you hear, the election is being talked about passionately. Regardless of whichever side of the political divide one stands on, the future of the nation is at stake, our fates as well as those of our children and their children hang in the balance. The Malaysian experiment in democracy had at its core the guiding principles of progress through 'check and balance', and mechanisms such as the 'separation of powers' and two tiered parliamentary representation built in to ensure a progressive union of the rakyat. However instead of progress, the experiment has pushed our country further away from its goals. Three generations have passed; 12 general elections have come and gone; six prime ministers have helmed the bridge of the beautifully built but badly sailed ship of Malaysia; yet, there has only been one government, one ruling party, one business plan and one corrupt hole that those at the top keep digging at the expense of the rakyat. All this has been garnished by lies after deceptions, time and time again. I was recently lucky enough to spend two weeks in America, during the last frantic few weeks of campaigning for the recent US presidential election. Though I am no stranger to foreign politics – having been involved in British politics with the Liberal Democrats – being in New York two weeks before the acid test of Obama's new politics of Hope and Change, was nothing short of an eye opener. Fortunate enough to be present for three out of the four most important debates in the US legislative term; namely the vice presidential debate, the presidential town hall debate, and the presidential foreign policy debate, I never knew where my threshold for overdosing on politicking was, until now. Polls in the US On TV, analysts and spokespersons from both sides of the divide were interviewed on split screens around the clock and across time zones, whilst live debates and polls assessed every nuance, slip, or hidden meaning behind the speaker's words. Competition raged amongst the countless TV channels to deliver the most impressive visual presentations of the latest polling figures, not to mention opinion pieces on candidate's choice of words, narrative style, perceptive strategy, body language, and last and sometimes seemingly least, their stand on the various pressing issues and topics they stood for. Granted, the buzz surrounding the debate does tend to verge on the side of overkill. More often than not, both parties employ huge resources and go startling lengths to tear apart their opponent with minute details. But this façade (although it must be navigated with care) does not take away from the ultimate purpose: to inform and to get people talking about each candidate and what policies they stand for. My daily 15-minute queue for my Sumatran Macchiato in Starbucks saw students of all hues and accents discussing politics; teenagers whining about how uncool one candidate was compared to the other; and a group of high-powered well-dressed business women biting at one of the talking points. It was a big deal! Whether it was the substance that they cared about, or simply the presentation, they were certainly participating in the discussion. All that, can be said for every elections, in every democratic nation in the modern world. It's definitely applicable to our political reality in Malaysia. But one could be quite surprised to find that the above paragraph is a statement made by an American citizen of Mexican descent in his 20's named Miguel working as a barman in New York. And it's not Malaysia he's talking about. Ultimately, through extensive debates and the public dismantling of policy; each and every member of the public has the opportunity if he or she wishes to become part of the debate. READ MORE HERE

That liberalism, pluralism menace Posted: 03 Dec 2012 03:00 PM PST The writer takes a cynical and satirical look on how the Malays must come to terms with themselves. Racism has been around in Malaysia for half a century, so why bother to dismantle it? And why must they blame Umno for looking after the Malays with affirmative action, when MCA and MIC conveniently ignored their own people? Great leaders like Dr Mahathir Mohamad has reaffirmed that those race-based parties are here to stay. PAS is but a fine example. Iskandar Dzulkarnain, FMT Liberalism and pluralism have engulfed the nation, and this negative phenomenon is slowly afflicting the Malays, causing them to turn away from the path of righteousness. Even Umno which has been lovingly protecting the Malays for the last 50 years and the various religious authorities are now watching open-mouthed in horror as liberalism sweeps across the land unhindered – infecting unsuspecting Muslims. Yes, once this affliction manifests itself, it will cause widespread confusion among the Malays causing them to question themselves, question the state and question their religious beliefs. Sometimes they may even question each other. Some are already questioning why there is so much repression of their individual freedoms, in comparison to the non-Malays. Unable to control themselves, they are also starting to question the royalty, the state and the religion. And worse, they are now questioning the hand that feeds them (Umno). Some are even questioning the need for Malay supremacy. How disappointing is that? It is a pity that there are so few organisations like Perkasa around to protect Malay rights. Ibrahim Ali is a rare breed and he epitomises the true towering Malay. Racism has been around in Malaysia for half a century, so why bother to dismantle it? And why must they blame Umno for looking after the Malays with affirmative action, when MCA and MIC conveniently ignored their own people? Great leaders like Dr Mahathir Mohamad has reaffirmed that those race-based parties are here to stay. PAS is but a fine example. When there was lack of jobs for the Malays, Umno absorbed them into the civil service. Yet the Malays remain unappreciative of the fact, due largely to liberalism. They think if they choose Pakatan Rakyat, there will be more individual freedom and liberal thought. They think there will be lesser interference to the way they want to live. Malays have been warned That's why, what Nurul Izzah said also had me and the whole nation quite confused, even though I can "a little speaking". What she said was too liberal and the Malays must not entertain such pluralistic thoughts. The younger generation could go quite berserk. The state doesn't ask very much of the Malays. Only once every five years to give them our mandate to carry on whatever they are doing and they will leave us alone to our fate. And yet some Malays seem to think that the state wants to control our minds and our thoughts. Already, Umno has warned us many times that PAS is out to get us, and if we believe in their extreme ideologies, we will be even more entrapped. Let Pakatan Rakyat deceive the public with its Malaysia for Malaysian slogans or a caring government that will serve the people and accord all citizens individual freedoms. The Malays do want to be part of such liberal ideologies. We are contented with the status quo and many of us are preparing in earnest for the hereafter. Yes, liberalism has caused many Malays to leave Umno's fold and to dine with the enemy (PAS). Today, there are many liberals in PAS, questioning Umno's impeccable religious credentials, and even have the cheek to call Umno murtad (apostates). Now, isn't that a little too extreme? PAS' consistency in belittling the faith of its Muslim political opponents shows that it lacks legitimacy as reformers, said Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein. Isn't that food for thought? Although liberalism has a broad meaning, it does not mean moderation. Moderation is practised by the Muslims in this country but PAS has a higher agenda and intent on introducing a more Islamic outlook. It is not contented that Malaysia is already an Islamic country and wants a purer and more unadulterated version. So the Malays will have to get ready for a better version to their existing way of life some day. Religious authorities have made the call to curb liberalism among the Muslims. Compared to Muslims around the world, the Muslims in this country are relatively weak, especially the younger generation that needs to be constantly nurtured. A borderless world has distracted the Muslims from their focus, causing them to embrace liberalism and pluralism and to seek for political change. PAS Youth has called for more religious education to fill this vacuum. Liberalism begets forgetfulness Young Scholars Secretariat (Ilmu) working committee chairman Ustaz Fathul Bari Mat Jahaya said pluralism was an understanding which adopted extreme tolerant attitude based on western perspective. "I am waiting for the National Fatwa Council to issue a clear fatwa [edict] on the understanding for Muslims to refer to," he said. The fatwa needs to be implemented with strict religious action and enforcement to eradicate such ills effectively. Meanwhile, the Ulama have questioned the Malays who believe in celebrating the diversity and plurality of Malaysian society. This is a tradition that should not be overly promoted as it may threaten the faith of Muslims. Certain guidelines for proper intermingling have been drawn up as intermingling between the races has become too close for comfort. What the government has done for the Malays in the past have been conveniently forgotten, and today the Malays have become rebellious. They have lost respect for the authorities and the government. This needs to be checked. Liberalism has gone out of control until the Malays are willing to vote against the very government that has nurtured them from day one. It has gone so bad that the Malays cannot be depended upon to make the right choice even though they have been given the freedom to exercise their vote. Today, even affirmative actions for the Malays are being questioned and dissected by liberal Malays themselves. They question the role of BTN (Biro Tata Negara or National Civics Bureau), and is efforts to unite the Malays. READ MORE HERE

The fear to hold polls Posted: 02 Dec 2012 12:59 PM PST After frightening the rakyat into believeing that only Umno can ensure peace and prosperity in this nation, Najib himself is now in fear of calling for the election CT Ali, FMT Why are we talking about who will be prime minister after the 13th general election? Why are we wondering if Pakatan Rakyat will be our choice or if Barisan Nasional will still be in control of our destiny? Why? Are we even going to have a general election? This prime minister of ours, who has been putting fear into our hearts, is himself afraid to call for a general election. Was it not this prime minister who told the Chinese that if they do not want to lose all the wealth that they have gained thus far, then they must vote BN because if Pakatan comes to power, they will lose it all? This same prime minister told the Malays that they must be united and make sure Umno is still in power if they do not want to lose all that they have gained under Umno these last 50 over years. If the Malays do not vote, Umno they will lose Ketunanan Melayu (Malay supremacy), lose their Sultans, lose their privileges. And it is this same prime minister who put fear into all the other races in Malaysia, telling them that only Umno can ensure peace and prosperity in this nation of ours. And this prime minister who has put all this fear into us all is now himself in fear of calling an election? Why is he so much in fear of calling for the 13th general election? Is it because all the information available to this prime minister tells him that BN will lose in the 13th general election? That Special Branch has reported to him that BN will not be the rakyat's choice for government after the 13th general election? This, in spite of the RM500 already given to so many of them; in spite of the tyres already bought for taxi drivers; in spite of the Hari Raya bonus for civil servants; in spite of all the transformation programmes and economic initiatives started by Najib Tun Razak. Win or lose, Umno is in for the ride of its life! Everything has changed for Umno and yet nothing has changed within Umno. The world outside Umno has evolved towards an open, responsible and accountable society where everyone wants to have a voice and a role to play (if they so choose) in their future. But nothing has changed within Umno. Desperate plea Few people think that Najib can deliver what he has been promising. Taxi drivers could not care less – they already have their tyres. The civil servants will have their bonus and all those who would have benefited from any cash handouts have had their cash. So would they remember that it was Najib and BN that gave them the cash and vote for him and BN in the 13th general election? Maybe they will, maybe they will not. As Mahathir said, "Melayu mudah lupa" and the same can be said of many Malaysians. Najib desperately hopes that this time around the people of Malaysia and the "pendatangs" (immigrants) who have been given right of abode and the right to vote, all of them will be translated into votes for BN . If it does not, then Najib has a problem. And that makes him very afraid of what the 13th general election will bring him. I do not envy the game Najib is playing but he has no other choice. He has nothing to draw upon from his years in public service to validate his desperate plea to the people to give him an elected term in office as their prime minister. Do you want Najib as your prime minister? What credentials does he possess to ask us for the privilege of leading us after the 13th general election? And do not forget that it is a privilege to be leader of any nation – not a right! And who will give him the privilege of leading this nation again come the 13th general election? READ MORE HERE

DAP must stick to Pakatan plot Posted: 02 Dec 2012 12:52 PM PST The DAP is yet another party, like PAS, that has joined the 'reformasi' and benefited largely from the electoral 'tsunami' of 2008. Ali Cordoba, FMT The big question being asked is whether the DAP has turned itself into a "submarine", using the Chinese voters, to "tag" along with PKR and impose its agenda after the general election. The party is still moving on the fringe of the Malay-Muslim community despite its association with Pakatan Rakyat and its landmark rule in Penang. The extent of their "fright" was seen with some PAS members voicing their "concerns" at the Islamist party's collaboration with DAP. And this, after having enjoyed the victories that came with PAS' association with the "ogre". The most hard-hitting criticism of the PAS-DAP alliance came from Umno, with Perkasa taking the frontline offensive. The DAP has been linked to former communist elements, yet this is only part of the heavy criticism that PAS had to contend with in recent times. The demonising of DAP will continue into the final days of the 13th general election. The risk with this state of affairs, is that Pakatan may end up losing more support if the DAP is continuously portrayed as "traitors" and as the "ogre" that will eat the Malays once it is in power. If the DAP's role in the Pakatan coalition is to represent the Chinese community, it is certain that it does not have 100% support from the community. PKR has a wider appeal for the fence-sitters in the Chinese community since it is well represented in the party. The Chinese seem more comfortable with Anwar Ibrahim's leadership in PKR than with MCA's junior role in BN. The DAP is yet another party, like PAS, that has joined the "reformasi" and benefited largely from the electoral "tsunami" of 2008. The party has also benefited from its association with Pakatan in Sabah and Sarawak and will continue to do so as long as it is associated with Anwar and Pakatan. These are facts DAP cannot deny. Henceforth, any "hidden" agenda by the DAP, if any, to subvert Pakatan's victory parade in the corridors of power will be futile. Why is that so? Pakatan is today a transformed organisation. The people voting for Pakatan are those voting for change. There will only be change in Malaysia if Pakatan remains a solid and united political coalition after it takes power. Any attempt by the DAP to impose any of the anti-Malaysia and anti-Islam agenda will fail as there will be no majority in the Parliament to support such a move. Status quo Likewise, a Pakatan cabinet will be Muslim-dominated. Unfortunate as this sounds, the reality is that the next regime in place will be forced to continue to play along "communal" lines. There is no way Pakatan can deny the role played by the Malay-Muslim community in local politics. PAS and PKR, under Anwar, will have to ensure that the status quo on the communal field is respected. The DAP will, nevertheless, get to play a more active and a greater role in enhancing Pakatan's avowed policies of equality, justice and fairness for all Malaysians. If this is what the Umno-BN and pro-Umno, pro-extreme right Malay voices within the PAS are afraid of, then there is nothing they can do if Pakatan is in the seat of power in Putrajaya. There are reports, unconfirmed of course, of the DAP being infiltrated by former communist elements. There again, it is doubtful that these elements – if they are given a chance to be in Parliament – will be able to influence any decision-making that may affect the Malays. In the event former communist elements within the DAP are catapulted into the cabinet, one wonders whether they will be able to carry out subversion in the country. The claims that such elements have infiltrated the DAP is indicative of a total failure of the strict and draconian laws that were in place to curb subversive elements. If 54 years of the Internal Security Act (ISA) did not stop the "communists" from camouflaging and infiltrating into Pakatan on the onset of the "reformasi" era, then what can stop them? Does the DAP have a pro-China agenda that will boost the Chinese community's progress report card in Malaysia? There is little doubt that a regime under the helm of Anwar will have a very pro-Western approach. Pakatan in power, if it wins the general election, will tend to consolidate Asean's new-found trust in the US. It will also kowtow to the "Asian values", promoted by Anwar while he was deputy prime minister. Pakatan will not allow Malaysia to become a "mini-China" as it will be guided – as mentioned above – by the need to protect the majority community while it enhances the role of the minorities. Here again, we see how DAP will be limited in its scope to influence even the foreign policies of a country run by Pakatan. The opposition coalition has, on many occasions, shown support for the "revolts" in the Arab world and is against the survival of the Bashar Al-Assad regime in Syria. If this is any yardstick to measure the DAP's real influence in Pakatan, then one might just say that China will lose more under a Pakatan regime in Malaysia than it is under a BN regime. China is a supporter of the Assad regime and has vetoed attempts by the West to declare total war against Syria. This is against Pakatan's foreign policy, which is a pro-war approach in Syria. READ MORE HERE

God, Comedy and the Umno General Assembly Posted: 02 Dec 2012 07:59 AM PST   It is the level of intellectuality that comes from decades of playing to the gallery, of pandering to the masses who have been deliberately manipulated to remain politically immature and intellectually challenged through being provided sub-standard education. And so to reach out to these masses, our so-called leaders appeal to the lowest common denominator. Kee Thuan Chye The Umno General Assembly has often come across as reality comedy. Its 'performers' unwittingly amuse us with their unintentionally comic turns. This year, they didn't disappoint. Wanita chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, whose family is embroiled in the National Feedlot Centre (NFC) scandal that cost her the renewal of her senatorship, says that for the upcoming general election, she is a winnable candidate. God help her.   Indeed, God was invoked on several occasions throughout the general assembly, sometimes for the sake of seeking His help.   President Najib Razak urged Umno members to pray hard to God in order to win the general election. "Let us pray so that with His blessings, we will continue to be the country's ruling party," he said.   The subtext of that smacked of a loss in confidence.   In fact, Najib's rhetoric in the past several months has been reflective of that. He has been practically begging his audiences to "give us another term", an appeal no Umno leader has ever stooped to. They had always taken it for granted that they would rule long-term.   He has been persuading voters not to change the government, as if he were expecting them to. He has been bashing the Opposition parties at every available opportunity, to influence voters not to vote for them.   At the general assembly, he even entertained the prospect of losing: "We can replace treasures or honour that are lost, but if we lose this fight, we will be left with nothing."   He was of course exaggerating – because not winning Putrajaya doesn't amount to losing everything – but he was nonetheless acknowledging the possibility of defeat.   No other Umno president before him has ever had to countenance that.   Now Najib cannot bank on the confidence of the Umno of the past to carry him cockily to the general election; it has been too deeply mired in corruption and cronyism, and the rakyat have got wise to it.   He even apologised at the general assembly for all the wrongdoings of Umno and the other parties in the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition. But, as they say, it may be a case of "too little, too late". And it certainly is of no use if the corrupt practices are still continuing.   Why, for instance, has he not answered the allegations of businessman Deepak Jaikishan that for his help in facilitating a project deal, his family was paid by the latter, and that Deepak got involved in the case involving the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu because he wanted to help Najib's family? Why did Najib leave it to Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to volunteer to reply to Deepak?   This exposé, the NFC scandal and the question surrounding the RM40 million "political donation" received by Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman have caused untold damage to Umno. It may not fully recover from the blows.   Even so, there was much bravado flaunted at the general assembly. There was talk among Umno leaders of winning the general election with a two-thirds majority and recapturing all the four states now in Pakatan Rakyat's hands. They might have prayed to God first before they offered these predictions.   Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob even said to the media, "I tell you, DAP cannot win in Bentong. Cannot win! If DAP wins in Bentong, you cut off my ears and I'll jump into the Pahang river."   Such haughtiness! Well, just to see if he will keep his word, the electorate should vote BN out of Bentong. Earless Adnan might be a more humble person after that!   Hey, but the next day, probably feeling scared that his Bentong prediction might actually prove wrong, he did a flip-flop. That, however, made him even more laughable. He said he didn't mean "cut off my ears" literally. He said he was using figurative language.   "Do you know figurative speech? In English language, we have figurative speech. We have simile, we have metaphor, hyberbole," he said. "So when I say cut off my ears, that means they (DAP) can never win ... not that if we (BN) lose, they (the Opposition) take the knife and cut off my ears literally."   And why did he use "figurative language"? His reply: "… to let people learn English"!   Hahaha! That got me rolling on the floor – because "cut off my ears" is not at all a figure of speech in the English language! Adnan doesn't know that and he wants others to learn English? What a clown! The epitome of the know-nothing who behaves like a know-all! Or a case of someone who's caught and simply tembak (shoots)!   And since there's no such figure of speech, dear voters, please continue sharpening your knives.   Meanwhile, enjoy the most hilarious, most misplaced joke that came out of the assembly – courtesy of Umno Youth information chief Reezal Merican Naina Merican, who said Umno is the party chosen by God to liberate the chosen land of Malaysia.   Woweee! This is fresh! This is creative! This is … divine!   He even said God's chosen people are the Malays living in Malaysia.   But hang on! Doesn't "God's chosen people" traditionally refer to the Israelites? And the chosen land to the Nation of Israel? Jews, baby!   Did Reezal make a boo-boo in associating with the enemy? Was he even aware of it?   He said God is the true authority over all governments, the giver of power to those that He has chosen, so he must believe that Umno-BN will win the next general election. But what if it doesn't? Will he stop believing in God?   What kooky thinking! Here's something Adnan could learn from in terms of the English language – an example of hyperbole.   Reezal was probably trying to outdo his Umno Youth boss, Khairy Jamaluddin, by waxing so hyperbolic. The day before, Khairy quoted from Winston Churchill's famous speeches in his call to fight Pakatan Rakyat, but he obviously went overboard.   He was comparing the next general election to World War Two. But come on la, brudder, they're not the same la.   While Churchill's "we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets" and "we will continue hand in hand like comrades and brothers until every vestige of the Nazi regime has been beaten into the ground" are inspiring, Khairy's "we will debate them in Parliament, we will smash their arguments in coffee shops, we will expose their lies in cyberspace … we will lay this wretched Pakatan coalition into the ground!" sounds terribly frivolous. Schoolboyish even.    The scary thing about all this comedy is that among the people spewing this rubbish are holders of high public office, and that some of the Umno Youth upstarts may one day become ministers.   Even outside of the general assembly, you get the Chief Minister of Melaka, Ali Rustam, accusing Singapore of interfering in Malaysian politics simply because the briefing by French lawyers on the Scorpene investigations in France were recently held there.   Worse, last week Deputy Defence Minister Abdul Latiff Ahmad disparaged the name of French lawyer William Bourdon by changing it to "Bodoh" (stupid). The jury may have no difficulty in deciding who was being "bodoh" in this case, but it showed the level of class and intellectuality among our so-called leaders.   It is the level of intellectuality that comes from decades of playing to the gallery, of pandering to the masses who have been deliberately manipulated to remain politically immature and intellectually challenged through being provided sub-standard education. And so to reach out to these masses, our so-called leaders appeal to the lowest common denominator.   They are the avatars of "the devil we know" – the phrase Mahathir Mohamad recently coined to describe Umno-BN – and they often exhibit the worst characteristics of politicians. The crucial question is: Do we want these types to continue leading the country? Do we want them to be the chosen ones, i.e. chosen by us? At the coming general election, do we vote them in – again?   All I can say is, God help us if we do.     * Kee Thuan Chye is the author of the bestselling book No More Bullshit, Please, We're All Malaysians, available in bookstores together with its Malay translation, Jangan Kelentong Lagi, Kita Semua Orang Malaysia.

Musa Hassan’s motives Posted: 01 Dec 2012 04:37 PM PST Some notable retired senior officers have joined PAS, including former Bukit Aman CID chief Fauzi Shaari, former chief secretary for the ministry of land and cooperative development Nik Zain Nik Yusof, former solicitor-general Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden, and former TUDM officer Mohd Nazari Mokhtar. Lim Sue Goan, Sin Chew Daily The policy speech by the Umno president at the annual general assembly is often a kind of political show the entire nation closely watches. Unfortunately, this year's show has been hijacked by former IGP Tan Sri Musa Hassan. Even as Najib Razak hit out hard at Pakatan Rakyat and tabulated the accomplishments of the Barisan Nasional government, Musa Hassan's shocking revelation has nevertheless exposed the administrative weaknesses of our government agencies. Musa Hassan is no ordinary retired civil servant, and as such the government should seriously consider setting up an independent panel to probe his accusations which must not be downplayed as immaterial or be trifled with. If Musa Hassan's accusation that politicians have intervened in police affairs is true, the operation of the police force will be adversely affected and its integrity eroded. The police force is tasked with the responsibility of keeping the social order intact and, therefore, must exercise its professionalism to achieve this in the absence of political intervention. Musa said when the police were about to arrest some heavyweight suspects, they would often receive calls from those in power. If the country's laws cannot be justly upheld, how do we expect the public to have faith in our law enforcement? The Malaysian police force should be an unbiased enforcement institution. If it fails to operate independently, it would be very difficult for it to carry out its duties during the upcoming general election. Musa Hassan also exposed links between senior police officers and illegal gangs, an accusation that would jeopardise the integrity of the police force. When police discipline is involved, things will suddenly become very sensitive. Because of Musa Hassan's previous objection to the setting up of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC), the issue of police misconduct remains unresolved to this day. The MACC investigations and subsequent charges against Musa Hassan and former CID chief Ramli Yusof are nothing we can be proud of. The police force must strive to improve its image instead of persistently rejecting supervision. If a split takes place at the top ranks of the police force, how do we expect them to set a good example for their subordinates? Thirdly, Musa Hassan also queried the reliability of the police's crime data, and this has begun to arouse public suspicion. Well familiar with the modus operandi of the police force, Musa Hassan highlighted the fact that some police officers have resorted to converting unresolved cases to "no further action" cases in a bid to achieve the government's crime reduction targets. Without true and genuine figures, the minister will be kept in the dark and thus wrongly assess the actual crime situation in the country. This August, the Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI) received a letter said to be from an anonymous police officer making the same accusations. As such, it is imperative that the police's crime figures be appraised by an independent third party institution with the hope the root cause of the problem could be identified. Fourthly, why do some senior civil servants continue to slam the government after their retirement? Some notable retired senior officers have joined PAS, including former Bukit Aman CID chief Fauzi Shaari, former chief secretary for the ministry of land and cooperative development Nik Zain Nik Yusof, former solicitor-general Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden, and former TUDM officer Mohd Nazari Mokhtar. The BN government has been taking very good care of our civil servants; the defection by any of them could deal a serious blow on Umno.

PAS should accept public rejection of its puritanism Posted: 01 Dec 2012 04:26 PM PST Even more troubling is that both parties failed to rebut firmly such proposed interference by PAS. Far from blaming Barisan Nasional for raising these embarrassments to Pakatan Rakyat, the coalition must look within itself to make peace with modern social realities, particularly as a general election approaches. The Star ALL sane and responsible people understand the need to live by certain ethical values and moral standards. Malaysians, generally, have never been an "anything goes" people. But at the same time, many of us also realise that these values and standards tend to be subjective, being personal or communal in scope, limits and interpretation. All modern societies are heterogeneous spaces with myriad tastes and expressions, afforded between the rights of citizens and the laws of the land. However much we may sometimes wish to see our values and standards apply throughout society, beyond what is commonly provided for by societal consensus and existing laws, formal codes that set the limits still need to undergo due process in being fashioned by enlightened minds and fettled by mature policymakers. That means we must avoid imposing our values and standards on others beyond what is deemed acceptable by society at large. When imposition involves political application, and more so the actualisation of a particular group's supposed norms on the whole country, we need to be doubly circumspect. That is why the PAS edict in Kelantan barring hairdressers of one gender from attending to clients of another is so troubling. The worst is assumed in the business relationship between all vendors and customers without any basis whatsoever, incurring business losses to many innocent parties through unjust fines and unwarranted prohibitions. Such unreasonable strictures apply on various fronts, including entertainment and sports. At the recent PAS party conference, there was self-criticism over a perceived failure to "set policies" for PKR and DAP on these issues. Even more troubling is that both parties failed to rebut firmly such proposed interference by PAS. Far from blaming Barisan Nasional for raising these embarrassments to Pakatan Rakyat, the coalition must look within itself to make peace with modern social realities, particularly as a general election approaches. PAS has ventured overzealously into similar issues before and had been rejected roundly by the people. It should accept the unpopularity of its stand and seek to revise it, renounce it or just forget it. We understand that PAS now wants to press the Information, Communications and Culture Ministry for tighter curbs on future music concerts. It should try an independently monitored referendum on the subject instead, and see how the public respond.

Best to get it over with fast Posted: 01 Dec 2012 10:21 AM PST No one should complain about the campaigning period being limited because the reality is that since the 2008 general election, where Barisan lost its two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat, both Barisan and Pakatan Rakyat have been busy campaigning. Everything has been seen to be political since then and no one has been spared.  Wong Chun Wai, The Star  Most of us now expect the general election to take place in March. Hopefully, we can then all get back to some sanity and not waste time on silly political antics. I KNOW most of us would have said this of the past few years: The year has passed on really fast. But seriously, this year has REALLY gone by fast. Just a few weeks from now, another year will be over. Everything seems to have just zapped past our eyes and it's frightening because I can still remember vividly the parties I attended during the festive seasons. The only thing that has not happened is the general election. For many, lives seemed to have been put on hold because of it. There have been so many wrong predictions, postponed vacations, cancelled meetings and false starts. Our plans have been disrupted in many ways. The next popular date now is some time in March, which is based on the assumption that the Prime Minister would seek the dissolution of Parliament after the Chinese New Year celebration, which begins on Feb 10. There isn't much time left because the Barisan Nasional term ends on April 28, which means that by the next two months, the momentum for the elections should be peaking. No one should complain about the campaigning period being limited because the reality is that since the 2008 general election, where Barisan lost its two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat, both Barisan and Pakatan Rakyat have been busy campaigning. Everything has been seen to be political since then and no one has been spared. Even badminton hero Datuk Lee Chong Wei found himself the target of a Tweeter attack from a mindless DAP politician who was apparently cheering for his Chinese opponent Lin Dan. Lee also found himself being belittled by supporters of Pakatan Rakyat on Facebook because of his wedding plans. As it was his wedding, he had the right to decide who he wanted to invite and who he wanted to sit with. Even his big day was the target of incredulous political connotations. Then there is the Automated Enforcement System (AES) speed trap plan. That has become a political bombshell too. Strangely, no one from either side of the political divide has demanded that the police stop putting up roadblocks along the highways. These roadblocks are irritating and give rise to suspicions of corruption. Most of us, especially those who claim to despise corruption, would want to end any perception that conversations in the middle of the road revolve around the "macam mana selesai" (how to resolve this) question. So, if you are not speeding or breaking any speed limit, why would you complain about the AES? Going to church or the mosque can turn political too in this over-extended silly political season. If Barisan supporters find it painful listening to imam or pastors who seem to be inclined towards Pakatan Rakyat, the same must surely be felt by supporters of the latter who have to listen to a pro-Barisan preacher. I believe those who advocate loudly about purported political consciousness in places of worship wouldn't be so enthusiastic if their preachers were inclined to Barisan in their sermons. But there shouldn't be different sets of rules. Going for a haircut in a unisex salon can become political too if you are in Kelantan because the PAS-controlled state wants to impose its brand of religious fervour on the people. Going gay has taken a different meaning now. Older Malaysians like me were taught that "going gay" means "being happy" but now it means adopting a certain sexual preference. For PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan, it can mean that you become "hedonistic and gay" after attending an Elton John concert. And simply by questioning every concert coming to town with his political-­religious stance, Nasrudin has made it into the world news. Now, he is demanding that the Information, Communications and Culture Ministry consult him on any concert to be staged in Malaysia. Good luck to PAS supporters; he deserves your vote. I wonder how he missed protesting against Jennifer Lopez who will be performing at Stadium Merdeka tonight. Maybe he does not find the Latino singer hot since he has already found the pencil-thin Avril Lavigne to be hot. I really can't wait for 2013 to start. Hold the general election, accept the results and we can all get back to some sanity, focus on keeping businesses healthy in a softening economy and not waste time on silly political antics. As an aside, I wonder why my wife questioned me suspiciously when I came back to my Petaling Jaya home before midnight after the concert. It was too early for me to be home, it seemed. And I looked and felt happy after a great concert. I must not use the word gay, though. But I must remember to show her the clipping of the front page of The Singapore Free Press dated Aug 31, 1957. "A So Gay Merdeka Day" was its headline, and the subheading read, "Not even a heavy downpour could dampen their enthusiasm."

Wan Azizah should contest in Penang Posted: 01 Dec 2012 05:20 AM PST The PKR president should contest for a state seat as that would derail attempts by BN from playing up issues about marginalisation of Malay leaders by the DAP. Amir Ali, FMT Reports that PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail will be a candidate in the next general election is a hotly debated issue among the public. Will she be a candidate or not? Where will she be a candidate to fight her way back into mainstream politics? These are the main questions. The answers are not easy to come by since it is not known where will she lean to in the end. However, there may be a solution to the corny issue that might simply tame Umno as well as hunt them for the next five years. Wan Azizah may well be a candidate for a state seat, rather than a parliamentary seat, and it should be in Penang. There are already two members of the Anwar Ibrahim family who will contest in their respective parliamentary seats in the next general election – Anwar in Permatang Pauh and daughter Nurul Izzah in Lembah Pantai. This leaves way for Wan Azizah to be a candidate for a state seat and Penang seems to be the best bet so far. There is the possibility that the Malay voters in Penang may be giving some credence to the BN-Umno propaganda in Penang. The opposition should not allow any lapses in their campaigns and they may need a stalwart politician from the PKR to fend off this menace. With this in mind, Pakatan Rakyat may as well allow Wan Azizah to contest in the state rather than Selangor – the two states reportedly interested in paving way for her return. The decision to let her contest in Penang may just render BN's anti-Pakatan campaign in the state to be ineffective. It will be an unexpected move as it will mean the communal campaign led by the BN will have been diluted with the presence of a major Malay opposition figure in the Penang state assembly contest. Her campaigning in Penang may altogether divide the pro-BN supporters and this will surely cause a steep fall in the BN's expectations to retake Penang back. READ MORE HERE

Numbers do not denote strength Posted: 29 Nov 2012 12:41 PM PST The number of people at an event does not determine the strength or weakness of a political party. By Shen Yee Aun, FMT The numbers at any political event is not the right and accurate benchmark to indicate a political party's weakness or strength. I wonder how can some claim that the current Himpunan Hijau protest is a sign of a death knell for MCA ? In the past when Barisan Nasional was at its peak, we saw large numbers attending opposition ceramah but the opposition still failed to make inroads during the polls. MCA's mega dinners have drawn an attendance ranging from 5,000 to 15,000 in each division but did MCA ever claim that it would win the next general election or that Pakatan Rakyat is losing steam? MCA only claimed that it was recovering and was stronger than before. MCA would never take the numbers game for granted to brag that it was a sign of early victory. In 1998, the Reformasi movement saw huge crowds, bigger than those who turned up for the Bersih and Lynas rallies, taking to the streets. But still MCA did well in the 1999 general election. If the strength and weakness of a political party were just based on the impact of the numbers at a protest, then we must also include the 1,500 NGOs that participated in a rally with Barisan Nasional recently. Do we interpret this as BN's strength? If we want to play the numbers game, then 1,500 NGOs is much bigger compared to Himpunan Hijau. If we are talking about numbers, then it would be 1 (Pakatan) vs 1,500 (BN). What about the recent 2,000 single mothers who protested against the Selangor Pakatan government that had cheated and manipulated them with empty promise after taking over the state? Is this the death knell for Pakatan in Selangor? Selective environmentalism The Lynas issue is actually one of the most successful political deceptions, lies and manipulations in history. Until today, there are still many who believe Pakatan that Lynas is actually a nuclear plant. Any neutral science expert would tell you that the radiation of Lynas is way lower than the radiation from our mobile phones and even the radiation of taking flights. In reality, Lim Guan Eng's solar plant in Penang would produce more radiation than Lynas. READ MORE HERE

Just words and lip service Posted: 29 Nov 2012 12:35 PM PST The Umno president's speech lacked substance and had no clear policy direction for the people and country, says Chua Jui Meng.  By Chua Jui Meng, FMT Najib Tun Razak delivered his presidential address at the annual Umno general assembly yesterday. It was shocking that his speech lacked substance – no clear policy direction for the people and country, just words and lip service. It was also an amazingly short policy speech, if not the shortest, ever delivered by an Umno president. To quote William Shakespeare's Macbeth, Najib was "full of sound and fury signifying nothing". Pre-Umno assembly Najib had also claimed that change can be initiated within Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) in general. After 55 years, did we see any change in the attitude of the party national delegates, in the quality of debates at the assembly? It was the same old rhetoric featuring inflammatory issues coupled with ridiculous claims like "God has chosen Umno". The May 13 bogey was still used to intimidate Malaysians to continue to support Umno and BN, racist remarks like "Malays will lose power if Pakatan Rakyat (PR) rules" and "May 13 will recur if PR rules". Is Umno claiming that only Umno Malays are Malays or Muslims? What about the Malays and Muslims in PKR, PAS, and others? What changes are Najib and his deputy, Muhyiddin Yassin, talking about? Clearly, there has been no change after 55 years and after the March 2008 political tsunami. The same arrogance is displayed by Umno and BN. Do you mean there are no important and serious public issues covering competency, accountability, transparency, integrity, abuse of power, corruption and economic policies to discuss or debate? If Umno has really changed, how could its top leaders go into the assembly pretending as if the following did not happen: The ongoing French court probe on alleged corrupt practices in the Defence Ministry's purchase of two second hand Scorpene submarines at RM6.7 billion and Deepak Jaikishan's explosive admission of his ties with Najib and his wife Rosmah Mansor and his role in private investigator P Balasubramaniam's second statutory declaration (SD) that neutralised a first damning SD that implicated the prime minister and his wife in the murder of Mongolian interpreter Altantuya Shaariibuu. How and who erased the Immigration Department's records of Altantuya's entry and exit? Ex-IGP Musa Hassan's allegations of infiltration of criminal elements in the force, political interference and the lack of control by the current IGP. Ex-serviceman Nasir Moni's revelation that he and several colleagues had to mark thousands of postal ballots meant for soldiers during general elections. Hence the need for international observers in the next general election. Compare the above with what the Umno leaders focused on their debates: READ MORE HERE

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UMNO Lost An Opportunity to Court Middle Ground Posted: 03 Dec 2012 12:01 PM PST As expected, the party and its delegates went full throttle against Anwar Ibrahim, Pas, PKR and Dap. There were attempts to use fear and threats to win support by summoning the battled spirit of May 13 to the forefront. A leader even suggested that the party is mandated by God to rule the country perpetually. Invoking the mandate from heaven is as feudalistic as you can get. Unsurprisingly, UMNO and its component partners are already using religion and race in their divisive campaigns to garner support. Against the backdrop of several damning and serious controversies such as Lynas, PKFZ, Scorpene, Pengerang, RM40 million kickback for UMNO Sabah/Musa Aman, Sarawak fiasco, NFC, Selangor land grab and others the party had chosen to keep mum. This is inconsistent with the mantra of change the party president has tried to peddle in the assembly. How can the party change if it refuses to address its own shortcomings? UMNO wants to attract first time and young voters.  How can the party gain the support of this segment if the party shows little initiative in trying to understand the issues and challenges facing youths in the country? There is little to show that the UMNO led government has been successful in creating jobs, generating economic opportunities and provide a safer environment for youths in the country. Little is done to curb the arrivals of migrant workers who are taking away jobs from the locals and provide no incentive to local companies to scale up technology adoption and use better skilled an educated local workers to wean off their addiction of low cost and low skilled foreign workers. The party president did not provide any clue how he is going to govern differently in his second term as the prime minister. His transformation plans are full of euphoria but short on results and real implementation. He needs to address sectors such as manufacturing and services which are providing employment to more than 60% of the workforce. The party's chest thumping, ethno-religious rhetoric and senseless threats of violence is going to push away the middle ground instead of winning them over. READ MORE

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• PKR dakwa keluarga Pak Lah terlibat dalam pembekalan meter elektonik TNB
• Pegawai kanan SPR ada jawatan dalam Umno?
• Rahman Maidin sertai PAS untuk bantu jatuhkan BN
• Rosmah bakal dapat RM26 bilion dakwa Deepak
• Dubes Malaysia: Video Hina Indonesia Itu Adu Domba
• Abim bantah konsert Elton John/Jennifer Lopez

PKR dakwa keluarga Pak Lah terlibat dalam pembekalan meter elektonik TNB Posted: 03 Dec 2012 12:21 PM PST Pengerusi Biro Pelaburan PKR, Wong Chen berkata, syarikat Obata-Ambak Holdings Sdn Bhd yang dimiliki Noor Asiah Mahmood, adik kepada isteri pertama Abdullah, Allahyarhmah Tun Endon Mahmood, memiliki 15 peratus pegangan saham dalam Malaysian Intelligence Meters Sdn Bhd, salah sebuah daripada lima syarikat yang membekalkan meter elektronik tersebut kepada TNB. Beliau turut berkata, program yang dihentikan sementara waktu atas arahan Menteri Tenaga, Teknologi Hijau, dan Air (KeeTha) Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui pada Oktober lalu menunjukkan pengguna akan membayar sebanyak RM6.88 bilion kepada keuntungan TNB dalam tempoh 10 tahun. "Kajian kami menunjukkan TNB mempunyai 8.03 juta pengguna sekarang ini dan harga purata setiap meter berharga RM250. "Justeru itu, program ini berpotensi mencapai sehingga RM2 bilion. "Untuk tahun kewangan 2012, hasil TNB daripada semua pengguna adalah RM34.4 bilion. "Jika meter elektronik ini memberi peningkatan konservatif dua peratus, beban tambahan pengguna adalah sebanyak RM688 juta setahun. "Memandangkan jangka hayat meter ini adalah 10 tahun, pengguna akhirnya akan membayar sehingga RM688 bilion kepada TNB bagi tempoh itu," kata Wong Chen kepada pemberita dalam sidang media di Ibu Pejabat PKR di sini. Pengarah Komunikasi PKR, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad yang turut hadir ketika sidang media itu berkata, isu itu bukan lagi isu kecil kerana pengguna dibebani peningkatan sehingga 50 peratus kos bil elektrik mereka. "Justeru, PKR menggesa ketelusan dan kebertanggungjawaban TNB dalam perkara ini untuk mendedahkan siapa pembekal meter elektronik ini, harga yang dibayar untuk meter ini, adakah harganya berdaya saing mengikut standard tempatan dan antarabangsa, dan adakah tender dibuat secara terbuka atau runding terus?" tanya Nik Nazmi. READ MORE

Pegawai kanan SPR ada jawatan dalam Umno? Posted: 03 Dec 2012 12:10 PM PST Hal ini disampaikan kepada Dewan Pemuda PAS negeri Sabah oleh beberapa orang rakyat negeri ini yang prihatin apabila mereka mendapati bahawa beberapa kenyataan pegawai SPR tersebut di media sosial kelihatan jelas menampakkan beliau mempunyai kedudukan dan kepentingan dalam Umno. Justeru pemuda PAS Sabah menuntut agar respon yang segera daripada SPR. Demikian kata Lahirul Latigu, Ketua Pemuda PAS Sabah dalam satu kenyataannya hari ini. Pemuda PAS Sabah menginggatkan bahawa ia akan menjejaskan kepercayaan rakyat terhadap kredebiliti SPR selaku organisasi yang bertanggungjawab memastikan pelaksanaan demokrasi di negara ini. "Sekiranya SPR tetap memilih untuk terus membisu dalam isu ini pihak Dewan Pemuda PAS tidak akan teragak-agak untuk mendedahkan butiran yang lebih lanjut berkaitan individu ini," kata Lahirul. Dewan Pemuda PAS, katanya, akan memastikan hal ini mendapat jawapan yang jelas dari pihak SPR kerana mereka tetap dengan komitmen untuk bersama dengan inspirasi rakyat Sabah untuk melihat proses pilihanraya dinegeri ini berjalan secara adil dan bersih.

Rahman Maidin sertai PAS untuk bantu jatuhkan BN Posted: 02 Dec 2012 12:44 PM PST Ujarnya, biar pecah benteng lama yang sudah tidak kukuh dan membina kembali dengan benteng yang kuat dan padu. "Jika digambarkan suasana di lautan, saya pilih ombak sebab ombak dia boleh bersihkan pantai bahkan bukan setakat bersih, dia boleh hancurkan benteng yang tak kukuh, " ujarnya ketika ditanya selepas berucap di majlis makan malam anjuran Dewan Himpunan Penyokong PAS (DHPP) Pulau Pinang dengan kerjasama PAS Kawasan Tasek Gelugor di Taman Desa Murni, Sungai Dua semalam. Beliau berkata, sudah sampai masanya, benteng usang diganti supaya rumah atau pokok yang ada berdekatan pantai dapat diselamatkan. Jika ombak kuat berlaku di tengah lautan pun tegasnya, alunannya boleh menenggelamkan kapal besar yang muatannya berlebihan. "Kemasukan saya dalam PAS bukan untuk apa-apa tujuan melainkan ingin membantu PAS bersama Pakatan Rakyat menjatuhkan Barisan Nasional (BN) pada pilihanraya umum ke 13 nanti," katanya yang juga bekas Pengerusi Dewan Perniagaan Melayu Pulau Pinang. Berucap sama dalam program tersebut ialah Timbalan Presiden PAS, Mohamad Sabu, Naib Presiden PKR, Tian Chua dan Pengerusi DHPP Pusat, Hu Pang Chaw.

Rosmah bakal dapat RM26 bilion dakwa Deepak Posted: 01 Dec 2012 05:29 AM PST "Tangannya penuh dengan bilion ringgit untuk ditangkap, jadi dia tidak mempunyai masa untuk menangkap bola yang ditendang masuk," kata Deepak dalam kenyataannya kepada media. Atas dasar itu, Deepak bekas kawan baik Rosmah itu berkata, BN bakal gagal dalam pilihan raya ini. Beliau menjangkakan, Pakatan akan mendapat 123 kerusi, BN 99 kerusi dan Rosmah akan mendapat RM26 bilion. Deepak mengulas kes ini ketika mengulas ucapan perwakilan dari Kelantan yang mendakwa pasukan Red Warior di Kelantan akan menjadi contoh pengurusan Umno pimpinan Najib yang bakal menang dalam pilihan raya ini. Ketika ditanya, di manakah beliau mendapat angka RM26 bilion tersebut, Deepak berkata, ia adalah hasil kiraan beliau berdasarkan projek yang melibatkan Rosmah. "Saya membuat kiraan berdasarkan projek yang saya terlibat dan projek yang saya tahu dimiliki oleh dia," kata Deepak dalam satu kenyataanya malam tadi. Deepak sebelum ini mendakwa beliau adalah rakan perniagaan Rosmah sebelum berbangkitnya kes Penyataan Bersumpah (SD) P Balasubramaniam. Sejak kes P Bala, hubungan mereka bermasalah kerana beliau didakwa tidak menunaikan janji untuk menyelesaikan kes Bala. Deepak berkata, dia hanya menolong kawan dalam kes itu bukannya terlibat secara langsung.

Dubes Malaysia: Video Hina Indonesia Itu Adu Domba Posted: 29 Nov 2012 01:49 PM PST Dubes Malaysia untuk RI Dato Syed Munshe Afdzaruddin menegaskan hal tersebut dilakukan oleh orang yang tidak bertanggung jawab. Pemerintah Malaysia tidak tahu asal usul video tersebut. "Itu tidak dibenarkan. Video tersebut datang dari kelompok tertentu yang sengaja mengadu domba hubungan kita. Entah dari negara luar, Malaysia, ataupun Indonesia," kata Dato Syed kepadaLiputan6.com di Jakarta, Jumat (30/11/2012). Menurut Dato Syed, pertandingan sepakbola Piala AFF seharusnya menjadi ajang persatuan antar bangsa. "Sepakbola harusnya bisa menjadi olahraga atau game yang enjoy. Kerajaan Malaysia amat mendukung persatuan antar kedua bangsa," ucap Dato. Hubungan Indonesia dengan Malaysia memang seperti love and hate relationship. Layaknya orang memadu kasih. Kadang benci, kadang cinta. Kadang bermusuhan, kadang berteman baik. Tetapi tetap saling membutuhkan. Namun, Dato Syed menegaskan apapun yang terjadi hubungan Malaysia dan Indonesia harus tetap rukun dan tidak mudah terprovokasi. "Apakah sengaja untuk melakukan propaganda? Bisa juga. Yang jelas kedua negara jangan terpancing," imbau Dato Syed. (RZK)

Abim bantah konsert Elton John/Jennifer Lopez Posted: 29 Nov 2012 12:59 PM PST Ini memandangkan konsert tersebut dianjurkan taktala negara masih bergelut untuk merungkaikan pelbagai kemelut sosial yang melanda negara ini. Persembahan Elton dibuat melalui Elton John & Band: 40th Anniversary of the Rocket Man pada 29 November 2012 manakala Jenifer pula melalui Jennifer Lopez live in Malaysia pada 2 Disember ini. Abim juga menilai penganjuran konsert seakan-akan menggambarkan sikap acuh tidak acuh pihak tertentu terhadap pelbagai bantahan yang dikemukakan terhadap penganjuran konsert-konsert serta program hiburan melampau membabitkan artis-artis dari luar Negara. Hiburan merupakan elemen berpengaruh terutama sekali di kalangan golongan remaja. Hiburan yang bersifat mendidik akan mendorong golongan remaja untuk mengembangkan sahsiah diri mereka secara positif. Akan tetapi sekiranya mereka menerima pendedahan dari hiburan yang bersifat hendonistik semata-mata, ia akan mendorong golongan muda ini untuk bertindak menurut kepuasan hawa nafsu semata-mata. Tambahan pula, salah seorang artis tersebut secara terbuka mengamalkan hubungan sejenis (gay) yang boleh memberikan ekspresi keteladanan yang salah di kalangan golongan muda. "Seharusnya ancaman LGBT serta beberapa gejala songsang yang lain membuatkan pihak-pihak yang berwajib lebih berwaspada serta berhati-hati dalam menyaring sebarang kemasukan serta penganjuran hiburan membabitkan artis-artis luar negara," kata Setiausaha Agungnya, Mohamad Raimi Abdul Rahim. Penganjuran kedua-dua konsert tersebut, katanya,  merupakan titik hitam di sebalik kemilau kebangkitan hiburan Islamik serta selebriti dakwah di negara ini. Ketegasan serta keprihatinan dari pihak berwajib serta masyarakat adalah perlu untuk mengelakkan golongan muda dari terus dibanjiri "idola" tanpa sebarang rujukan keteladanan yang positif, tegasnya.

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