Friday 12 February 2010
Homeless after Chinese New Year
| Long-house residents in PJS 1, formerly known as Kampung Muniandy, have no idea where they are going when their homes are demolished after Chinese New Year, which falls on Feb 14, to make way for a school.
He claimed that he received a SMS from Selangor’s housing, building management and squatter exco, Iskandar Samad’s personal aide, known as Kamaruzaman, confirming the demolition. Option given The residents have been given an option of accepting RM300 on a monthly basis for a period of 36 months or RM500 for a period of 24 months. Sukumaran said that he had been invited to meet Iskandar Samad tomorrow. “We will not be attending the meeting as there is no invitation in black and white.” Iskandar had announced that the developer would be building the low cost homes and the residents would be given an off-payment to assist in rental payments. However the residents now need to know where their new homes will be. Sukumaran had recently led a group of residents in sending a memorandum to Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim pleading for his help in resolving their housing woes but there has been no response as yet. |
RM 1.00 food bill 12,440 fully residential malay muslim students
MACC clears Selangor MB and others of graft
By Syed Jaymal Zahiid - The Malaysian Insider
PUTRAJAYA, Feb 12 — Anti-graft body MACC said today it has completed its probe on several top Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat leaders and found no evidence to charge them.
Those cleared include Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ali Rustam and Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.
Also cleared are six other leaders from both BN and PR, deputy MACC chief Datuk Shukri Abdull told a press conference here today.
Zahrain quits PKR
Datuk Seri Zahrain quits PKR and turns independent. - Picture by Choo Choy May
By Adib Zalkapli - The Malaysian Insider
PETALING JAYA, Feb 12 — Outspoken PKR MP Datuk Seri Zahrain Hashim today announced that he is quitting the party, making him the first federal lawmaker from Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to turn independent.
He told reporters he is beginning to have doubts in Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership, citing the actions of Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng whom he described as a “chauvinist, dictator and communist-minded”. His resignation comes amid rumours that several other PKR MPs would quit before the Chinese Lunar New Year which is on Sunday.
“When I was invited by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to join Parti Keadilan Rakyat, I place my confidence and trust to the struggle for reform,” said the former Penang PKR chief.
“However my confidence and trust have begun to erode. And my doubts have overtaken my confidence to the objectives and the struggle of PKR especially, and Pakatan Rakyat,” he added.
“In the name of God, I would like to announce my resignation from PKR,” said Zahrain adding that he will remain as an independent in Parliament.
He also said that he had done his best to voice out his grievances by using PR’s internal channels.
“But all my objections and criticisms were brushed aside,” said Zahrain.
“I do not want history to punish me for not taking action,” he added.
“I will be independent. I have not spoken to anyone from BN or Umno,” he said when asked if he will be BN-friendly in Parliament.
Zahrain also slammed DAP’s Middle Malaysia calling it a narrow racial agenda.
“The Malay Muslim community continues to be marginalised,” he said.
Since Election 2008, five PKR state assemblymen have left the party to become Barisan Nasional (BN) supporters.
With Zahrain’s defection, PR’s share of seats in the 222-member Parliament is now reduced to 81.
BN currently controls 137 seats, with Sabah-based SAPP having two seats, and there are another two independents.
Zahrain had been referred to the PKR disciplinary committee after he called Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng “a dictator, chauvinist and Communist-minded.”
DAP leaders have responded to Zahrain claims saying that the former Umno man is unhappy, as a company linked to him had failed to secure a government contract.
Zahrain is also said to be a leading a group of PR MPs who intend to help BN regain its two-third majority. He denied the allegation.
Besides Zahrain, another Penang PKR leader, Tan Tee Beng, had also lashed out at Lim by stating that he is “a leader without class who practised vengeful politics”.
Like Zahrain, Tan has also been referred to the PKR’s disciplinary committee.
Anwar: I’m disappointed with Zahrain
PKR advisor, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is dissapointed with Zahrain. - Picture by Jack Ooi
PUTRAJAYA, Feb 12 — PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed his disappointment over Bayan Baru MP Datuk Seri Zahrain Hashim’s decision to quit the opposition party and become an independent.
Zahrain, one of four PKR MPs in Penang, announced this morning that he was quitting the party, making him the first federal lawmaker from Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to turn independent.
“As a fellow colleague and friend, I am disappointed because he had never brought this up (decision to quit) at a party level, besides his personal spat with Lim Guan Eng,” said Anwar to reporters outside the Court of Appeal here.
Anwar maintained that Zahrain’s verbal assaults against the Penang Chief Minister had been uncalled for and unnecessary.
“I am also disappointed because of the promise we gave to the people of Bayan Baru..they had given us a mandate, they had sacrificed to elect him (Zahrain) as a spokesperson of Pakatan Rakyat, not an independent or Barisan-friendy spokesperson.”
Anwar, who is also Pakatan Rakyat defacto leader, refused to elaborate further and said that the news was new to him and he needed to consult his colleagues first.
He also declined to respond when a reporter asked him and Karpal Singh, his lawyer and Bukit Gelugor MP, on the possible repercussions of Zahrain’s resignation on PR’s hold in Penang.
Karpal dismissed the impact of Zahrain’s resignation.
“There are no repercussions. Zahrain’s departure is not a loss to Pakatan Rakyat in Penang,” said Karpal, who is also DAP National Chairman.
The veteran lawyer said that Penang was still a PR stronghold, and brushed aside suggestions that Zahrain’s resignation would result in a major backlash for the coalition.
“Zahrain is no giant of a politician,” said Karpal.
At a press conference earlier this morning, Zahrain told reporters he was beginning to have doubts in Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership, citing the actions of Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng whom he described as a “chauvinist, dictator and communist-minded”.
His resignation comes amid rumours that several other PKR MPs would quit before the Chinese Lunar New Year which is on Sunday.
“In the name of God, I would like to announce my resignation from PKR,” said Zahrain adding that he will remain as an independent in Parliament.
Since Election 2008, five PKR state assemblymen have left the party to become Barisan Nasional (BN) supporters.
Zahrain had been referred to the PKR disciplinary committee after he called Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng “a dictator, chauvinist and Communist-minded.”
DAP leaders have responded to Zahrain claims saying that the former Umno man is unhappy, as a company linked to him had failed to secure a government contract.
Zahrain is also said to be a leading a group of PR MPs who intend to help BN regain its two-third majority. He denied the allegation.
Besides Zahrain, another Penang PKR leader, Tan Tee Beng, had also lashed out at Lim by stating that he is “a leader without class who practised vengeful politics”.
Like Zahrain, Tan has also been referred to the PKR’s disciplinary committee.
PKR leaders say good riddance to Zahrain
By Neville Spykerman - The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 12 — PKR’s top leadership said today it was no surprise that Datuk Seri Zahrain Hashim resigned from the party.
“Not surprised at all, we were expecting it.” said party secretary- general Saifuddin Nasution.
He said they knew it was only a matter of time before the Bayan Baru MP left, after he expressed his unhappiness with Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and the PKR leadership.
Zahrain had previously called Lim a “chauvinist, dictator and communist-minded” and told reporters today he is beginning to have doubts about Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership.
Saifuddin said PKR would come out of this stronger and its leadership will not let the party be affected by this sort of politics.
“PKR members will work harder to prove that it’s a capable and stronger opposition.”
PKR strategic director Chua Tian Chang, better known as Tian Chua, pointed out that Zahrain was facing disciplinary action to explain why he should not be sacked.
“As far the party is concern, opportunists who don’t share our vision can go. It’s better for us that they leave now.”
He added that the party had gone through many ups and downs in its 10-year history and Zahrain’s departure was nothing new.
Chua, who is Batu MP, said PKR had many other capable and credible people ready to move up its ranks.
Zahrain’s departure comes amid rumours that several other PKR MPs would quit before the Chinese Lunar New Year on Sunday.
Chua said he did not want to elaborate but he did say that the party would not be held to ransom by anybody.
PKR deputy president Dr Syed Hussein said “good riddance, the party will become stronger without him” when asked to comment about Zahrain’s resignation.
“This shows he did not dare face the party’s disciplinary board,”
Syed added other opportunists in PKR who wanted to leave “can join Zahrain.”
Party vice-president R. Sivarasa asaid it was quite clear Zahrain left because he did not want to face the party’s disciplinary board.
“It also shows he did not have any basis for making his allegations.” said the Subang MP who added that voters will reject Zahrain in the next elections.
Police probe Raja Petra’s son attempted suicide
(Bernama) - Police are investigating Raja Azman Raja Petra's motive in hurting himself. Raja Azman is the son of Malaysia Today editor, Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin.
Last Monday Raja Azman, who is current serving a jail sentence was hurt was found having swallowed a razor blade.Bukit Aman Crime Investigation Department Deputy Director I (Intelligence/Operation) Datuk Hadi Ho Abdullah said the investigation was conducted with the cooperation of the Prisons Department.
“A report lodged on Feb 8 by the Prisons Department at the Batu Arang police station, Rawang, soon after the incident, has been received. In fact, they have also provided information in connection with the case to assist our investigation.
“The investigation is more directed to efforts on identifying Raja Azman’s motive in doing so,” he said in a statement here today.
Raja Azman, 34, was remanded at the Sungai Buloh prison pending his trail on four charges involving housebreaking and stealing.
He was detained at the prison since May 19 last year for failing to post bail. Hadi Ho said the case was being investigated for attempted suicide.
Meanwhile, the Prisons Department has set up a board of inquiry to investigate the case, as well as identify the actual cause of the incident.
A statement from its secretariat unit today, stated that initial investigations found no elements of abuse, torture, pressure or force made against the detainee.
“He not only swallowed a sharp object, but also injured his wrist. He is now placed under strict monitoring by the hospital and his condition is reported stable,” it said.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Malay educated Bernama journalists got it wrong again. Raja Azman is under remand and not serving a jail sentence like they say. See how dangerous it is when you employ Malay journalists who think that ultra virus means insulting the Sultan of Perak?
Pakatan Rakyat
thenutgraph.com
PR leaders celebrating their victory during the Permatang Pauh by-election in Aug 2008
SO what is the deal with the Pakatan Rakyat (PR)? Is it merely experiencing the normal teething problems of a newly formed political coalition? Are all its problems engineered by the BN, or could some actually have been internally generated?
After the 8 March 2008 general election, the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) made such stunning gains that it promised to bring down the federal government via defections by 16 Sept. But barely two years after the historic elections, the opposition coalition is now hogging the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Lim The PR appears to be facing an internal revolt in Penang against Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng. Elsewhere, there seem to be intra-party and inter-party disciplinary issues — Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)'s Zulkifli Noordin, for example, has spat at both PKR and PAS leaders on matters related to Islam.
And if only infighting were the only problem besetting the coalition. Now there is also the curious resurrection of the proposed unity talks between PAS and its largest Malay-Muslim rival, Umno.
And then there are the high-profile court cases. The first is the controversial ongoing trial of PKR adviser and parliamentary Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for allegedly sodomising his former aide. And then on 9 Feb 2010, the Federal Court frustrated many PR supporters by ruling that the Barisan Nasional (BN)'s Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir was the rightful Perak menteri besar.
Does the PR have any staying power? After all, the coalition's precursor, the Barisan Alternatif, crumbled in 2001, barely two years after making impressive gains in the 1999 elections.
The answer to whether the PR and its members are democratically resilient is important because time and again, the PR has stated that it is a better alternative for Malaysians and is ready to form federal government.
If this is the case, then the coalition needs to be honest about a few things. The contention here is not that the BN remains the better alternative. In fact, the BN has demonstrated that even after the drubbing it received in the 2008 elections, it still resorts to undemocratic means of wielding power. It still plays racial politics, and still allows for undemocratic and exclusivist interpretations of Islam to affect public policies and legislation.
The question is, should Malaysians take the PR's promises at face value? Has the PR truly convinced Malaysians that it is ready to govern? Are we assured that it will not be as repressive as the BN, or even more so? Are we assured that racial and religious politics will no longer have currency if the PR takes over federal government?
(sxc.hu) And is the PR actually clear on larger issues of democratic governance? Even after the failure of their 16 Sept 2008 takeover bid, and the February 2009 collapse of Perak's PR government, some PR leaders still think party-hopping is not such a bad idea. In the meantime, several PR Members of Parliament will not state clearly whether they believe Malaysia is a secular or Islamic state.
For a while, it looked as though the March 2008 election results accelerated Malaysia's transition into full democracy. Some countries have transitioned successfully from authoritarian to democratic regimes in the post-colonial era, for example Indonesia and Spain. But in other countries, citizens managed to overthrow dictatorships, only to have them replaced with even more despotic or non-functioning regimes. Iran, Tunisia, Cameroon and Nigeria are examples.
The PR is confident that it is up to the challenge in leading Malaysia's democratic transition, and eventually governing the country. Is it, really? Has it done enough to convince Malaysians that it is indeed the better alternative?
Tell us your thoughts in exactly six words. To start with, here are the newsroom's contributions:
Deborah Loh:
Time to clean out PR's closet.
Don't blame media for PR woes.
Too many egos in Pakatan Rakyat.
Throwing public tantrums really not impressive.
Too much fighting, too little governing.
Ding Jo-Ann:
Focus on governing, not stealing limelight.
Discipline bad apples, stick to principles.
Alternative government yes, childish bickering no.
13th GE slipping through their fingers.
Islamic or secular? No clear answers.
Jacqueline Ann Surin:
Can't reach Putrajaya if bickering continues.
Not impressed with lack of discipline.
BN or PR. Devil or sea.
So much in-fighting. So few principles.
Kalau sokong lompat-melompat, apa bezanya PR?
Koh Lay Chin:
(Source: fnal.gov) PR may need better internal PR.
House of cards: a poor alternative.
Anti-BN can't be the only stance?
Art of War — both sides fail.
PR's long-term vision = single-term myopia?
Shanon Shah:
Pakatan watches Barisan. Who watches Pakatan?
Pakatan replaces Barisan. Who becomes PM?
Is the enemy's enemy a friend?
Problems: BN induced or internally hatched?
Empowered citizens, not heroes, build democracy.
Siapa muka sebenar jika PR berkerajaan?
Rock (BN). Citizens. Hard place (PR).
Drop Anwar charges, Australian MPs tell Malaysia
From Malaysia Today
MORE than 50 Australian members of parliament, including frontbenchers from both sides of politics, have signed a letter demanding that the Malaysian judiciary drop charges of sodomy against former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Michael Danby, chairman of parliament’s foreign affairs subcommittee, delivered the letter to the Malaysian high commissioner, Salman Bin Ahmad, yesterday.
The letter says: “It should be made known to the Malaysian government that in our opinion global esteem for Malaysia will be affected by these charges against Mr Anwar.”
The letter further states: “Many friendly observers of Malaysia find it difficult to believe that a leading opposition voice could be charged with sodomy a second time, and so soon after his party made major gains in national elections.”
Most of the 50 signatories are Labor members, including two frontbenchers, parliamentary secretaries Gary Gray and Laurie Ferguson. The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Anna Burke, also signed the letter.
On the Liberal side, environment spokesman Greg Hunt is the most senior signatory, along with former opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull.
Mr Anwar was first charged with sodomy in 1998. He was convicted, but in 2004 Malaysia’s Federal Court overturned his conviction.
Mr Anwar was a former deputy prime minister and finance minister under Malaysia’s long-serving former leader, Mahathir Mohammed. The two fell out bitterly in the wake of the 1998 Asian financial crisis. Since he was released from jail, Mr Anwar has become the leader of the Malaysian opposition, which made sweeping gains in Malaysia’s last federal and state elections.
Such a strong pro-Anwar intervention by so many, and such senior, Australian politicians could well once more inflame the Australia-Malaysia relationship, which went through turbulent times when Dr Mahathir and Paul Keating were their countries’s respective leaders. Since then Australia has trodden softly to ensure Malaysian co-operation on trade, military and intelligence, counter-terrorism and regional efforts to stop people-smuggling.
Will Najib now ask Umno executive secretary Abdul Rauf Yusoh to resign for doing a Nasir Safar at an Umno Club function in London?
by Lim Kit Siang,
The denial by Umno executive secretary Datuk Abdul Rauf Yusoh that he had made racist remarks at an Umno Club function in London a few days ago is most revealing for its self-incriminatory and confessional nature.
Rauf, who led an Umno delegation to London to meet with party members in a private closed-door meeting earlier this week was alleged to refer to non-Malays as “bangsa asing” who were trampling on the Malays in “Tanah Melayu”.
In a letter sent to The Malaysian Insider, Ahmad Naim Mazlan, a first-year finance and accounting student heard Rauf saying “Jangan biarkan bangsa asing pijak kepala kita.” (Don’t let the foreigners walk all over our heads.)
Ahmad Naim said in his letter:
“There was also a vigorous defence of Datuk Nasir Safar’s recent comments against non Malays which branded non Malays as beggars and prostitutes. According to one Umno Youth exco member present, those comments were not racist but quite contrarily, ‘just facts’….
“Throughout the session, non-Malays were treated as the enemy, and whilst they did praise Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, there was no mention of 1 Malaysia, unity or multiracial nation-building. During some moments in the session, they sounded nothing less than Vikings on the path to war — an Umno Youth exco said something to the effect of Umno willing to fight to the death the threats made by non-Malays. These threats were, strangely enough, never detailed….
“Whatever one thinks of Umno’s sloganeering via 1 Malaysia, the fact is that if even these individuals cannot help but promote the diametric opposite to what 1Malaysia is supposed to entail, then what hope is there for Umno and BN?“As much as what Najib says and does count above all else, it is most shameful that his generals are doing their best to derail the Malaysian dream. Najib’s decision to fire his aide only last week was commendable, but he was just an aide. Will he take similar measures against people with positions in the party who speak out against 1 Malaysia? I may be just a kid yet, but if Najib is to succeed as a reformist, then he must make sure the entire — or at least much of the party — follows suit.”
The question asked by the first-year finance and accounting student, who is son of a life-long Umno member, is most pertinent and valid.
Will Najib now ask Umno executive secretary Abdul Rauf Yusoh to resign for doing a Nasir Safar at an Umno Club function in London?
This question is all the more relevant as Abdul Rauf, in his denial of having made any derogatory remarks, has compounded his offence and insensitivity by virtually admitting what Ahmad Naim had written, except to give the excuse that he was speaking at “a closed-door meeting and no one outside should be listening in to what was being discussed”.
Najib should clarify whether he endorses Abdul Raul’s contention that it was all right for Umno leaders to share Nasir Safar’s racist views at the Malacca 1Malaysia seminar labelling Indians and Chinese in Malaysia as “pendatang” and that “Indians came to Malaysia as beggars and Chinese especially the women came to sell their bodies” so long as they are expressed in internal Umno forums and not publicly?
Would every Umno Minister and MP be required to publicly declare whether they agree with Nasir Safar or not?
How can Najib convince Malaysians that he is sincere and serious about his 1Malaysia slogan and concept to create national unity based on diversity and inclusiveness in a multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural nation when this is openly opposed inside Umno?
Fifty-two years after Merdeka, has Umno itself become the greatest threat to Malaysian nation-building and Najib’s 1Malaysia’s concept?
The questioning by Ahmad Naim, though only first-year finance and accounting student, is proof that there is still hope for the vision of a united and inclusive Malaysian nation where every Malaysian regards himself or herself as Malaysian first, and by race, religion or region second – and that the future of Malaysia is really in the hands of the new young generation of Malaysians who want to move away from the politics of race hatred and religious intolerance rather than the present breed of Umno and Barisan Nasional politicians.
China Urges U.S. To Cancel Obama-Dalai Lama Meeting
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama greets participants before his speech entitled "Future of the Earth" in Tokyo November 1, 2009. The White House announced on Thursday that President Barack Obama and the Dalai Lama would meet on Feb. 18. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/FilesBy David Stanway and Matt Spetalnick
BEIJING/WASHINGTON, Feb 12 (Reuters) - China urged the United States on Friday to scrap plans for President Barack Obama to meet the Dalai Lama next week, the latest source of friction in already strained Sino-U.S. relations.
The White House had said on Thursday that Obama would meet the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader on Feb. 18, despite China's repeated warnings that such talks would hurt ties.
"China firmly opposes the Dalai Lama visiting the United States and U.S. leaders' contacting with him," a report from the official Xinhua news agency cited foreign ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu as saying.
Tensions with Washington have arisen over issues from trade to currencies to the U.S. plan to sell $6.4 billion of weapons to Taiwan, the island that China treats as an illegitimate breakaway province.
China vowed last week to impose unspecified sanctions against U.S. companies selling arms to Taiwan and curtail military-to-military contacts.
Senior Chinese military officers have proposed that their country boost defence spending and possibly sell some U.S. bonds to punish Washington for its latest round of proposed arms sales to Taiwan.
Despite that, U.S. officials said on Thursday that Beijing had cleared a U.S. aircraft carrier, the USS Nimitz, to visit Hong Kong next week, an apparent concession from China.
Against that backdrop, the long-planned meeting with Dalai Lama has further stoked Beijing's ire. It regards the spiritual leader as a dangerous separatist responsible for fomenting unrest in Tibet.
"We urge the U.S. side to fully understand the high sensitivity of Tibet-related issues, honour its commitment to recognising Tibet as part of China and opposing 'Tibet independence'," Ma said.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs had earlier made clear the United States would shrug off China's opposition.
"The Dalai Lama is an internationally respected religious leader and spokesman for Tibetan rights, and the president looks forward to an engaging and constructive dialogue," he said.
Mindful of Chinese sensibilities, Obama had held off meeting the Dalai Lama until after the president first saw Chinese leaders during a trip to Asia in November.
Strains over the Dalai Lama and other issues have raised worries that China might retaliate by obstructing U.S. efforts in other areas, such as imposing tougher sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme.
But Gibbs insisted the relationship between the United States and China -- the world's largest and third-biggest economies -- is "mature enough" to find common ground on issues of mutual interest despite disagreements on other topics.
He said Obama, for example, has not been shy about talking to the Chinese about U.S. concerns over their currency, which Washington sees as undervalued, and Internet freedom.
"We know that two countries aren't going to agree on everything," Gibbs said.
Adding to tensions, Obama vowed last week to address currency problems with Beijing and to "get much tougher" with it on trade to ensure U.S. goods do not face a competitive disadvantage.
China is the single biggest holder of U.S. Treasuries, owning at least $776.4 billion of U.S. government debt at the end of June 2009, according to statistics from Washington.
IRATE OVER DALAI LAMA, TAIWAN ARMS
Beijing, which has become increasingly vocal in opposing contacts between foreign leaders and the Dalai Lama, has tried to turn up the heat on Obama over his planned meeting.
Zhu Weiqun, a vice minister of the United Front Work Department of China's ruling Communist Party, said last week that such a meeting "would damage trust and cooperation between our two countries, and how would that help the United States surmount the current economic crisis?"
Previous U.S. presidents, including Obama's predecessor, George W. Bush, have met the Dalai Lama, drawing angry words from Beijing but no substantive reprisals.
The Dalai Lama has said he wants a high level of genuine autonomy for his homeland, which he fled in 1959. China says his demands amount to calling for outright independence.
China recently hosted talks with envoys of the Dalai Lama but they achieved little. The United States says it accepts Tibet is a part of China but wants Beijing to sit down with the Dalai Lama to address differences over the region's future.
© REUTERS 2010
Who speaks for Indian patriots and pioneers like Dr.Abraham.
Dear Naragan,
It will not come as a surprise especially to you that NONE of the media were willing to post this response on the pioneering role of Indian Doctors.
I am therefore appealing to you to do this on my behalf.
It does seem a bit personal BUT we are talking about poor helpless leper patients whom my Dad had to help,-bringing my brother (aged 15) and myself (aged 12) along with him.
“The article on the pioneering role of Malaysian Indian Doctors “serves as a timely stark reminder of how the nation has benefited from their contribution (M’kini 5/2). While it must be acknowledged that many other Malaysian doctors have also made invaluable contributions, it has to be said that the former, as pioneers, had to show extraordinary commitment, often under difficult and trying circumstances.
I crave the indulgence of sharing the experiences of the doctors in my family,my late brother Sam and especially my Dad. Although this would seem ‘personal’, nonetheless, it recognizes that “going the extra mile” transcends what is demanded under normal medical practice and should therefore rightfully be brought to the attention of readers. More especially this most certainly also plays a pivotal role not only in care and commitment but especially for nation-building.
In this connection,the pioneering role of seeking local medication for leprosy patients at the Sungei Buloh Settlement during the early years of the Japanese Occupation was something that Dr Ryree, (the world renowned expatriate Expert ) and my father worked on tirelessly. However it soon became clear that this could only be minimal and what was most needed by patients therefore were drugs such as opium to alleviate their suffering.
While the Japanese were willing to supply limited amounts of the drug,this was conditional on the Doctors taking delivery from KL. Dr Che Lah the only other doctor was reluctant to do this because it meant using the bicycle for a distance of 30 miles (to and fro). Worse, was the danger of being robbed by “bandits” who were themselves looking for opium.
Finally my Father had to do this himself and each time was accompanied by my brother Sam and myself (on a boy’s bicycle) along with a Sikh watchman (without turban) so that our trips might be passed off as family outings!
My Dad himself was a diabetic patient and very sadly suffered a heart attack and passed away in the course of duty after the completion of these trips.
Dr Collin Abraham
Who speaks for Indians?
We refer to the newsreport “who speaks for Indians?” in the Sun 9/2/2010 at page 13 which also made headlines in today’s Malaysia Nanban. (MN 11/2/2010)
We note that besides the single word Hindraf as the second word in the said Sun newsreport there was no mention at all whatsoever about the volumes we have spoken for the Indians in our website www.humanrightspartymalaysia.com vide 26 different categories which the mainstream print and electronic media has largely refused to cover and/or not reporting the truth and not in the correct and truthful perspective.
If one cares to read our website on a day to day basis, we cover about the most critical Indian issues without fear or favour and speak up against both the UMNO and also PKR, DAP and PAS Federal and State governments. The critical Indian issues that is covered in our website www.humanrightspartymalaysia.com is just the tip of the iceberg. We focus on the critical Indian issues as there seem to be no takers for the same including from amongst the Indian elite, Opposition Indian MPs’ and almost all of the Indian led NGOs’ and the large number of Indian journalists.
Our final analysis is that the critical Indian problems has now come to this state because of the doing under UMNO’s 53 year old rule and now also continued albeit with lesser ferocity in the PKR, DAP and PAS ruled state governments, the latest examples being Kg Buah Pala, the last Indian traditional village demolishment in Penang, the Kedah PAS state government demolishing the Ladang Batu Pekaka hindu cemetery and the PKR Selangor state government hindu temple demolishments. The omission by the supposedly multiracial PKR, DAP and PAS leaders, their 82 MP’s, 11 of whom incidentally happen to be “multiracial” Indians, the NGOs, civil society and the print and electronic media including with no disrespect The Sun. Even the pro underdog internet newsportal, again with no disrespect, Malaysiakini.com does not cover critical Indian issues according to it’s gravity and seriousness for reasons best known to them and despite we bringing to their attention on numerous occasions. For example on the day of Teoh Beng Hock’s tragic murder there were rightly eleven articles in Malaysiakini.com and headlines in almost all the mainstream newspapers. But poor P.Gunasekaran who was murdered in police custody at the Sentul Police Station on the very same day that Teoh was murdered got zero coverage from all the mainstream print and electronic media including The Sun and Malaysiakini.com and even all the three Tamil newspapers.
The poor and underdogs is not given coverage just because they are minority Malaysian Indians as they are deemed to be soft targets with no or very little or insignificant political or economic power. This case of P.Gunasegaran’s is just the tip of the iceberg of how the Indians are being ignored and abandoned by the print and electronic media, Opposition parties, NGOs’, civil society, Indian journalists, The Sun, Malaysiakini.com etc. (hereinafter referred to collectively as the Malaysian civil society.)
Similarly when the Metro Tabernackle Church in Desa Melawati was burnt down Malaysiakini.com rightly did 23 articles on the first day alone. It caught headlines in almost all the mainstream print and electronic media, Prime Minister Najib Razak donated RM500,000.00. Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng and Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, Bar Council President, NGOs’, civil society etc strongly condemned the attacks and even Hadi Awang unprecedently visited the church to show support and solidarity perhaps because Sabah and Sarawak has about 30 Christian dominated/ majority Parliamentary seats.
But when a hindu temple was burnt down in Midlands estate Selangor and subsequently another hindu temple burnt down during the racially motivated disturbances in Taiping in June 2009, there was zero coverage especially by all the print and electronic media including The Sun, Malaysiakini.com and even the three Tamil newspapers. There was also zero reaction from PKR, DAP, PAS, NGOs’ civil society, Bar Council etc unlike for the church incident.
Scores of hindu temples were forced to be relocated next to sewerage ponds the latest being in Kg Lindungan and Banting. To the best of our knowledge this has never happened in any other part of the world except in Prime Minister Najib Razak’s One Malay-sia. Also as hereinabove there was zero reaction by all the aforesaid supposedly Malaysian civil society.
Even as late as 8/2/2010 when the Om Sri Maha Kaliamman hindu temple was demolished by UMNOs’ DBKL, there was zero coverage by the all the mainstream newspapers including The Sun and also Malaysiakini.com. Only the three Tamil newspapers covered the same but by the next day they were believed to have been forced to do damage control by the Home Ministry (KDN) and they on the next day reported quoting an MIC mandore that it was only the extension and not the main temple that was demolished. The temple caretaker Mr.Ravishankar even as late at yesterday (10/2/10) maintains that the main temple was demolished. See report in www.humanrightspartymalaysia.com.
Our critics say that there are also poor Malays,Chinese, Orang Asli, Kadazan, Iban etc. But for the poor Malays, Orang asli, Kadazans, Ibans and Chinese they all have at least the social safety net ie they all have the land base in the Malay traditional villages. They are free to open up as much land as possible for agriculture to earn a living which option is prohibited for the poor Indians. Even the poor Chinese have their hundreds of Chinese New Villages.
But for the Indians they have almost zero villages. Even if it is called an Indian village, Kg Ghandi, Kg Muniandy etc they are deemed squatters as the land has never been alienated to them and can and will be bulldozed at any time.
A prime example is for the poor Malays, orang asli, Kadazan and Iban the sky is the limit for their children in so far as education is concerned for upward mobility. Equality and equal opportunities irrespective of race, colour, creed should be given to all who are prepared to work and take up the opportunities. This is the norm in any part of the world except in Prime Minister Najib Razak’s One Malaysia where the Indians are excluded from almost every aspect of Malaysia’s mainstream development. For the poor Chinese higher education are being taken care of by the economically powerful Chinese businessmen and the Chinese corporate and banking sectors.
But for the poor Indian students’ higher education, the sky is certainly not the limit. UMNO denies 95% of the deserving Indians skills training, higher education, scholarships, study and business loans, employment, business, licences, permits, projects, contracts, tenders and general upward mobility opportunities which the UMNO controlled Malaysian government gives and grants liberally to the Malays, orang asli, Kadazan, Iban etc. The few and far in between “successful” Indians we see are by luck and/or sheer hard work.
In short the ethnic minority Indians in Malaysia are deliberately excluded from the national mainstream development of Malaysia by UMNO while PKR, DAP, PAS and the supposed Malaysian civil society watch by silently.
The next generation of Malays Orang asli, Kadazan, Iban, Chinese etc have hopes of upward mobility through education, vocational training profession or business. But the same cannot be said about the Indians. Even licences are denied to Indian scrap metal traders, petty traders and even a 25 year old operating mini market operator in Temerloh, medical students studying in India, Ukraine, Russia and Indonesia maliciously get their degrees derecognized even when Malaysia is 50% short of doctors.
They suffer in silence on a day basis. One of the way out especially the weak willed Indian is suicide. The suicide rate among the Indians is 600% higher than for the Malays because of poverty and poverty related problems.
Full details of the Malay-sian UMNO state sponsored atrocities against the Indians are in our “Malaysian Indian Minority & Human Rights Violations Annual Report 2009 Malay-sia Truly Racist” http://www.humanrightspartymalaysia.com/2009/10/01/malaysian-indian-minority-and-human-rights-violations-annual-report-2008/ that was distributed at the Pravasi Bharathiya Divas International Conference Vigyan Bhawan New Delhi and Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, Opposition Leader and immediate past Opposition Leader of India Lal Krishna Advani.
In Western civil societies and democracies the majority would bend backwards to protect the minorities as the majority would somehow be taken care of. But unfortunately in Malaysia both the majority and minority including the elite and “multi racial” Indians, lend voice, show care write, publice and highlight the majority causes ie the Malay muslims, Orang Asli, Kadazan and Iban and also the big minority with economic power ie the Chinese communities as they also get to play to the gallery ie who collectively form 90% of the Malaysian population. The Indian elite may dominate the NGOs’ and even have eleven Opposition Members of Parliament with some holding key party positions. But almost all of them too prefer to play to the majoritarian Malay and Chinese gallery for 80% to 90% of the/ their votes are Malays and Chinese and/or do not want to be seen as Indian “extremist” or racist or prioritise their political survival. The MIC is powerless and for self serving individuals with personal interest as opposed to the Indian public interest.
This leaves out only the minority Indians in Malaysia. Thus the current critical Indian problems and the answer Who speaks for Indians?
We hope the multiracial PKR, DAP, PAS, NGO’s, Malaysia civil society forces, the print and electronic media, The Sun and Malaysiakini.com included would from now onwards also speak up , cover publicise and give voice for especially the poor and underprivileged ethnic minority Malaysian Indians according to the seriousness and gravity of the violations of even their fundamental human rights as opposed to the current largely race based and Malay and Chinese gallery based support, concern, voice and print and electronic media coverage.
P.Uthayakumar
Secretary General (pro tem)
Racist Umno Youth propaganda in London (Malaysiakini)
Ahmad Naim
Hi, my name is Ahmad Naim, and I am a first year student in the UK. I write about my experience last weekend in London where I overhead a discussion by Umno Youth leaders.
A student in the UK is exposed to many experiences. The apolitical learn to be political, the apathetic become aware, the previously anti-social join student-run clubs and harness talents they never knew they had.
And beyond these positive developments, I learnt a few days ago that a first-year student such as myself can also find that the Malaysian Dream can be stomped upon even in a land that teaches us the values of democracy, freedom and equality.
I learnt of the impending arrival in London of a large delegation of Umno leaders from a few friends from Kelab Umno London. There was to be a private session between the delegation and Kelab Umno leaders/members. For the record, I had contemplated joining the club which swore to be run solely for the purposes of the welfare of Malay(sian) students in the British capital.
But ever the student I am, procrastination is my middle name. In any case, I was not overly keen to meet with the Umno delegation which included the Umno secretary Datuk Rauf (something) and around six or seven Umno Youth exco members (some look like post-graduate students, so I cannot tell the difference) and ladies.
However, because food was on my mind I decided to accompany my friends headed down to the Malaysian Students Department, or MSD (located next to Malaysia Hall) anyway.
Respecting the private nature of the discussion, I sat outside the modest room housed by the MSD gobbling away (self-paid) while the session was being held. Unknown to those inside the room, much said in there was audible to those sitting near the back partition. The window overlooking Queensborough Terrace where MSD is located also makes it quite easy to look into the hall.
Armed with a book, I tried reading while sipping a ‘teh tarik’ but I couldn’t seem to bring my mind to concentrate on reading. Disturbing words of racist politics could be heard coming through the cracks of the partition.
The only person to take the stage was the quite sizeable Umno secretary Rauf whilst the Umno Youth exco members also fielded questions from the floor. I wasn’t eavesdropping but the booming voices – especially those of Rauf and one Umno Youth member by the name of Megat – made it quite easy to make out the racist remarks which were spilling out of their primary orifice.
In his rant, Rauf called non-Malays ‘bangsa asing’ who were trampling on the Malays in ‘Tanah Melayu’. I remember a direct quote, ‘Jangan biarkan bangsa asing pijak kepala kita’ as though the non-Malays were interested in little else than seeing Malays fail for their sinister, selfish goals.
There was also a vigorous defense of Nasir Safar’s recent comments against non-Malays which branded non-Malays as beggars and prostitutes. According to one Umno Youth exco member present, those comments were not at all racist but quite contrarily ‘just facts’. My oh my, I saw a Chinese couple next to me trying to tune out the words and focus on their meals.
Throughout the session, non-Malays were treated as the enemy and whilst they did praise Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, there was no mention of ‘1Malaysia’, unity or multiracial nation- building.
During some moments in the session, they sounded nothing less than Vikings on the path to war – an Umno Youth exco said something to the effect of Umno willing to fight to the death against threats made by non-Malays. These threats were, strangely enough, never detailed.
Regardless, what I found most disturbing was the fact that these individuals, by all accounts, are (I think) high-ranking Umno leaders. Rauf, for all intents and purposes, as I Googled, is the COO of Umno. Whatever one thinks of Umno’s sloganeering via ‘1Malaysia’, the fact is that if even these individuals cannot help but promote the diametric opposite to what ‘1Malaysia’ is supposed to entail, then what hope is there for Umno and BN?
As much as what Najib says and does counts above all else, it is most shameful that his generals are doing their best to derail the Malaysian Dream. Najib’s decision to fire his aide only last week was commendable but he was just an aide. Will he take similar measures against people with positions in the party who speak out against ‘1Malaysia’?
I may be just a kid yet, but if Najib is to succeed as a reformist, then he must make sure the entire – or at least much of the party – follows suit. Otherwise, even the son of a lifelong Umno member will think twice about voting BN. Sigh. Shaken I was despite not sitting in at the meeting. Umno propaganda is indeed powerful.
MIC To Propose Formation Of Special Agency For Indians
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 11 (Bernama) -- The MIC is to propose to the government to set up the Malaysian Indian Development Agency (Minda) to monitor and implement the government's initiatives for the Indian community, especially under the Tenth Malaysia Plan (10MP).
Party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said Minda would be a government agency and would complement the Special Cabinet Committee for the Development of Indians chaired by the prime minister.
Party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said Minda would be a government agency and would complement the Special Cabinet Committee for the Development of Indians chaired by the prime minister.
"Minda will also ensure the implementation of the recommendations by the MIC to the government for inclusion in the 10MP," he told reporters after chairing a special MIC Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting to discuss the 10MP at the party headquarters here Thursday.
The 10MP (2011-2015) is expected to be tabled in parliament in June. Samy Vellu said the MIC would be submitting its recommendations for the 10MP to the government later this month after fine-tuning them.
The recommendations include the setting up a cooperative for Indians to be run by the government with an initial capital of RM100 million, a Youth Visionary Programme with a government grant of RM100 million for school drop-outs and the unemployed, and the yearly allocation for Tamil schools.
Other proposals include speeding up the issuance of birth certificates and identification cards to Malaysian Indians without the documents, identifying the actual number of poor Indians, drawing up a strategic programme to reduce Indian involvement in crime, more opportunities and loans with special interest rates to own a house.
The setting up of a village security and development committee in Indian settlements to ensure the implementation of the programmes and initiatives for the community, expediting the intake of Indians into the public sector to reach the 7.4 per cent quota, setting up of a mechanism within the government to monitor the number of Indian applicants for government jobs, and offering a 10 per cent quota in projects of government-linked companies (GLCs) for Indian contractors.
Samy Vellu said the party's recommendations would also be discussed at the Special Cabinet Committee for the Development of Indians.
He said Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and some 75 non-governmental organisations had worked with the MIC to finalise the recommendations.
"Within the next five years, the equity participation of the Indians must be increased so that we can reach the target of three per cent by 2020," he said.
He said the MIC would also request the government to increase the allocation for Yayasan Tekun to give more business loans for Indians.
He said many of the party's recommendations had been implemented by the government under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, "and we have seen major improvements".
Samy Vellu said he was confident the government would be able to implement the party's recommendations.
"For the next five years, we want to create a high-performance community," he added.
Schools, services hit as public expenditure cut by up to 15pc
By G. Manimaran - The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 11 — The education system is suffering cuts in subsidies for school uniform supplies and canteen food while teachers forgo training courses as attempts to reduce government expenditure begin to bite. An estimated 5,000 contract workers have also been asked to go and civil servants may soon have to see a reduction in overtime pay.
The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) has revealed that government agencies have had their expenditure reduced by between ten and 15 per cent since early last month, with some even having to reduce their expenditure by up to 20 per cent.
The budget cuts come as the government, which is grappling with bringing down a budget deficit of over seven per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), re-introduced an apparent austerity drive after the prime minister unveiled the 2010 Budget last year.
Cuepacs President Omar Osman told The Malaysian Insider that no formal memo has been circulated since the expenditure cuts began last month but he understands that on average, the cuts have been between ten and 15 per cent.
“For some government departments, the cuts could be above 15 per cent depending on the role and function of the agency,” he said. “Based on meetings with public service departments, we were told that the steps taken to be thrifty was to reduce costs as what was done more than ten years ago during the Asian financial crisis.”
Omar believes that many agencies have started cutting down on the use of contract staff as a result.
“These contract workers have been working for a long time, some for as long as ten years or more but they are being let go,” he said. “Up to December 2009, about 5,000 contract staff have been suspended and their services not renewed because of the need to cut operating costs.”
According to Omar, there are also agencies that have reduced their overtime pay.
“There are agencies that are giving replacement off days instead of money for overtime work,” said Omar. “In these situations, we request
that staff that are not paid overtime allowances to do part time work instead of unpaid overtime work.”
The reduction of courses and training have apparently also begun and in some agencies it is being done internally as compared with hotels and other off-site locations previously.
“In fact, there are some organisations that do not prepare drinks and snack food except for mineral water when they have meetings... in fact the number of meetings have also dropped,” he said.
In a memo circulated early last month, Treasury Secretary General Tan Sri Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Abdullah directed finance officials in each agency to ensure public expenditure is done carefully, with wisdom, and that they get value for money.”
Wan Abdul Aziz says that this is because the allocations for 2010 experienced a drop of 11.2 per cent as compared with the allocation for 2009. The execution of programmes , activities or projects now need to be in line with the total approved allocation. All expenditure has to be planned carefully so as not to exceed the allocation and prevent wastage, he said.
Wan Abdul Aziz also said that any expenses last year that have not been paid for or any new expenses need to be borne through savings from the current year or done as a trade-off with the “Dasar Sedia Ada” policy.
“Any requests for additional allocations will not be approved except in pressing cases,” said Wan Abdul Aziz.
Omar’s views were shared by the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP).
NUTP President Hashim Adnan said that while the average cuts in expenditure ranged from ten to 15 per cent, some organisations suffered cutbacks as much as 50 to 100 per cent.
“I say 50 to 100 per cent because, for example, in some schools, the uniforms for uniformed bodies was reduced by a lot, in fact, in some schools, it was not supplied at all,” he told The Malaysian Insider.
“This has resulted in some students not receiving uniforms, for example, for the Scouts, because the schools have cut 100 per cent of the allocation... these are some examples of the impact the expenditure cuts are having.”
Hashim also claimed that the allocations for food on Saturdays and Sundays at school hostels have also been trimmed.
“Students are encouraged to go home on the weekends. The situation has caused some parents to be uneasy,” he said.
The most serious impact, says Hashim, is that courses and seminars for teachers have been either reduced or frozen.
“Some of the courses that were advertised recently were cancelled at the last minute due to the directive to reduce costs,” he said.
Hashim sees the cuts in expenditure as a temporary measure but said that at the same time the Education Ministry is spending a lot, citing as an example the allocations announced for the 20 high performance schools recently.
“Even though this is a positive step, but it is not suitable for the current situation where the economy does not permit it... it would be better if we use the allocations for the 20 high performance schools to assist all schools that need the financial help,” he said.
Umno official denies making racist remarks in London
By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal - The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 11 — Umno executive secretary, Datuk Abdul Rauf Yusoh, has vehemently denied a Malaysian student’s allegation that he made racist remarks at an Umno Club function in London a few days ago.
Rauf led an Umno delegation to London to meet with party members there in a private closed-door meeting earlier this week. There the student, Ahmad Naim Mazlan, heard the party official refer to non-Malays as “bangsa asing” who were trampling on the Malays in “Tanah Melayu”.
In a letter sent to The Malaysian Insider, the finance and accounting student heard Rauf saying “Jangan biarkan bangsa asing pijak kepala kita.” (Don’t let the foreigners walk all over our heads.)
But Rauf denied making any derogatory remarks, stressing that the session was a closed-door meeting and no one outside should be listening in to what was being discussed.
“This was a closed door session... this is not true, because what I said was that Malays must sustain power in order to gain respect from the Chinese and other races,” Rauf told The Malaysian Insider in a telephone interview.
The top Umno official went to great lengths to point out that the function was a party function for “Kelab Umno” and was not a public forum organised by the Malaysian Students Department.
“I think the student who overheard, his BM (Malay language) was not very good,” he added.
The student in London also claimed to have overheard Rauf and an “Umno Youth Exco” defending Datuk Nasir Safar’s recent racist tirade against non-Malays.
Nasir resigned as special officer to the Prime Minister shortly after controversy erupted over an allegedly racist statement he made at a 1 Malaysia seminar in Malacca. It was alleged that he said, “Indians came to Malaysia as beggars and Chinese especially the women came to sell their bodies”
“I am not supporting Nasir Safar at all! I am not supporting what he said. Let me just put it this way — there is a right forum to talk about Malay interests, and what Nasir Safar did was not right, talking like that in public.
“If it was discussed behind a closed door session, its normal, but he said it outside... what he said was not right,” said Rauf, who used to be the Umno Youth assistant secretary.
He also maintained that Umno is essentially a Malay party, therefore it was an acceptable practice for Umno to talk about “Malay interests”.
Hishamuddin asks for patience in Nasir Safar probe
By Adib Zalkapli - The Malaysian Insider
PUTRAJAYA, Feb 11 — Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein (picture) urged for public patience over Datuk Nasir Safar’s derogatory remarks, saying police are still investigating the incident that riled Malaysians.
He said the authorities have to be objective in their investigations that involve the former aide to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who resigned to take responsibility for allegedly uttering a racist statement — “Indians came to Malaysia as beggars and Chinese especially the women came to sell their bodies” — at a 1 Malaysia seminar in Malacca.
“It is still under investigation. We have shown that in all cases that we are not emotionally driven, in the pig heads case, we are still unable to charge anyone, the case is also under investigation,” he said, referring to the incident in Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur last month when wild boar heads were thrown into two mosques.
Over 40 police reports have been lodged against the former special officer to the prime minister, after he allegedly made that statement on Feb 2.
“So police reports have been lodged, so it is our responsibility to investigate, so just wait for the outcome,” Hishammuddin added.
Last Friday the Malacca police said they would call Nasir to have his statement taken over his remarks. Nasir, who resigned on the same day he allegedly made the remarks, has since issued an apology saying he had no intention of hurting anyone’s feeling.
The incident occurred at a time when Najib was working very hard to win over the support of the non-Malays and just days after his historic visit to Batu Caves temple during the Thaipusam celebration.
It also showed that, despite his intentions, his aides and political operatives have still not embraced his 1 Malaysia concept to bring unity and progress to the country.
Najib had distanced himself from Nasir, saying that his racist remarks should serve as a lesson to all Malaysians to be more racially sensitive.
But Malay nationalist group, Perkasa, defended Nasir’s outburst saying that it was a reaction to racially insensitive actions directed against the Malay community.
Rulers want ‘Allah’ issue resolved immediately
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 11 — The Malay Rulers, at the two-day 220th meeting of the Conference of Rulers which concluded today, have taken note of the various requests, letters and memorandums from Muslim organisations and individuals in the country and have expressed their sadness over the translation of the word “God” to “Allah”.
A statement issued by the office of the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal today said the translation had caused much confusion and dissatisfaction among the people of Malaysia, particularly Muslims.
“This issue, unless resolved immediately, will undermine the sanctity of Islam and, possibly, security and public order as well,” it said.
The statement pointed out that Article 3 of the Federal Constitution provided for Islam to be the country’s official religion and the Malay Rulers to be the heads of religion in the states of the country.
“The Malay Rulers have the responsibility to safeguard the sovereignty and sanctity of Islam as the official religion of the country without neglecting the rights and religious freedom of the other races.
“The Malay Rulers give the undertaking to fulfill their responsibility to protect the sanctity and status of Islam,” it said.
The statement also said that the Malay Rulers felt that the incidents of damaging houses of worship were very dangerous acts of provocation which should never be allowed to take place.
“These treacherous acts driven by emotion must be stopped because all religions do not condone but condemn such acts.
“These are criminal acts which should be contained firmly and immediately,” it said.
In the statement, the Malay Rulers recorded their appreciation for the Royal Malaysia Police for their effectiveness in acting professionally to control the situation in maintaining security and public order.
“The Malay Rulers well understand the heavy responsibility they (the police) have to face, and urge that the efforts of the security forces in maintaining public order be fully supported,” it said.
The statement said the Malay Rulers took note that the issue over the use of the word “Allah” by the Catholic weekly magazine, Herald, was under consideration by the Court of Appeal.
The 220th meeting of the Conference of Rulers, which was chaired by the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, discussed among other things matters related to religion, defence, security, and the appointment of judges of the High Court and Court of Appeal as well as members of the Education Service Commission. — Bernama
Police probe Raja Petra’s son attempted suicide
(Bernama) - Police are investigating Raja Azman Raja Petra's motive in hurting himself. Raja Azman is the son of Malaysia Today editor, Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin.
Last Monday Raja Azman, who is current serving a jail sentence was hurt was found having swallowed a razor blade.Bukit Aman Crime Investigation Department Deputy Director I (Intelligence/Operation) Datuk Hadi Ho Abdullah said the investigation was conducted with the cooperation of the Prisons Department.
“A report lodged on Feb 8 by the Prisons Department at the Batu Arang police station, Rawang, soon after the incident, has been received. In fact, they have also provided information in connection with the case to assist our investigation.
“The investigation is more directed to efforts on identifying Raja Azman’s motive in doing so,” he said in a statement here today.
Raja Azman, 34, was remanded at the Sungai Buloh prison pending his trail on four charges involving housebreaking and stealing.
He was detained at the prison since May 19 last year for failing to post bail. Hadi Ho said the case was being investigated for attempted suicide.
Meanwhile, the Prisons Department has set up a board of inquiry to investigate the case, as well as identify the actual cause of the incident.
A statement from its secretariat unit today, stated that initial investigations found no elements of abuse, torture, pressure or force made against the detainee.
“He not only swallowed a sharp object, but also injured his wrist. He is now placed under strict monitoring by the hospital and his condition is reported stable,” it said.
Musa Hassan’s crisis of confidence
Going by the sentiments of the police officers, even if the MACC issues a statement denying this incident very few will believe that denial. They will insist that the MACC is lying and that this is just a cover-up. How do you stay on as IGP if this is how your men look at you?
THE CORRIDORS OF POWER
Raja Petra Kamarudin The story making its rounds amongst the officers of the Royal Malaysian Police is that Musa Hassan’s house was raided by the MACC on Sunday and they found an exceptionally large amount of cash hidden in his house.
This story has spread the length and breadth of this country and every policeman and his dog is talking about it. The ironical part about this whole thing is not that the police officers believe this story. It is the fact that they are relating this story with glee and excitement while calling Musa IGP Bodoh is what is.
According to the talk amongst the police officers, the Deputy Director of the Negeri Sembilan branch of the MACC led a predominantly female team of officers to raid Musa’s house. Why they conducted the raid and why Negeri Sembilan and how much cash was found other than it was a very huge amount was never explained.
It seems Musa was then summoned to the MACC office where he spent three hours for his statement to be recorded. Musa, the story goes, informed the MACC that he is resigning next month and has in fact already submitted his resignation letter. He then pleaded with the MACC to allow him to ‘retire in peace’.
Now, if it was just one police officer talking about it then I would place the story in the suspect tray and label it as unfounded rumours. But when so many are repeating the same story from Kedah all the way down to Johor then it is very difficult to brush it off without further investigation.
The mainstream media does not appear to have picked up the story in spite of so many police officers talking about the alleged incident and some even swearing on their mother’s grave that is it true. A check with the MACC head office in Putrajaya bore no results. They in fact denied the incident.
So who to believe? The so many police officers that are talking about it or the MACC who said no such thing happened and who would never lie in a million years?
Anyway, what is more important here is not whether the story is true or not. Okay, that is important. But that is not what is bugging me. In the end, 90% of rumours in Malaysia always end up as the truth. Sometimes it may take many years but eventually the truth will surface. So in time we shall know whether this story is true or not.
What is of more concern to me is that it is the police officers themselves who are talking about it. And I should know considering many of them report to me. And they are talking about it excitedly, as if it is fantastic news. It is like they are so pleased that their boss, the top dog in the police force, has been caught with his pants down.
And the fact that they address their boss with great disrespect by calling him IGP Bodoh speaks volumes about what they think of him.
This demonstrates a serious crisis of confidence. If your own men think very lowly of you and make disparaging remarks about you then there is no way you can continue to lead them. How can you continue to lead them when they do not consider you their leader?
So, the truth or otherwise of this story is one issue but not yet the main issue. It could be true then again it may not. But the fact that it is the police officers from all over the country who are spreading this story and are doing so with glee while calling Musa names means there is something terribly wrong here.
Going by the sentiments of the police officers, even if the MACC issues a statement denying this incident very few will believe that denial. They will insist that the MACC is lying and that this is just a cover-up. How do you stay on as IGP if this is how your men look at you?
Anyway, let’s see what stories surface over the next few days. Let’s also see whether it is true that the IGP has tendered his resignation letter and will leave in March as how the story goes. Time will tell and March is only next month. Maybe the MACC might even come out with a statement over the next few days to deny this incident and lay everything to rest.
But that one question still remains. Can the IGP win back the respect and confidence of his officers or has it been lost for good? And, therefore, should the IGP really go in March or stay on one more term until 2011, his fourth term, as the ‘other’ story goes?
Hmm…is it not ironical that the police warn Bloggers about spreading rumours when rumour mongering is rampant amongst the police officers themselves?
Anyhow, me being the conspiracy theory buff that I am, I will always look beyond the stories and rumours and ask: who stands to gain out of all this?
The Deputy IGP was most hurt when Musa said he had to stay on as IGP because there is no suitable successor. Musa is saying that his number two is not good enough to take over so he (Musa) needs to stay on until the day he dies. So the Deputy IGP would be one beneficiary in this whole thing.
Next, of course, would be the new MACC boss. He swore to clean up the country of corruption and said we can kick him on his backside if he does not do this. Could roping in the top dog of the police force be that feather in his cap that he needs to ‘walk the talk’? After all, he is on an eight-year contract and he has to make sure he serves out his full term and not get kicked out halfway.
Nevertheless, while this may be good news in the event it is true, we must remember that someone can get charged only if the Attorney-General and the Prime Minister allows it. Therefore, even if the story is true, let us not assume that Musa is going to jail. The AG and PM will have to say yes before it will happen.
THE CORRIDORS OF POWER
Raja Petra Kamarudin The story making its rounds amongst the officers of the Royal Malaysian Police is that Musa Hassan’s house was raided by the MACC on Sunday and they found an exceptionally large amount of cash hidden in his house.
This story has spread the length and breadth of this country and every policeman and his dog is talking about it. The ironical part about this whole thing is not that the police officers believe this story. It is the fact that they are relating this story with glee and excitement while calling Musa IGP Bodoh is what is.
According to the talk amongst the police officers, the Deputy Director of the Negeri Sembilan branch of the MACC led a predominantly female team of officers to raid Musa’s house. Why they conducted the raid and why Negeri Sembilan and how much cash was found other than it was a very huge amount was never explained.
It seems Musa was then summoned to the MACC office where he spent three hours for his statement to be recorded. Musa, the story goes, informed the MACC that he is resigning next month and has in fact already submitted his resignation letter. He then pleaded with the MACC to allow him to ‘retire in peace’.
Now, if it was just one police officer talking about it then I would place the story in the suspect tray and label it as unfounded rumours. But when so many are repeating the same story from Kedah all the way down to Johor then it is very difficult to brush it off without further investigation.
The mainstream media does not appear to have picked up the story in spite of so many police officers talking about the alleged incident and some even swearing on their mother’s grave that is it true. A check with the MACC head office in Putrajaya bore no results. They in fact denied the incident.
So who to believe? The so many police officers that are talking about it or the MACC who said no such thing happened and who would never lie in a million years?
Anyway, what is more important here is not whether the story is true or not. Okay, that is important. But that is not what is bugging me. In the end, 90% of rumours in Malaysia always end up as the truth. Sometimes it may take many years but eventually the truth will surface. So in time we shall know whether this story is true or not.
What is of more concern to me is that it is the police officers themselves who are talking about it. And I should know considering many of them report to me. And they are talking about it excitedly, as if it is fantastic news. It is like they are so pleased that their boss, the top dog in the police force, has been caught with his pants down.
And the fact that they address their boss with great disrespect by calling him IGP Bodoh speaks volumes about what they think of him.
This demonstrates a serious crisis of confidence. If your own men think very lowly of you and make disparaging remarks about you then there is no way you can continue to lead them. How can you continue to lead them when they do not consider you their leader?
So, the truth or otherwise of this story is one issue but not yet the main issue. It could be true then again it may not. But the fact that it is the police officers from all over the country who are spreading this story and are doing so with glee while calling Musa names means there is something terribly wrong here.
Going by the sentiments of the police officers, even if the MACC issues a statement denying this incident very few will believe that denial. They will insist that the MACC is lying and that this is just a cover-up. How do you stay on as IGP if this is how your men look at you?
Anyway, let’s see what stories surface over the next few days. Let’s also see whether it is true that the IGP has tendered his resignation letter and will leave in March as how the story goes. Time will tell and March is only next month. Maybe the MACC might even come out with a statement over the next few days to deny this incident and lay everything to rest.
But that one question still remains. Can the IGP win back the respect and confidence of his officers or has it been lost for good? And, therefore, should the IGP really go in March or stay on one more term until 2011, his fourth term, as the ‘other’ story goes?
Hmm…is it not ironical that the police warn Bloggers about spreading rumours when rumour mongering is rampant amongst the police officers themselves?
Anyhow, me being the conspiracy theory buff that I am, I will always look beyond the stories and rumours and ask: who stands to gain out of all this?
The Deputy IGP was most hurt when Musa said he had to stay on as IGP because there is no suitable successor. Musa is saying that his number two is not good enough to take over so he (Musa) needs to stay on until the day he dies. So the Deputy IGP would be one beneficiary in this whole thing.
Next, of course, would be the new MACC boss. He swore to clean up the country of corruption and said we can kick him on his backside if he does not do this. Could roping in the top dog of the police force be that feather in his cap that he needs to ‘walk the talk’? After all, he is on an eight-year contract and he has to make sure he serves out his full term and not get kicked out halfway.
Nevertheless, while this may be good news in the event it is true, we must remember that someone can get charged only if the Attorney-General and the Prime Minister allows it. Therefore, even if the story is true, let us not assume that Musa is going to jail. The AG and PM will have to say yes before it will happen.
Would you convert to Islam?
Islam suffers from a serious image problem. And the problem is the Muslims themselves. But this can never be resolved because the Muslims are suffering from a denial syndrome. And until they break out of this denial syndrome then expect Islam to forever be regarded as a pariah religion by those from the civilised societies.
NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin
Tun Dr Mahathir: People still critical of Malay Muslims
The Muslim community should be more active in projecting the true Islamic teachings to the non-Muslims in the country by practising the true teachings of the religion.
Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the Muslims should review deeply the Islamic teachings as stated in the Al-Quran, the true traditions of Prophet Muhammad (hadis) and must practise the true Islamic teachings so that the religion would be perceived to be dynamic and holy.
"In order to give such a picture, it is most important that the Muslims themselves demonstrate the culture propagated by Islam. At times, we find that the Muslims themselves behave in a manner that tarnishes the Islamic religion," he said in his speech at the 50th anniversary of Perkim 2010/1431 at the Federal territory Mosque, here last night.
In fact, he said there were still much criticisms and slanders against the Muslims especially the Malay Muslims.
"We are frequently branded as a religion of terrorism. In fact, there are people who accuse that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was a terrorist leader. Our image is very bad currently," he said. – Malaysian Digest
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I have constantly said the same thing as what Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said. I have even quoted famous scholars from the West, such as those in the US and the UK.
“Islam is a beautiful religion,” said one. “It is Muslims who are ugly”.
“I love Islam,” said another. “But I hate Muslims.”
“If you want to find good Muslims,” said yet another. “You have to go to the Christian countries.” For those who do not quite get this one, it means the Christians do what Islam says we must do (except for accepting Prophet Muhammad as the last Prophet, of course) while Muslims do not.
And the list of quotes go on and on.
I have my own quote, which would never be entered into the book of famous quotes. And that is if I were NOT born a Muslim and I study the conduct of Muslims to ponder on whether I should become a Muslim, the conduct of Muslims would never attract me to Islam.
That is the most unfortunate truth. Logic would tell me that the fruit of a poisonous tree would be poison. How, therefore, could a good religion breed bad people? Surely a good religion would breed good people. If the followers of a certain religion are bad then surely there must be something wrong with that religion.
Anyone who has never studied Islam in depth or is a practitioner of Islam would be forgiven for thinking that way. If you know very little about Islam then you would certainly come to that conclusion. If Muslims are bad then surely this must reflect on Islam. How can a good religion turn out bad people?
Only when you know Islam would you be aware that most Muslims do the opposite of what Islam says. They are bad not because Islam is bad. They are bad because they are bad Muslims. They violate everything that Islam stands for.
No, I am not trying to be a Muslim apologist. I am not trying to apologise for the conduct of Muslims or trying to propagate Islam. I am not trying to convince you that Islam is good or begging you to not judge Islam by the conduct of the Muslims. I am beyond that already.
For decades I have been preaching that Muslims are Islam’s worst enemies. I have repeated that statement over and over again. I no longer want to argue this point.
Muslims, in particular Malay Muslims, are going to take this article with antagonism. Muslims, Malays included, have a very low tolerance level for criticism. To criticise Muslims tantamount to criticising Islam, argue these people. And criticising Islam means you are insulting the religion. And the punishment for this ‘crime’ is violence.
That is how Muslims rationalise things.
I have lost many friends these last few years since I have been writing about Islam. Of course, my credentials have been put to question. Who am I to write about Islam? Which Islamic university did I go to? What are my qualifications? Do I have a certificate to preach Islam?
People who were once very close to me now consider me the enemy. Those who I once spent endless hours with to discuss Islam now no longer want to have anything to do with me. They even celebrated my ISA detention in September 2008 for what the government alleged was my crime for ‘insulting Islam’.
Anyway, now Dr Mahathir has echoed what I have been saying for so long. Okay, maybe Dr Mahathir is not so abrasive in his language and does not use the ‘colourful’ words that I use. But the message is the same. The Muslims, in particular the Malays, are giving Islam a bad name. The conduct of the Muslims, Malays included, violates Islam teachings and does not reflect true Islam.
Do I really need to offer examples to support this view? Do I need to remind you that corruption is most rampant amongst the Malays? Do I need to remind you that half the Malays support Malay supremacy or Ketuanan Melayu, which is haram in Islam? Do I need to remind you that most police officers are Malays and that the ex-IGP himself personally told me that if they wanted to clean out the police force then 99% of the police would have to be sacked? And I am not yet even touching on extrajudicial killings, deaths under detention, police brutality, and whatnot, which involve Malays with some Indian ‘contribution’.
No, let’s not go into the endless list of examples to highlight the misconduct of Muslims to prove that they violate Islam teachings every step of the way. Those few examples I mentioned are enough to demonstrate what I am talking about.
Muslims are the worst example of what Islam is all about. They actually put shame to the religion. If you were to judge the religion by the conduct of its followers and if you hardly had any knowledge of what the religion teaches then you would form the opinion that Islam is a religion of Satan.
This is the sad fact and a fact that cannot be denied. And the faster Muslims accept this instead of whacking those who criticise Muslims and label them as enemies of Islam the faster will Islam’s image problem be solved.
I have always said this and I shall say it again. Islam suffers from a serious image problem. And the problem is the Muslims themselves. But this can never be resolved because the Muslims are suffering from a denial syndrome. And until they break out of this denial syndrome then expect Islam to forever be regarded as a pariah religion by those from the civilised societies.
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