Tiga ditahan sambut 'harijadi Altantuya' - Malaysiakini

Tiga ditahan di depan kompleks pejabat perdana menteri di Putrajaya selepas cuba "menyambut ulang tahun kelahiran Altantuya Shaariibuu", wanita Mongolia yang dibunuh tiga tahun lepas.

Sani Md Shah ditahan jam 11.15 pagi apabila memegang kek hari jadi, sementara Saufi Mihat dan Yasir Sheikh Abdul Rahman ditahan tidak lama selepas itu sewaktu memegang kain rentang di depan pintu masuk kompleks tersebut.

Ketiga-tiganya kemudian dibawa ke ibu pejabat polis daerah Putrajaya.

Kek seberat 5kg dan kain rentang itu yang dibawa oleh aktivis Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) yang diketuai pemimpin PKR Badrul Hisham Shaharin turut dirampas polis.

Kek putih dan kain itu bertulisan "Selamat Hari Jadi Altantuya". Jika masih hidup, wanita itu kini berusia 31 tahun.

Setelah Badrul Hisham masuk ke balai, beliau dimaklumkan untuk hadir semula jam 2 petang ini.

Dr M: Sultan has no power to remove MB - Malaysiakini

Dr Mahathir Mohamad today delivered a potential hammer blow to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak by stating that an elected head of state cannot be removed by the sultan.

Instead, the former prime minister said that the elected head of state can only be removed by a vote of no confidence in the state assembly.

However, Mahathir was quick to add that the situation in Perak was different.

While he did not explain how it was different, the former premier could be alluding to the on-going court case to determine the legitimate menteri besar in Perak.

The state has been undergoing a political turmoil ever since the Perak sultan urged the Pakatan Rakyat Menteri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin to resign in February following the coalition's deficit in numbers in the assembly as a result of three defections.

The sultan had then appointed Barisan Nasional's Zambry Abd Kadir as the new menteri besar - a move which resulted in a political and administrative chaos in the state.

A state assembly sitting is to take place tomorrow where Zambry is expected to consolidate his position as the menteri besar.

However Pakatan-elected representatives are also equally adamant in not giving up power.

Constitution is 'clear' on the matter

Mahathir also refused to comment on his thoughts if Zambry's appointment was legitimate.

"I said the case of Perak crisis is something else, something that is being decided by the court... [but] under the constitution and as far as I know, the federal constitution states very clearly that a monarch cannot remove a prime minister.

"He can refuse to appoint a prime minister, but once appointed you cannot remove him until there's a vote of no confidence made against him," he said after delivering a keynote address on the separations of powers in Putrajaya today.

When asked again if this principle applied in the case of Perak, he said: "I should think that it applies to the state but if Perak is different, then I stand corrected."

Nizar has filed a suit against Zambry on the question of legitimacy and the matter is being heard at the Kuala Lumpur High Court today.

Conversion row: It's back to square one

JJ to be ambassador to US

KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 — A former minister is set to be appointed Malaysia’s ambassador to the United States, a move which indicates that the Najib administration is looking to upgrade its relations with the Obama administration.

The appointment, which is being vetted by the US State Department, could also raise questions about Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s appetite to keep controversial individuals away from his administration.

Jamaludin is best known for the Angkasawan programme. — Bernama pic

Government sources told The Malaysian Insider that Datuk Seri Jamaludin Jarjis will enjoy the status of a minister in his new appointment.

A close friend of the PM, he was passed over for a Cabinet position because of concerns that he was carrying too much baggage.

He was accused and cleared of sexual harassment as well as criticised for comments made about Malaysian Indians while on a trip to the United States a couple of years ago. But all along there has been speculation that the MP for Rompin and former Science, Technology and Innovation Minister would be rewarded with a senior position in a government-linked company or as a special envoy of the government.

The reason being put forward for his nomination to be ambassador is that he has a "good network" in the US.

A former Second Finance Minister and Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, he is best known for the country’s Angkasawan programme, a project which brought pride to the country but also raised questions on the wisdom of spending millions of ringgit on a project with no tangible benefits to the public.

Several days ago, blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin alleged that Jamaludin tried to make a deal with him, asking the former to stop linking Najib and his wife to the murder of Mongolian model Altantuya Shariibuu.

RPK, as he is popularly known, alleged that he met Jamaludin at a car park at the Lake Gardens in Kuala Lumpur, and they drove to a roadside stall in Jalan Ipoh.

Raja Petra said that he did not make the deal. The blogger was charged with sedition for his posting “Let’s send Altantuya murderers to hell”, but he failed to turn up in court last month. Jamaludin has yet to comment on the allegation.

Bersih’s Wong brought to Jalan Duta courts

KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 —Wong Chin Huat, a spokesman for The Coalition for Free and Fair Elections, or Bersih, who was arrested yesterday, was brought to the Jalan Duta courts this morning.

It has been speculated that Wong was brought to the courts to have his remand extended.

The authorities picked up Wong at his home last night under Section 4 (1) of the Sedition Act.

It is believed that Wong was arrested in connection with Bersih’s press conference earlier yesterday morning.

At the press conference, Bersih announced plans to mobilise people to wear black in a symbolic protest against the Perak government power grab.

Wong had called on the public to wear black tomorrow to protest the Perak government takeover by Barisan Nasional.

Wong had issued the call on behalf of polls watchdog Bersih.

Do you deserve the government you now have?

I got an alert early yesterday morning that there would be arrests before May 7th.

And then a little after 8pm last night, I heard of Chin Huat’s arrest.

Sedition?

For what?

The press release by BERSIH yesterday that’s been reproduced in the last post in this blog?

I think my colleagues on the BERSIH steering committee overstated the call to wear black on 070509 by categorising it as ‘civil disobedience’.

What disobedience?

What law is being broken when people choose to wear black in this country?

Since when was it unlawful to urge your fellow citizens to wear a certain colour on a certain day to send out a strong message of disapproval for acts done by those who purport to act on our behalf in administering this country?

It is now unlawful for the ‘political master’ voters to castigate the derelict elected servants?

Is that what our Malaysia has become?

And if Chin Huat has indeed been arrested for no other reason than that he has irked some in authority for having the audacity to urge his fellow Malaysians to be unafraid to make their disgust for what Najib has done in Perak plainly known by means which, on the face of it, is lawful, do you now crawl back into the safety of your comfort zone and look the other way, as so many of us did when Ops Lallang was inflicted upon over 100 people more than 20 years ago?

Or does Chin Huat’s arrest give you one more reason to ride the tsunami unleashed on 8th March, 2008, and give Najib BLACK1MALAYSIA tomorrow?

Do you deserve the government you now have, or do you deserve better?

Sivakumar remains mum on assembly issues

The Edge

IPOH: Two members of the Perak State Assembly claim to be the menteri besar, but Speaker V Sivakumar remained tight-lipped about how they would be seated when the House assembles on May 6.

Current Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, who was appointed by the Perak Sultan on Feb 6, is being challenged by Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, who wants the courts to declare that he is the rightful holder of the post.

“No comments on that (the seating arrangement) for now,” Sivakumar told reporters after chairing the Special Rights and Privileges Committee here on May 5.

“On the agenda for May 7 is the parade, royal address and I have received two motions,” Sivakumar said.

“The first motion seeks my removal as speaker and the second is to appoint a new speaker. That’s all for now,” he said, without indicating if he would accept or reject the motions.

Sivakumar said that he had not received any reply from Sultan Azlan Shah to his request for the assembly meeting to be postponed to a later date.

The privileges committee was convened to investigate a complaint by Titi Serong assemblyman Dr Khalil Idham Lim Abdullah that state assemblymen were prevented from entering the assembly on March 3.

Sivakumar said the powerful committee had asked Perak State Secretary Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Hashim, Ipoh police chief OCPD ACP Azisman Alias and state DAP chief Datuk Ngeh Khoo Ham to appear before it to testify.

He said only Ngeh came to testify, while Abdul Rahman and Azisman sent him letters stating they could not attend as it was very short notice.

Sivakumar said he had received the complaint from Khalil Idham on April 30.

“The letters from the two were almost identical, like cut and paste. Moreover, the letters said I didn’t follow Standing Order 72(2).

“I have written to Abdul Rahman asking him to explain this to me,” he said.

Sivakumar said he will prepare his report on the findings of the committee to be presented to the state assembly when it convenes its meeting.

No bowing to threats, Hisham tells Manoharan

The Sun

KUALA LUMPUR (May 5, 2009) : The Home Ministry will not bow to what it termed as a "threat" by ISA detainee M. Manoharan who announced that he may relinguish his post as Kota Alam Shah assemblyman as he is unable serve his constituents in detention.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein said Manoharan was being held under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for security reasons and the government would not consider his release based on the assemblyman’s wish to resign.

"There appears to be an unhealthy trend of by-elections occurring of late and this is a waste of taxpayers’ money. Each time there is a by-election, it costs the government about RM20 million.

"If such a trend continues till the next general election, then we will become bankrupt," he told reporters today at the Civil Defence headquarters on Jalan Padang Tembak where he made his maiden official visit as home minister.

On the review of the ISA and the suggestion to refer to it as the Anti-Terrorism Act, Hishamuddin said it was timely to revamp the Act according to the current era.

"The time has come to review the ISA as objectives have changed but this does not mean there are no longer threats. To me, it’s not the name (the Act), it is the content (that matters). I am gathering all the best legal minds from all relevant agencies to carry out this review," he said.

He declined to go into details of the review but said the most important thing was to have it looked at from all aspects.

On another matter, Hishammuddin said it was highly irresponsible of an English daily to publish a report of a German engineer who was attached to automobile manufacturer Daimler-Chrysler in Malaysia and linking him to the Al Qaeda and transfering funds from here to several terrorist groups, including the Jemaah Islamiah and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

He said although the 31-year-old man had been arrested by German police, it was wrong for the newspaper to link his presence here with his detention there. The man’s arrest in Germany followed an intelligence report by the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

He said a probe by the authorities here, including Bank Negara, who have monitored the man since March last year, showed that he was neither involved in terrorist activities or tranferred funds to the said groups during his presence here.

"Those who write such news reports should be responsible when getting their facts from reliable sources as this involves the security of the country and the ties between Malaysia and another country," he added.

Gugurkan Tuduhan dan Bebaskan Sdr Wong Chin Huat

—Kenyataan Media Untuk Edaran Segera—

Saya kesal dengan tindakan pihak polis yang bertindak menahan aktivis sosial, Sdr Wong Chin Huat dibawah Seksyen 4(1) Akta Hasutan. Adalah difahamkan beliau ditahan kerana mengadakan satu persidangan media menyeru awam untuk memakai pakaian hitam pada 7hb Mei 2009 sebagai satu tanda protes terhadap rampasan kuasa oleh barisan nasional di Perak. Seruan Sdr Wong agar orang ramai mengambil pendekatan memakai pakaian hitam sebagai satu tanda protes merupakan pendekatan yang tidak bersalahan dengan hak beliau sebagai warganegara Malaysia dan amalan Demokrasi. Penahanan ini jelas memperlihatkan wajah sebenar pentadbiran baru pimpinan Perdana Menteri Dato’ Sri Najib Razak yang baru berusia satu bulan ini. Saya menyeru agar segala tuduhan di bawah Akta Hasutan terhadap Sdr Wong Chin Huat digugurkan dan beliau dibebaskan serta merta.

ANWAR IBRAHIM
Ketua Pembangkang
Dewan Rakyat Malaysia

SELAMAT ULANG TAHUN ALTANTUYA DAN DESAKAN BUAT PM

Jika Altantuya Sharibu tidak ditembak mati di Shah Alam, hari ini beliau akan merayakan ulangtahun ke 31 kelahiranya.

Kematian Altantuya yang terlibat menjadi orang tengah dalam pembelian peralatan pertahanan Malaysia telah mengundang seribu satu persoalan. Imej negara telah menjadi buruk ekoran terlalu banyak 'spekulasi' muncul berkenaan kes tersebut.

Kira – kira 19 buah media seluruh dunia telah menerbitkan artikel dengan jelas mengaitkan Najib Razak, yang kini merupakan Perdana Menteri Malaysia terlibat dalam pembunuhan Altantuya.

Malah ada cubaan menutup kes tersebut dengan melebel Altantuya sebagai model yang menjadi perempuan simpanan. Walaupun siapa Altantuya beliau dan keluarganya berhak mendapat keadilan.

Terlalu banyak 'misteri' dalam perbicaraan Altantuya seperti ;

• apa motif dua orang anggota Unit Tindakan Khas PDRM yang terlatih menjadi pengiring setia membunuh warga Monggolia yang mereka tidak kenali ? Merujuk kes Mona Fendi yang mengarahkan pembantunya Juraimi membunuh seorang ADUN Bn jelas bukan sahaja Juraimi di hukum gantung tetapi yang mengarahkan Juraimi juga dihukum gantung. 2 tertuduh pembunuhan Altantuya ini dibawah arahan siapa ?

• secara jelas wujud pengakuan Altantuya dibunuh dengan pistol (bom C4 untuk menghapus bukti) malangnya mengapa pistol tidak dibawa ke mahkamah ? Pistol , arahan siapa dan milik siapa ?

• benarkah Altantuya datang ke Malaysia setelah mengetahui RM500 juta (komisyen/rasuah) hasil jual beli peralatan pertahanan sudah di perolehi Razak Baginda (orang rapat Najib), dan kedatangan beliau untuk menuntut 'bahagian' seperti yang dijanjikan ? Mengapa rekod imegresen Altantuya hilang ?

Maka dengan ini bersempena dengan Ulangtahun Kelahiran Altantuya kami kumpulan anak muda (Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia) dengan ini mendesak Perdana Menteri Malaysia

• menyaman dan minta 19 media dunia mohon maaf kerana menyiarkan artikel Najib terlibat dalam pembunuhan Altantuya jika ia fitnah bukan sekadar menggunakan kuasa mengugut dan mengancam dalam negara. Untuk makluman Polis telah di gunakan untuk merampas topeng Altantuya, mengugut tempat percetakan supaya jangan bekerjasama mencetak bahan melibatkan Altantuya dan mempergunakan akta polis menghalang nama Altantuya disebut dalam majlis dibawah permit polis.

• menjelaskan mengenai kewujudan tersebarnya salinan beberapa pesanan ringkas antara nombor yang dikatakan digunakan oleh Najib dengan satu nombor yang dikatakan dimiliki oleh seorang peguam berbincang mengenai kes Altantuya. Salinan berbalas pesanan ringkas ini jika benar dihantar oleh Najib menunjukkan 'sesuatu' cuba diselindungkan dalam kes Altantuya ini. Maka penjelasan yang jelas perlu dibuat.

• mempersembahkan kepada DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di Pertuan Agong untuk mewujudkan sebuah suruhanjaya siasatan Di Raja mengenai kes Altantuya ini. Banyak kes sebelum ini gagal dicari kebenaran hanya dengan siasatan polis dan pendakwaan biasa. Contohnya dalam siasatan polis gagal mendapati siapa yang memukul Anwar Ibrahim dalam tahanan sebaliknya bila ditubuhkan Suruhanjaya Siasatan Di Raja maka Ketua Polis Negara dikenal pasti melakukannya.

Kes Altantuya ini bukan sahaja melibatkan imej individu sebaliknya imej negara, kerana yang dituduh terlibat ialah orang nombor satu negara. Desakan di atas harus ditunaikan dengan segera untuk memulihkan semula imej dan mencari kebenaran.

Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia merupakan ikatan anak muda dari perbagai latar belakang yang ingin melihat Malaysia berdaya saing dihormati dipentas dunia dan rakyatnya sejahtera dijamin keadilan dan keharmonian.

Dikesempatan ini juga kami ingin mengucapkan Selamat Hari ulangtahun kelahiran Altantuya dan takziah kepada anggota keluarganya. Sambutan hari ini telah kami maklumkan kepada anggota keluarganya lebih awal dan bapanya meminta kami menyampaikan salam buat semua yang terlibat dan media yang hadir.

Che'GuBard

Penyelaras, Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia

Nota : Kenyataan ini dibacakan di depan pejabat Jabatan Perdana Menteri Malaysia sebelum upacara potong Kek Ulangtahun Altantuya, dan selepas itu Kek Ulangtahun Altantuya dan salinan Kenyataan akan diserahkan kepada kakitangan JPM untuk disampaikan kepada Perdana Menteri Malaysia untuk tindakan beliau. - Chegubard

Improved Govt Service Delivery Essential For 1Malaysia To Succeed

By Syed Azwan Syed Ali KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 (Bernama) -- For 1Malaysia to succeed, the government's service delivery, which interfaces with the country's 27 million population of various races and faiths, must be improved first to inspire greater acceptance of the concept, a media discussion was told.

The 1Malaysia concept espoused by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak essentially takes into consideration the interests and aspirations of all communities in moving the country forward.

In other words, a place in the sun for all Malaysians.

The discussion was told that when there is more efficient delivery by the government service, it will fit in with several core values of the 1Malaysia concept -- a culture of excellence, meritocracy, integrity and loyalty -- and be in consonance with the newly-coined motto, "People First, Performance Now" of the Najib administration.

And the people's satisfaction will be a good yardstick for the performance of the current administration in time to come as disaffection with government policies and delivery are said to be among the main reasons for the Barisan Nasional's dismal performance in the 2008 general election.

"I think this whole idea of 1Malaysia is more on the administrative side, the management of Malaysia," said the Director-General of the Malaysian Institute of Islamic Understanding (Ikim), Datuk Dr Syed Ali Tawfik Al Attas.

He said he was attracted by 1Malaysia's concept of equality, or "to put something in the right place", in the administration promoted by Najib.

"In Islamic research, I would say we understand that this actually refers to justice, and therefore, in this sense, we are saying that there is no preferential treatment for one over the other.

"Justice, as you know, is not biased," said Dr Syed Ali, who heads the institute which is responsible for increasing the understanding of Islam among Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

He said the concept of equality in the administration would ensure that all sectors would receive the same opportunities based on merit without taking into account one's race, religion, political leanings or economic status.

"This proper and correct manner of administration should be done in order to afford everyone their rightful place," he said when referring to the ills of bureaucracy which had stifled good governance and administration.

He told the discussion, aimed at furthering the dialogue on the 1Malaysia concept and understanding it better, that it was important for every civil servant to understand his or her role as an "administrator" to facilitate service to the rakyat.

"Civil servants should realise that when it comes to multi-religious, multi-cultural, multi-lingual considerations, they have nothing to do with the theological or 'akidah' part. The government has no business in that. They are only supposed to be responsible for the administration or 'pentadbiran'," he said.

Datuk A. Vaithilingam, president of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST), said each decision of the government should be for the benefit of all races in the country.

"For example, if justice is to be done, justice must be seen to be done. There should be hearings for the people so that their grievances can be heard before a decision is taken," he said in respond to a question from by Bernama editor-in-chief Datuk Yong Soo Heong, who chaired the discussion.

"Policies of the government must be such that they are acceptable to everyone," said Vaithilingam, who is also president of the Malaysian Hindu Sangam.

He was referring to mixed marriages involving Muslims and non-Muslims that had gone sour, resulting in disputes over the custody of children, property and funerals.

Vaithilingam believed that these problems could be overcome through dialogue under the umbrella of 1Malaysia, which is based on the promoted core value of acceptance instead of tolerance, a vital ingredient towards greater national unity.

"By doing that, I think we can overcome the difficulties in many fields," he said.

Najib had said that what made Malaysia unique was the diversity of its people.

"1Malaysia's goal is to preserve and enhance this unity in diversity which has always been our strength and remains our best hope for the future," he had said.

In his maiden speech as prime minister on April 3, Najib said his administration would give priority to performance and the welfare of the people without leaving anyone behind.

"We must reach out to the many who may have been disaffected and left confused by political games, deceit and showmanship" said the prime minister, who also urged the people to come out of their "ethnic silos" to make 1Malaysia a success.

Both Dr Syed Ali and Vaithilingam strongly agreed that emphasis should also be placed on education, which would eventually spawn a culture of excellence among Malaysians -- not just education which emphasises academic excellence but also moral values like mutual respect, integrity and trust -- to ensure the survival of the nation.

While Najib acknowledged that education and knowledge are important prerequisites for any nation to succeed, he also stressed that education must be viewed in a holistic manner where it has to be integrated with values as well.

"You must have a society which places education and knowledge at the apex of everything," he said.

Education, being the pivotal foundation of it all, can unblock the blind spots that may have held Malaysians back in the past to move forward in unison.

And education is also the key to effect a culture of excellence, integrity, perseverance, humility, acceptance, meritocracy, loyalty and integrity for 1Malaysia to succeed.

As Najib said, a sense of new energy and optimism has been discerned. And constant dialogue among Malaysians is the way forward to enable 1Malaysia to gather greater momentum.

Nizar in court

Manoharan: 'Amat berdosa' towards voters

1BLACKMalaysia launched

Sultan cannot sack MB, court told

By Debra Chong - The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 — The Perak Constitution has no provision that allows for the ruler or anyone else to sack the mentri besar from his official position, the High Court was told today.

While the Sultan of Perak had the power to appoint the MB as a constitutional monarch, he had no power to later force the MB out of his lawfully-appointed office, argued the lead lawyer for Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, who is suing Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir for usurping his rightful appointment as the MB of Perak.

In putting forward his submission before judge Datuk Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahim this afternoon, Nizar’s chief counsel Sulaiman Abdullah said if the Sultan had the power to also order the sacking of the MB, it would be stated clearly in the Perak Constitution.

He also pointed out that unlike the case with the executive council members, Nizar does not hold the office of MB “at the pleasure of the Sultan of Perak”.

The only way to remove the person occupying the MB’s seat is through a vote of no-confidence, which must be taken inside the State Legislative Assembly, Sulaiman added.

He was challenging Attorney General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail’s view that Nizar had already been removed from office as MB when he lost the confidence of the majority of the members of the assembly.

In his submission earlier, Abdul Gani argued that there is no law in the Perak Constitution that states a vote of no-confidence must be tabled and endorsed inside the assembly for it to take effect.

“In the factual matrix of this case, there is no constitutional requirement that a motion of no-confidence must be obtained in the state legislative assembly before the applicant can be said to have lost the command of confidence of the majority members of the state legislative assembly under Article 16(6),” he said, referring to the Perak Constitution.

Abdul Gani pointed out the sultan had also taken great pains to personally interview the 31 state assemblymen who had pledged support to Barisan Nasional.

“The Sultan made sure of his facts first. He interviewed the ADUN, including the three ADUN from Behrang, Changkat Jering and Jelapang and another ADUN from Bota. He was sure there were 31 assemblymen in support of Barisan Nasional. It is his judgment as to whom had the confidence of the majority inside the House,” he said.

“His Royal Highness even went to interview and check on whether there was any coercion. That’s the most honorable thing I’ve ever seen,” he added.

“If no majority, how can he ask for dissolution? It must come under Article 16(6). It cannot be otherwise,” he went on.

“Are we going to wait until the mentri besar resigns?” Abdul Gani questioned.

At this point, Justice Abdul Aziz cut in and quizzed Abdul Gani: “Is there any provision that allows the ruler to exercise his right to remove the mentri besar?”

The attorney-general admitted there was none.

But he explained that although Sultan Azlan Shah never “sacked” Nizar, “the law itself deemed he had ceased” to command the majority confidence.

And because of that, the Perak sultan could use his discretionary powers and appoint Zambry to replace Nizar as the lawful MB after the position was vacated, even though the latter had refused to hand in his resignation letter.

Sulaiman also challenged this view. He argued that unless the Perak Constitution stated clearly what to do, no one could assume the law had provided for such a thing to take place.

“As Nizar has not resigned, and under the Perak Constitution, cannot be dismissed, the office of the mentri besar was never vacant. It follows that Zambry cannot claim the office of the mentri besar,” said Sulaiman.

“The appointment of Zambry, on the authority of Ningkan, was unconstitutional, Sulaiman said, citing the 1968 court case of Stephen Kalong Ningkan, a Sarawak chief minister who like Nizar, challenged his dismissal even though he was not voted out by members of the state assembly.

“As such, the appropriate relief this honourable court should grant is an order in terms of Nizar’s judicial review application,” he added.

Justice Abdul Aziz adjourned the court at this point, fixing 11am tomorrow to continue hearing the rest of Sulaiman’s submissions as well as from Datuk Cecil Abraham, Zambry’s lead lawyer.

Cops flex muscles ahead of May 7

KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 — The police have arrested for sedition Wong Chin Huat, a spokesman for The Coalition for Free and Fair Elections, or Bersih, hours after the group called for Malaysians to put on a show of civil disobedience to protest the Barisan Nasional (BN) power grab in Perak.

Wong’s arrest comes amid security concerns over the Perak state assembly sitting two days from now in which Barisan Nasional (BN) hopes will legitimise its controversial takeover of the state government in February.

The authorities are also anticipating a mass gathering in Ipoh of Pakatan Rakyat (PR) supporters on the day, and have issued clear warnings against groups organising any illegal assemblies.

But PR parties have already signaled their intention to challenge till the end BN’s assertion that its takeover of the state government is legitimate.

A court case in which Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin, who maintains he is the rightful MB, is suing the BN MB Datuk Dr Zambry Abd Kadir is continuing this week.

And PR parties are planning to converge for prayers the day after tomorrow, as announced by PAS’s Mohamad Sabu yesterday.

But with Wong’s arrest tonight, the police appear to be signaling their intention to come down hard on any moves to mobilise protests.

The authorities picked up Wong at his home tonight under Section 4 (1) of the Sedition Act 1948.

It is believed that Wong was arrested in connection with Bersih’s press conference this morning.

This morning, Bersih representatives announced their plans to mobilise all Malaysians to wear black two days from now in a symbolic protest against the power grab.

Bersih also accused Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak of orchestrating the political coup in Perak and lambasted him for allegedly failing to keep his promise made under his 1Malaysia philosophy which puts people first, saying that putting people first would mean giving the voters of Perak the chance to determine the state government.

Taking a leaf from other civil obedience movements such as those organised by Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King and even Umno’s “berkabung” movement to oppose the Malayan Union, Wong urged Malaysians who oppose the power grab to “let everyone see a sea of black walking into an office, market, mosque, temple, church, college, park, bus... let us be united in one black colour to show the world that the 1Malaysia under Najib Razak is 1BlackMalaysia living in darkness.”

He also criticised the BN for practising “old politics” and trying to clamp down on media coverage and peaceful gatherings.

The Perak government had initially allowed only selected media to cover the assembly sitting. However, the decision was later reversed by Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Zambry Abdul Kadir.

Besides issuing a warning to political parties against organising mass gatherings in front of the state secretariat, the police also announced today tight security measures in Ipoh two days from now.

Several sections of all major roads leading to the state secretariat will be closed to traffic on May 7.

Ipoh OCPD Azisman Alias added that roadblocks would also be set up at the Jalan Panglima Bukit Gantang Wahab-Jalan St John junction and near the Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman flyover from 9pm tomorrow.

RPK reveals his 'source' on Altantuya allegations

Popular blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, in a posting today, revealed what he claimed was his source for his sensational allegation that Malaysia’s first lady Rosmah Mansor was at the scene when a Mongolian woman was murdered.

MCPX

According to Raja Petra, the information came from Lt Kol Azmi Zainal Abidin, who is the "number two in the Special Branch of the Military Intelligence".

In a posting which appeared in Raja Petra’s Malaysia Today website, the controversial blogger said he was put in touch with Lt Kol Azmi by one of his long-standing friends - Nik Azmi Nik Daud, who is an aide to Umno veteran leader Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.

Raja Petra’s revelations were made in his trademark colourful style in the form of a dialogue between him and his police interrogators when he was detained under the Internal Security Act last August.

When asked by his interrogators whether he could trust his source since he did not know him, Raja Petra reportedly answered: “I don’t know him well enough to trust him all the way. But the person who introduced us is a very old friend.

“I’ve known him for about 45 years, longer than I’ve known my wife. And I trust my friend. My friend gave me his personal assurance that the story is legit.”

According to Raja Petra, he had also sought help from a few other people to vouch for Lt Kol Azmi’s credibility, among them PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim through his aide, Din Merican.

“I also asked John Pang, who also works for Ku Li (Tengku Razaleigh), to check with Ku Li whether Lt Kol Azmi’s information is reliable. I told John what Lt Kol Azmi told us and asked him to inform Ku Li about it. John confirmed that Lt Kol Azmi told Ku Li the same thing and that the information is reliable.”

Pang, who is an aide to Razaleigh, said he did receive a phone call from Raja Petra regarding the matter.

“Yes, Raja Petra did ask me about it and I confirmed that Ku Li was aware of the story,” said Pang when contacted today.

He added that his boss did not dispute Raja Petra’s account pertaining to his contact with Lt Kol Azmi.

Razaleigh has declined to comment apart from saying, “Read the (Raja Petra’s) blog.”

According to Pang, Nik Azmi is not an official member of Razaleigh's staff.

Misgivings in signing statutory declaration

Raja Petra also revealed that he had misgivings in signing a statutory declaration based on the information which he received from Lt Kol Azmi.

“I told Bull (Nik Azmi) I was a bit worried about signing a statutory declaration because the government will surely arrest and charge me if I do. I felt an article would be safer.

“But Bull disagreed. He felt an article was not strong enough. Bull said if anything happens to me they would go to court to testify that what I had signed is the truth. Bull assured me they would not allow me to rot in jail. So, on June 18 (2008), I signed the statutory declaration.”

Raja Petra, 59, has been charged for criminal defamation in a statutory declaration which he signed implicating Rosmah, who is wife of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, and two others in the grisly murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu in 2006.

He has also charged with sedition for his posting ‘Let’s send Altantuya murderers to hell’, but he failed to turn up in court last month.

Sessions judge Rozina Ayob had subsequently issued an arrest warrant for Raja Petra. Now a fugitive, Raja Petra’s whereabouts is unknown.

Raja Petra also claimed that former minister Jamaluddin Jarjis, who is from Najib’s home state of Pahang, had contacted him to “make a deal”.

“We drove to a roadside stall in Jalan Ipoh (in Kuala Lumpur) and sat there and talked. JJ (Jamaluddin Jarjis) told me that Najib had asked him to meet me to make a deal. I asked him whether Najib really knows we are meeting and whether he had endorsed or sanctioned the meeting and JJ replied that our meeting was on Najib’s instructions,” Raja Petra allegedly told his interrogators.

“We spent about an hour talking. The bottom line is he wanted me to stop writing about Najib and Altantuya. He also asked me whether I could delay my sedition trial until Najib becomes the prime minister. Once Najib is installed as prime minister, they will drop the charges against me. I will also receive a monthly allowance of RM30,000 for my cooperation. He didn’t say for how long though.”

Raja Petra said that he did not make the deal and soon after he signed the statutory declaration.

Meanwhile, veteran opposition leader Lim Kit Siang said that Raja Petra’s latest revelation has again show the urgent need for a royal commission to probe the scandal.

“I had repeatedly made in Parliament for a royal commission of inquiry to deal with all the allegations haunting and hounding Najib, especially as he had said that he was innocent and had not done anything wrong,” he said.

Raja Petra's statutory declaration

RPK's Article

We met early April at La Bordega in Bangsar. Bull suggested I should instead sign a Statutory Declaration, as that would be stronger. They can ignore my article but they can’t ignore a Statutory Declaration.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

From the 12th to the 22nd September 2008, I was detained at the Police Remand Centre (PRC) where most ISA detainees spend their first 60 days of detention. Suddenly, on the morning of the 22nd, I was told that my interrogation, which was held from the 17th to the 21st, is going to end and that they have to finalise their report that same day.

That was the first surprise.

I was supposed to sign my statement the following day -- on the 23rd. Instead, I was packed off to Kamunting the morning of the 23rd without being allowed to sign the statement cum confession.

That was the second surprise.

What was it that the higher-ups were so scared about that they wanted to keep my confession cum statement from those who were supposed to review it and decide whether I can be released or should be sent to Kamunting for further detention? I really don’t know because they never told me.

Anyway, here is part of my interrogation by the Special Branch -- what they asked and what I replied.

The last time you were detained for 54 days, is that correct?

Yes, it was from 11 April to 6 June 2001. I think it was about 54 days.

You were not sent to Kamunting right?

That’s correct.

That’s because you cooperated. So if this time you also cooperate then there is a good chance you will also not be sent to Kamunting. You might be allowed to go home like the last time.

(I just nod)

We find your Statutory Declaration very hard to believe.

Why do you say that?

Well, we don’t think what you said about Rosmah being at the murder scene is correct.

How do you know?

It is highly unlikely. Rosmah is very rich. She has plenty of money. Why would she want to take the risk of going there personally? She can pay someone to do the job. No need for her to go there herself.

Well, that’s what I was told, that she went there personally.

We don’t think so. It doesn’t make sense for her to go there herself.

Okay, if you say so, but I know what I was told.

Who told you?

Lt Kol Azmi Zainal Abidin. He is the number two in the Special Branch of the Military Intelligence.

Yes, we know who he is.

So, that means you can ask him yourself then since you know him.

But how do you know he was telling you the truth? He could be setting you up.

I admit I don't know Lt Kol Azmi that well. But he is always in Ku Li’s office. He is very close to Ku Li. And Anwar Ibrahim also knows him very well.

So you are not really that close to Lt Kol Azmi. That means you don’t know whether you can trust him. We feel he is setting you up as the fall guy.

Maybe if I had to just trust him then I wouldn't dare take that risk. I mean; I don’t know him well enough to trust him all the way. But the person who introduced us is a very old friend. I’ve known him for about 45 years, longer than I’ve known my wife. And I trust my friend. My friend gave me his personal assurance that the story is legit.

Who is that friend?

Nik Azmi Nik Daud. We call him Bull. He works for Ku Li. I also asked Din Merican to check with Anwar whether I can trust Lt Kol Azmi with my life. Those were the exact words I used.

What did Anwar say?

Anwar replied you should never trust anyone with your life. However, Lt Kol Azmi’s information is very reliable. I also asked John Pang, who also works for Ku Li, to check with Ku Li whether Lt Kol Azmi’s information is reliable. I told John what Lt Kol Azmi told us and asked him to inform Ku Li about it. John confirmed that Lt Kol Azmi told Ku Li the same thing and that the information is reliable.

So that is why you signed the Statutory Declaration?

No. Actually, initially, I wanted to just write an article, like usual. But Bull asked to meet first before I write anything. So we met early April at La Bordega in Bangsar. Bull suggested I should instead sign a Statutory Declaration, as that would be stronger. They can ignore my article but they can’t ignore a Statutory Declaration.

Then you signed it?

No. I still did not sign it yet. I was worried about the repercussions. We would be forcing the government to act and they might come down hard on me. As Bull said, they can ignore my article but they can’t ignore a Statutory Declaration. Bull called for a second meeting on the Sunday before I signed the Statutory Declaration. We met at the Selangor Club Dataran Merdeka for lunch.

And then?

I told Bull I was a bit worried about signing a Statutory Declaration because the government will surely arrest and charge me if I do. I felt an article would be safer. But Bull disagreed. He felt an article was not strong enough. Bull said if anything happens to me they would go to court to testify that what I had signed is the truth. Bull assured me they would not allow me to rot in jail. So, on the 18th June, I signed the Statutory Declaration.

Are you sure they will come forward to testify in your trial?

That’s what Bull told me and I trust him. As I said, I’ve known him for 45 years.

Okay, let’s see whether they do or not. But we think they will not. They will not come forward to testify at your trial.

Maybe. Maybe what you say is true. I don’t know. Let’s see. After all I have already been charged and my trial will soon start. Let’s see whether they keep their word and testify at my trial. But I am confident they will because they have given me their assurance.

We believe you have been set up as the fall guy. Maybe they want to get rid of you.

I don’t think so. Anyway, we will know soon enough once my trial starts. It is going to be a most interesting trial indeed once the truth surfaces. Don’t you think so?

Didn’t Najib’s people approach you to make a deal?

You mean to buy my silence? Yes, they did.

Who?

Datuk Jamaluddin Jarjis.

JJ?

Yes.

When?

It was not long after I was charged for sedition, before I signed the Statutory Declaration. JJ phoned and said he wanted to meet. I knew he was working for Najib so I agreed. We met at the car park outside Kelab Taman Perdana. My wife drove me there and waited at a distance. She was worried that it may be a trap and she wanted to be cautious in case they were setting me up, or something like that.

JJ arrived about 6pm and asked me to get into his car. He was alone. I waved to my wife and signalled her to go home and she wrote down JJ’s car number plate in case I disappeared or whatever.

We drove to a roadside stall in Jalan Ipoh and sat there and talked. JJ told me that Najib had asked him to meet me to make a deal. I asked him whether Najib really knows we are meeting and whether he had endorsed or sanctioned the meeting and JJ replied that our meeting was on Najib’s instructions.

We spent about an hour talking. The bottom line is he wanted me to stop writing about Najib and Altantuya. He also asked me whether I could delay my sedition trial until Najib becomes the Prime Minister. Once Najib is installed as Prime Minister they will drop the charges against me. I will also receive a monthly allowance of RM30,000 for my cooperation. He didn’t say for how long though.

I asked him how to delay the trial and he replied I can always get a medical certificate to confirm I am not fit enough to attend trial. I told him if I delayed the trial then the legal costs would increase and he offered to pay all the legal fees. He asked me to get my lawyers to issue an invoice and he would pay the cost, whatever it may be.

I told my lawyers about this incident so that at least some other people know about it.

So, what happened to the deal?

Soon after that I signed my Statutory Declaration. That was my way of saying no deal. After that they arrested me and charged me for criminal defamation. I suppose that was their way of replying to my reply.

Wouldn’t it have been better for you to accept the deal? After all, Najib is soon going to be the Prime Minister.

Maybe. But it’s too late now isn’t it? I have already burned my bridges behind me.

The above is a small portion of my questions and answers session with the Special Branch over the five days of interrogation. This, plus a lot more, was compiled into a report, which I was supposed to sign on the morning of 23 September 2008 -- but which never materialised for some strange reason. I am probably the first ISA detainee in almost 50 years who made a statement (confession) but was never asked to sign it.

Not only a failed state but a failed society as well

Heaven? How can a prostitute go to heaven? And one who allows a ‘dirty’ dog to drink from her hands on top of that. And the Prophet explained that she is going to heaven because she showed compassion to the dog.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

In his recent Workers Day message, prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak says he wants Malaysia to be a high-income economy. “We will not allow the country to remain as it is but find ways to achieve a quantum leap so that we can be in the high income bracket,” he told reporters.

The prime minister has it right that Malaysia will have to make a quantum leap if figures provided by the World Bank are anything to go by.

The World Bank classifies a high-income country as having a gross national income (GNI) per capita of US$11,456 or more. According to the latest figures available from the World Bank, in 2007, Malaysia had a GNI per capita of US$6,420, far behind high-income societies such as Singapore (US$32,340), South Korea (US$19,730), Japan (US$37,790), Hong Kong (US$31,560), Australia (US$35,760), Finland (US$44,300), and Switzerland (US$60,820) and Norway (US$77,370).

Malaysia falls into the World Bank’s upper-middle-income bracket defined as GNI per capita of between US$3,706 and US$11,455. Other countries with similar GNI per capita include Gabon (US$7,020), Russia (US$7,530), Romania (US$6,390) and Botswana (US$6,120).

Industry officials warn, however, that without addressing key issues such as productivity and subsidy mentalities, Malaysia will not be able to transform itself into a sustainable high-income society. Many Malaysian companies have become dependent on a relatively weak currency, cheap foreign labour and subsidies for electricity and water instead of striving to become more efficient and developing high quality and high value good and services.

Shamsuddin Bardan, executive director at the Malaysian Employers Federation says that wages should be commensurate with productivity and points to Singapore as a benchmark that Malaysia should compare itself against.

An extract from To reach First World, Malaysia has to pass Gabon by Lee Wei Lian, The Malaysian Insider (http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/25421-to-reach-first-world-malaysia-has-to-pass-gabon)

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

That was the point I tried to make in my recent piece: It’s about the economy, stupid (http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/21287/84/). Of course, I did not use indicators and measurements like GNI, GDP, FDI, GNP and whatnot because these terms are sometimes beyond the comprehension of the average person, which would be the majority of the Malaysian voter.

As they say, KISS: Keep It Simple, Stupid. And what can be more simple than the price of a chicken which is almost the staple food of most Malaysians, unless you are in the high-income bracket and can afford exotic foods. And, today, even ikan bilis, which used to be the poor man’s food, can be bloody expensive.

Today, what can the Ringgit buy compared to, say, 40 years ago? Okay, I have espoused that issue so many times in the past so I will not bore you, again, with the details. But that is what we should be focusing on. What is the Ringgit worth today compared to when we were still in school?

Today, our income has not increased that much compared to 40 years ago. Even if it may have doubled since the last 40 years that is no bloody good when costs have increased ten times over during that same period. Today, a university graduate will not earn ten times what a university graduate of 40 years ago was earning. But he or she would certainly have to pay ten times more for goods and services compared to what a university graduate of 40 years ago had to pay.

That is the bottom line. And that is what has made today’s Malaysians poorer compared to Malaysians of 40 years ago.

It may not appear like Malaysians are poorer today compared to Malaysians of 40 years ago. This is because most Malaysians of 40 years ago did not receive the benefit of a good education. And for sure those who went to university were in the minority.

Today, almost everyone receives an education, unless they choose not to go to school. And there are many who went to higher institutions of learning, universities included. So it appears like Malaysians are better off today because more have gone to school and have received a higher education compared to 40 years ago.

And this is where another problem arises. Because they are educated, have a diploma or degree, or whatever, they expect good jobs. In the past, because you are not educated, you go for menial jobs. But would an educated person or university graduate want to become a plumber of bricklayer?

The irony of this whole thing is while the educated Malaysian will never work as a plumber or bricklayer, the reality is, a skilled and hardworking plumber or bricklayer can earn more money than a fixed-wage university graduate. So has education really helped us earn more money? You might argue that education is never wasted, as many would argue. But the fact remains that educated Malaysians are sometimes not really educated in the real sense of the word in spite of the so-called education they are supposed to have received.

And that brings us to the next point, the quality of Malaysian education. Yes, we go to school. We may have even gone for higher education and have this very impressive piece of paper with our name on it hanging on our office wall. But are we really educated?

Education is not about passing exams. It is also not about how many years we have spent in a lecture hall. It is about what we have developed into at the end of it all.

Education must also reflect in how civil we have become and whether we have compassion and are considerate and all that. Malaysians may have spent many years in a lecture hall and may even have this piece of paper with their name on it, but they are as ‘educated’ as, say, the Taliban sitting in the mountains of Afghanistan who has never seen a classroom in his life and grows poppy for a living.

Yes, Malaysians look down on the Taliban, especially Malaysia Today’s readers. They think that the Taliban are a primitive lot. When they talk about backwardness, they talk about turning Malaysia into Taliban-land, the epitome of backwardness. Actually, Malaysians are just slightly better in mentality but not really that far ahead.

Take one example. How do Malaysians treat animals? Malaysians treat animals like………well, like animals. The educated people from the West do not treat animals the way Malaysians do. In the West, animals are treated as living beings. Would an educated Westerner banish 300 dogs to a deserted island where they will starve to death? In Malaysia, we would do that without any feelings whatsoever.

Fortunately it was the Chinese from Pulau Ketam who did this. If it were Malays, I would be whacking away till kingdom come. But this does not mean Malays are any kinder to dogs. The Malays from the local councils would round up stray dogs and drag them behind their motorcycles with wires tied around their necks. Imagine these dogs being dragged along the pavement. By the time they arrive at their destination the dog is dead and half of it is has been deposited all over the road.

A society is judged by the way it treats its animals. And Malaysia has failed that test. As I said, if it was just the Chinese who are cruel to animals, as many are (just go to a Chinese restaurant and see how they store those live turtles and whatnot -- sickening), maybe I would not bother to say anything. But Malays have no excuse because Malays are always foaming at the mouth screaming about Islam -- and Islam is very specific about how animals should be treated. Torturing animals or showing cruelty to animals goes against the teachings of Islam and there are no two ways about it.

I will close by relating a story about Prophet Muhammad that is quite popular and often enough related. One day, Prophet Muhammad was on a journey with some of his followers and he saw a prostitute giving a dog a drink of water in the cup of her hands. The Prophet commented that the prostitute is destined for heaven.

Heaven? How can a prostitute go to heaven? And one who allows a ‘dirty’ dog to drink from her hands on top of that. And the Prophet explained that she is going to heaven because she showed compassion to the dog.

Have the Muslims learned anything in 1,500 years?

May 7th - 1BlackMalaysia! Democracy First! Elections Now!

The Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (BERSIH) held a press conference this morning in relation to the ongoing Perak constitutional crisis and the much anticipated sitting of the Perak state legislative assembly on 7th May, 2009.

I reproduce below the full text of the press release issued by BERSIH this morning.

We the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (BERSIH) call upon all Malaysians to wear black to work, to school, in play or at home the coming May 7^th (Thursday) to present “1BLACKMalaysia” to Prime Minister Najib Razak as our strongest protest to the on-going Perak coup he has orchestrated.

Despite the court’s scheduled hearing on the legality of Zambry Abdul Kadil’s legality as the Menteri Besar on May 5^th and 6^th, a sitting for the Perak State Legislature has been scheduled to begin on May 7^th bypassing the speaker V. Sivakumar.

A motion has also been tabled to replace the speaker, who has vigorously defended the Legislature’s rights and power throughout the coup, with R. Ganesan, a non-lawmaker from the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC).

To prevent the public from knowing what would happen in the assembly, a “media curfew” was imposed whereby only 13 selected media outlets are granted access, on top of a general lockdown of the city of Ipoh, where the Legislature is seated. While the Zambry regime had since retracted the “media curfew” under strong public outcry, the initial move reveals a regime that fears public scrutiny.

These latest developments show total disregard of Najib Razak on rule of law and constitutional democracy in Malaysia. He has also ignored the voters’ wrath on unconstitutional means of power grab, as showed in the Bukit Gantang by-election where the margin for the ousted MB Mohammad Nizar increased by over 2000 votes.

Najib’s slogan: “1Malaysia, people first, performance now” is now a cruel joke on Malaysians. Is this the old “1Authoritarian-and-CorruptMalaysia” getting worse? What “people first” when people are forced to be blind, deaf, mute and immobile with the media curfew and city lockdown? What “performance now” when the “performance” in law-breaking may never be known?

In response to all these, we urge all Malaysians to wear black on May 7 ^th. It will be a peaceful but powerful message of civil disobedience that we the people are politicians’ bosses and no politicians defiant of public opinion can escape punishment at the next poll. Civil disobedience is a peaceful act that every citizen can participate and make a difference. In history, civil disobedience led by Mahatma Ghandi, Martin Luther King and the Polish people had successfully ended tyranny and injustice without bloodshed or disruption.

Let’s paint every state and territory, every town and village black with our clothes, headbands, hats, turbans, veils, armbands, ribbons and stickers on that day. Let everyone see a sea of black walking into an office, a market, a mosque, a temple, a church, a college, a park, a bus, a commuter or LRT car, a ferry or an aeroplane .

Let us be united in one BLACK colour and let show the world that the 1Malaysia under Najib Razak is “1BLACKMalaysia” living in darkness.

Let’s show the world that Malaysians will stand up against any invasion of democracy, freedom and peace by unscrupulous politicians. We will not allow coup be the way to power in Perak, or anywhere in Malaysia. No one shall take away our democracy, freedom and peace. Najib may hijack our unelected institutions like the judiciary, civil service, police and Election Commission, but he will never win our heart and mind. And he is no reformist until he dares to face elections in Perak.

Let us show Najib in one colour - “1BlackMalaysia!“. Let us tell him in one voice for Malaysia: “Democracy First!” Let us pose him the one solution for Perak: “Elections now!“

Yes, Mr Prime Minister of Malaysia, and the World, listen to us: 1BlackMalaysia! Democracy First! Elections Now!

Note : This statement is also endorsed by Centre for Orang Asli Concerns, Centre for Plicy Intiatives (CPI) and Anwar Ibrahim Club (AIC)

Further evidence of third world governance in the country

By Haris Ibrahim

Could someone please tell our Deputy Prime Minister that when a sitting MP or ADUN is declared a bankrupt, is convicted of an offence that attracts a certain term of imprisonment or a fine of a certain amount, or dies whilst holding that office, the office becomes vacant by operation of law and does not turn on that person resigning from office!

And if any of you decide to do this nation a service by passing on the above info to him, maybe you could also spare the rest of us further agony of having to endure his drivel by also alerting him of this little dose of wisdom : better for a fool to bite his tongue and shut up, rather than to open his mouth and thereby remove all doubt.

NSTonline reports today that Muhyiddin took Kota Alam Shah state assemblyman and ISA detainee M. Manoharan to task for using his present detention in Kamunting as his reason for wanting to reason his ADUNship.

“After winning an election, it’s time for him to get to work. He should be responsible enough and not step down unnecessarily as is being done by those from some political parties. The exceptions are when he is declared a bankrupt, convicted or dies.”, NSTonline quotes the deputy premier as having said.

Die and then step down?

Do we have an idiot in high office or what?

This, though, takes the cake.

NSTonline also reports that Muhyiddin opined that DAP’s Manoharan could still perform his duties despite being under ISA detention.

This must surely reflect Muhyiddin’s dim understanding of the functions and duties of an elected representative to a legislative assembly, both federal and at state level.

Or perhaps Muhyiddin’s rationale is that MPs and ADUNs don’t do much anyway, so what’s the difference whether Mano is in detention or not?

And he’s the number two in the country?

No wonder this country is smelling more and more like a cesspool!

Start of Najib’s crackdown?

By Lim Kit Siang,

Civil society activist Wong Chin Huat was arrested under the Sedition Act at his home in Taman Sri Sentosa in Kuala Lumpur at about 8 pm tonight.

Is it because of the “1Black Malaysia” campaign?

The following is a Malaysiakini report on Wong’s arrest:

Activist Wong arrested under Sedition Act

Poll reform group Bersih spokesperson Wong Chin Huat has been arrested under the Sedition Act tonight by a team of police at his home in Taman Sri Sentosa in Kuala Lumpur.

According to his lawyer Edmund Bon, the activist was arrested at 8pm after a police report was lodged today.

“I tried negotiating with the police officer (on the phone) but they won’t listen to me. They didn’t want to tell under what section of the Sedition Act (that the arrest was made) and who the complainant is.”

Bon has since unable to contact Wong. According to him, he could be taken to the police headquarters in Bukit Aman.

It is not clear whether Wong’s arrest is linked to a press conference he called earlier today.

At the press conference, Wong (photo) had urged the public to wear black on May 7, to protest the Perak state government takeover by Barisan Nasional which has been seen as undemocratic and unconstitutional.

Wong issued a statement on behalf of Bersih, saying that the protest was aimed at newly-minted Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who is widely credited as the mastermind behind the February power grab.

The Bersih’s campaign slogan “1BlackMalaysia: Democracy first, elections now”, is a play on Najib’s “1Malaysia: People first, performance now” tagline.

May 7 is also the date where BN Menteri Besar Zambry Abdul Kadir is convening the Perak state legislative assembly to oust speaker V Sivakumar and pass motions to legitimise his government.

‘Paint every town, village black’

In his statement today, Wong said that the 1BlackMalaysia campaign is a peaceful, yet powerful message of “civil disobedience”.

“We want to let them know that people are the politicians’ bosses and no politician can disregard public opinion and escape punishment in the next general election,” he said.

He urged the public to “paint every state, territory, town and village black” with clothes, headbands, hats, turbans, veils, armbands, ribbons and stickers.

“Let us be united in one black colour and let’s show the world that the 1Malaysia under Najib is 1BlackMalaysia living in darkness,” he said.

Bersih is a coalition of opposition parties and NGOs who have been pressuring the authorities to improve election laws and administration.

Najib and Altantuya murder case - KSK, OTK or any Minister dare to raise RPK’s latest blog in Cabinet tomorrow?

By Lim Kit Siang,

Blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin has made more revelations about the Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu C4 murder case which calls for response from an administration which claims to be committed to accountability, transparency, integrity and good governance.

In his latest blog, Raja Petra mentioned names, including Datuk Seri Jamaluddin Jarjis, former Cabinet Minister and confidante of Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Lt. Kol Azmi Zainal Abidin, the number two in the Special Branch of the Military Intelligence, as well as other information which will add grist to the swirling serious allegations about the involvement of Najib to the Altantunya murder case.

Whether true or otherwise, and regardless of whether Raja Petra has become a fugitive from the courts, the net result of Raja Petra’s latest blog is that even more questions will be raised about the swirling, haunting and hounding allegations about Najib’s involvement in the Altantuya murder case.

This is completely unhelpful to Najib in establishing his credibility, integrity and legitimacy as the country’s Prime Minister, whether among Malaysians or the world.

These swirling serious allegations haunting and hounding Najib and his admistration concerning the Altantuya C4 murder case cannot be avoided and must be addressed frontally.

Will the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department responsible for the integrity and KPI of Ministers and Gerakan President, Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon, the Transport Minister and MCA President, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, or any other Barisan Nasional Minister dare to raise in the Cabinet tomorrow the swirling, haunting and hounding allegations about Najib’s involvement in the Altantunya C4 murder case, in particular Raja Petra’s latest blog, so that it could be an official item of Cabinet agenda?

A special Cabinet meeting should be convened just to discuss this one issue, to consider what is the best way to deal with these swirling serious allegations which will not go away, including the proposal I had repeatedly made in Parliament for a Royal Commission of Inquiry to deal with all the allegations haunting and hounding Najib especially as he had said that he was innocent and had not done anything wrong.

Indira: Conversion dispute: Back to square one for Indira

The Star, By CLARA CHOOI

IPOH: A High Court here has temporarily held back an earlier decision made by a separate court giving interim custody of three children to their mother M. Indira Gandhi.

Justice Wan Afrah Wan Ibrahim Tuesday granted an ad-interim stay on the order pending the court’s decision this May 14 on the contempt proceeding initiated by Indira Gandhi’s lawyers against her husband, K. Patmanathan.

Her counsel Augustine Anthony said the proceeding was raised as Patmanathan had failed to comply with the previous court order by refusing to surrender his youngest daughter, one-year-old Prasana Diksa, to his wife.

The matter, heard in chambers, was raised as a preliminary objection in the hearing of Patmanathan’s application to set aside the custody order.

Patmanathan, who was not present but was represented by counsel Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdullah, had also applied to the court for a stay of execution on the order.

Augustine said Justice Wan Afrah had set May 14 to decide on the contempt proceeding before hearing both of Patmanathan’s applications.

Until then, the situation will remain status quo, he told reporters outside the courtroom.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Haniff told reporters that during his submission on the contempt proceeding, he had told Justice Wan Afrah that Patmanathan had not committed contempt of court for the latter had already been given custody of his children.

He said that Patmanathan, a Muslim convert now known as Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah, had been granted custody by the Syariah Court on April 8.

Therefore the argument here now is which custody order should prevail -- the one by the High Court or the Syariah Court.

If Mohd Ridzuan complied with the High Court order, he would be in contempt of the Syariah Court order, he said.

On April 24, High Court judicial commissioner Ridwan Ibrahim granted interim custody of Tevi Darsiny, 12, Karan Dinish, 11, and Prasana to Indira Gandhi.

Despite this, the 34-year-old Indira, who is currently staying with her two older children, had been unable to locate her husband to retrieve her youngest child.

She has since been seeking help from the police and the public, by distributing some 5,000 posters of her husband and Prasana across the state.

Wong Chin Huat arrested for sedition

By Jacqueline Ann Surin
thenutgraph.com

Updated 1am on 6 May 2009

PETALING JAYA, 5 May 2009: Political scientist Wong Chin Huat was arrested tonight for sedition for writing several articles, including on the 1BLACKMalaysia campaign.

Wong (Pic courtesy of Bersih) The academic was arrested at his apartment in Seri Sentosa, Kuala Lumpur and taken to Bukit Aman. His personal computer has also been seized by the police, who have thus far denied him legal access.

Bukit Aman Commercial CID director Datuk Koh Hong Sun said Wong was detained under the Sedition Act 1948 for writing several articles, including on the 1BLACK Malaysia campaign, Bernama reported.

Koh, who declined to give details on Wong's detention, said police would decide tomorrow whether to extend his detention or not.

At 12.15am, Wong was whisked away to an undisclosed destination in a police car without having had a chance to meet his lawyers, said lawyer Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan.

Lawyer Latheefa Koya said the police took the academic away while the lawyers were in the midst of negotiating to gain access to him. "They made us wait for at least four hours without indicating that they were denying him legal representation," she said in an SMS to The Nut Graph.

Earlier, human rights lawyer Edmund Bon had told The Nut Graph that he had received a phone call from Wong at about 7.45pm to say the police were at his apartment.

The lawyer said he spoke to the police officer on the phone, and was told that a police report had been lodged against Wong for sedition.

"However, the officer refused to say who lodged the report and over what," Bon said.

Bon also said Wong remained in the car park of his apartment building, and, as of 8.15pm, had refused to follow the police until someone arrived to accompany him.

Wong was eventually taken to Bukit Aman at 8.30pm.

Bon had also added that he would be asking the police to record Wong's statement and to release him immediately. Under the law, the police can detain a person for 24 hours under arrest before bringing him or her before a magistrate.

As of 11pm tonight, a group of about 40 people held a candlelight vigil for Wong outside Bukit Aman.

Earlier this morning, Wong, as a representative of the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (Bersih), held a press conference to launch the 1BLACKMalaysia campaign, and urged all Malaysians to wear black on 7 May to protest the "ongoing Perak coup" by the Barisan Nasional government.

Wong teaches journalism at Monash University (Malaysia). He is also a columnist with The Nut Graph.

Samples taken from Sujatha missing

KUALA LUMPUR, 5 May 2009: Missing samples. This was the highlight of the inquest into the death of local actress K Sujatha as it entered its fourth day today.

Two doctors of the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital testified that they could not confirm what actually happened to the samples taken from the actress.

First, Dr Vengkata Prathab said he ordered samples of blood, urine and gastric lavage to be taken from the actress on the first day she was warded at the hospital's emergency ward on 19 June 2007.

"I had ordered these samples to be taken immediately after she arrived at the emergency ward. However, doctors who treated her at the normal ward did not receive the report on the tests," he said.

Prathab agreed with Deputy Public Prosecutor Anselm Charles Fernandis who was assisting coroner Mohd Fauzi Che Abu that the results of the samples were very crucial to conclude conclusively that the patient died due to poisoning.

Prathab did not stop there.

He told the coroner that personally, he had a bad experience when samples taken from his mother were also reported missing.

He said that although such cases occurred occasionally, doctors should not be singled out for blame as it involved several departments of the hospital.

"In Sujatha's case, other doctors and I focused more in giving emergency treatment to the patient," explained Prathab.

He was testifying at the inquest into the death of Sujatha, 28, who died at the hospital in Klang on 25 June 2007, four days after admission for allegedly drinking weedkiller.

The episode of missing samples did not end there.

Medical officer Dr Lim Ai Wei testified that she had taken urine samples of Sujatha the following day, to check for traces of paraquat.

"When I failed to receive the result, the following day, I personally went to the lab (laboratory) to check what had happened. But staff at the lab claimed that they did not receive the sample from the ward where Sujatha was treated," she explained.

The testimony from both doctors resulted in a heated exchange between Fernandis and counsel Datuk K Kumaraendran, who was representing Maika Holdings Bhd chief executive officer S Vell Paari. Kumaraendran said it was not proper blaming doctors for the missing samples.

Fernandis said he was not blaming the doctors but just only stressed a point to the coroner that in medico-legal cases like Sujatha's, the issue of missing samples should not be taken lightly.

In reply, Kumaraendran said the inquest was not the right forum to bring up the issue, adding that the matter should be addressed to the health ministry.

Earlier, Sujatha's youngest brother told the Coroner's Court that he and his older brother requested doctors not to conduct a post-mortem on their sister's body.

Surenthiran, 26, said since the cause of her death was clearly stated as paraquat poisoning in the death certificate, they had wanted to stop her body from being cut into pieces during the post-mortem.

The systems engineer with Maika Intellectual Resources, a subsidary of Maika Holdings Bhd, said he had also sought the assistance of Dr S P Sakthiveloo who is attached to the hospital, in claiming the body.

To a question by Deputy Public Prosecutor Geethan Ram Vincent who is also assisting the coroner, as to why he allowed Vell Paari to issue a press statement to say that Sujatha died due to an ovarian cyst, Surenthiran said it was his family's request.

"My family wanted Paari to issue the statement, mainly to protect my sister's dignity even though we are aware that the statement was not accurate and false," he said.

He also told the coroner that he did not suspect foul play in his sister's death or a possibility that she had committed suicide.

"I was very close to her and she had not related to me any personal problem ... a few months before she passed away, she had, on occasions, complained of stomach pains," he said.

To another question by Geethan, Surenthiran said Vell Paari paid for his studies in Australia.

The hearing continues tomorrow. — Bernama

Press Release: Equal rights now for people with disabilities

The Malaysian Bar is disappointed that persons with disabilities continue to battle discrimination in almost every aspect of their daily lives, including routine matters that we take for granted, such as safe access to buildings and to public transport. Existing laws that are intended to protect the rights of the disabled and to improve their quality of life, such as those mandating access to public buildings, ring hollow as they still lack enforcement.

These shortcomings were illustrated only too well when Karpal Singh reportedly fell from his wheelchair in the Kuantan High Court building while being carried up two flights of stairs to attend a hearing recently. If even lawyers face such problems in accessing courtrooms, it requires no feat of the imagination to believe that persons with disabilities face unacceptable barriers in their daily mobility due to the lack of proper infrastructure to cater to their basic needs.

The Malaysian Government signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (“Convention”) on 8 April 2008. However, it has yet to ratify the Convention, which means that the Government is not yet bound to comply with the provisions of the Convention.

Pursuant to signing the Convention, the Government introduced new legislation by way of the Persons With Disabilities Act 2008 (“PWD Act”), which came into force on 7 July 2008. The Act represents a small but significant step forward, but it is not comprehensive nor inclusive enough. It only incorporates selected objectives from the Convention, and its relatively narrow language does not adopt the full spirit and intent of the Convention, which calls for governments to take steps to “ensure and promote the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all persons with disabilities without discrimination of any kind on the basis of disability”.

In addition, there are some major omissions and gaps in the PWD Act. One glaring example is the lack of penalties for any party who fails to comply with its obligations, with the Federal Government enjoying an express exclusion from any wrongdoing. This exemption casts serious doubt on the Government’s commitment to the rights of persons with disabilities. Furthermore, disabled individuals have little or no recourse to legal remedies if they face discrimination in areas such as public transport, housing, education, employment and health care.

Other laws that address the needs of persons with disabilities also exist. One example is the Uniform Building By-Laws 1984, which stipulate that all public buildings must have adequate facilities to ensure that persons with disabilities can enter, move around within and exit such buildings. These by-laws have been gazetted in all 11 states in Peninsular Malaysia, but full compliance is needed.

Without doubt, there is a cost element involved in redesigning public areas and buildings, and generally with undertaking obligations under international treaties. The Convention therefore calls for the “progressive realization” of most of its provisions.

We urge the Government to spare no cost in dismantling, without delay, all obstacles that hinder the full and effective participation of disabled persons in society on an equal basis with others. Furthermore, any costs incurred will be more than offset by the greater contributions that persons with disabilities can then make to society.

The Malaysian Bar strongly urges the Government to immediately ratify the Convention, sign and ratify the Optional Protocol, and take measures to implement its obligations under these instruments. We also call on the authorities to take a pro-active stance in improving and enforcing the existing laws that pertain to the rights of disabled persons, with the goal of ensuring full inclusion and equality of opportunity for them. These are crucial steps in promoting respect for their inherent dignity and in moving from a charity-based approach to a rights-based approach.



Ragunath Kesavan
President
Malaysian Bar
5 May 2009

Imam dipecat selepas seru kerajaan berlaku adil dan telus

Dari Malaysiakini
Oleh Jimadie Shah Othman
Seorang imam di Bukit Damansara dipecat setelah menyampaikan khutbah Jumaat yang menyeru kepada “pemerintahan adil, telus dan cara yang betul” pada Februari lalu.

Shamsul Firdaus menerima surat pemberhentian kerja semalam setelah mengambilnya di pejabat pos berdekatan.

Dalam surat bertarikh 30 April, imam itu ditamatkan perkhidmatannya mulai 1 Mei kerana majikan berhak berbuat demikian menurut Seksyen 12 (1) Akta Pekerjaan.

Tiada alasan pemecatan dinyatakan dalam surat tersebut yang ditandatangani pengerusi Masjid Saidina Omar Alkhattab, katanya kepada Malaysiakini hari ini.

Sebelum ini, beliau digantung daripada menyampaikan khutbah antara 1 Mac hingga 30 April oleh pentadbiran masjid itu tanpa sebarang siasatan dalaman walaupun beliau memohon berbuat demikian.

Beliau difahamkan, tindakan tersebut diambil susulan bantahan seorang ahli parlimen BN yang menetap berhampiran masjid tersebut - beberapa ratus meter dari rumah lama Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim di Jalan Setiamurni 8 - yang mendengar khutbah.

Lima Sasterawan Negara Tolak PPSMI

Dari Malaysiakini

Dasar kontroversi Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Sains dan Matematik Dalam Bahasa Inggeris (PPSMI) menerima tamparan besar sekali lagi hari ini apabila kesemua lima Sasterawan Negara yang masih hidup menolaknya.

Mereka menyatakan enam sebab penolakan dalam satu kenyataan bersama yang diedarkan kepada media selepas mesyuarat Gerakan Mansuhkan PPSMI (GMP) di Rumah PENA pagi ini.

Dua tokoh sasterawan yang hadir - Datuk A Samad Said dan Muhammad Salleh - membayangkan akan membuang gelaran rasmi kerajaan itu “jika keadaan memerlukan”.

Tiga lagi Sasterawan Negara yang menentang dasar PPSMI - Datuk Shahnon Ahmad, Datuk Noordin Hassan dan Datuk Abdullah Hussain - tidak hadir kerana masalah kesihatan.

Awal Mac lalu, A Samad mengejutkan dunia sastera Melayu dan nasionalis bahasa apabila menerajui ribuan penunjuk perasaan berarak ke Istana Nega

Chin Huat whisked by cops to unknown location; Will you let them silence his attempt to turn M’sia black this Thursday?

By Nathaniel Tan

I arrived at Bukit Perdana just before 10. There had been people there probably from 8.30 or 9, waiting to see Chin Huat.

As our patience wore on, a team of lawyers started getting more insistent on entering the building to give Chin Huat a chance to exercise his right to legal counsel.

Bar Council President Ragunath was present and leading much of the charge, intimating at one point that his office gave him access to the King, but he couldn’t seem to get through to some deadbeat police officer who was too cowardly to come down and face the crowd (instead sending down a sergeant who I had the pleasure of meeting during my time in the same building, who found himself arguing with a very tough crowd).

Datuk Ambiga, Sivarasa and Latheefa were all also there banging the table, so to speak. A number of DAP YB’s as well as PAS’ Dr. Dzulkifli were on hand at some point or another.

They forced the cops into a stalemate, as we refused to move out, and they refused to let the lawyers see Chin Huat.

Eventually, while we gave them the benefit of a little more time (after waiting more than 4 hrs), a car suddenly sped out of the compound, and some of us spotted Chin Huat in cuffs, bravely waving to us before the care was rushed out of sight.

:(

Presumably he is spending the night in some godforsaken lockup. The cops were too devious to let us know which one, but hopefully we will pick up on this the next time.

It is also presumed that he will be taken to court tomorrow to be either charged, or (more likely) brought to face a remand hearing.

I suspect the cops will once again purposely not inform Chin Huat’s lawyers of his remand hearing, which will leave the team scrambling around town trying to find out when and where the hearing will be held.

If they touch one hair of his head, or deny him even an iota of his full legal rights under the law, I think we can safely bury Najib’s already dying political credibility.

To imagine, all this because of they *know* they’ve acted against the people in Perak. As a result, one Ipoh boy born and bred, has been jailed for his struggle to return democracy to his home.

It now falls to you and me to keep the flames of indignation against injustice burning bright.

Make Chin Huat proud, make his sacrifice not in vain, make sure we turn Malaysia black this Thursday.

Najib Hopes For Out-of-court Settlement In Mazu Case

KOTA KINABALU, May 5 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak Tuesday expressed the hope that the ongoing civil suit over the construction of the aborted Goddess of the Sea (Mazu) statue in Kudat will be settled out of court.

"I always hope for settlement out of court," he told a news conference here.

He was asked whether there was a need to settle the case amicably in light of his 1Malaysia concept.

"The door is always open for us to sit down dan talk about it," said Najib.

The issue turned into a court battle when former Sabah chief minister Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat filed a suit against current Chief Minister Musa Aman and three others over the state's decision to rescind the approval given to build the statue.

In his originating motion filed on Dec 12 last year, Chong is seeking a court order to revoke the withdrawal of the letter of approval issued by the Kudat Town Board on Nov 15, 2007.

He is also seeking a declaration that the letter of approval issued by the Kudat Town Board on Feb 8, 2006, is valid and binding on all the parties.