Another 'racist' principal in Kedah

(Malaysiakini) Just barely a week after accusations of a secondary school principal in Johor hurling racial slurs, another is being denounced for having uttered similar derogatory remarks - this time in Kedah.

Several Chinese vernacular newspapers gave prominence this morning to the report of a Sungai Petani secondary school principal accusing non-Muslim students of "disrespecting" the fasting month of Ramadan.

According to the report the school cafeteria had closed for the fasting month, and non-Muslim students were left to their own devices to find food.

But the sight of a group of them having breakfast at the canteen - a common area - had apparently raised the principal's ire.

Later, at the school assembly, the principal was alleged to have said that the Chinese student -comprising 10 percent of the student population of 780 - had been disrespectful and that "they should go back to China".

It was claimed that when the assembly was over, another teacher had approached the Chinese students to say sarcastically that they should take an AirAsia flight, since the fares are cheap now.

Brickbats from BN politicians

The whole affair had several Barisan Nasional leaders up in arms.

MCA Youth chief Wee Ka Siong (right) - also the deputy education minister - said that it is unbecoming and wrong for the school headmaster to make such a remark and that he will leave it to the education director-general Alimuddin Mohd Dom to resolve the matter.

"The DG should remind principals to be racially-sensitive. No more such incidents!" he exclaimed in his public Twitter account.

However, he also agreed that non-Muslim students in secondary schools should be sensitive during Ramadan and that they should respect their fasting Muslim schoolmates.

"Regarding the place to eat for non-Muslims, the school principal should make proper arrangements to prevent any misunderstanding," he said.

Head must face disciplinary action

In the meantime, Kedah Gerakan had called for the principal's head, urging the government to take "stern action" against him.

"If it is true that the principal had made the racist utterances, then the person should face disciplinary action," said state chief Cheah Soon Hai in a statement.

He said the government should be strict as schools are places for learning and such degrading and disparaging words from a principal should not be condoned at all.

Cheah - also Derga state assemblyperson - said the people should know from history that Malaysia gained independence because of the genuine efforts of all races.

"While acknowledging the fact that non-Muslim should be more sensitive towards Muslims uring fasting time, the principal's statement has clearly gone overboard. Making statements such as passengers (penumpang) of the country are totally unwarranted," he added.

'Racist' worms creep out of woodwork

Just earlier this week, the nation was shocked after a police report was lodged against the principal of a secondary school in Kulai for allegedly asking the "Chinese students to go back to China", and likening the Hindu prayer bracelet to a dog leash.

In a speech during the launch of the school's National Day celebration, she had also "reminded" the non-Malay students of their place in the country.

She had also allegedly given the example of owning a Proton Saga and then letting 'Munusamy' and 'Chong' in as passengers.

"Munusamy and Chong are only passengers. They cannot claim any right to the car. This is the same as Malaysia in which the non-Malay students are passengers," alleged a 16-year-old student in his police report on what she had said.

'Racist' principal: Facebook turns red with anger

By G Vinod

KUALA LUMPUR: Social networking site Facebook was deluged with criticisms of the school principal who made disparaging racist remarks against Chinese and Indian students.

The principal, Siti Inshah Mansor of SMK Tunku Abdul Rahman, Johor, allegedly made the derogatory remarks on Aug 12, telling the Chinese to go back to China and likened the Indians to dogs during the school's Merdeka day celebration.

Enraged parents have so far made 17 police reports against Siti Inshah but the authorities seem to make light of the matter.

Education director-general Alimuddin Mohd Don dismissed it as a misundertanding, but BN Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said yesterday that the matter should not be taken lightly.

Diana Abdullah in her Facebook post criticised Siti Inshah, calling called her an unfit leader.

“Such terrible remarks... not fit to be a head,” she said.

Amelia Mahiyuddin said she was disappointed how an educator and a leader like Siti Inshah could make such racist and ignorant statement.

“I pity the all the students who are in that school,” said Amelia.

Facebook contributors also launched a scathing assault on the government over the matter and most were of the view that it is likely to be covered up.

Yap Yaw Wah, in his post, said: “To those Cina and Indian who vote for BN. This is what you get. Open you eye BIG BIG. Where is your 'leung sam' (conscience), got eaten by dog. bloody hell."

“What to do... again the case will be covered, and she will be transferred elsewhere,” said another contributor Meiyee Lee.

Prema Rajamanickam said covering up the matter will not solve anything.

“Sweep under the carpet... that's why there seem to be no end to this problem,” Prema posted.

Another contributor Ezni Idris advised the people to remain calm, urging them to forgive the principal.

“...kalau masih mengata, bercakap perkara-perkara yang mengaibkan orang dan sebagainya, maka mungkin teralpa sekejap, maafkanlah luncai-luncai seperti mereka (if she had made the derogatory statements against others, perhaps she got carried away, let us forgive such people),” said Ezni.

Arjunan saga takes another turn

(Malaysiakini) The police report lodged by Kuala Kangsar division PKR deputy youth chief Adam Haris Abdullah against Kg Tawas PKR chief MS Arjunan at Ipoh police district headquarters yesterday, seems to raise more questions than answers.

After a media conference, Adam, accompanied by former Ipoh Barat division PKR chief Fauzi Muda, had lodged the police report against Arjunan for allegedly misusing the party's name for his own political agenda.

He was referring to Arjunan filing a police report on Saturday claiming that Federal Territories and Urban Well-being Deputy Minister M Saravanan, of the MIC, was involved in immoral activities such as prostitution as well as gangsterism.

Fauzi had stated that Arjunan (below) was the former secretary for the party's Ipoh Barat division when he was the chief, but later he had suspended the latter for alleged misconduct.

At the start of the media conference outside the police headquarters, Adam launched a personal attack against Arjunan, levelling all sorts of allegations against him, while Fauzi was seen whispering in his ear.

Although Adam was seen as very vocal at the media conference, it seemed like Fauzi was the puppet master.

When asked whether he had been bought over by the BN to make the police report against Arjunan, Adam hotly denied the allegation and said he was not defending Saravanan but was only trying to save the name of his party.

When asked why he was accompanied by Fauzi, who had resigned from PKR, he said as a good friend he had come to give him moral support.

On why he is lodging the police report when party seniors had not bothered, he said he did not know why they had not but he had done it out of concern for the party.

On Wednesday night Fauzi had sent a SMS to Malaysiakini asking for its presence at the police station for the media conference against Arjunan.

Muhyiddin orders probe on Johor school principal’s remarks

Muhyiddin wants to get the real facts. — File pic

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 20 — Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has directed a special committee to investigate Johor school principal Siti Inshah Mansor’s alleged “racial remarks” that have caused a national uproar before deciding her fate.

The Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra principal allegedly said during a school assembly that “Chinese students... can return to China,” and likened the prayer strings used by Indians to dog leashes.

In his first remarks about the case, Muhyiddin said he has directed Education director-general Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom to set up a committee to investigate the matter. Alimuddin had earlier said it was a misunderstanding that had been resolved.

“We want to get the real facts. As of now the reaction is very emotional but we must be fair and have the correct information before we can decide on what steps to be taken. This is because there have been many conflicting statements,” the deputy prime minister told a press conference here.

He added that disciplinary action against the principal will decided when the complete report is ready.

“We want to conduct an investigation so that the committee will get detailed information and know what actually happened. The principal has apologised and we have asked her to go on leave. These are temporary steps but we will have to wait for the detailed report by the committee before deciding on her position and the disciplinary action to be taken,” he said.

The police are currently investigating the case under section 504 of the Penal Code for provocation which carries a maximum imprisonment of two years, a fine or both.

A total of 20 complaints have been lodged with the authorities.

The principal had reportedly made the derogatory remarks during the launch of the school’s Merdeka celebrations earlier this week.

“Chinese students are not needed here and can return to China or Foon Yew schools. For the Indian students, the prayer string tied around their neck and wrist makes them look like dogs because only dogs are tied like that,” Siti Inshah was quoted as saying in at least one police report.

Although Alimuddin had said that the offensive remarks made were a misunderstanding and the matter had been resolved, the parents have denied that it was a misunderstanding and want the Education Ministry to take stern disciplinary action against the principal.

Abandon my baby? No way, says unwed mum

By Stephanie Sta Maria - Free Malaysia Today

PETALING JAYA: September is set to be a bittersweet month for Dina*. The shy 20-year-old will be delivering her firstborn -- and then handing him over to his adoptive parents.

Dina's eyes turned misty as she contemplated this not-so-distant future. She is already besotted with her unborn son but raising him is out of the question for she is an unwed mother.

“I was raped by a family friend old enough to be my father,” she said softly. “When I found out I was pregnant, it was too late for an abortion. My father cried when I told him and it was a long time before my mother could look me in the eye.”

Despite offering emotional support, her parents struggled to conceal their pain and Dina eventually moved out. Her anxious search for refuge led her to OrphanCARE, a non-profit organisation that finds homes for orphans and abandoned babies.

The organisation works closely with the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development and the Welfare Department and has found homes for 14 babies since its launch last April. Dina, however, is its first live-in unwed mother.

“Housing unwed mothers is not one of our services because of space and financial constraints,” explained its deputy president, Noraini Hashim (picture). “But we couldn't turn Dina away. Not when she wanted to take care of a baby that she could have easily abandoned.”
Noraini's words ring truer today than ever before. Baby dumping, which has long been among the social ills in Malaysia, is finally having its turn in the spotlight and is dubbed the latest “phenomenon” to arrest the attention of politicians, social workers and the media.

Deep compassion

According to the Federal CID director commissioner Mohd Bakri Zinin, the number of cases has risen to 472 since 2005, which makes the probability of Dina's son being another statistic frighteningly high. Until you consider that Dina herself isn't interested in being a statistic.

“I used to curse my baby for ruining my life,” she admitted, placing a gentle hand on her rounded belly. “But abandoning him never crossed my mind. How can I when a part of me lives in him? I've grown to love him and I would keep him if I could give him the life that he deserves.”

But Dina is far from taking a holier-than-thou stance. She's fully aware that her situation would be very different had she been rejected by her family and OrphanCARE. And this has left her with a deep compassion for unwed mothers who abandoned their babies.

“They must have faced terrible circumstances to be driven to do that,” she emphatised. “No mother would carry her child for nine months and then willingly abandon it. These mothers would have had no other choice.”

Noraini agreed. In many situations, she said, that choice fell into the hands of the father or a male family member and was made easier when the new mothers were too exhausted or terrified to fight for their baby's life.
“In one case, the father snatched up the newborn, stuffed it in a plastic bag and threw it into a river,” she recalled. “It is the fastest route to getting rid of the stigma and responsibility. Having said that, we've also met many young fathers who accompany the mothers to hand their baby over to us. These are the people who give us hope.”

Baby hatch still unused

OrphanCARE also introduced the country's first baby hatch in May this year in a move to reduce the number of abandoned babies. The office is a house tucked in the corner of a quiet street in a residential area that shield unwed mothers and couples from curious eyes.

The hatch is a vault-like structure built into the house exterior. Inside is a makeshift cot, a night light, an air-conditioning unit and a CCTV which is trained only on the baby. When a baby is placed into the hatch and the door is shut, an alarm is triggered in the caretaker's room.

After checking the CCTV to ensure that it isn't a prank, the caretaker allows the parents time to leave the premises before collecting the baby from the hatch. The baby is then matched with one of the 300 couples who have registered with OrphanCARE to be adoptive parents.

The attraction of a baby hatch is the anonymity it guarantees but to Noraini's surprise, the babies continue to be brought in by their parents.

“Like Dina said, given a choice, these mothers don't want to abandon their babies,” Noraini said. “But they don't want to face being judged any further either. So we're glad that they view us as a neutral party to which they can entrust their baby's welfare.”

Dina can vouch for that. She has found a safe haven in OrphanCARE and implicitly trusts that it will fulfil her hopes for her son. When asked what hopes she harbours for herself, she hesitated and then replied that she simply wanted to move on.

“I will never forget my baby but he will belong to someone else. So I have to continue with life. I don't know if I will ever marry because I'm afraid of men now.”

“But if I do meet someone, I won't tell him about my past. Regardless of the circumstances, being an unwed mother is a stigma that can never be erased. The only solace I cling to is that I did the right thing for my son.”

*Name has been changed to protect identity.

New RM97 million police HQ half-done and abandoned

  By Ivan Ho - Free Malaysia Today

LAHAD DATU: Yet another government mega project, the RM97 million construction of the new district police headquarters here, has been abandoned and left in a derelict state due to an alleged disagreement between the Finance Ministry's main contractor and its sub-contractor. The project commenced in Jan 17, 2007 and was supposed to have been completed on March 10 last year.

Silam DAP branch is now asking the Barisan Nasional government to explain why the project has been abandoned.

Branch chairman Tajuldin Abdul Rahim said a delegation from the party paid a surprise visit to the site after being tipped off by the public recently and they were shocked to see the state of the building.

"Our further investigations revealed that a company managed by the federal Finance Ministry, Pembinaan BLT Sdn Bhd, is the contractor, while Syarikat Pembenaan Karun Sdn Bhd is supervising the project.

“The two companies are believed to be in some disagreement that has caused the entire project to come to a standstill for over a year now,” he said.

Tajuldin said it was surprising that such a high-profile and important project could be treated so shabbily by the BN government.

"Whatever it is, we’re very disappointed at the attitude of the BN government for not taking immediate action to remedy the situation.

“As a responsible government they shouldn’t just let this project be abandoned. They must find ways to speed up the completion to benefit the people here," he added.

Abandoned Islamic centre in the area too

Sabah DAP deputy chairman Anthony Teo said the speedy completion of the project would enable the police personnel to have a better living and working environment to discharge their duties as the present aged district police headquarters and police barracks are no longer in use.

"The government should not concentrate too much on (being) Juara Rakyat (people’s champion). What is the use of Juara Rakyat when Suara Rakyat (people’s voice) is being ignored," said Teo.

He added that it was surprising that the government did not have a mechanism to supervise the government project.

The delegates also paid a courtesy call on district police chief Supt Shamsudin Bin Mat and briefed him about the party's recently established Silam branch.

The branch last month exposure the abandoned Islamic Training Center in Tungku that cost more than RM20 million.

Keen tussles in Sabah PKR divisional elections

By Luke Rintod - Free Malaysia Today

KOTA KINABALU: Keen tussles are shaping up for various PKR posts in 26 divisions in the state, including Labuan.

Nomination for the Sabah PKR election is slated for Aug 28 and 29 while polling day is either Sept 18 or 19.

This will be a landmark party election in Malaysia as it is the first time that all members of a political party will elect their party leaders by direct voting.

All the other parties, including PKR's partners in Pakatan Rakyat -- DAP and PAS -- still practise the old way of electing political leaders through the representative democracy system.

Under this system, members nominate a small number of delegates to general meetings where the latter will elect the office-bearers.

Most of the divisions have more than 2,000 members, which means it is a huge task to run the election smoothly.

While Sabah PKR leaders are reluctant to admit there exist factions, observers and party insiders said a tussle between two groups, pro-Jeffrey Kitingan and pro-Ansari Abdullah, is on the cards in the election.

"Lieutenants of both Jeffrey and Ansari have been busy holding meetings and discussions. A party insider said the group with the most divisional heads aligned to it is likely to see its man elected as chairman of the PKR state leadership council," an insider said.

PKR policy, rather than constitution, dictates that divisional heads alone will elect, through the ballot paper, their state chief later.

The post is currently held by Ahmad Thamrin Jaini, who was appointed by PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

"It is an open secret that those in Jeffrey’s circle are Christina Liew, Daniel John Jambun, Edward Linggu, Awang Ahmad Sah Awang Sahari, Mozes Iking, Saidil SimoiI, Jalumin Bayogo, Innocent Makajil and Sylvester Balon.

“Those in Ansari's camp are Halik Zaman, Jonathan Yasin, Roland Chia, Kong Hong Ming, Hamzah Amir, Anthony Mandiau, Mursalim Tanjul, Paul Kuliling and Danny Andipai.

“All are either seeking to become or remain divisional head," another party insider told FMT.

There are, however, many other aspirants who want to appear "neutral or non-committal" and among those in this group are John Ghani, James Ghani, Awang Tangah Awang Amin, Nahalan Damsal and a few others.

Friendly match
Interestingly enough, Saidil and Jalumin will have a "friendly" match in Kota Belud division. However, a third aspirant may appear in the person of Shukor Momin, who is believed to be aligned to Ansari.

It is learnt that Jeffrey, who currently heads the Keningau division, will move to Pensiangan and will likely take on Andipai, a strong ally of Ansari in the interior.

Mozes, who stood against Joseph Pairin Kitingan in Tambunan in the last general election, is tipped to stand in the Keningau division but would be challenged by John Jinus Sibin, who is seen as a Ansari proxy.

Ansari, the incumbent Tuaran head, himself will be challenged by Tamparuli ex-assemblyman, Edward Linggu in a keenly awaited tussle.

Distribution of nomination papers, from Kuala Lumpur, in all the divisions began a few days ago.

An in-house "election committee" from PKR headquarters in Kuala Lumpur will conduct the election, assisted by the state leadership council.

Meanwhile, ex-Sabah PKR state liaison secretary, Kanul Gindol, when contacted by FMT, said "the party election will show how PKR leaders behave and if some leaders will keep their reputation, good or bad".

"The result of the PKR party election here will also determine the direction Sabah PKR takes -- whether it will be free of Kuala Lumpur or led by the nose...," Gindol added.

'Don't release new strain of Aedes mosquitoes'

By G Vinod - Free Malaysia Today

PETALING JAYA: A plan to release about 3,000 genetically modified Aedes mosquitoes into the environment may be just the weapon needed to curb the spread of the deadly dengue fever.
The National Biosafety Board (NBB) is studying the plan in view of the alarming number of lives lost in the country to the infectious disease.

But the Third World Network (TWN), an independent non-profit international body involved in issues relating to development, has sounded a warning: don't jump the gun.

It has urged the NBB to reject the plan, saying the new non-biting male Aedes mosquitoes from the OX513A strain may cause other environmental problems.

The TWN said that a number of factors must be considered before such a move is undertaken.

The NBB is assessing a field experiment proposal from the Institute of Medical Research to release the mosquitoes in Bentong, Pahang, and Alor Gajah, Malacca, in early October.

It is hoped that the genetically-modified OX513A male mosquitoes will mate with the female strain, causing its progeny to be dead and thus eventually reduce the number of Aedes mosquitoes.

Currently, NBB is seeking public opinion over the matter in its website, www.biosafety.nre.gov.my and the deadline is Sept 4.

“Although the board is seeking public opinion, many other factors must be taken into account before releasing them (mosquitoes),”said TWN's senior researcher Lim Li Ching.

She said that one important factor to be considered is that the progeny of the mosquitoes will only be dead provided the environment is free of an antibiotic called tetracycline.

“However, tetracycline is fairly common as it is used for medical, veterinary, lifestock and agricultural purposes.

“If the mosquitoes breed in the presence of this antibiotic, the progeny may live and may increase the Aedes population in the environment,” said Lim.

Subsequently, the living progeny may pose additional health risks, being the by-product of a genetically modified male.

“These new Aedes mosquitoes may then cause another environmental problem as it may alter the way the disease (dengue) is transmitted,” said Lim.

New strain a concern

Lim added that even if the strategy is effective in suppressing the population of the Aedes mosquitoes in the long run, it may open the gateway to another health problem.

“In a natural ecological cycle, when one species goes down, another takes its place. There is concern that once you suppress the Aedes mosquitoes, another strain may take over their place and cause further harm to humans,” said Lim.

She also has a word of caution for the government: don't jump the gun by releasing the genetically modified insects into the environment because even the international community is wary of it.

“The international community is still debating about the safety of genetically modified food products and here we are planning to release genetically modified insects,” she said.

Lim also questioned whether Malaysia has adequate capacity to control this proposed release.

“Are we able to recall the genetically-modified mosquitoes to control the situation if anything goes wrong?” she asked.

Don’t Question Faith!

By batsman

Faith is part of the human character. It is innate in humans. So is the search for answers and for knowledge. Both are innate in humans. So questioning the search for knowledge is the same as questioning man’s faith. Both are silly.

When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, it was from the tree of knowledge. The implication is that once Adam and Eve lost their innocence by gaining knowledge and started to question God, mankind was cursed. So it would seem that knowledge is ALSO a curse. This is part of the wisdom of the ancients.

Some people say that knowledge itself is not bad, but it gives rise to arrogance and over-bloated ego which is the really bad thing since most people cannot stand others going against their opinion and are prepared to hurt and commit violence to keep others quiet. So now we have to differentiate knowledge from human arrogance.

Faith is part of the human character. It is innate in humans. So is the search for answers and for knowledge. Both are innate in humans. So questioning the search for knowledge is the same as questioning man’s faith. Both are silly.

However, it does look as if both the quest for knowledge and faith itself can be subject to abuse so both have to be controlled. In my opinion, this can be done by ethics and reason. Since mankind is already doubly cursed with knowledge and also the faith which is innate within him, he has no choice but to handle abuses of faith and the search for knowledge with ethics and reason.

So when RPK says that sometimes it seems as if religion has been hijacked by Satan, it is not really fair. It just means that we did a bad job of using ethics and reason to control abuses of religion.

Ethics and reason can be found within religion itself, so religion itself is not at fault. It is power hungry people who abuse and manipulate religion, who abuse other people’s faith and manipulate others to kill, exterminate and commit sin who are Satan personified and who have hijacked religion for their own selfish and corrupt purposes who are at fault. So in a sense RPK is also right. It is how one looks at the picture. On the other hand, those who do a bad job of using ethics and reason to fight arrogance may also be partly blamed for doing a lousy job.

Take Zionism for example. The original Zionists were secularists. However, they have abused the Jewish religion to the extent of controlling Jews to kill, exterminate and commit genocide without an ounce of conscience. They do this by upgrading Zionism into the status of a religion.

In a true religious sense, God banished the Jews from Israel. However, the Zionists sought to undo what God has done and plotted to bring the Jews back to the land of Israel. This is like re-doing what Adam and Eve originally did – i.e. defy God. Not only that, they have upgraded their ideology (Zionism) into a new religion even more powerful than Judaism, such that anyone even vaguely questioning the right of Jews to come back to Palestine is murdered or politically, economically and socially exterminated. Even the US President is fearful of their power and influence.

So it is that those who did a bad job of fighting the arrogance of the Zionists should share some of the blame for allowing Zionism to reign supreme. The myths created by the Zionists could not be destroyed and this allowed Zionism to become the equivalent of a new religion. They even cynically manipulate and abuse the fact that the Jews consider themselves the Chosen People to visit heinous terrible violence and crimes upon innocent people after targeting them as sub-humans.

The same can be said for secularism. The secularists claim to allow freedom of religion. However, they cannot tolerate any expression of religion that challenges their total control and domination. Even teaching creationism next to evolution is forbidden. Children must only learn evolution and must never question evolution. Secularism has been upgraded to the status of a new religion. Secularism is even prepared to commit genocide against Muslims and destroy a sovereign state such as Iraq to stop any questioning of the power of secularism after targeting Muslims as terrorists, sub-humans and potential users of the weapons of mass destruction.

The same can even be said for science. When the capitalists found that science was extremely useful to boost their power, they upgraded science to the level of a new religion. True scientists are against war and genocide and accept all questions, understanding fully the poverty of knowledge and certainty and preferring to handle all questions and cynicism by ethics and reason, not by brute force and legalist tricks. However since science is capable of producing weapons of mass destruction, the capitalists see no reason why science cannot be upgraded into a new religion. Scientists now cannot even tolerate each other’s questions and use whatever power and influence they have to push their opponents into academic Siberia while acting as willing mercenaries of the capitalists in producing weapons of mass destruction for purposes of genocide and wholesale destruction and killing.

The same can even be said of UMNO which found power too delicious to let go of sportingly and use all sorts of dirty tricks and sinful ideas to hang on to power. They even promote new religious ideas called Hadhari even though they are secularists. Not content with this, they promote racism in the form of Ketuanan Melayu. This is no different from and completely equivalent to the tricks of the Zionists. Just like Zionism, Ketuanan Melayu has been promoted to a new religion and is now unquestionable because the myths created by Ketuanan Melayu cannot be destroyed. That is why they are prepared to use the ISA and all the dirty books in their arsenal to stop the myths created by Ketuanan Melayu from being destroyed.

Religion has all the tools of ethics and reason within it. Just because people do a bad job of using these tools does not mean religion is bad. The poor workman blames his tools, so when people fail to stop the power hungry Satanists from hijacking religion for their own purposes, they start to blame religion itself. Of course this is complicated enormously by secularism being promoted into a new religion and science itself being promoted into a new religion, so good secularists fight wasteful battles against good religionists and all the while the power hungry Satanists laugh all the way to the bank.

Man is cursed by his over-bloated ego and arrogance and doubly cursed by his tendency to ignore his weaknesses. Of the 2, the tendency to ignore weaknesses is more subtle and more insidious and therefore can be said to do more damage. It is the main reason why people are so lousy in using the tools of ethics and reason to fight power hungry Satanists.

What do you think? Note that I have not even talked about socialism and communism yet. Want to go another round? heeheehee

A letter to a son about Merdeka

In A Nutshell by Andrew Khoo | The Nut Graph

FIRST of all, Benjamin, let me say, “Congratulations!” I know you have worked hard over these last three years, endured many challenges and faced many tests. Learning lots of new stuff may be exciting, but I know it is not always easy. So I am proud of you, son, for having graduated today. It may only have been kindergarten, but I know it was a big and meaningful step for you.
Sam

Benjamin and big sister Samantha on graduation day

As I watched you and your classmates today, and the kids from all the other kindergartens walk up on stage to receive their certificates, I was reminded that this country of ours, Malaysia, is as much yours as it is mine. God has allowed me and all the other adults in this country a time to take care of it for you. But the day will come when we will have to turn it over to you and your friends.

I hope we won’t have messed up. I pray that we will have the strength and the courage to do the right things, so that we will be able to pass on to you, son, and those of your generation, a country that is successful. Not just rich in the things that we have — the tall buildings, the big houses, the fancy shops. But rich also in our hearts. To share love with one and all, to be kind and decent to others, to be fair and just to everyone, to let anyone who wants to come and live here and do an honest day’s work the right to call this country home.

I looked at you and your friends, boys and girls of different races and religions. You have all played together, learnt together, held hands, scraped knees, cried and laughed together. It is my solemn hope that it will always be this way for you all.

Don’t let anyone force you to believe differently. Watch out for people who will steal your innocence. Yes, you will grow up and find out for yourself one day that things aren’t exactly perfect. But that is no reason to prolong that imperfection.

Learn to work together to make things right, if not perfect. The things that you learnt in kindergarten — to share, to think of other people as well, not to take the best toys or yummiest food just for yourself — remember those lessons.

Maybe one day someone will come along and tell you that this country does not belong to you, and that we should go back to “somewhere else”. I can tell you someone in primary school told me that many years ago. Tell them they are wrong.

Great-great grandpa Khoo came from a village in southern China and eventually found work with Chartered Bank in Penang. When Chartered Bank opened a branch in Taiping in the early years of the 1900s, he moved there and that is where great-grandpa Khoo and grandpa Khoo were born. They grew up in this country, and worked all their lives as teachers to educate successive generations of Malayans and Malaysians.

The Sees and the Lims and Changs they married have probably been here much longer. Some of grandma Khoo’s aunties who dressed in sarungs and spoke Malay all the time and lived in a place called Malacca were killed by Japanese soldiers during what is known as World War II. That was when the Japanese ruled Malaya for a while.

All of these people who lived before you contributed in their own way to make this land a better place for their children, and their children’s children, and so on and so forth. When you learnt Negaraku in school, you sang, “Tanah tumpahnya darahku”. Through their blood, sweat and tears, all of these people who lived before you eked out a life and a future, and now that life and that future belongs to you, my son.

You are as Malaysian as any other boy or girl in this country, as are your classmates Iman, Danial, Harith and the rest. Don’t let anybody tell you all differently.

In 15 years, you will get what is known as the right to vote, the right to choose the kind of people you want to lead this country. Claim that right and when the time comes, choose wisely.

Think of the kind of future you and your friends want for this country. Would you want a country where there is equal opportunity for all, where no one is intentionally left behind, where those who are less fortunate are helped to their feet, where there is fair play? It will be in your hands. If you want these things, you and your friends will have to work hard to achieve them. It will not be easy, but I know you will not give up easily.

Between then and now, I wish and pray that you will have a wonderful life. There will be lots more tests and exams to study for, lots more homework and lots more graduations. There will be more things to learn, more people to meet, more experiences, more places to visit.

I will always be your father, and I will always love you, in good times and bad. But I know I make mistakes sometimes, so I can be wrong sometimes. I hope you will be understanding when I make mistakes. But strive to be the best that God grants you the grace to be, and honour God always in your life.

Happy graduation, again, my son. And to our country, yours and mine, Happy Merdeka.

Racial remarks: Headmistress must be sacked

y P Ramakrishnan | Aliran

It is difficult to reconcile how a principal of a secondary school could be so insensitive and dumb as to utter derogatory words to denigrate students under her care. She had shown utter contempt to the Chinese and Indians in this country.

It is unbelievable that she could have said, “Chinese students…can return to China.” It is amazing that she could have likened the prayer strings worn by Indians to a dog leash.

It is difficult to believe that she is a teacher and an educator. With this warped and distorted view of the Chinese and Indians, what kind of values can she impart to her students under her care? What kind of character can she inculcate among her students? She comes across as subhuman.

How she got promoted is a mystery. How she got selected to be a teacher is a wonder. Unfortunately, there are many of her ilk in the Teaching Service doing immense damage to this nation. Two years ago, we had one dumb discipline teacher in Anderson School who ordered Hindu students to remove their religious wristband and shave off their moustache and beards, which they had allowed to grow ahead of fulfilling their vows during Thaipusam
We have this kind of people not only in schools - but those higher up are no better. The Director General of Education Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom did not do justice to himself or to his position when he referred to the offending alleged remarks made by Siti Inshah Mansor of Sekolah Menengah Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra as “just a misunderstanding.”

It is extremely upsetting when he tries to trivialise a serious matter as trifle. Instead of viewing her remarks as something that can hurt the feelings and sensitivities of others to the extent of jeopardising our harmony and unity, he doesn’t seem capable of understanding what damage her remarks have caused to our frail unity. Her thoughtless, offending remarks have indeed further undermined the Prime Minister’s vision of 1Malaysia.

When so much damage had been done by this insensitive head, it is troubling that the PM and the Education Minister have not uttered a word to reprimand this head. They have a duty to land hard on those who threaten our harmony and create disunity among us. When they hold their silence, it can be construed as not viewing seriously what has happened. It is this attitude that is causing a lot of problems in this country.

In Aliran’s view, this head should not continue to remain in the Teaching Service. She does not have the aptitude to be a head; she doesn’t understand the cultures of the various communities; she does not have commom sense to discern what is right and wrong; she does not respect the rights of citizens of this country as evident when she stupidly told the Chinese students to return to China.

She should be either sacked or pensioned off. Keeping her in service will be viewed as condoning her conduct. Keeping her in service by transferring her to another school or department is not acceptable. This kind of action only encourages others to be bold in acting irresponsibly.

At times we wonder whether the government is truly interested in reining in these unscrupulous elements in positions of authority and weeding them out of the national life to preserve our harmony and unity. We have to ask this question simply because we have had so many instances of questionable characters disparaging the non-Malay communities without being properly disciplined.

The manner the instructor in the BTN had blamed and shamed the non-Malays as a group, the manner Datuk Nasir Safar from the Prime Minister’s Department had displayed his ignorance of our history by ridiculously claiming that the “Indians came to Malaysia as beggars and Chinese especially women came to sell their bodies” and got away scot-free without being severely punished – all of these have only encouraged others to go overboard with their insults.

Thinking Malaysians have a right to ask why the General Orders were not applied in these cases. Are they exempted from the provisions of the GO?

Bumiputera Equity Issue - Soi Lek Going Against Constitution, Says Rais

JELEBU, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim has described the call by MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, for the gradual reduction of Bumiputera equity, as running contrary to the constitution.

He said Article 153 of the Federal Constitution guaranteed the special position of the Malays and natives of Sabah and Sarawak and the legitimate interest of other communities.

"When he called for the gradual reduction of the 30 per cent Bumiputera equity in all sectors of the economy, he was going against the constitution of Malaysia.

"Maybe he did not realise this but I would like to remind that Article 153 is not a simple provision; in fact, it cannot be amended by any party unless with the consent of the Conference of Rulers and subject to provisions in Article 159 of the Federal Constitution," he told reporters after breaking fast at the Felda Pasoh 1 Mosque near here yesterday evening.

He said that although Chua might have tailored his remark to the political sentiment of his party, the Malays especially, could not accept it.

"If the call were to be implemented, firstly we would be going against the Federal Constitution and secondly, we would be undermining the position of the Malay rulers, especially the Yang di-Pertuan Agong who is responsible for safeguarding these interests.

"This is not a mere practice but something that has been accepted by parties involved in the social contract in 1956-57 when the Reid Commission was formed, and when the Constitution of the Federation of Malaya, and later the Federal Constitution, was formulated," he said.

Rais said he hoped that in future, political leaders would refrain from saying things as they please, and should recognise things that had become pillars of the country.

These pillars, he said, should be accepted and not be changed based on current political sentiments.

"For instance, if Umno itself wants to amend Article 153, it won't be able to do so, let alone Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek, because there are layers of powers protecting it," he said.

Rais said the constitution also provided safeguards for other communities.

If Chua wanted make a demand, he said, he could do so under this spirit of the constitution and not by denying the rights of the Malays and natives of Sabah and Sarawak.

Asked on Chua's statement that the MCA would not hesitate to share common views with the DAP for the sake of the Chinese community, Rais said Chua had shown that he no longer had respect for the vision of Barisan Nasional which is headed by the prime minister.

"The Malays should therefore unite in the face of this. If we are strong, we cannot be easily manipulated by others. We should unite and voice out to defend what is rightfully ours.

"If this is not done, then people like Datuk Seri Dr Chua will continue to undermine the basis of our struggle," he said.

‘New Constitution’ claim is coffee-shop talk, says Nazri

The Star 
by ZUHRIN AZAM AHMAD

KUALA LUMPUR: There’s no move to replace the Federal Constitution, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, saying he would be the first person to know as it would have to be passed by Parliament.

“If there is an attempt to replace the constitution, there should be a motion tabled in Parliament, because there is no other way except through Parliament.

“Barisan Nasional controls almost two-thirds (of the Parliament), so don’t waste time on something which cannot happen,” he said when commenting on Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria’s claim that three copies of the “new” Federal Constitution were given to him during a ceramah in Alor Setar.

Harussani had claimed that the new constitution would expunge the special rights of the Malays and the position of Islam as the official religion of the country.

Describing Harussani’s claim as “coffee-shop talk”, Nazri said it was a waste of time for the police to investigate the matter.

“In the first place, it is not an offence to desire to change the constitution.

“What can you charge that person with?” he told a press conference after meeting a delegation from the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) in Parliament building yesterday.

DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang described Harussani’s claim as serious and one that should not be made without proof.

“Such allegations could not have emanated from the Pakatan Rakyat as its component parties had reaffirmed commitment to the fundamental principles of the Malaysian constitution in a common platform last December,” he said in his latest blog posting.

Lim also supported PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s call for the authorities to investigate and verify the claim.

PAS central information chief Idris Ahmad said Harussani should disclose the identity of the person who gave him the books and reveal its contents.

Nazri: Non-Malays have the right to ask

The Sun
by Hemananthani Sivanandam

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 19, 2010): Non-Malays are not questioning the rights of Malays when they ask for what they think they deserve, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said today.

"They are merely asking for what they think they deserve. For example, if a non-Malay student with 9As and comes from a poor family asks for a scholarship, what is wrong with that? He deserves it, and it’s a valid request," he said.

"So it does not make sense when people say such valid requests are questioning the rights of the Malays," he said after meeting representatives from the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Hua Zong) led by its president Pheng Yin Huah at Parliament House.

The federation had asked for the meeting to discuss several issues, including the 1Malaysia  concept mooted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.

Nazri said the 1Malaysia concept took into consideration what had been provided in the Federal Constitution. "It’s clear; so what is there to fight about? We know each other’s privileges and our rights and we respect each other. What’s in the Constitution won’t be affected by the 1Malaysia concept," he said.

Nazri stressed that it was not true that the non-Malays were questioning the Constitution, as they were only asking for what they feel they ought to have.

"Why do we have to show this guilty conscience on our part to interpret that every time (they raise such issues), it means they are questioning our rights? I don’t understand!" Nazri said.

Asked to comment on the recent debates between the Barisan Nasional’s two biggest coalition parties — Umno and MCA — over a resolution passed at the recent Chinese economic congress, the Padang Rengas MP said the squabbling did not impose confidence on the public in the spirit of 1Malaysia.

The MCA and its president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek have come under a barrage of criticism from senior cabinet ministers and Malay rights groups following the release of the congress’s 13-point resolution, which included a call for the gradual reduction of the 30% bumiputra quota.

"I certainly don’t condone this. In public, you say we are 1Malaysia and then you say we are the BN and we have a spirit of our own and then later, you show that you are quarrelling. What message are you giving to the public?" he asked.

"That is why, I realise now, why there is so little respect for politicians .... because they say one thing and they do another thing, and I don’t blame all of you (the public), if you’ve got no respect for politicians.
Sadly, I belong to this group. But we will try to bring back confidence of the public to ourselves," he said.

Asked if he agreed with the resolutions passed at the economic congress on the abolition of the 30% bumiputra equity quota, Nazri merely said that genuine partnerships between the bumiputras and non-bumiputras ought to exist.

"I would like to promote a Malaysian venture. If they are asking to abolish and they want a fair share, that means it’s a 50-50 partnership. I would rather go for a partnership which is Malaysian in nature, bumiputra and non-bumiputra," added Nazri.

Unhealthy politicians

Yemen says leading al Qaeda militant surrenders

Hezam Mujalli pictured during an appeal hearing 

session at a Sanaa court, Yemen in December 2004.

(CNN) -- An al Qaeda leader in Yemen accused of aiding operatives in the 2002 bombing of the French-flagged oil tanker Limburg has surrendered to authorities, Yemen's embassy in the United States said Thursday.

Hezam Mujali also had been sentenced to death in August 2004 for killing an army officer and he was charged with attacking a helicopter from the Texas-based Hunt oil company in November 2002.

Among 23 detainees that escaped prison in 2006, Mujali survived a December 2009 raid on an al Qaeda hideout in the district of Arhab in Yemen.

The announcement of Mujali's surrender comes as Yemeni authorities stepped up their battle against al Qaeda fighters, a struggle that has left dozens of security officers dead, said Mohammed Albasha, embassy spokesman.

"Yemen looks forward to working closely with regional and international allies to step up efforts to train and equip Yemeni forces," Albasha said.

The embassy also announced the surrendering earlier this month of another operative -- Jomaan Safian, who harbored dozens of foreign al Qaeda fighters and supplied logistical help to the militants.

The Yemeni government has been fighting a growing al Qaeda element in Yemen called al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

It grabbed the attention of the West with the Christmas Day attempted bombing of a Northwest Airlines trans-Atlantic flight as it landed in Detroit, Michigan.

The suspect, Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab, who has pleaded not guilty to six federal terrorism charges, was reportedly trained and armed in Yemen.

Since its inception in January 2009, AQAP has claimed responsibility for numerous terrorist attacks against Saudi, Korean, Yemeni and U.S. targets.

The Treasury Department in July designated Anwar al-Awlaki a key leader for al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Executive Order 13224 freezes any assets al-Awlaki has under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibits U.S. citizens from engaging in any transactions with him.

Al-Awlaki, a U.S. citizen and Islamic cleric, has pledged an oath of loyalty to AQAP emir Nasir al-Wahishi and plays a major role in setting the strategic direction for AQAP, according to U.S. officials. Al-Awlaki has also recruited individuals to join AQAP, facilitated training at camps in Yemen in support of acts of terrorism, and helped focus AQAP's attention on planning attacks on U.S. interests, the Treasury Department said.

Since late 2009, al-Awlaki has taken on an increasingly operational role in the group, including preparing Abdulmutallab for his operation, officials said.

Chua dikecam mahasiswa Islam pula

Hospital staff demand apology over police report

HINDRAF & HRP meets NRD on Indians no BC & IC

Perak won't acquire Indian heritage land

By G Vinod - Free Malaysia Today

IPOH: A piece of heritage land in Sitiawan was on the radar screen of the Perak government for quite sometime. Last month, the state acted and gazetted it with the intention of acquiring the 2.2-hectare plot.

But the move came in for a lot of flak from the Indian community, especially from its Dindings Indian Association (DIA) and the DAP. The land belongs to the association.

Then on Tuesday, the state government made an abrupt about-turn: Perak Menteri Besar Zambry Abdul Kadir announced that the state will not acquire the land.

Since land is a state matter, the federal government yesterday said it too would not acquire the land if the menteri besar felt the acquisition could not be done.

Ipoh Barat MP M Kulasegaran was delighted when he heard the announcement. He was at the forefront of the opposition against the acquisition. However, he is not letting down his guard.

“I want to get an official notice of the withdrawal,” he said.

Kulasegaran is well-versed in the history of the land. The piece of land had been collectively bought with contributions from pioneer Indian rubber tappers from the 35 estates in and around Sitiawan in the 1930s.

“My grandparents too contributed,” said Kulasegaran.

'Insensitive and unjust'

The problem arose when the state government last month proposed to gazette and acquire the land for the Education Ministry to redevelop  Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Simpang Empat located on the land.

The move was vehemently opposed by the DIA and Kulasegaran, who claimed the land is an Indian heritage land.

“We don't mind if the Education Ministry wants to redevelop the school, but we are against the state acquiring the whole land just for that purpose,” said the DAP vice-chairman.

The DAP veteran said the move to acquire the land was insensitive and unjust as the plot was bought by the Indian rubber tappers during the colonial days.

“They parted two Straits Settlement dollars from the 12 Straits Settlement dollars they earned monthly,” said Kulasegaran.

He said the Simpang Empat English School (as it was then known) was built on the land to educate the estate children.

He also questioned the state government's motive in acquiring the plot, saying that there are other lands available nearby.

“Just half a kilometre away from the DIA's land, there is an oil palm estate known as Sg Wangi Estate belonging to Sime Darby.

“Fifteen years ago, the Defence Ministry acquired some 150ha out of the 2,500ha (of the oil palm estate) to build an airport. Why didn't the state government acquire some hectares there too if land was what it was seeking?”

A state matter

For Kulasegaran, the dispute has not ended. He said he will still attend the Sitiawan land office hearing on Aug 25 and get an official notice over the state's withdrawal.

“We will continue asking the public to attend the hearing. We will also continue distributing pamphlets on the acquisition move from house to house,” he added.

Meanwhile, Human Resources Minister S Subramaniam said the Cabinet decided yesterday that the federal government will not acquire the plot of land belonging to DIA.

The MIC vice-president said the decision was taken after he raised the matter at the Cabinet meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also the Education Minister.

“Since land is a state matter, the Cabinet and the deputy prime minister decided that if the Perak menteri besar felt that it cannot be done (the acquisition), then we (the federal government) will not go ahead,” he said in a statement.

Subramaniam said the decision was taken to respect the sentimental values held by the Indian community towards the DIA and the land.

“It is a historical piece of land and close to the hearts of the Indian community. We decided to convey to the Perak menteri besar the decision of the Cabinet as land is a state matter, and only the state government can decide,” he said.

Pakatan wants Johor principal to be charged with sedition

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 – Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders in Johor said today the Attorney-General (A-G) should charge Johor school principal Siti Inshah Mansor for uttering “seditious words”.

“We will be submitting memorandums to the prime minister, minister of education and Attorney-General to advocate stern actions with criminal and disciplinary actions,” DAP Senai assemblyman Ong Kow Meng told The Malaysian Insider.

He stressed that the A-G must take a stand on the matter.

“So many reports have been lodged. The allegations are not coming from one or two but a large number of students and parents. This shows the seriousness of the situation. We want to know what is the Attorney-General’s stance on this matter. We want the principal to charged under section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act as a deterrent,” he said.

He confirmed that the memorandums would be sent at the end of this month, which is also the country’s independence day.

The Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra principal had reportedly made derogatory remarks during the launch of the school’s Merdeka celebrations.

“Chinese students are not needed here and can return to China or Foon Yew schools. For the Indian students, the prayer string tied around their neck and wrist makes them look like dogs because only dogs are tied like that,” Siti Inshah was quoted as saying in at least one police report.

Ong added that Inshah must make a public apology.

“We unanimously call for the principal to make a public apology through the media without any conditions,” he said. Yesterday education director-general Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom said that the incident was just a misunderstanding and the matter had been resolved.

State Education Department deputy director Markom Giran has also said that the principal was on leave pending disciplinary action.

The school administration confirmed with The Malaysian Insider that the principal has been on leave since Tuesday and is expected to be back by Monday. - The Malaysian Insider

BN Youth wants ‘racist’ school principal punished

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 – The Barisan Nasional (BN) Youth today demanded the government punish Johor school principal Siti Inshah Mansor if allegations that she made racist remarks were proven true.

Their call came after angry parents lodged 17 police reports against the SMK Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra principal, whose remarks the Education Director-General Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom dismissed as a mere misunderstanding which has been resolved. But the parents now say it has not been resolved and described Alimuddin’s statement as a “cover-up”.

“BN Youth calls for the government not to take this matter lightly,” said its chief Khairy Jamaluddin in a statement today.

“If it is true that it happened, she should be charged with a severe punishment under Section 504 of the Penal Code or the like as our multi-racial country cannot accept this at all,” added Khairy, who is also the Umno Youth chief.

The police are currently investigating the case under section 504 of the Penal Code for provocation which carries a maximum imprisonment of two years, a fine or both.

Siti Inshah allegedly likened Indian students wearing prayer threads to dogs and ordered dissatisfied ethnic Chinese and Indian students to “return to China or India”.

The principal reportedly made the derogatory remarks during the launch of the school’s Merdeka celebrations last Thursday.

“Did she (Siti Inshah) not consider the students’ feelings, especially the Chinese and Indians, by making comments that appear to insult and chase them out of the country while they were singing “Negaraku, tanah tumpahnya darahku?” asked the Rembau MP.

BN Youth’s censure against the school principal joins a chorus of condemnation against Siti Inshah since MIC central working committee member S. Murugessan has called on the government to mete out the “heaviest punishment” while DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang has demanded for her dismissal.

“Her remarks… are very disgusting and shows her ignorance in citizenship issues and religious rituals in this country. If it is true that it happened, then a severe punishment must be meted out as a lesson and a strong signal that any actions which are not in line with the 1 Malaysia concept, which fosters national unity, must be handled and acted upon accordingly,” said Khairy.

He pointed out that this incident which involved a school head, coupled with another earlier incident which involved the prime minister’s special officer, showed that racial tension was a growing systemic problem in the country.

Datuk Nasir Safar, the prime minister’s former special officer, allegedly said in February this year at a 1 Malaysia event that the “Indians came to Malaysia as beggars and Chinese, especially women, came to sell their bodies”.

He was later asked to resign as the prime minister’s aide and no further action was taken against him. In Parliament, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said that this was because it was difficult to prove if Nasir’s words had any tendency to be seditious.

Another civil servant accused of making racial slurs was a schoolteacher who purportedly made racist remarks but was let off with just a transfer.

Schoolteacher Rusita Abu Hassan who taught in SMK Telok Panglima Garang in Banting had in 2008 allegedly used derogatory remarks on a certain ethnic group in order to “test their level of patience”.

She was later transferred from the school but the punishment was viewed as more of a promotion for she was given a post in a smart school located near to her home.

Parents claimed that Siti Inshah has also made racist remarks in her previous school SMK Kelapa Sawit, where she called Indians Nigerians.

Another student alleged that Siti Inshah gave an example of owning a Proton Saga where a Chinese and Indian are passengers in the car and cannot claim any right to the car, likening it to Malaysia where non-Malay students are mere passengers. - The Malaysian Insider

Home Ministry seizes copies of 'queer' book

By Patrick Lee

PETALING JAYA: Three copies of local writer Amir Muhammad's book, “Body 2 Body: A Malaysian Queer Anthology”, were seized by the Home Ministry from the Kinokuniya outlet in KLCC here today. “They came, and we cooperated with them,” said a Kinokuniya staff member, adding that it was just a “regular visit” and “nothing big”.

Released in 2009, the book is a compilation of stories surrounding the Malaysian lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) scene.

Contacted later, Amir said the ministry was not obliged to inform him about the matter.

“They just walk into a shop and take the copies,” he told FMT. “They don't want to go through the whole legal process (of banning the book).”

“It's kind of ironic, (as) a month ago I decided not to reprint the book,” he said, adding that there were only 50 copies of the book left in the country.

The book has sold more than 2,900 copies to date.

When queried if he knew why the ministry took his books away, Amir said with a laugh, “They can't afford to buy the books, so (maybe) they took them for free.”

As a result, Amir said that the book's distributor would be hiding the books from their shelves.

However, he confirmed that one outlet, Silverfish Books, would continue to sell the title.

Amir is no stranger to the government's book-grabbing tendencies.

In February this year, nine copies of his political satire title, “Malaysian Politicians Say the Darndest Things (Vol 2)” were seized by police officers from MPH Mahkota Parade in Malacca.

Sorry no cure for bigotry, says Samy

By FMT Staff

KUALA LUMPUR: It is this very mentality that drove Indians to vote for the opposition in the last general election, said MIC president S Samy Vellu.

Therefore, the veteran politician suggested that those who play with the fire of racism, must have their fingers burnt.

He cautioned the Education Ministry against allowing a principal, who had allegedly uttered disparaging remarks against her Chinese and Indian students, to be let off with a slap on the wrist.

In a statement today, the MIC president urged the ministry to take serious and appropriate action against Siti Inshah Mansor if she was found guilty.

He said although the ministry appeared to have resolved the case, MIC wanted to ensure that the  principal was punished accordingly.

“The punishment must commensurate with the offence,” he said, adding that the alleged remarks had insulted and degraded the Indian and Chinese communities.

“Statements of this nature made before the March 2008 general election made the Indians feel hurt and alienated from the government. It caused Indians to drift away from Barisan Nasional.

“To say the least, these remarks are insulting and offensive to Indians and had created doubts in their minds and is against the true meaning of 1Malaysia,” he said, adding that an apology from the  principal would not be enough.

Siti Insah courted infamy when her Chinese and Indian students claimed that she had insulted them during a Mederka celebration at the secondary school, located in Kulai, Johor.

The principal had allegedly told the Chinese students to go back to China and likened Indian students to dogs.

Enraged parents subsequently filed a litany of police reports and Siti Insah, who is currently on leave, is being investigated under the Penal Code.

At the onset of the controversy, Samy Vellu had called for the principal to be charged with sedition for her “shameless and senseless” act.

CWC upholds Mugilan's sacking
In another development, the MIC central working committee (CWC) today upheld the sacking of former deputy Youth chief V Mugilan.

Since Mugilan failed to attend the hearing at the CWC meeting, his expulsion from the party was endorsed by the committee.

“The CWC decision is final,” said Samy Vellu.

On the fate of another sacked member G Kumar Aamaan, the president said the former CWC member had requested for another opportunity to be heard as he was unable to make it for today’s meeting.

“His (Kumar’s) case is still pending until further notice. He wants an opportunity to make his appeal to the CWC,” the MIC chief said.

Samy Vellu and his deputy G Palanivel did not attend the hearing of Mugilan and Kumar's cases this morning. The meeting was chaired by vice-president Dr S Subramaniam.

Mugilan and Kumar along with former CWC member, K P Samy and a MIC division leader, V Subramaniam or better known as Bharath Maniam, were expelled from the MIC early this year by the president for “working against the interest of the party”.

Last month, the CWC upheld the decision.

Mugilan's sacking had come hot on the heels of his statement urging Samy Vellu to step down with immediate effect while KP Samy and Kumar had openly backed the call.

The trio then went on to start the “Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu” (GAS) campaign, and have since accused the veteran president of numerous misdeeds.

Support letter: New village chief suspended

By FMT Staff
PETALING JAYA: The Selangor state government today suspended Kampung Baru Pandamaran new village chief Yap Hock Siew from his position with immediate effect for acting in a manner that will create conflict of interest.
Yesterday, FMT reported that Yap had issued a support letter on June 17 for a company which belongs to him, to procure a contract for maintenance and cleaing of river floodgates at Jalan Papan Pandamaran.

“We will carry out an investigation over the matter and I am sure all relevent parties will cooperate with us,” Selangor state executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah said in a press statement today.

He added that this proved that the Selangor government is committed towards offering the people an accountable and transparent administration.

“We will not hesistate to take stern action against anyone who are guilty of any corrupt practise,”said Ean Yong.

Raja Tikus DEB

Liew Kee Sin, Pengerusi SP Setia Berhad telah menyediakan statistik yang menunjukkan ahli perniagaan Cina telah maju dan berkembang di bawah Dasar Ekonomi Baru (DEB).  Beliau berkata, golongan Cina telah menguasai kekayaan 73% yang tersenarai dalam barisan 40 rakyat Malaysia yang terkaya dan menduduki 8 daripada 10 orang terkaya di Malaysia.  Semua orang tahu siapa mereka.  Mereka bukan sahaja antara yang terkaya di Malaysia, tetapi juga di dunia.

Semua orang tahu bagaimana mereka mencipta kekayaan sepanjang tempoh 40 tahun yang lepas.  Aduan selama ini bukan berkisar sekitar soal bahawa Cina, India, Sikh, Kadazan, Dusun, Iban dan bukan Bumiputera lain turut bersama mencipta peluang kekayaan di bawah Dasar Ekonomi Baru.  Biarpun di negara yang diperintah oleh rejim yang paling menekan rakyat, memang akan wujud golongan yang berjaya.

Terdapat aduan bahawa penyalahgunaan DEB telah mengakibatkan rakyat telah dinafikan hak mereka sebagai warga yang bermaruah.  Sedangkan semua orang tanpa mengira kaum, agama adalah tertakluk sebagai warganegara dan mempunyai kesaksamaan dalam meningkatkan taraf hidup untuk diri dan keluarga.

Rakyat Malaysia adalah tertakluk untuk menikmati kehidupan dengan penuh bermaruah.  Tidak perlu untuk bergelut seperti Raja Tikus dalam novel John Clavell yang memaksa kita untuk melakukan rasuah dan terlibat dalam pasaran gelap semata-mata untuk hidup dalam kem tahanan perang Jepun.

Raja Tikus, seperti lelaki lain telah menjadi satu kuasa kuat dalam penjara dengan menjadi orang yang paling berjaya menerusi rasuah dan pasaran gelap.  Tentera Jepun hanya memberi tahanan sebuah tempat tinggal yang kecil dan makanan yang terhad.  Semua pegawai hanya memakai cebisan pakaian buruk dan diberi layanan yang tidak berperikemanusiaaan.  Bahkan pegawai kanan terpaksa mendekati Raja Tikus untuk menjual barang-barang bernilai demi mendapatkan makanan.

Raja Tikus bergelut dengan keadaan penjara yang cukup zalim.  Penyalahgunaan dan kegagalan DEB sepertimana yang didakwa oleh Nazir Razak (gambar kanan) telah mencipta satu keadaan yang serupa dalam kisah Raja Tikus.

Pelaksanaan DEB oleh kerajaan telah memberikan kuasa yang besar kepada para pegawainya untuk meluluskan lesen, permit dan segala bentuk intervensi dalam akitiviti ekonomi.

Dengan memiliki kuasa sebesar itu, peluang itu digunakan oleh pegawai-pegawai untuk mendapatkan bayaran dari pemilik perniagaan besar sehinggalah peniaga jalanan untuk mendapatkan kelulusan permit dan lesen.  Penjaja dan peniaga jalanaan membuat bayaran bawah kaunter untuk mendapatkan lesen.

Peniaga besar terpaksa membayar sejumlah wang besar untuk berniaga.  Inilah yang timbulkan persepsi rasuah dan sebagainya.  Bagaimana anda dapat mencari nafkah di negara yang berada pada tangga 56 dalam Indeks Persepsi Rasuah Transparensi International (TI))?

Rakyat Malaysia tidak harus dimalukan sebegitu.

Liew (gambar kiri) minta Peniaga Cina bekerjasama dengan rakan kongsi Melayu.  Ini telah diwujudkan di bawah nama DEB.  Mereka yang celik pandai tidak perlu menunggu seruan Liew.  Kebanyakan kontrak yang diberikan kepada Melayu telah disubkontrakkan kepada kontraktor Cina.

Kontrak Kelas F yang diberikan khasnya kepada Bumiputera dianugerahkan mengikut citarasa pegawai kerajaan ataupun Yang Dipertua Bandar dan bukan melalui cara bidaan terbuka.  Sistem Ali Baba ini diwujudkan atas nama suci memberikan kontrak, lesen dan permit kepada peniaga Melayu untuk meningkatkan taraf ekonomi mereka.

Selepas 40 tahun dan berbilion ringgit dibelanjakan, 82% di luar bandar dan 62% di bandar yang miskin masih merupakan golongan Melayu.  Selagi majoriti Melayu masih berada dalam keadaan miskin, PERKASA dan ekstremis akan menuntut bahawa DEB masih perlu diteruskan.  DEB (NEP -New Economic Policy) kemudian akan digelar Never Ending Policy, ataupun dasar yang tidak ada penamatannya.

Kita tidak boleh menuduh kontraktor Cina dan bukan bumiputera yang mengambil alih kerja sebagai subkontraktor dalam lapisan kedua, ketiga mahupun keempat.  Mereka juga perlu mencari sesuap nasi.  Mereka juga mempunyai keperluan.  Kebanyakan subkontraktor tidak mendapat bayaran atas kerja yang telah dibuat.

Dalam banyak kejadian, kontraktor di atas telah menyapu kesemua bayaran dan tidak tinggalkan apa-apa kepada subkontrator.  Saya kenal ramai subkontraktor Cina dan bukan Bumiputera yang bankrup akibat kejadian sedemikian.  Kenapakah subkontraktor ini terpaksa hidup sebegini?  Jika kontraktor kelas F dianugerahkan berdasarkan keperluan dan bukan kaum, kebanyakan kesengsaraan dan kepahitan akan dapat dielakkan.

Liew telah menunjukkan beberapa contoh bagaimana Peniaga Cina dapat mengaut keuntungan luar biasa walaupun di bawah DEB.  Walau bagaimanapun, disebabkan penyekatan DEB terutamanya di bawah Akta Penyelarasan Industri dan bidang ekonomi utama, peniagaan Cina bukan lagi kuasa penting dalam bidang perkilangan.  Mereka juga bukan lagi pemilik bagi beberapa syarikat bank dan kewangan seperti berlaku pada tahun 1970-an.

Pada tahun 1980-an, Gabungan Dewan Perniagaan dan Perindustrian China Malaysia telah membuat aduan bahawa jika pelabur asing diberikan pengecualian daripada penetapan penyertaan ekuiti bumiputera ke atas syarikat mereka, kenapakah syarikat Cina terpaksa menanggung obligasi tersebut.  Aduan tersebut tidak mendapat sambutan dari mana-mana pihak.

Akibat yang seterusnya adalah penggabungan antara usahawan Cina dengan Melayu berpengaruh dalam politik ataupun bekas anggota kerajaan (termasuk angkatan tentera).

Ini bukan merupakan objektif DEB.  DEB bermatlamat menjadikannya pemangkin bagi mewujudkan usahawan Melayu dan Cina secara saksama sesama mereka.  Matlamat BEB bukan untuk mewujudkan gabungan politik dan perniagaan, sebaliknya untuk memantapkan kekuatan ekonomi syarikat-syarikat di Malaysia.

Dalam jangka masa panjang, suasana ini menjadi kurang sihat untuk perniagaan ataupun persekitaran ekonomi sosial.

Liew berkata bahawa perniagaan adalah untuk keuntungan dan bukan politik.  Tujuan perniaga adalah untuk mengaut keuntungan.  Apabila kapten British membebaskan banduan dari penjara dan bertemu dengan King Rat, beliau bertanya kenapakah King Rat boleh berada dalam keadaan dan tahap kesihatan yang lebih baik daripada mereka yang tidak berbaju, kurus kering dan sakit.  King Rat berkata tidak ada masalah menjadi juara dalam keadaan sebegitu.

Balas Kapten Inggeris itu, ia tidak membahayakan sekiranya ia tidak mengorbankan kepentingan orang lain.  Begitu juga, tidak ada salahnya untuk meneruskan NEP sekiranya ia tidak mengorbankan kepentingan orang lain.  Hakikatnya kos dan beban terlalu tinggi dan tidak setanding dengan keuntungan.

Satu contoh biasa sudah memadai untuk menggambarkan hal ini.  Dalam DEB antara tahun 1995 dan 2000, Rancangan Malaysia Ketujuh bahagian pembangunan pendidikan dasar telah memperuntukkan 96.5% untuk sekolah rendah kebangsaan di mana jumlah keseluruhan persekitarannya hanya mencakupi 75%.

Sekolah Rendah Cina yang mempunyai jumlah keseluruhan pengambilan 21% hanya diperuntukkan 2.4%, manakala sekolah-sekolah Tamil yang hanya mencakupi 3.6% daripada keseluruhan pengambilan telah diperuntukkan 1% daripada keseluruhan belanjawan.

Meskipun dengan pengumuman kerajaan berkaitan pengurangan kebergantungan kepada kuota bangsa untuk memasuki universiti pada tahun 2004, 128 pelajar yang memperolehi 5A telah ditolak permohonan pertama mereka dalam bidang perubatan.  Permasalahan yang dihadapi mereka ialah hakikat bahawa mereka bukan bumiputra.

Timbalan Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri, Mukhriz Mahathir bercakap di Dewan Negara pada 27 Julai 2010 bahawa Bank SME bermula 2006 sehingga Jun tahun ini menyatakan bahawa sejumlah RM9.8 bilion pinjaman yang melibatkan 5.447 aplikasi dan beberapa lagi program lain adalah 90% daripadanya penerima manfaat bumiputra IKS (Industri Kecil dan Sederhana).

Menurut Profesor Chin Yew Sin (gambar kanan), Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Penyelidikan, Bahagian Pemuda Persekutuan Cina Malaysia, masih terdapat sekitar 519,000 PKS di Malaysia dan mereka masih belum menerima sebarang pinjaman dari Bank SME.

Kesan DEB kepada warga Malaysia adalah ribuan anak-anak sekolah rendah yang memiliki bakat dan potensi yang cemerlang tidak mendapat peluang, bahkan tidak menyedari bakat dan kelebihan diri yang mereka miliki.  Pengusaha-pengusaha industri kecil dan sederhana juga berhadapan dengan permasalahan kewangan oleh sebab konflik perbezaan bangsa.

Seluruh dunia telah mengakui bahawa ketidaksetaraan dalam sesebuah negara dan antara negara akan menyebabkan kemiskinan dan taraf hidup yang rendah.  Sesebuah sistem sosial yang menekankan keadilan dan kesamarataan sosial sahaja mampu mencapai keadilan dalam pengagihan kekayaan dan peluang di antara semua orang.  NEP tidak akan mampu membawa Malaysia keluar dari belenggu permasalahan sosio-ekonomi yang sedang kita hadapi sekian lama.

Seperti dalam novel, di mana Raja Tikus menjadi kuat dalam persekitaran yang memberikan penghargaan licik, kemenangan dan kekuatan, ia pada akhirnya menjadi makanan untuk orang kuat, Malaysia tidak boleh mempertahankan pembangunan di persekitaran di mana pembastaran (bastardisation) dari DEB ganjaran yang cerdik dan jujur.

Bangsa ini hanya boleh menjadi makmur apabila integriti, etika dan urus tadbir pemerintahan yang baik dipraktikkan.  Beberapa pengusaha Cina Malaysia yang telah berkembang pesat di bawah cengkaman halangan persekitaran kini tidak akan dapat membenarkan DEB diamalkan secara berterusan dan kerugian ekonomi dan sosial ini akan terus dideritai oleh semua orang yang lain.

*Tulisan William Leong Jee Keen selaku Ahli Parlimen Selayang, Selangor, merangkap Bendahari Agung PKR.

Sodomy circus turns into a sex opera!

Karpal also blasted the AG’s Chambers: "Never before in the history of the country or in the Commonwealth has a DPP had an affair with the star witness". The brave legal tiger forgot for a moment that he was in Bolehland, where everything is beyond human comprehension!

By Martin Jalleh

It seems that for the past few days the Attorney General (AG)’s Chambers have become somewhat like a boiler room after being hit by one steamy story after another. The AG, Gani Patail, has been going bonkers, berserk and ballistic, as a result of an unexpected hard blow below the belt by Raja Petra Kamarudin (RPK).

The famous whistleblower, lid-blower and blogger had dropped a bombshell by alleging that the AG has been bonking the head of one of his divisions. Such news blew many away but RPK said their sexploits were nothing new. Many in the AG’s Chambers have chosen to turn a blind eye to their boss’ bonking.

The AG and partner have allegedly saved the nation’s taxpayers money, as they would blissfully bunk, bonk and bond in the same hotel room during their frequent trips abroad.

We should not be bogged down by who is bonking whom, but when such basic or base instincts are allegedly displayed by the nation’s top legal officer it becomes the rakyat’s business!

This is especially so when the AG has been bonking from high moral ground of his Office whilst trying hard to banish Anwar Ibrahim into political oblivion with a bull-loaded sodomy charge.

Bonking Binge

The sex opera began with RPK alleging that the prosecution’s star witness in Anwar's Sodomy II trial, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, was bonking Farah Azlina Latif, a deputy public prosecutor (DPP) involved in the case.

Was RPK bluffing? The AG begged not to comment but instead bundled Farah off to another division. Saiful and Farah bound themselves in silence, though Saiful could not stop babbling about the truth finally prevailing (and it really did!).

Anwar lodged a police report alleging that the “bonkers” had breached the law, especially the OSA. Karpal Singh, Anwar's lead lawyer, said the couple, if innocent, should be bold enough to verify what they have been accused of. The Court was duty bound to allow him to question them in Court.

Karpal also blasted the AG’s Chambers: "Never before in the history of the country or in the Commonwealth has a DPP had an affair with the star witness". The brave legal tiger forgot for a moment that he was in Bolehland, where everything is beyond human comprehension!

The AG betrayed himself when he passed the baby on to Solicitor-General (SG) II Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden, who told the Court that the prosecution was totally blur on the bonking. He accused Anwar of making “bare allegations” and insisted there was no miscarriage of justice!

Karpal countered that Anwar had “bare facts” and “hard evidence” that the two had bared and bonked. He urged the Court not to go soft on the prosecution. The naked truth they could stand no more -- is that their absolute lack of integrity has been exposed and credibility stripped to the very core!

The SG who was in the best position to respond to Anwar’s affidavit seeking the dismissal of the case, or require Saiful and Farah to file an affidavit, bewildered everyone by passing the buck to his subordinate DPP Hanafiah Zakaria and Investigating Officer (IO) Supt Jude Pereira.

As expected, the Court, which has been perceived by the general public as subserviently doing the bidding of the political masters, bowed and bent backwards, much to the pleasure of those in the AG’s Chambers.

Judge Zaibidin Diah found Anwar’s allegations of the Saiful-Farah’s sexual affair to be true but he ruled that the relationship did not compromise the case. He based this solely on the affidavits of the DPP and the IO. He rejected Anwar's application to strike out the sodomy charge.

We are asked by the Court to believe that Farah, a qualified lawyer, chosen to be on the high-powered prosecution team, to assist in such a high-profile case, was merely a note-taker and beyond reasonable doubt was not privy to crucial information on the case!

Further, surely the learned judge knows that great empires have fallen when forbidden secrets were released by a lover during pulsating and passionate bonking moments and pillow talk. From the charge sheet and on to the bed sheet surely much would have been spilled!

As for DPP Hanafiah, Karpal told the Court that the DPP’s very own credibility was in question, alleging that the latter had had a second marriage in Thailand, and had tried to “legalise his marriage in Kota Bahru” and is therefore “guilty of committing an offence under the Syariah law”!

The IO had said that all investigation papers were strictly under his control. But who can trust the police nowadays? Even the Kota Kinabalu Sessions Court had described Jude Pereira’s boss, IGP Musa Hassan, “an incredible witness whose evidence is not to be believed”!

Monsters & Masterminds

The rakyat’s heart goes out to Janna Syariza, the fiancée of Saiful. Once when referring to the sodomy case, she had very bravely declared that she will stand by her man through the “monstrous battle that is looming ahead”, not realising that a “monster” was standing next to her.

RPK has also alleged in a blog posting “Just when you thought it is safe to go into the water”, that Saiful is also bonking Khairil Annas Jusoh, an aide of Najib. The man had proudly posed with the sodomy accuser outside the PM’s office when the latter went there “to apply for a scholarship”!

RPK revealed that after a one-month marriage, an on learning about the affair, Khairil’s wife left him and “divorce is certainly on the cards”. Will Janna Syariza, the fiancée of Saiful, be able to stomach and survive this third “storm”? She can be assured of the sympathies of many Malaysians.

One cannot but feel also for the fiancé of Farah who according to the Malaysian Chronicle is the assistant head of the prosecution unit in a northern state. They were engaged last year. Their marriage was due to take place on July 9.

A day before the marriage was due to be solemnised she asked for a cancellation, leaving her fiancé who had already sent out all the invitation cards stunned and heartbroken. Farah must have realised that she had gone too far!

Before we could even recover from the revelations of the shocking sex scandals of those who allow themselves to be used by the masterminds to destroy Anwar politically, RPK serves yet another sex sizzler and it involves the Attorney General himself!

Gani Patail must not remain silent. He must speak up and reveal whether it is just a spin (just like when almost everyone first thought that the Saiful-Farah sex liaison was one?). Not only his credibility and integrity is at stake, but also that of the Office of the Attorney General...and even the government!

Strangely enough the country’s self-appointed moralists and religious authorities have also been very silent on the sex fest that has taken place. There have been no screams or shouts of zina or khalwat or interviews and investigations to be conducted. Perhaps they have all grown up?

If such secret sex trysts are really going on amongst those in the Chambers of the AG what would be left of the public’s trust!