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WIKILEAKS: 2006 UMNO GENERAL ASSEMBLY: ABDULLAH OVER MAHATHIR Posted: 20 Sep 2011 01:00 AM PDT In what one prominent newspaper editor privately called "the beginning of his own cult of personality," Abdullah orchestrated his entrance into the grand assembly hall as a prophet coming to address his people. As Abdullah entered the hall, the audience began singing a well-known Muslim hymn commemorating the Prophet Mohammed's entrance into Medina. Privately, local journalists and some Middle-eastern diplomats were astonished and somewhat offended that Abdullah would equate himself with the Prophet, though newspapers failed to report his entrance procession. THE CORRIDORS OF POWER Raja Petra Kamarudin 1.  (C) Summary:  The United Malays National Organization's (UMNO) General Assembly marked Prime Minister's Abdullah consolidation of power within UMNO and the clear political defeat of his predecessor Mahathir Mohamad after months of public attacks by Mahathir.  Mahathir did not attend the assembly due to timely health reasons, but he remained the elephant in the room that everyone knew was there but no one wanted to mention.  A week prior to the assembly, Mahathir suffered from a "minor heart attack" and later refused to see a visiting Abdullah.  Prior to the assembly, Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi declared he would not be a one-term prime minister and threatened the party leadership not to take him for granted.  A local editor claimed Abdullah is trying to build a new cult of personality, as Abdullah evoked comparisons to himself and the Prophet Mohammed.  Mukhriz Mahathir assumed his father's role as Abdullah's chief critic at the assembly, but faced a political backlash for his disloyalty to the party leader.  This is the first in a series of reports covering the 57th UMNO General Assembly which was held in Kuala Lumpur, November 13-17.  End Summary. Mahathir avoids the dance 2.  (C) Less than a week before the convocation of the UMNO General Assembly, former prime minister Mahathir Mohamed admitted himself to the National Heart Institute with complaints of chest pains.  Deemed to have suffered from a "minor heart attack", Mahathir remained hospitalized until November 14, one day prior to Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi's opening of the 2006 UMNO General Assembly. Conveniently, Mahathir's health provided an excellent excuse not to attend the assembly and face a possibly hostile reception with little or no opportunity to present his own criticism of Abdullah.  Given Abdullah's control over the party and its rules of order, the Prime Minister was certain to use the the assembly to reaffirm his position of leadership.  Mahathir's loss as a party delegate in his long-time constituency of Kubang Paso in September (ref A), in the face of strong machine politics, was evidence enough that he no longer controlled the party he once led for 22 years. 3.  (SBU) A survivor of heart bypass surgery in 1989, Mahathir's "faulty ticker" created an unassailable and face-saving excuse not to attend the assembly he fought so hard to crash.  However, his hospitalization did not bring any semblance of death-bed forgiveness or reconciliation. The day after his admission to the hospital, Abdullah paid a visit to the hospital to greet his predecessor, only to be shooed away by doctors and advised that Mahathir could not see Abdullah as he was sleeping and was not able to have visitors.  Mahathir was not going to attend the assembly, but he was not about to reconcile his differences with Abdullah either. "I am not a one-term prime minister" 4.  (SBU) In the run-up to the assembly, Abdullah gave an exclusive interview to an UMNO-linked newspaper, Utusan Malaysia, which headlined Abdullah's declaration: "I am not a one-term prime minister."  Dispelling rumors that he would not seek a second term, or conjecture that Mahathir's attacks had weakened his resolve, Abdullah went on to say, "I will not run away.  I am here to stay.  I have long term plans and I will ensure that these plans are implemented."  Abdullah acknowledged that Mahathir's attacks were "no longer about the bridge or his other projects.  He has begun a total fight against me and the government."  In a closed door meeting with party leaders the following day, Abdullah advised party officials that it was becoming increasingly difficult to be nice, but warned that he could certainly be otherwise if pushed too far. As one attendee remarked, "Abdullah's main message was 'don't take me for granted.' He showed us he was firmly in control." Najib sets the tone for the assembly 5.  (U) Opening the early sessions of the General Assembly for UMNO Wanita (Women), Puteri (Young Women) and Pemuda (Youth), Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy President of UMNO, Najib Tun Razak, declared the policy that would preside throughout the entire assembly: "The tradition in UMNO has been the complete loyalty to our leaders.  We must be united behind Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, our party President and Prime Minister."  Najib praised Malaysia's past leaders, but warned "there is great apprehension when the leaders we cherish begin to squabble.  And the worry increases when the opposition tries to take advantage. . .Quarrels will only lead to disunity."  While never mentioning Mahathir by name, Najib made it clear that past leaders would always be honored and revered, but "disunity" would not be tolerated.  Four days later his closing remarks Najib reiterated the party's undivided support for Abdullah in a traditional Malay poem: ". . .This is Pak Lah's era . . .our country he has changed; our religion he has honored, our race he has defended. . .We give him our support. . .in the name of religion, race and country." Building a cult of personality 6.  (C) In what one prominent newspaper editor privately called "the beginning of his own cult of personality," Abdullah orchestrated his entrance into the grand assembly hall as a prophet coming to address his people.  As Abdullah entered the hall, the audience began singing a well-known Muslim hymn commemorating the Prophet Mohammed's entrance into Medina.  Privately, local journalists and some Middle-eastern diplomats were astonished and somewhat offended that Abdullah would equate himself with the Prophet, though newspapers failed to report his entrance procession. 7.  (C) Equally telling were the verses Abdullah had recited from the Holy Quran before delivering his key-note address. The readings were from Surah 49. Al-Hujurat, verses 6 - 13, and carried a clear message that  UMNO attendees should reject Mahathir and embrace Abdullah.  "O you who believe! If an evil person comes to you with any news, verify it, lest you should harm people in ignorance. . . And if two parties among the believers fall to fighting, then make peace between them both.  But if one of the outrages against the other, then fight you all against the one which outrages till it complies with the command of Allah. . .Let not a group scoff an another group, it may be that the latter are better than the former. . .Nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames.  How bad is it to insult one's brother after having faith.  And whosoever does not repent, then such are indeed the wrong-doers."  The readings from the Holy Quran lasted nearly 20 minutes, and it was commonly heard uttered among visitors and the media that not even PAS (Malaysia's conservative Islamic opposition party) read that many verses at their annual meeting or dared compare their leader with the Prophet. Abdullah wishes Mahathir a speedy recovery 8. (SBU)  The subtle use of the Quranic verses aside, press reports all applauded Abdullah for "avoiding any mention" of Mahathir.  Many had expected Abdullah to launch a few veiled salvos at Mahathir, but what they heard were the soft words of their Prime Minister urging the attendees to "pray to the Almighty so that Tun Dr. Mahathir has a speedy recovery.  Let us also pray that Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah (Mahathir's wife) and members of her family be given the strength and patience to see through this difficult period." The son carries on the fight 9. (C)  Just the day before Abdullah's speech, Mahathir had received a long ovation from the UMNO Youth delegates when it was mentioned he had that day returned home from the hospital.  Moreover, Mahathir's absence did not ensure the assembly avoided the fracas he had long ago begun.  Standing in as his father's proxy, Mukhriz Mahathir was quick to criticize Abdullah's performance.  Echoing what many others mumbled but no others dared utter, Mukhriz called Abdullah's key-note address disappointing.  "I think it's an address he delivered last year.  I was hoping for something new. Perhaps he has other ideas,"  Mukhriz told reporters. (Abdullah's keynote speech will be reported septel.) 10.  (C) Mukhriz's comments brought quick rebukes from UMNO Youth President Hishamuddin Tun Hussein and threats that Mukhriz risked being expelled from the UMNO Youth Executive Committee.  However, no one took the threats seriously, and many continue to speculate that the 42 year old Mukhriz will run for one of the 25 positions on the UMNO Executive Committee during the next election cycle, guaranteeing his name will remain in the lime-light, and ensuring his father's issues with Abdullah do not merely fade away. Comment 11.  (C) The UMNO General Assembly demonstrated Abdullah's consolidation of his party power base and signified defeat for Mahathir's attempt to bring Abdullah's leadership to an early end.  Abdullah made it clear that pretenders would not be welcome if they tried to unseat him before he was ready to step down, and DPM Najib responded dutifully as the head cheerleader.  Mahathir's absence from the assembly was convenient, if not well planned, and prevented any rumors or threats of a division within Malaysia's dominant political party.  Mahathir's criticisms of the current administration will not quickly fade away, and will still attract tremendous interest from the public at large, but it is apparent they will have less traction after Abdullah's successful defense and consolidation of his own authority as leader of Malaysia's dominant political party. LAFLEUR (November 2006)

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• Mat Sabu arrested over alleged Bukit Kepong remarks
• Mat Sabu to face criminal charge over communist remarks
• Hisham Rais Agrees with Ambiga, Credits M’sian Civil Society Over Abolishment of ISA
• Hisham Rais: Mat Sabu's Statement on Mat Indera Came in Perfect Timing
• Time to quit, Zaid told
• MCLM: Real reforms if BN is removed
• Will Tenaga Nasional be split up?
• Taib Named In UK Parliament
• Bumis ‘typically’ sold government contracts for cars, houses, leaked study reveals
• Half-a-billion ringgit suits await Felda
• Najib rapped for denying people's role in ISA repeal
• Molotov cocktails hurled at Mat Sabu's home
• Prosecution discredits Aussie expert
• Utusan wants ‘spirit of ISA’ retained in new anti-terror laws

Mat Sabu arrested over alleged Bukit Kepong remarks Posted: 20 Sep 2011 12:32 AM PDT (The Star) - PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu has been arrested by police in connection with his alleged remarks on the Bukit Kepong incident. Mohamad, or Mat Sabu, had voluntarily gone to the state police headquarters at 8.30pm before he was detained. He was released on bail at 9.05pm. Mat Sabu is expected to be charged for criminal defamation under Section 500 of the Penal Code on Wednesday.

Mat Sabu to face criminal charge over communist remarks Posted: 19 Sep 2011 05:51 PM PDT (The Malaysian Insider) - Mohamad Sabu will be charged in court tomorrow over remarks allegedly glorifying communist guerillas who attacked the Bukit Kepong police station in 1950. The PAS deputy president will be charged with public mischief under section 505 of the Penal Code in the Butterworth Sessions Court. Contacted by The Malaysian Insider, Mohamad's lawyer Hanipa Maidin confirmed that police have informed his client of the charge. "Yes, we have been informed of it. Mat Sabu and I will be there," he said. Umno's Utusan Malaysia had first accused the maverick politician of glorifying Ahmad Indera in an August 27 report that quoted Mohamad as saying that the communist leader was a true hero. Twenty-five policemen were killed in the attack on the Bukit Kepong police station in 1950. The daily and Malay hardliners in Umno have repeatedly called for Mohamad to be charged over the comment with some even insisting that the PAS leader be stripped of his citizenship.  Mohamad's remarks have sparked debate over who were Malaysia's independence fighters. But Mohamad denies glorifying communists, saying he never mentioned "communism" in his speech. His Pakatan Rakyat (PR) colleagues have admitted that Mohamad's remarks had given their rivals in Barisan Nasional (BN) an opening to attack them. BN had been on the defensive for months following surging inflation and international condemnation of the government's crackdown on the July 9 Bersih rally. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced a raft of reforms last week to give Malaysians more freedom but Mohamad's prosecution may spark fears of a crackdown against dissent. READ MORE HERE

Hisham Rais Agrees with Ambiga, Credits M’sian Civil Society Over Abolishment of ISA Posted: 19 Sep 2011 05:39 PM PDT (Malaysian Digest) - Activist Hishamuddin Rais today echoed the statement made by former Bar Council President Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan saying that the civil society of Malaysia should be credited over the decision to abolish the Internal Security Act (ISA). According to him, after years of pressure from the civil society such as Suara Anak Malaysia (SUARAM), Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI) and BERSIH, the Act was finally abolished by the government under the Najib administration.   Hishamuddin also said that Najib should be ashamed of himself when the latter said that the decision was made by the Barisan Nasional solely and not based on other movement's pressure. "If he has some self respect, then Najib should thank the civil society for enlightening him to abolish the 1960 draconian law of ISA," said Hishamuddin when met by Malaysian Digest. Seeing the decision to abolish the ISA as an attempt to liberalize the country, Hishamuddin however said that nothing is concrete at the moment as the prime minister only made an announcement and nothing has yet been tabled in the parliament. "Let's not get overexcited about this, the country has seen the prime minister making flip-flop decisions over various government policies in the past. "For example on the gambling license which in the end doesn't go much further after all," said Hishamuddin. The activist admits that the announcement made by the prime minister is a quantum leap after Merdeka Review reported their poll results stating that Najib's popularity have been declining. "This can just be Najib's public relation practice that will make him popular in the rakyat's eyes. But that doesn't mean anything, as in Malaysia, the election doesn't go in the way like the presidential election in the United States. "Therefore, for me, if this is a public relation practice by Najib, it won't affect anything at all," he added. Hishamuddin also said that the call from PAS Deputy President, Mohamad Sabu for the government to pay compensation to those who used to be detained under the ISA as 'a very nice proposal', but stating an apology should have been more than enough. "An apology should be enough for me. It's in our tradition and norms that one must apologize after making a mistake," he said. "And if the government decides to make an apology for detaining me for two years in Kem Tahanan Kamunting (Kamunting detention camp), I would have welcomed it," he added.

Hisham Rais: Mat Sabu's Statement on Mat Indera Came in Perfect Timing Posted: 19 Sep 2011 05:38 PM PDT (Malaysian Digest) - PAS Deputy President Mohamad Sabu or better known as Mat Sabu's statement over on Mat Indera and Malayan independence struggles have come in a timely month, according to activist Hishamuddin Rais. According to him, the issue that was first brought by Mat Sabu comes in perfect timing that benefits the younger generation.   "The young generation, thanks to Mat Sabu and his Mat Indera debate, are now becoming more aware of this country's history.   "They are now talking about the history of Malaysia and strongly debating our historical facts and as a result will enlighten this country," said Hishamuddin when met by Malaysian Digest. According to Hishamuddin, the younger generations have now acknowledged that the Malayan independence struggles also consists of arm-movement in the likes of Angkatan Pemuda Insaf (API), Hizbul Muslimin and Parti Komunis Malaya (PKM) and not only championed by United Malay Organisations (UMNO) as deemed nowadays.   Therefore, he is supporting the call for history subject in schools to be revised but remains skeptical that the revision can be done under the current ruling class.   "Umno/BN will always wants them to be seen as the sole independence struggler in our schools history subject," said Hishamuddin.   "Until a new government is formed, I don't think at any stage that the history subject in school will be revised," he added.

Time to quit, Zaid told Posted: 19 Sep 2011 04:40 PM PDT Growing internal dissent against Kita chief culminates in a call for his resignation. (Free Malaysia Today) - The rising internal dissent against Kita chief, Zaid Ibrahim, has peaked with a top leadership member calling for his resignation today. Central executive committee member, Zahrein Zahari, said that Zaid's recent actions were in clear violation of the party principle and warranted his stepping down as party chief. Over the past week Zaid's reputation has slowly been torn apart as unhappy members have publicly flayed him for his alleged high-handedness, contempt for protocol and rash decisions. The sudden strife within a party that is three months shy of its first anniversary has taken many by surprise but Zahrein clarified in a press statement that talk of "internal bickering" were untrue. "There is no bickering in Kita," he said. "There are only those who decided to go against the principle which the party builds upon, and this includes Zaid." Zahrein explained that party members, especially the youth had joined Kita for its "fearless stand" against authoritarianism, promotion of grassroots democracy and an internal structure where decisions are made from the bottom-up. He pointed out that a democratic party should give room for dissent to be heard and debated as no leader is infallible be it Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim or Zaid himself. "We in Kita believe in building criticism, and we strongly advocate freedom of speech," Zahrein said. "I'm very sure Zaid has no problem swallowing this medicine with a pinch of salt." "Zaid may have started Kita but we gave spirit to it. He doesn't own Kita and Kita is not Zaid. Kita was built upon the same spirit in which Zaid walked out from PKR – a smack on their face and a fine reminder for us." Old must make way for the new Zahrein then took a dig at Zaid by stating that when the old get "nyanyuk or nyanyu" (senile), it is only right for the young to take the lead. He went on to urge young Malaysians to show the "old hard-headed" politicians how things should be done the right way and that this process should begin with Zaid. READ MORE HERE

MCLM: Real reforms if BN is removed Posted: 19 Sep 2011 04:14 PM PDT The Barisan Nasional should have been serious about socio-political change after the 12th general election, says MCLM. (Free Malaysia Today) - Real reforms are only possible if a non-Barisan Nasional government comes to power, a human rights group said. Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM) president Haris Ibrahim said that if the BN was serious about socio-political change, it would have acted in the aftermath of the 12th general election. "If it's BN (that stays in power), then we can kiss this (reforms) goodbye. If they had listened… they would have… done it post 12th GE," Haris told FMT. "In order to do that, you need to have a strong prime minister… focused on (his) … five years (as premier), who'll say, 'I need to do these reforms.'" Haris also made a reference to past and present prime ministers, and alleged that they were more focused on calling for general election than on change. He made the claim after presenting the Rakyat Reform Agenda (RARA) at an MCLM-organised forum at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall last night. According to the group, the RARA covered four different points: the 1963 Malaysia Agreement, including Sabah's 20-point and Sarawak's 18-point agreements; restoring of independence to Malaysia's institutions, including the judiciary; the repeal of local security laws, including the Internal Security Act (ISA) and the Sedition Act; and a revamp of affirmative economic policy, reborn as the racially blind Social Inclusion Agenda. Speaking on the last two points, Haris said that both of the factors were being prepared by MCLM-affiliated parties for the benefit of non-BN political parties in the advent of a change of government. Wholesale cheating Sabah and Sarawak's agreements as equal partners of the Malaysian Federation, he added, would be examined under an "honest" Royal Commission of Inquiry. The inquiry, Haris added, would look into the alleged "wholesale cheating" of the two East Malaysian states. All four points, he said, would be compiled into a concise document for these parties after Oct 27 as a set of guidelines for them to follow. "We'll send this document, a brief write-up of what it is… (so that) we can facilitate the leaders (of these parties) to a better understanding (of reforms)," he said. READ MORE HERE

Will Tenaga Nasional be split up? Posted: 19 Sep 2011 03:01 PM PDT By Fintan Ng, The STar Speculation resurfaces as the utility faces additional RM3bil in costs PETALING JAYA: Speculation of splitting Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) up has resurfaced as the utility company faces an additional RM3bil in costs from having to look for alternative sources of fuel for power generation due to a shortage in gas supply. However, TNB president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohd Noh did not respond to StarBiz query on the matter. Analysts said there were a number of obstacles that would make any break-up of the company unlikely at the moment. They pointed out that fixed energy prices and power-purchase agreements signed with the independent power producers were among the main reasons why there would not be any imminent split-up. "This was mooted 10 years ago as part of a power-pooling structure where prices would have been deregulated and left to the markets," an analyst pointed out. TNB has three divisions, transmission, distribution and generation, of which the first two are the most profitable. The analyst said any break-up of TNB was highly unlikely as the political costs would be too high. "Due to the high costs of energy, letting prices gyrate may not be a good idea," he said. Furthermore, he said energy subsidies would only be entirely removed in 13 years (based on recommendations by the Performance Management and Delivery Unit that subsidies be gradually removed) while the power purchase agreements (PPAs) signed with the independent power producers complicated any move to restructure prices. "The Government will have to wait at least until 2016 when the first of the first generation PPAs expire," he said. Meanwhile, another analyst added that the idea of breaking up TNB was not feasible as long as the company's generation division did not have a cost pass-through mechanism. "It's difficult to see earnings visibility especially if there's more disruption to gas supply," he said, adding that there was also the question of whether the Government would allow the company to pass on the costs to consumers. HLIB Research analyst Daniel Wong, in a report, downgraded TNB shares to "hold" with a target price of RM5.10, based on discounted cash-flow estimates on continued disruption in gas supply and delay in tariff hikes. TNB closed 8 sen up at RM5.09 yesterday. "In the near term, TNB's margin will be eroded by higher fuel cost due to gas shortage (even if Petroliam Nasional Bhd maintenance is completed) as power demand increases while coal and hydro power capacity utilisation has been maximised," Wong said. He said the decision to implement a fuel cost-pass-through mechanism lay with the Government and was influenced by political, economic and social factors. Wong added that the proposal for fuel cost sharing during gas curtailment period was also pending Government approval.

Taib Named In UK Parliament Posted: 19 Sep 2011 02:55 PM PDT By Sarawak Report Knowledge and concern about the timber corruption associated with Sarawak's Chief Minister is now spreading to the UK. Last week his name was raised in the UK Parliament's upper chamber, The House of Lords, after a question had been asked of the Government to give an assessment of the impact of logging on indigenous people, plants and animal life.  Present to answer the question was one of the Government Ministers from the Department for International Development (DFID), Baroness Verma. The Baroness answered that the UK Government is well aware of the concern about unrestrained logging and how it impoverishes around a billion people on the planet. Baroness Verma: My Lords, more than 1 billion people depend in varying degrees on the forests for their livelihoods with many more depending on the ecosystem services they provide. Some 350 million people who live within or adjacent to dense forests depend on them to a high degree for subsistence and income. Degradation and deforestation cause a loss of between $2 trillion and $4.5 trillion per year in ecosystems goods and services. Lord St John of Bletso   Rainforest campaigner – Crossbencher (attached to no party) Lord St John One of the best known campaigners for Rainforests in the Lords then raised the issue of Abdul Taib Mahmud and his effect on Sarawak and its people.  To cries of "Hear, hear", he rose to ask: "My Lords, can the noble Baroness give any indication as to whether our Government will be following the moves by Switzerland and Germany to investigate money-laundering of the proceeds of timber corruption by the chief minister of Sarawak in Malaysia? What other measures are being taken to identify and sanction those large international logging companies which do not ensure best practice in sustainable logging?" The Baroness replied that although she could not respond on a particular individual, the mechanisms are in place to deal with timber corruption: "I would like to say to noble Lords that we are ensuring that we respond proactively to the difficulties we are all facing with this issue. The multinational companies that deal in illegal logging will find that the penalties for this will be severe." [link to the debate]   Taib's assets in the UK   Ridgeford Properties' portfolio in London belongs to the Taibs The mention represents a set-back for the Chief Minister, whose family assets are extensive in the UK.  Timber corruption campaigners have already prompted money laundering investigations in Switzerland and Germany, as referred to in the Lords debate. Last week also Canadian Government acknowledged that it too is aware of the fact that the Taib family have hundreds of millions of dollars of property assets in North America.  While it has refused to confirm or deny any investigation at this stage, a top executive of Canada's Department of Justice told the Bruno Manser Fund that: "The RCMP(Royal Canadian Mounted Police)'s Integrated Market Enforcement Team is a group of highly acknowledged specialized investigators that are dedicated to ensuring that those who commit serious capital markets fraud offences will be discovered, investigated, prosecuted, and incarcerated in an effective and timely fashion"   READ MORE HERE.

Bumis ‘typically’ sold government contracts for cars, houses, leaked study reveals Posted: 19 Sep 2011 02:53 PM PDT (The Malaysian Insider) - KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 — An unpublished Works Ministry study found that Bumiputera contractors as a rule sold their government contracts to buy luxury cars and houses apart from misusing payments received from the Treasury, according to a leaked US diplomatic cable. The cable, revealed by whistleblower website WikiLeaks, comes just after Putrajaya agreed to allocate RM8 billion worth of contracts in the country's most expensive infrastructure project, the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), which initially set strict rules for its contractors. The US diplomatic cable quoted a Works Ministry source as saying the "Study on Bumiputera Contractor Leakage" was the result of feedback from various industry sources on failed and successful projects. The report was used by then-Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to castigate failing Bumiputera businessmen in February 2007. "The current system of awarding lucrative government contracts to Bumis provides them with a strong economic incentive to simply act as agents, turning over as many projects as possible and taking a cut before handing each one off to a competent non-Bumi implementer. "This 'Bumi agent' system is firmly entrenched in Malaysia. Any effort to make reforms is likely to be resisted not only by well-established Bumis, but also by the non-Bumi implementers who have built up a network of well-oiled agent partnership," the US Embassy concluded in the report published by the Malaysia-Today news portal. The US and European Union have called for more transparency and equality in government procurement by Malaysia as part of the free trade agreement talks which have yet to be concluded. In the leaked cable, the US embassy reported: "The source said the study, which has not been released to the public, revealed that many Bumi contractors typically sold off their tenders for quick money, often to finance expensive cars and houses. The report also found Bumiputera contractors had misused payments received from the government to pay off creditors and that they often sought additional government tenders prior to completing the ones already awarded to them." "The official said contractors were irresponsible and had abused the trust given to them by the government which was meant to help Bumiputeras progress," it added. The US cable noted that then-Finance Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Izzudin Dali had disclosed new regulations that Bumiputera contractors seeking government tenders will soon be required to sign an official declaration promising not to sell or subcontract their tender to other races. "Violators will have their contracts and registrations terminated. Izzudin added that under the new rules contractors undertaking public infrastructure contracts will now be awarded only one project at a time and that projects will be distributed evenly among contractors in the same area or district," the cable said, quoting Izzudin's speech on February 16, 2007. READ MORE HERE

Half-a-billion ringgit suits await Felda Posted: 19 Sep 2011 02:44 PM PDT (Harakah Daily) - More suits are coming in the way of embattled Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) as settlers now seek redress over the body's alleged manipulation in the grading of palm oil. Today, some 345 settlers from Jengka Pahang have joined the movement against Felda, bringing the total of those seeking legal redress to a whopping 1,056 to date. They signed up the lawyers appointment form to sue Felda Jengka of some RM510 million in compensation, claiming Felda had manipulated in the grading of palm oil. Felda is currently facing a string of lawsuits from settlers in Kelantan, Johor and Negeri Sembilan. Writing in his blog, PKR's Felda community and native bureau chairman Suhaimi Said said the amount was the biggest filed by Felda settlers. Suhaimi said settlers were demanding the return of oil palm rejected by Felda factories after lab results showed they were of 20 percent extraction grade quality. READ MORE HERE.

Najib rapped for denying people's role in ISA repeal Posted: 19 Sep 2011 02:41 PM PDT (Harakah Daily) - National laureate A Samad Said has taken prime minister Najib Razak to task for refusing to acknowledge it was the people's struggle for the abolishment of the Internal Security Act that prompted the latter to announce its repeal last week. "For the past 54 years, they never did think of abolishing the ISA. Suddenly, they received an inspiration and claimed it was not due to the demands especially from the youths who could no longer see the act in existence," said the activist Pak Samad (right) during a youth gathering in his honour at Central Market yesterday. He was reacting to a statement by Najib that his decision to repeal the ISA and other similar laws was "a decision made by the Barisan Nasional government because we listened to Malaysians who want this change", and not due to the role played by anti-ISA activists. According to Pak Samad, Najib could not have made such an announcement without pressure. "The Prime Minister over the last two, three days announced, 'Oh, it was us, we ourselves abolished ISA', but did not say it was those who pushed (for ISA's repeal) that had led it to change. If there were no pressure, I don't think (ISA will be abolished) as it is a very useful tool to suppress the people," he said. He also reminded that the ISA had been defended over the last 54 years by UMNO and Barisan Nasional. But in spite of denying their role, said Pak Samad, it was still a victory for the youth. 'Who defended ISA?' Earlier, PAS information chief Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man chided UMNO and hitherto pro-ISA leaders for claiming credit over the notorious act's abolishment, and made comparison to UMNO leaders' denial of non-UMNO and left-wing fighters who had struggled for the country's independence. "Where is the recognition to the contribution of those who had all along fought for ISA's abolishment?" asked Tuan Ibrahim.   READ MORE HERE.

Molotov cocktails hurled at Mat Sabu's home Posted: 19 Sep 2011 02:39 PM PDT By A Ruban, The Star SHAH ALAM: Teenage miscreants hurled explosive materials, believed to be Molotov cocktails, at the entrance of PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu's house early Tuesday. According to Mohamad Sabu's son Ahmad Saiful Islam, 23, two teenagers were seen throwing the explosive materials at his home in Section 19 here. They fled when the neighbours were alerted. "They were school boys and they did not come in any vehicle. The neighbours helped put the fire out when the boys ran away. "The police arrived here about 30 minutes later," he said when met at the double-storey link house. Ahmad Saiful said only his sister, Nurul Huda Mohamad, 28, was at home at the time of the incident after midnight. Mohamad Sabu could not be reached for comment. Police have confirmed the incident.

Prosecution discredits Aussie expert Posted: 19 Sep 2011 02:35 PM PDT By Teoh El Sen, FMT KUALA LUMPUR: Australian consultant molecular geneticist Dr Brian Leslie McDonald cannot be considered an expert in the field of forensic DNA, said the prosecution in the Anwar Ibrahim Sodomy II trial today. "I'm very impressed with the doctor's credentials… (but) just because the witness can explain all the scientific terms, it does not make him an expert," argued lead prosecutor Solicitor-General II Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden. McDonald agreed to this, to which Yusof added: "That's what I'm saying, you're not an expert." McDonald, who was being cross-examined by the prosecution after completing his testimony yesterday, anwered "yes" when asked if his field of study included forensic DNA. He also agreed that the field of DNA had advanced and 20 years ago, when he obtained his qualifications in 1992, forensic DNA did not exist then. However, McDonald denied Yusof's claim that this rendered his credentials obsolete. Yusof: You have never been formally trained in forensic DNA testing? McDonald: No. Yusof: So you are not trained in extraction of DNA and its interpretation…? McDonald: (I am) absolutely. I have 30 years of experience Yusof: But do you have formal training? Did you attend a course? McDonald: When I started this, I actually conducted the courses (to train doctors to interpret findings). I am certainly trained as a scientist and as I said, forensic science itself as a field is a recent development.   READ MORE HERE.

Utusan wants ‘spirit of ISA’ retained in new anti-terror laws Posted: 19 Sep 2011 02:08 PM PDT By Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 — Utusan Malaysia today joined political hardliners in pressing to preserve the "spirit of the Internal Security Act (ISA)" in the country's two new anti-terrorism laws as the push back began against Putrajaya's plans to repeal security laws. The Umno-owned daily reasoned that such preventive laws were now considered "universal practice", citing terrorism activities across the globe like the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York. The attacks, said senior news editor Zulkefli Hamzah in his column, had fuelled the international community's fears towards terrorism and subversive threats and made such preventive laws a necessity in any part of the world. "Surely, if the United States had to resort to enforcing laws allowing detention without trial, (Malaysia's) new (anti-terrorism) laws to be enacted soon should also play the role of the ISA, which is to protect the peace and security of the country," he wrote. He pointed out that former US President George W. Bush, who once reportedly criticised the ISA, had to "eat his own words" after the 2001 terrorist attacks and was forced to enact the Patriot Act to prevent further acts of terrorism in the country. "And after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced the repeal of the ISA, in conjunction with Malaysia Day — 54 years after Merdeka — what would Bush's reaction have been if he were still in power?" he asked. Zulkefli then attributed Malaysia's peace and prosperity to the 40-year existence of the ISA, saying that in comparison with other countries Malaysians were now mature enough and ready for the country to achieve developed nation status. "Do not deny that the ISA played a role in what we enjoy today," he said. With the ISA, he added, Malaysia and her neighbours Singapore and Brunei, both of which had also inherited the law, could successfully thwart terrorism and violent extremism to maintain public order. "Surely we all do not want parties to interfere with the country's transformation process," said Zulkefli. It has been barely a week since Najib caused ripples in the political landscape when he announced plans to repeal the ISA and reforms to several security and press laws but already signs of resistance have begun to surface. On Sunday, Datuk Ibrahim Ali, president of Malay rights group Perkasa, declared that his organisation would reject the two new anti-terrorism laws that would replace the ISA if they do not keep to the "preventive spirit" of the Act. READ MORE HERE

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Increasing The Malaysian Talent Pool Posted: 19 Sep 2011 02:49 PM PDT By Mariam Mokhtar, Malaysian Mirror Prime minister Najib Abdul Razak praised Malaysians for their maturity and awareness of human rights, but to make Malaysia "the best democracy in the world", as he claims is his intent, will he be prepared to reward all talented Malaysians irrespective of race and religion? The nation is not short of talented people who come in all shapes and sizes, colours and creeds. A few have come from privileged backgrounds whilst many hail from more humble origins. However, when it comes to rewarding talent, only the Malays in Malaysia have a bite of the cherry, more specifically, only Malay men reach the top, and stay there. The statistics speak for themselves. Women do very well in Malaysian education; our schools, colleges and universities churn out many brilliant women scholars every year. Girls choose the more challenging subjects and excel, whilst the majority of boys, select subjects that are less demanding. Males lag behind and then present the lame, old excuse, that boys, are late developers. Isn't it time men stopped hiding behind prissy excuses? Some attribute the high attainment of women to the home environment where boys relax and are waited on hand and foot, whilst the girls have to help with the chores, take care of the younger siblings and cope with their schoolwork. Girls learn to manage their time properly and take on responsibility, at an early age. In Asian families, the boy is treated like a king and when he grows up, he expects this special consideration to be extended to him at most times, if not all the time. Most of us can identify at least one male family member who is a laggard and a bully, but whose actions are condoned by his mother. So, it seems that women who spoil and pander to their sons and husbands are at the root of the problems that our society has with men. Will Najib acknowledge the talents of women and give everyone a fair crack of the whip, irregardless of their sex?  Will Najib in his desire to make Malaysia "the best democracy in the world", reward the Malaysians who are not Malay or Muslim? Will he finally acknowledge the struggles and achievements of the non-Malays and non-Muslims who have contributed towards the success of Malaysia? Or will these people be shunned as before and be forced to bid farewell to their families, their place of birth and bring their talent to another nation in which they will have to make a new home? Will Najib be open in mind and spirit and welcome the non-Malay, non-Muslim Malaysians to be committed, productive members of society? How many professionals and academics should we allow other nations to absorb at our expense? Talent isn't limited to those with brilliant academic minds. We have millions of non-Malays who swear allegiance to the King and country, but whose progress within the armed forces is limited and whose loyalty is often questioned. Will Najib open the doors of opportunity to these subjects and show that he is capable of providing them with "the best democracy in the world"? Several hundred thousand non-Malays and non-Muslim have already made the ultimate sacrifice when defending the nation. They were not the last non-Malay patriots, but who can blame the younger faithful citizens for refusing to enlist when they are told that they are second class citizens or immigrants? The Malaysian constitution assures each Malaysian the freedom to worship the religion of his choice. If Najib is sincere, will his policies reflect this and will he prevent the houses of worship and the holy books of other religions form being desecrated? Will he put a stop to forced conversions, body snatching and families being torn apart by our warped religious laws? Our current educational policies appear only to reward those from Malay/Muslim backgrounds. Scholarships and other educational opportunities are not based on merit and are not used to reward talent. There are allegations that some Malays do not have to repay their study loans or break the terms of their scholarship, without punishment. The increasing resentment felt by open-minded Malays, the non-Malays and non-Muslims is reaching fever pitch. Is it any wonder many refuse to return to their country of birth on completion of their studies? If Najib says we are mature and care about human rights, then will he put the interests of the people first? Can he reinstate good governance with an upright and honest judiciary and also an independent police force? Will he ensure that money politics remains a thing of the past and will he allow university and college students the right to vote and take a healthy interest in politics? Is he willing to match the rakyat's maturity and allow freedom of expression and freedom of speech amongst other things? Will the civil service, ministerial posts and the higher ranks of government departments and the GLCs be open to non-Malays, too? The rakyat will stand behind Najib in his desire for "the best democracy in the world", but perhaps he will find the most opposition from within the ranks of Umno. They have had the upper-hand for the past 54 years and may not be able to tolerate a more mature, liberal and democratic society. This might be the acid test that will precipitate another clash of wills within Umno: Will the hardliners support him, in his new found maturity, and endorse the candidacy of a non-Malay, non-Muslim and non-male for the highest post in the land – that of Prime minister of Malaysia?

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• GLCs Under Fire? (A Most Important Posting)
• Apabila kata-kata pemimpin tidak diyakini - masuk telinga kanan keluar telinga kiri
• The US have Area 51, we have Kod Negara 71
• Namewee from a Chinese perspective
• Black Cat, White Cat - Both Catch The Mouse
• The triumph of civil society
• That bold speech on that historic day
• ISA, Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They’re Hatched
• BN Selangor - bermimpi di siang hari
• Stop the Charade!
• Jalur Gemilang approved by King George VI
• Why push for a Rakyat Reform Agenda?
• Something is rotten about migrant workers’ entry rules

GLCs Under Fire? (A Most Important Posting) Posted: 19 Sep 2011 09:30 PM PDT The ones being hammered: Sime Darby (understandably), but others are getting whacked as well, Petronas Chemical, Axiata, MRCB, UEM Land, CIMB, AirAsia (new link up now can be considered as related GLC counter), ... even Kencana, IJM, SP Setia ... Coffee shop talk would have you believe that it could be an aggregation of various factors: 1) Unpalatable corporate governance issues 2) Cashing up owing to upcoming elections 3) Downgrades in property and oil and gas sectors Foreign funds vote with their shares. Recent corporate governance issues have been very unpalatable. Some even say that certain parties are trying to push through certain deals prior to the elections, at all costs. Besides the Sime Darby-E&O deal, the AirAsia-MAS deal was a sour note ... not many mainstream media or analysts dared to mention that CIMB was advising both parties??!! What kind of crap is that? Its like a court case where the prosecutor and defending lawyer are from the same firm. Please show me ONE other case in global corporate M&A transactions whereby one investment bank advises both sides. You'd think there would be more support from local funds, in fact PNB and EPF have been having to up their stakes in indexed stocks over the last 3 years owing to lessening participation of other investing groups (private and foreign investors alike). Take any of the top 20 indexed stocks and mark out how much Khazanah, EPF and PNB collectively hold. That IS NOT A GOOD THING!!! A vibrant, liquid and transparent exchange is needed for it to fulfil a proper capital markets' objectives. It has now come to a stage whereby local funds control the index ... the flip side is local funds are buying because NOBODY else wants to buy. READ MORE HERE

Apabila kata-kata pemimpin tidak diyakini - masuk telinga kanan keluar telinga kiri Posted: 19 Sep 2011 08:37 PM PDT Maksud nasihat ini ialah supaya kita membuat penilaian dan penelitian dengan sebaik mungkin terhadap perkara yang di timbulkan dan jangan mengambil keputusan dengan terlalu cepat untuk menerima atau menolaknya. Ianya mesti dihalusi dan dipertimbangkan dengan sebaik mungkin agar kita tidak mudah tersilap dalam membuat sesuatu perhitungan dan keputusan dengan baik serta bijaksana. Keputusan 'self congratulatory' DS Najib tentang pemansuhan ISA (Akta keselamatan dalam negeri) baru-baru ini juga mesti kita pertimbangkan dengan sebaik mungkin tentang ketulusan dan keikhlasannya kerana mahu tidak mahu keputusan itu merupakan keputusan politik bagi saya. Kita faham yang keputusan yang dibuat oleh PM Najib ini merupakan salah satu ikhtiar pihak pemerintah untuk mendapat perhatian rakyat dalam kita sedang menghampiri PRU yang paling mencabar bagi BN dalam sejarah kewujudan 'coalition' ini. Itulah sebabnya kita kelihatan jelas yang tindakan Najib ini mendapat tentangan dari kumpulan 'hard-liner' dalam UMNO dan ini sahaja sudah menunjukan keputusan Najib itu merupakan keputusan yang tidak mendapat sokongan padu di dalam pihak kerajaan dan sebahagian penyokong-penyokong parti yang memerintah. Perkasa dan ramai di antara individu pemimpin yang bercakap di belakang yang tindakan Najib ini memberikan tamparan kepada mereka yang telah mempertahankan ISA tetapi apabila membuat keputusan mereka menyatakan yang keputusan itu merupakan keputusan Najib seorang dan tidak pun dibawa kepada Mesyuarat Kabinet untuk mendapatkan 'endorsement' dari Jemaah Kabinet Negara. Pengumuman beliau tentang pemansuhan ini telah di 'stage managed' dengan persediaan secara 'live' dari merata lokasi di seluruh negara untuk mendapatkan komen sokongan dari mereka yang telah diatur terlebih dahulu dan ianya hanya merupakan keputusan politik untuk mendapat 'popularity' semata-mata. Kita memahami apa yang ada di dalam pemikiran Najib itu. Kita tahu beliau mahu di anggap sebagai hero pembaharuan dan mahukan kredit yang besar untuk menghadapi pilihanraya umum yang beliau ketuai buat kali pertama. Kita mesti juga ingat Najib telah mengambil begitu lama untuk mengadakan pilihanraya untuk mendapatkan sokongan rakyat terhadap kepimpinannya. Yang kita ingat hanya Datuk Husein Onn sahaja yang mengambil masa 2 setengah tahun untuk mengetuai pilihanraya pada Ogos 1978 dahulu selepas mengambil alih kepimpinan dari biras beliau Tun Razak pada Januari 1976 dahulu kerana kematian PM kita yang kedua itu di sebuah klinik di Jalan Harly London akibat penyakit leukemia. Perjuangan memansuhkan ISA ini merupakan perjuangan selama 40 tahun pihak pembangkang. Tunduknya Najib terhadap tekanan pembangkang adalah disebabkan rakyat sudah terang-terang mengalihkan sokongan terhadap pembangkang. Justru pada Najib memansuhkan ISA adalah tindakan untuk mendapatkan kredit dari perjuangan pembangkang sejak dulu lagi. Apa yang amat menarik kali ini ialah akta yang akan dimansuhkan itu mahu dilakukan oleh Najib serta merta kerana mengikut intrepitasi Nazri Aziz akta itu hanya boleh dimansuhkan pada persidangan Parlimen bulan Mach nanti. Ada kah pilihanraya diadakan sebelum akta ini dimansuhkan sepenuhnya atau selepas pilihanraya.  READ MORE HERE

The US have Area 51, we have Kod Negara 71 Posted: 19 Sep 2011 07:25 PM PDT The revelations for the past few weeks have been alarming. After Mismah gate, there is "aqua ICs" discovery by YB Anthony Loke and now even official Bangladeshi website is revealing the assault of citizen's right and democracy in Malaysia. Mismah's PR card, with kod negara "71"                                                   Mismah's IC with Kod Negara 71 "Aqua IC" where army husband's IC (ending with odd number) is recycled to register the wife as a postal voter hence the wife can vote as ordinary and postal voter. http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/anwar-says-verifying-bangladeshi-vote-allegation  One aspect of the intrigue is the nation code "71".  According to this excellent write up, tens of thousands of voters in Penang are carrying IC bearing the nation code "71", indicating that they are born in overseas and the JPN are not able to trace their country of origin. If this happens in Penang, I am quite sure other states would be plague with this as well…Selangor perhaps? xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx GEORGETOWN - Seramai 13,114 pengundi yang didaftarkan di Pulau Pinang didapati pemegang mykad yang mempunyai kod bernombor 71 yang mana Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara sendiri tidak dapat mengesan negara asal mereka. Setiausaha Dewan Pemuda Pas negeri, Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden berkata, berdasarkan sistem dalaman yang diproses dari daftar pemilih yang diberikan Suruhanjaya Pilihanraya (SPR) milik parti itu mendapati, ada jumlah pengundi yang 'tidak kena' dalam senarai berkenaan. "Kod 71 tiada dalam senarai JPN dan berdasarkan kod yang diberikan JPN, nombor 71 tiada di dalam senarai jabatan itu. Terkini iaitu dari April hingga Jun 2011, seramai 166 pengundi di daftarkan memegang kad pengenalan bernombor kod 71 menjadikan jumlah keseluruhan ialah 13,114 orang. "Jumlah ini tidak boleh dikesan oleh JPN serta SPR dari mana mereka datang, negara asal mereka. Apa yang kita bimbang, kemungkinan besar ini usaha-usaha pihak tertentu untuk jatuhkan Kerajaan Negeri Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Pulau Pinang serta memanipulasi pilihan raya dengan memasukkan warga asing ke dalam senarai pengundi," katanya. Menurutnya, apa yang membimbangkan Pas, seperti yang didedahkan JPN sebelum ini, seramai 72,334 warga asing yang memohon untuk menjadi warganegara Malaysia yang mana daripada jumlah itu, Menteri Dalam Negeri, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein telah meluluskan 29,290 permohonan. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Incidentally, Mismah's IC is the ubiquitous but until now, unexposed "71". JPN has a long list of nation code listed in their website. I have did a count last week and list is a long and detailed one, allocating numbers to many nations which Malaysians would struggle to locate on an atlas, for example: Antigua & Barbuda (93), New Caledonia (83), Grenada (90) and Trinidad and Tobago (90). With such a darn detailed list, why JPN is using kod 71 to grant citizenship with people whose place of origin is unknown? Is it purely laziness on the part of JPN officers, or is Kod Negara 71 is a "very special" category by itself? Read more at: http://wangsamajuformalaysia.blogspot.com/2011/09/us-have-area-51-we-have-kod-negara-71.html#more

Namewee from a Chinese perspective Posted: 19 Sep 2011 07:15 PM PDT Namewee is in the news again for his just released movie Nasi Lemak 2.0 and his reported attempt at getting a meeting with the prime minister. A controversy magnet, Namewee has also at the same time attracted the anticipated brickbats and belligerent threats from the usual suspects. 没 有 天 那 有 地 没 有 地 那 有 家 没 有 家 那 有 你 没 有 你 那 有 我 Lyrics from the classic hit 酒干倘卖无 in which a girl sings about her adopted father: "Without heaven how can there be earth, without the land how can there be home, without home how can there be you, without you how can there be me …" Namewee's rap in Negarakuku recalls to me some echoing words in almost the same cadences: 我 愛 我 的 國 家 有 國 才 有 家 有 家 才 有 我 站 在 這 邊 跟 你 大 聲 唱 歌 (Translation: I love my country, [only] when there is country there is home, [only] when there is home there is me, now [standing] here singing song loudly to you…) DAP Christian politician Hannah Yeoh in tudung It strikes me that Namewee expresses himself in a Chinese way you will not encounter from the likes of DAP 2.0's newly minted currency – called the Hasnah Yeop political coin. It may surprise you that in his controversial Negarakuku released in 2007, Namewee begins the rap by professing his love for Malaysia to which he later adds the wry 這 個 國 家 我 佷 喜 歡 "this country I like very much". Namewee's ambivalence is genuine of the generally conflicted Chinese here rather than the one-dimensionality of the Firsters and their "I'm-more-Malaysian-than anyone else" chest thumping . Embedded in the Chinese language and thus its ethos (remember, 'bahasa jiwa bangsa') is the concept of jia 家 (home), around which form the words 'family' and 'country'. Hannah Yeoh with her God-walks-with-me tweets fawned over by 30,000 faithful followers is on a totally different plane from the Mandarin-and-Hokkien speaking Namewee who pursued his tertiary education in Taiwan. In fact, the Chinese school student unable to get a seat in local universities is one of Namewee's grouses aired in Negarakuku. Caring for the Chinese? Nah Do note that the DAP does not take up the above type 'Chinese' issues. Therefore it boggles the mind how the party's detractors (read: Utusan/Umno bloggers) still keep claiming that DAP favours the Chinese. In truth, its leaders favour whatever is advantageous for themselves first and foremost. Whatever it takes for them to retain and expand their clout (power has gotten to their heads) so that they can continue to enjoy the perks of office. After all, in Penang which DAP controls, Lim Guan Eng takes so much pride in awarding bumiputera contractors 98 percent to 100 percent of the state tenders (quoting the chief minister's own boast). Thus, rhetorically speaking, DAP should have no issues either if 98%-100% of local varsity places were to go to bumiputera. So how can we expect this Anak Malaysia-sloganeering party to membela nasib kami orang Cina when DAP is so plainly contemptuous of our Chinese ethnicity and at the same time so deceitfully eager to elevate the Malay race and religion in order to please a pivotal vote bank? The struggle of Umno, according to its founding principles, is to resuscitate the Malay ('Hidup Melayu!). The struggle of PAS is for Islam whereas MCA and MIC have 'Chinese' and 'Indian' in their party names respectively. What values do the DAP stand for? Read more at: http://helenang.wordpress.com/2011/09/20/namewee-from-a-chinese-perspective/

Black Cat, White Cat - Both Catch The Mouse Posted: 18 Sep 2011 10:00 PM PDT And did not Russia too go this route? It always starts as a fight for the oppressed. And the oppressed rises up and throws out the oppressor. Then the oppressed discovers that it is easy to talk when you are not in power but not that easy when you now hold the reins of power. That was the déjà vu feeling I experienced when I read this article in The Sun where Barisan Nasional (BN) claimed the Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) has signed away an estimated RM488 million in exchange for the RM250 million Subterranean Penang International Convention and Exhibition Centre (SPICE) project. Many Penangites may not be aware that the Concession Agreement for Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) of sPICE, PISA indoor stadium and PISA Aquatic Centre was dated and signed on 19 Aug 2011 and sealed/stamped on 24th August 2011. Last week, the agreement was open for public viewing and information derived there and from The Sun has a few areas of concern. Apparently, few knew about the public viewing which required prior appointment and limited to only two hours - no cameras allowed. Why? Article 2 of the agreement seems to indicate that the grant of concession rights and sale of hotel site that MPPP has to comply with appear to be lopsided in favour of the developer. The CM and MPPP should explain why all assessment rates for the entire project site (sPICE, PISA, indoor stadium, Aquatic Centre, car park but not the hotel and retail outlets) shall be borne by MPPP during the concession period. In the agreement, it is agreed that the Concessionaire shall have the right to apply and/or appeal to MPPP for waiver, exemption and/or reduction of quit rent AND assessment rates for the retail outlets. Why allow this? Business entities should not be given such waivers as it would mean loss of state revenue and increase in profits to the Concessionaire! The agreement gives the allowance for the developer to build an additional 1,500 residential units in any project, in any part of Penang, within the concession period of 30 years as one of the loss making decisions. According to Datuk Teng Hock Nan at a recent press conference, such a move would cost MPPP an estimated RM450 million, as the the council could not impose development charges on the units, or control the built-up areas, and selling prices for the additional units. He said the RM450 million estimation was calculated based on land cost – 30% of RM1 million per unit. A 1.25 hectare site, within the SPICE project site, where a five-star hotel is to be built, was undervalued and sold by the Penang state government at RM100psf (at a total RM13 million). Estimated value is between 200RM-300RM per square foot! This means that the MPPP could have incurred a loss of RM27million if the land was sold at market rates (calculations based on 300RM psf). MPPP would also have to provide mature land to the developer to build 450 low-medium cost units as per the agreement. Mature land possess infrastructure like roads and utilities and who would provide the infrastructure and at whose expense? The CM should explain the rationale behind the decision as to why MPPP unconditionally and irrevocably agrees to grant the Concessionaire and/or any of its Related Corporations the right to additional density of any development carried out by the Concessionaire within the island of Pulau Pinang over and above the maximum permissible density of the land, provided always that the total sum utilized and spread over all projects within the island does not exceed 1500 residential units. They must also explain why there shall be no development charges or built up area control or selling price control imposed by MPPP on any such additional density utilized. How much will the developer profit at the expense of the state and the rakyat?   READ MORE HERE.

The triumph of civil society Posted: 18 Sep 2011 08:44 PM PDT He looked at me intently. I will always remember what he said. Because what he said epitomised the man and his indomitable spirit. "Don't stop knocking on the door even if nobody open the door for you. You have to keep on knocking. Who knows, one day, even if nobody opens it for you, it will crumble down." That was what he said. Civil society has worked and campaigned tirelessly for the abolishment of laws which allow detention without trial, most particularly the draconian Internal Security Act. NGOs such as SUARAM and HAKAM for example took it upon themselves to make it heard that the ISA must go lock stock and barrel. Human rights advocates such as Malik Imtiaz, Harris Ibrahim, Edmund Bon and many others have almost dedicated all their free times towards campaigning against the ISA and various other archaic laws which transgress universal and fundamental liberties. The ISA is not the only oppressive law which was the target of these activists. The Police Act, which requires any planned gathering of  3 or more persons to obtain a prior police permit was also another example of an oppressive law which makes a mockery of Malaysia as a modern democracy. The Restricted Residence Act and the Printing Presses and Publication Act are another group of laws which deny the basic liberty of the people. To top it up, as I pointed out recently in this article, Malaysia is still under four states of emergency which have never been officially uplifted. It is the year 2011. That we are still technically in, not one, but four, state of emergencies – declared in 1964; 1966; 1969 and 1977 – make a mockery of our push for a developed state status by 2020. The fact that we are under states of emergency is of course insignificant if we do not consider the legal effect of the emergency. Under the Federal Constitution, almost all our liberties could be held in "suspension" when our country is under a state of emergency. It follows that all emergency laws and all regulations emanating from them, such as the archaic and totally repressive Emergency Ordinance 1969, could be enforced with impunity. The currency of the states or emergency is therefore a frightening weapon of the States against the liberty of all of us, the people. One of the most disconcerting aspects of the ISA is the complete misunderstanding of the law, not only among the police officers, the people in the Home Ministry but also among some of our Judges, right in the High Courts as well as the highest Court of the land, the Federal Courts. While arguing one of the ISA cases in the Federal Court about 2 years ago, I told the Federal Court that the ISA is a "preventive" law and not a "punitive" law. What that simply means is that the ISA – by its very nature and even by the very words used in it – is to be used to "prevent" a planned act or series of acts which may be detrimental to national security. Which means the act has not happened yet and the ISA is to be used to prevent that act from happening. That is why it is called a "preventive" law. The ISA is not a law which is to be used to punish a person or a group of persons for having done or committed any act, even though the act threatens national security. It is not "punitive" in nature. This is in line with the fact that under our system of law, only the Courts can punish. The government cannot punish the people without going to the Courts first. It is conceded that under Article 149 of the Federal Constitution, laws providing for detention without trial is permitted to be made by the Parliament. However, a close look at Article 149 would reveal that the law  providing for detention without trial which is permitted by that Article must be a law designed to "stop or prevent" any action which threatens national security. It is clear that for such law to be constitutional under the Federal Constitutional, it must be preventive in nature and not punitive. I therefore told the Federal Court that the ISA was supposed to be preventive and not punitive. To my complete and utter disbelief, the most senior of the 3 Judges who presided over the case disagreed with me. He said the ISA is punitive in nature. I was also later warned by another Judge in the same sitting (who had since died) to be "careful with what I submitted." To be frank, I think it is the Courts and the Judges who ought to be careful with what they think and decide because really, it is the liberty of the people which they are deciding upon. In some circumstances, what they decide could affect the life of the people. To tell me to be careful with what I submit in an ISA case involving the liberty of our citizens is an act of judicial cowardice! The abuses of the ISA and the Emergency Ordinance are well documented. Recently of course, we had the case of the Parti Sosialis Malaysia's members who were detained for more than a month under the EO for allegedly trying to wage war against the King by reintroducing communism to Malaysia! They were of course released after a huge outcry. Today I learn that all charges against them are to be withdrawn. As for the various abuses of the ISA, one could just type the letters "ISA" in the search box of this blog and read about the litany of the abuses of the ISA. The most famous of all of course would be the detention of 106 people by Dr Mahathir under the infamous Operasi Lalang in 1987. READ MORE HERE

That bold speech on that historic day Posted: 18 Sep 2011 06:57 PM PDT They will, I think if the subject matter that is going to be announced affects them directly and immediately in a positive way. The response from the public will be lukewarm if the subject matter affects them indirectly and inconsequentially. Let us judge the administration on this score. All week, the public was thinking that PM will announce some measures to be taken by the government that will in substance, increase the efficiency of governance and government. In the end, those measures will translate into immediate increase in disposable income. What possible form can such measures take place? Maybe:- (1) Restructuring the GLCs including Khazanah so that they won't become governments unto themselves. Now that 15000 employees of MAS have threatened industrial action, that shows Khazanah has been doing some cloak and dagger corporate moves. (2) Replacing laggard key government officials with those with abilities (3) removal of structural impediments to transparency and accountability such as removing OSA. (4) Shaking up the institutions that deliver justice and the law such as the police and the judiciary (5) announce stronger measures on corruption including the conviction of the big guns. Further, things like direct transfer of money (oil money) to the public like what the Singapore government did during its recent general elections. Those states making mountains of money from petroleum royalties distributing money to citizens of the state; Felda Corporation which made lots of money giving out money to Felda settlers, etc., that would be the real goodies that would certainly induce the recipients to jump up in uncontrollable euphoria while proclaiming Najib - you are da man! We certainly need some substantive liberty enhancing policies from the current administration that would differentiate the Najib administration positively from previous ones.  By liberty enhancing policies, I mean policies that reduce dependency on the government. There are some economic pressures which the government needs to address that have political ramifications. Inflationary pressures that cause the price of essential goods to rise make people more dependent on the government. More people in the rural areas will depend on the welfare department for assistance and when given, obliges them to be loyal to the benefactor. So what does a desperate government do? Maybe even condone the price increase. We are happy to note the administration is doing everything possible to contain the inflationary pressures. Maybe the scrapping off of the 50 over Billion MRT into improved transport system that is more public friendly, maybe the setting of a ceiling price for houses in the city so that lower income and middle income earners can work and stay in the city. Instead they have to look for houses in the outskirts of town while the city is reserved for the selects. Or maybe some form of a Buffet tax on the superrich. Or maybe the dismantling of Khazanah and all shares transferred to Amanah Saham Nasional or ASB. Compared to the announcement involving the ISA and the Printing and Presses Act, government actions on those would be more impactful. But isn't prosperity predicated on the removal of shackles and chains that perpetuate un-freedom? I am using the term un-freedom to define freedom and liberty as a state of being free from the arbitrary force and coercion of others. Yes it does- but the emancipation potential arising from the more down to earth policies could achieve the desired effects of freedom and liberty much more and faster. The ululating responses would of course make the Minister of Information look good and perhaps ensure one last hurrah as a cabinet member? It would be unfair for me to harbor misgivings aforethought. The desired responses were forthcoming. Everywhere PM Najib was declared a revolutionary and a bold PM. Rais Yatim must be beaming like a Cheshire cat.  PM Najib is really Optimus Prime- the chief transformer. I have forgotten the never ending list of acronyms. Maybe the APCO people can issue a definitive list signed by Idris Jala of course. After the speech and announcement, the euphoria was I think premature. The subject of his bold and revolutionary steps to enhance governance and credibility of his administration are the ISA ad the Printing and Presses Act. Important as they are, I think their impact on governance enhancement and thereafter productivity is outstretched and indirect. The good intent of abolishing the ISA appears to be blunted by the forewarning that 2 new acts will replace the ISA. A person arbitrarily defined as a terrorist can still be detained without trial in open court. The empowering act of Article 149, the fountain from which springs ISA like enactments is till there and remains the overarching enabling repressive act. I was thinking of some announcement on measures to improve the quality of civil servants, or some measures assuring the best of civil servants that their effort will be well compensated, or the removal of bureaucratic clogs that prevent transparency, accountability and so forth. Perhaps, if there is full public disclosure we can once and for all determine for example, whether Bangladeshi workers are given citizenship to vote in the coming general elections. Perhaps also, if there is full disclosure instead of OSA, then we can resolve the double speak by the election commission that the final list of voters are with them and that what the public are looking at are outdated voter registers. Why would the updated and current list be withheld from public knowledge? I wouldn't want the Bangladeshi pump attendant to have the same voting rights as I do. How the elections commission can with impunity insult our intelligence by claiming the latest voters lists are meant for internal circulation is beyond any measure of decency! I was thinking maybe the removal of the OSA - more insidious than the ISA which prevents any public spirited citizen of this country from discovering the rationale of many government decisions on tender awards, on selection process and so on. Now THAT, I thought would have more far reaching impact on the voters. READ MORE HERE

ISA, Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They’re Hatched Posted: 18 Sep 2011 03:53 PM PDT Heck, the sudden announcement caught many by surprise, even by huge crowds within the opposition. Hence one has to admit the latest move by PM Najib deserves some compliments – it was one hell of a good political advertising, tactical speaking. The opposition parties were in total chaos on how to react to such a brilliant political move by the ruling government. If PM Najib were to announce such move on the same day as budget day next month, he's almost guaranteed of the lost two-third majority. Hold on a second! Didn't Najib promised political and economic reforms in 2008 but the people have yet to see or at least feel the substance? You really need a Einstein to explain why in the world would the ruling government abolish both laws, which had help the present government in suppressing and oppressing peoples' basic freedom rights, particularly the opposition, for as long as one can remember. On the surface, it seems Najib administration has finally admitted something needs to be done in relation to the recent Bersih 2.0′s brutal crackdown. At least Najib recognizes the potential loss of more than 200,000 votes from the young generation, if the number of Facebookers asking for his resignation is anything to go by. READ MORE HERE

BN Selangor - bermimpi di siang hari Posted: 18 Sep 2011 02:17 PM PDT Apa yang di katakan oleh PM itu benar kerana tidak ada sesiapa yang perlu takut pada mana-mana individu. Saya yang begitu kecil ini pun tidak takut pada Anwar dan pada sesiapa sahaja yang melakukan rasuah dan salah guna kuasa. Yang perlu semua pihak takut dalam politik ini ialah rakyat yang ramai yang mempunyai hak kepada seluruh negara kita. Itu sebabnya selama ini saya hairan kenapa pemimpin-pemimpin kita begitu berani melakukan rasuah dan mengenepikan perasaan rakyat yang begitu jemu mendengar perlakuan rasuah itu dilakukan dengan terang dan mudah dilihat oleh rakyat. Hanya rakyat tidak mampu membuktikannya kerana perlakuan rasuah yang besar-besaran banyak dilindungi oleh Akta-Akta yang ketat seperti Akta Rahsia Resmi dan lain-lain. Jika sesuatu projek dilaksanakan dengan 'scale' yang besar maka projek-projek itu akan dilindungi oleh Akta Rahsia Resmi kerana dalam projek itu adalah sumber mereka yang berkuasa untuk melakukan rasuah yang menggunakan wang rakyat. Rasuah adalah isu yang terhadapan sekali dan selagi kerajaan masih melekat dengan stigma rasuah itu selagi itulah kerajaan hari ini tidak akan mendapat perhatian rakyat lagi. Di UiTM semalam Najib telah mengaku yang BN telah insaf di atas segala kesalahan yang telah dilakukannya semasa memerintah negeri itu sejak merdeka dahulu. Dengan kenyataan itu maka kita dapat menyimpulkan yang BN memang telah melakukan kesalahan sebagai parti yang memerintah negeri Selangor dan dengan itu rakyat Selangor telah mengenepikan mereka dalam pilihanraya yang lalu. Jika BN telah mengaku kesalahan itu kenapa pula parti-parti pembangkang yang dipilih oleh rakyat Selangor itu menjadi 'punching bag' bagi UMNO dan BN. Kenapa pembangkang dipersalahkan jika BN mengaku kesalahan itu letaknya dibahu BN. Kenapa yang bersalah menghemtam yang tidak bersalah? Itulah yang menjadi masalah kepada BN. Mengaku bersalah tetapi pihak lain pula yang dihentam setiap hari dan waktu. Sekarang BN sedang berusaha mencari kesalahan PR di Selangor, sama seperti yang dilakukan di negeri-negeri lain yang dipimpin oleh PR. BN mencari kesalahan pentadbiran Selangor seperti orang mencari kutu dikepala. Kuman diseberang laut mereka nampak tetapi gajah dibibir mata tidak dihiraukannya. Apa yang BN perlu lakukan untuk mengembalikan keyakinan rakyat Selangor ialah untuk menunjukan siapa yang akan menjadi MB jika Selangor dipimpin BN. Ini amat penting kerana seperti yang kita lihat semua MB BN Selangor sebelum diambil alih oleh PR dalam pilihanraya yang lalu telah bergelumang dengan masalah rasuah. Keseluruhan pemimpin-pemimpin Selangor telah dipersepsikan melakukan kesalahan ini dan itulah sebabnya mereka diketepikan oleh rakyat. Sekarang pemimpin-pemimpin yang sama pula yang membuat janji untuk mentadbir negeri yang kaya itu untuk melakukan perubahan yang dikehendak rakyat Selangor. Bagaimana rakyat hendak percaya. Secara konklusifnya kita melihat yang isu ini amat susah untuk dilakukan oleh BN Selangor. Sehingga ke hari ini rakyat masih tidak nampak siapa yang akan ditonjolkan sebagai ayam tambatan BN yang tidak boleh dipersoalkan tentang kredibilitinya. UMNO yang sedang menghadapi isu kredibiliti terpaksa mencari calon MBnya dengan teliti. Sekarang bukan senang untuk mencari calon yang berkredibiliti di Selangor kerana calon yang akan ditonjolkan itu akan merasa rendah diri dan sangsi samada mereka boleh menang atau pun tidak. Ramai yang merasa takut untuk melalui pengalaman Awang Adek di Kelantan yang telah berangan-angan untuk menjadi MB Kelantan tetapi Kelantan hanya memberikan sebanyak tiga kerusi DUN sahaja dalam pilihanraya yang lalu. Awang Adek sendiri sebagai calon MB telah kalah dihadapan rakyat Bachok sendiri. Kita masih ingat bagaimana Awang Adek telah berlagak seolah-olah sudah menjadi MB dengan lagak 'typical' UMNO sambil menghisap cerut yang mahal-mahal semasa berkempen di Bachok.   Selanjutnya di sini.

Stop the Charade! Posted: 18 Sep 2011 09:37 AM PDT Najib should stop the charade of claiming to want to be the "best democracy in the world" when what he should do is to immediately end Malaysia's ranking as a "flawed democracy" before Malaysia could qualify to rank among the full democracies in the world. The third edition of the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) Democracy Index 2010 released early this year categorised Malaysia as a "flawed democracy" due to "a gradual erosion of civil liberties and political culture in the past year" with Malaysia's aggregate score dropping 0.17 to 6.19 out of 10 from the previous index in 2008, and the overall country ranking falling from 68th to 71st out of 167 countries. Twenty-six countries, headed by Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, New Zealand,Australia, Finland, Switzerland, Canada and Netherlands in the top 10, were in the first category of 26 "Full democracies" – which includes two Asian countries, South Korea (20) and Japan (22). Malaysia with the overall 71st ranking, is in the second category of "Flawed Democracies", trailing behind South Africa (30), Chile (34), Taiwan (36), Israel (37), India (40), Timor-Leste (42), Jamaica (43), Panama (46), Brazil (47), Mexico (50), Argentina (51), Sri Lanka (55), Thailand (57), Indonesia (60) and Mongolia (64). Who advised Najib that the repeal of the ISA (which is be replaced with two new laws raising concerns whether they would be ISA type of substitutes) and other reforms, Malaysia will catapult not only from the ranks of "Flawed Democracies" but to top the ranking of "Full Democracies" as to be the "best democracy in the world"? The EIU's Democracy Index is based on five categories: electoral process and pluralism; civil liberties; the functioning of government; political participation; and political culture. The condition of having free and fair competitive elections, and satisfying related aspects of political freedom, is regarded as the sine quo non of all definitions of a democracy. On "electoral process and pluralism", Malaysia trails behind 88 other countries – 26 "Full Democracies" and 62 "Flawed Democracies".   READ MORE HERE.

Jalur Gemilang approved by King George VI Posted: 18 Sep 2011 07:42 AM PDT National heritage? Really, any commonsense understanding would tell us that a national flag, while a symbol of national identity, pride and belonging, is not exempt from changes, as shown by a number of countries. For example, Canada has made one of the most improved changes to national flags to enhance its Canadian identity – see below and understand how the maple leaf design stands out remarkably and uniquely as Canadian, making the Canadian flag renowned as one of the best flag designs – a design which came about through deliberate change. READ MORE HERE

Why push for a Rakyat Reform Agenda? Posted: 18 Sep 2011 06:05 AM PDT You will see that the People's Voice is a 4-page "what we don't want in our country" list. The People's  Declaration, on the other hand, is a 19-page 'wish list' blueprint for nation-building. Both documents were sent out to political parties on both sides of the divide, with a request that the same be studied and, thereafter, to publicly announce if they would indorse the same. With the exception of the United Pasok Nunukragang National Organisation (Pasok) from Sabah, all other BN parties never responded. Pasok confirmed their support and indorsement of the two documents. As did DAP, PAS, PKR, PSM and MDP. On 23rd February, 2008, 2 weeks before we went to the polls, a historic event was hosted at what was once Blog House ( now Rumah Anak Bangsa Malaysia ). Malaysiakini has a report of the event which you can read HERE Given the indorsement by DAP, PAS and PKR of the People's Declaration, many, including Raja Petra and myself, went to ground to campaign for these parties during the 12th GE. Our objective : kick BN out, see DAP, PAS and PKR installed in Putrajaya as the 12th federal government and, we hoped, the beginning of the rehabilitation of the nation premised upon the People's Declaration. However, things did not quite turn out the way we had hoped. With the abuse of the postal vote, phantom voters, vote buying and the benefit of shameless gerrymandering, we found ourselves still lumbered with BN in Putrajaya post 8th March, 2008. Needless to say, nothing that has been laid out in the People's Declaration has seen the light of the day. BN will not give us the reforms the nation so badly needs. However, some of us have looked closely again at the People's Declaration and feel that this blueprint for reform probably envisages nation-building spanning over some 30 years. We felt that what was needed was a reform agenda that could be seen through during a 5-year period, that i, the full term of an elected federal government. An agenda that the non-BN political parties could not just pledge to implement but, if given the mandate to form the next federal government at the 13th general election, deliver these reforms to the people during their term in office. With this end in mind, MCLM wishes to share with the rakyat and the non-BN political parties the RAKYAT REFORM AGENDA (RARA). READ MORE HERE

Something is rotten about migrant workers’ entry rules Posted: 17 Sep 2011 10:36 AM PDT Is our country's defence system so bad? Forces involved include the Immigration Department, the Marine Police and the Navy, the Field Force, the Army and the Police. Why is the situation so bad? Why are millions of undocumented migrants on the streets? Search, search and search for answers and the only conclusion is that the government is all for the influx of such undocumented migrants. Why? Money, Money, Money! Or is the government trying to create a new racial balance? If the government really does not condone undocumented entrants, are we then to believe that our coastline is so porous? Are we to believe that millions of undocumented foreigners can move around and live in our midst without care? What are the authorities doing about handling the problem? Are we incapable? Don't we have the resources? Perhaps a Bersih-like demonstration is necessary to jolt the government into action! This situation is really getting impossible to take! Let's not say that the 6P programme is set to resolve the problem. On the contrary, this programme is a colossal disaster. A programme that was initiated from the top i.e. the Cabinet committee under our DPM and the Home Ministry began with biometric machines being allegedly manipulated. People appointed by the top management … so how authentic is the data collected? The implementation of the programme itself was postponed at least three times giving rogue and bogus agents a field day conning poor undocumented migrants, especially. I wonder if this was a deliberate act to allow (selected) agents to cash in on gullible victims? Besides, I hear, that hefty rentals were charged and agents told not to charge any fees at the 1st P stage. Who supplied these machines? How do all these conditions make sense? Then we had the police "being shocked" by the sheer number of undocumented migrants in the country and Hishammuddin going on screen quoting numbers (registered via the biometric system) and declaring "ini merupakan satu keadaan yang begitu serius". Well done-lah, Hisham! But people on the ground knew it a long, long time ago! On the other side, we have the Indonesian government making us beg for their domestic workers and the Malaysian government actually begging. Why do we need to? After all, millions have come and gone on their own free will. Do the Indonesians actually bother about what their government says? Just hop onto a boat, pay some money here and there and you are safely on Malaysian shores at a much cheaper rate. Allowing the people to seek and bring their own choice of domestic help into the country through social visit passes and then having them registered seems a perfect solution. The onus is shifted to the employer and the domestic worker to satisfy themselves. We only need a proper monitoring system in place. But domestic worker agencies in Malaysia and Indonesia and the Indonesian Embassy are up in arms. Why? Money again! In fact, The Star on Sunday (4 September) reported that the Indonesian embassy's minister counsellor for information, social and cultural affairs Suryana Sastradiredja warned Malaysian employers that they could be detained by Indonesian authorities because "direct recruitment violates our laws".   READ MORE HERE.

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