Indian police die in Maoist blast

Six Indian police officers have been killed by a roadside bomb allegedly planted by Maoist rebels in the country's east, officials say.

The mine exploded as the officers' jeep passed under a bridge in the Sheohar district of Bihar state on Saturday. The policemen were returning to their base after inspecting security arrangements for local elections this weekend.

Police officials said the attack aimed to disrupt the month-long polling process to elect a new government for Bihar, which began its first phase on Thursday.

"The land mine attack was aimed to create terror among the voters," Neelmani, Bihar's director general of police, who asked reporters to call him by only one name, said.

The police have launched an operation to catch the suspected attackers.

The Maoist rebels, also known as Naxals, have called for a boycott of the polls and put up posters in the district urging people not to vote.

The group has been fighting the government for more than four decades, demanding more land and jobs for the poor.

Manmohan Singh, the country's prime minister, has called the rebel group, which regularly ambushes police, the country's biggest internal security threat.

Source:Agencies

BBC Tamilosai Interview with Hindraf Chairman P.Waythamoorthy on Malaysian Indian poor

HINDRAF’s plea to Manmohan (The Hindu)

Online edition of India’s National Newspaper

HINDRAF’s plea to Manmohan
P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE: Welcoming Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s planned visit to Malaysia next week, the Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) Makkal Sakthi has urged him to raise issues concerning the welfare of ethnic Indian minority in that country.

The HINDRAF Makkal Sakthi Chairman, P. Waytha Moorthy, appealed to Dr. Singh to show a sense of “moral responsibility” towards the Malaysian Indians. He was urged to reciprocate their contribution towards India’s freedom struggle.

Dr. Singh could do so by placing the “concerns” of ethnic Indians on the agenda with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, said Mr. Waytha Moorthy over telephone from London, where he lives in exile. India should, rise above being “just India Inc.” P. Uthayakumar, leader of the Pro tem Human Rights Party Malaysia, sent a letter to Dr. Singh, requesting that Malaysian Indian students be granted scholarships for study in India. Referring to the planned opening of “Little India” in Kuala Lumpur, Mr. Uthayakumar wrote: “The significance is only symbolic. Little India is no more than a little flower bazaar. Of greater significance to the Indian community in Malaysia will be … the provision of scholarships … [for] study in Indian universities.” The Pro tem party is the political wing of HINDRAF-Makkal Sakthi, a new name for the banned HINDRAF.

http://www.hindu.com/2010/10/23/stories/2010102364131300.htm

Only Umno can protect Malay rights, says Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 – Datuk Seri Najib Razak declared today that political power must remain in Umno’s hands to protect the special position of Malays.

He also promised his administration would not roll back affirmative action policies to protect Malay interests.

In winding up his party’s annual meeting, the Umno president (picture) attacked political rivals for twisting his words in arguing against his party’s relevance to protect constitutional provisions on Malay rights.

“The other side is very good at twisting my words. He said if the rights are guaranteed, then there is no need for Umno to remain in power,” said Najib in his winding up speech at the Umno assembly here.

“This is definitely not true, because political power must remain in Umno’s hands for us to translate the principles and the spirit of the constitutional position,” he told the 2,500 party delegates gathered here today.

Najib had said that the special position of the Malays was part of the social contract agreed before independence in exchange for citizenship for the non-Malays.

He had also pointed out that the position of Malays was enshrined in the Federal Constitution and could not be easily amended without the consent of the Conference of Rulers.

Today Najib also said that he has been consistent on the issue of special Malay position, adding that he had delivered the same message at the MCA assembly two weeks ago.

“During the MCA assembly, which I officiated, I was surrounded by MCA leaders but what did I say? I said in any country it would be unfair for the majority to have only a small control of the economy,” said Najib to loud cheers from the delegates.

He assured the party that he would not backtrack from the principles of the pro-Bumiputera New Economic Policy (NEP) introduced during the administration of his father Tun Razak Hussein, the second prime minister.

“Who started the NEP? As the son I will ensure the spirit and principle of the struggle continues,” said Najib.

The prime minister also revealed that the government has formed a supreme council committee on the Bumiputera agenda chaired by him to protect the interest of the community.

The formation of the committee was suggested by the party’s delegates when debating the motion on the economy.

“In fact the supreme council on Bumiputera agenda has been formed. The first meeting was held last month,” Najib told the assembly.

“I am the chairman with deputy prime minister as the deputy and selected ministers as members of the council,” he said adding that the three Umno vice-presidents Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Datuk Shafie Apdal are also members of the council.

Killer bus was speeding, says minister

The wreckage of the Delima bus rests on a crushed vehicle after the October 10 incident. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 — The express bus involved in a crash that killed 13 people at 223km North-South Expressway near Simpang Ampat toll plaza was travelling at 120kph after entering the expressway from Alor Gajah toll.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said this was among findings of a scientific analysis and study on the crash conducted by Malaysia Institute of Road and Safety (Miros).

He said a co-ordination meeting involving relevant agencies such as Road Transport Department, Computerised Vehicle Inspection System Centre (Puspakom), police and Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) had been carried out on October 14, following the accident.

The reports were then compiled and analysed by the Miros crash reconstruction team, he said in a statement here, tonight. He said based on the crash impact energy analysis, the probable speed of Delima Bus, which was carrying 36 passengers, before braking was between 94 and 109kph.

“Furthermore, another vehicle involved in this collision might have been travelling at sped of 160kph at the time,” he added.

In the 6.47pm accident on October 10, the Delima express bus heading to Kuala Lumpur from Melaka went out of control, flipped over to the south-bound side of the expressway and rammed into a van, two cars and another bus, leaving 13 people killed and 38 others injured.

On the condition of the express bus, Kong said periodic inspection from Puspakom showed that the bus was in good condition.

“The tyres and brakes of the express bus were in good condition prior to the crash as found by Puspakom during inspection after the collision,” he said.

Kong said possible causes were sudden encroachment of other vehicles into the bus lane, critical traffic flow in front and slow response time by the driver.

The number of casualties and injuries and the severity of the collision could be avoided if everyone followed traffic rules and practised good driving behaviour, travel within the speed limit, fasten front and rear seat belts while heavy vehicles kept to the slow lane.

“Besides strict enforcement, road engineering and vehicle safety, the road user behaviour plays an important role in preventing road accidents,” he said. — Bernama

Najib, Muhyiddin to 'turun padang' next year

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno president Najib Tun Razak said he and his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin would be going to the ground (turun padang) nationwide from next year to meet the people and prepare the party machinery for the 13th general election.
Without disclosing when the next general election would be held, the prime minister said he wanted other Umno leaders to also go to the ground and "to always be there".

"Beginning next year, we will be going to one state after another to meet the party leaders and people there. We want them (local Umno leaders) to be well prepared to ensure our visits will have good public attendance. When you return, start preparing," he told the delegates when winding up the debate at the 61st Umno general assembly, here, today.

The current parliamentary term ends in 2013.

Najib said he would also be making changes to the party leadership at certain levels to better prepare for the next general election.

He said he would also be discussing with Muhyiddin and the three party vice-presidents -- Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Hishammuddin Hussein and Mohd Shafie Apdal -- on drawing up the best formula in facing the elections.

People come first

The prime minister, who often interspersed his speech with jokes to enliven the atmosphere, also recited a “pantun” which urged the party election machinery to ensure victory in the upcoming Galas state by-election in Kelantan and the Batu Sapi parliamentary polls in Sabah on Nov 4.

The pantun read:

"Jadi rajin, jangan malas; Boleh menang kita di Galas

"Jangan jadi batu api di Batu Sapi."

(Work hard, dont' be lazy, we can win in Galas.

Don't be an instigator in Batu Sapi)

Najib said what was important now was that the people must come first and Umno leaders must always be close to their hearts in all their actions.

He said besides the national leadership factor which encompassed policies and direction, three other important factors for Umno to ensure victory in the next general election were party leadership at the state level, people's acceptance of the party and the candidates.

Also present were Najib's wife Rosmah Mansor, and former Umno president Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali.

- Bernama

Implement changes now, says Muhyiddin

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno does not have much time left before the next general election is called and thus it is crucial for the party to implement the political transformation as soon as possible, Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin said.
He said the initiative to implement the transformation was crucial and could not be ignored because Umno had to face the general public who would make an evaluation and subsequently decide to determine the fate of the party in the next general election.

"We don't have much time left. I'm not certain when the party president (and Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak) will announce the date of the general election. Even if the date is not announced, we certainly know that there are only several months left," he said when winding up the debate at the 61st Umno general assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre, here today.

Muhyiddin, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said the political transformation must be carried out as emphasised by Najib in the three phases of recovery including starting work programmes.

He said Umno too must have the courage to overcome the weaknesses within the party because they frequently became the target and focus of the general public who would be assessing what Umno had been doing all this while.

"We have heard talks from time to time suggesting that they are not satisfied with the initiatives that we have carried out all this while, what are the measures that we must take," he said.

Muhyiddin said Umno should also undertake soul-searching so that whatever action carried out was based on sincerity, and whatever statements made were true and would build public confidence in the party.

Umno's character

On the three-day general assembly, he said it had proven two important things which were that Umno was always serious in discussing matters to empower the Malays, and at the same time, ensure justice for all races in the country.

"In discussing these important matters, Umno always takes into consideration the views of the grassroots who represent the voice of the people, which clearly reflects Umno's character as a party that is not only democratic but also one that is always relevant, that always places the interest of the nation and people first," he said.

Muhyiddin said it was also clear that Umno members wanted the party to continue to have a strong stand in defending the special privileges of the Malays, the Malay language as the national language, Islam as the official religion and the sovereignty of the institution of the Malay Rulers which was enshrined in the constitution.

"These issues had been clearly voiced out and we are thankful for this firm stand. There should no longer be any dispute on these matters which we have decided in our Federal Constitution," he said.

Muhyiddin said that while Umno was firm in defending the privileges of the Malays and Bumiputera, the party also took the responsibility to protect and respect the rights of the other races in the country.

- Bernama

Roar like a tiger, IGP tells men-in-blue

By Teoh El Sen - Free Malaysia Today

PETALING JAYA: The new Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar let out a big “roar” when he told the men-in-blue that they must be like a two-faced tiger when dealing with the public and criminals.

"I want our policemen to portray the two faces of a tiger. One face shows a cute and kind tiger which is always a protector and friend of the people," he said, referring to the tiger-head emblem of the Royal Malaysian Police Force.

"When faced with criminals, you must show the other face – brave, strict, and fearsome," he said at a crime-prevention dialogue at Taman Medan here today.

He delighted the crowd when he picked up a police cap and pointed at the tiger-head emblem and roared.

"Roarrr!" he boomed to enthusiastic cheers and claps.

Ismail said the police needed the co-orporation of the public to successfully combat crime.

"I need you to help the police. Don't stay silent."

He added that his peers in Japan, China, and Europe all agreed that the police can't work alone.

He also expressed concerns over younger generation, saying it is important that they stay united.

"A united society is the first fort of defence against crime," he said.

‘Ketuanan Melayu’ was not part of the Merdeka deal (part 3 of the series on the Social Contract)

The Constitutional Conference, which was held in London from 18th January to 6th February 1956, was attended by representatives of the Malay Rulers as well as the newly-elected government of Malaya that won 51 of the 52 seats in the elections six months before that. And this government was the Alliance government of Umno, MCA and MIC. This, therefore, demolishes the argument that Umno negotiated Merdeka. It was actually negotiated by a coalition of Umno, MCA and MIC. And this Conference was the basis of Malaya’s new Federal Constitution -- the handiwork of the Chinese and Indians as well.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

There is now an urgent need for people on both, indeed all, sides of this question – and all Malaysians generally – to understand what exactly those agreements now designated as “the social contract” in fact were.

Malaysians need to reach a historically well-founded consensus concerning “the social contract”, what its terms were at the nation’s formative moment and in its founding experience, and what it means today and for the future. The coherence, strength and political sustainability of the nation require no less.

‘Ketuanan Melayu’ not part of the deal

It needs to be widely understood that, whatever they provided and mandated, “Ketuanan Melayu” was not part of what those agreements enshrined. Any suggestion that Malay political domination in perpetuity, continuing Malay “ethnocratic” ascendancy over other Malayans (and now Malaysians), was any part of those foundational agreements now designated as “the social contract” is simply wrong.

Those who argue to the contrary that Ketuanan Melayu is a constitutionally guaranteed “foundational” component of Malaysia’s national sovereignty and international public identity are disingenuous, mischievous, or simply ill-informed.

The attempt to “read back” subsequent notions of Ketuanan Melayu into ideas of “the social contract” and in that way to embed them within newly fashioned but quite dubious views of the constitution is simply an exercise in anachronistic revisionism. It is the duty of serious historians and legal scholars to say so. -- by CLIVE S. KESSLER, Malaysiakini

Henti bahas hak Melayu – PM

(Utusan) - Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak meminta semua pihak supaya berhenti mempersoal dan membahaskan mengenai hak istimewa Melayu serta pada masa sama mengulangi bahawa ia dijamin dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan.

Menurut Presiden UMNO, seperti yang ditegaskan beliau baru-baru ini, soal hak istimewa Melayu dan bumiputera adalah sesuatu yang telah terpateri dan terkunci kemas dalam Perkara 153 Perlembagaan dan tidak mungkin dipinda.

“Itulah sebenarnya hakikatnya. Peruntukan-peruntukan mengenai kepentingan orang Melayu dan bumiputera, yang melibatkan soal keistimewaan orang Melayu sudah pun terpateri kemas, telah terkunci, tersimpul mati dalam Perlembagaan negara kita.

“Ia tak boleh dipinda melainkan dengan persetujuan raja-raja Melayu dan saya tak nampak raja-raja Melayu akan pinda peruntukan Perlembagaan ini.

“Soal Perlembagaan ini tak usah bangkit pada sesiapa lagi. Habis, tutup cerita, kita mara ke depan, orang putih kata lets move on. Tak ada apa lagi, dah... dah... dah, habis cerita, tutup buku,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian dalam ucapan penggulungan ketika sesi penangguhan Perhimpunan Agung UMNO Ke-61 di Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra (PWTC) di sini hari ini.

Dalam ucapan dasar Presiden sewaktu merasmikan perhimpunan agung itu Khamis lalu, Perdana Menteri menegaskan, hak istimewa Melayu yang dijamin dalam Perkara 153 Perlembagaan tidak boleh digugat kerana ia tidak mungkin dipinda tanpa persetujuan Majlis Raja-Raja.

Perkara 153 antara lain mencakupi rezab kuota perkhidmatan dan permit untuk orang Melayu.

Dalam pada itu, Najib menyelar parti pembangkang yang memusingkan ucapan dasarnya berkaitan hak istimewa orang Melayu itu dengan kenyataan bahawa UMNO tidak perlu berkuasa kerana kononnya pihak lain pun boleh mempertahankan keistimewaan itu disebabkan ia sudah ada dalam Perlembagaan.

Menurutnya, pandangan pembangkang itu tidak benar sama sekali kerana walaupun ia sudah terkunci kemas, namun kuasa politik perlu berada di tangan UMNO untuk menterjemah prinsip semangat peruntukan Perlembagaan itu.

“Kumpulan yang di sebelah sana, dia pakar pusing, orang putih kata spinning. Dia very good at spinning. Dalam ucapan saya (ucapan dasar), saya tutup dengan mengatakan dalam apa juga keadaan, mesti kita pertahankan (hak istimewa Melayu).

“Inilah masalah kita berdepan dengan pembangkang yang selalu memutar sesuatu kepalsuan untuk mengelirukan rakyat jelata.

“Kita beritahu bahawa UMNO akan menyelamatkan masa depan Melayu dan negara kita yang tercinta. Tak ada orang lain (hendak pertahankan), nak kata dia (pembangkang) boleh... dulu sibuk reformasi, sekarang ini sibuk baling kerusi,” tegasnya.

Sementara itu, Najib pada sidang akhbar kemudian berkata, seandainya isu Perlembagaan masih dibangkitkan oleh pihak tertentu, ia akan hanya bersifat akademik.

“Ia tidak akan mengubah setitik pun. Kita memang ada undang-undang tapi kita akan tengok macam mana ia dibangkitkan, sama ada ia melanggar undang-undang atau (berbentuk) hasutan.

“Tapi, mereka patut faham kalau persoalkan, ia hanya bersifat akademik, buang masa dan `habiskan beras’ sahaja,” katanya.

Bagaimanapun, Najib berkata, parti-parti komponen BN sudah memberi persetujuan supaya perkara-perkara yang bersabit dengan Perlembagaan tidak perlu lagi dibangkitkan oleh sesiapa.

Taib’s Secret Bomoh – Exclusive!

Me, Dad and Ustaz ('teacher') on Uncle Taib's private jet - Yakub Tufail reveals the Bomoh's favoured family status on facebook!

Sarawak Report can reveal that the aging Chief Minister of Sarawak, Abdul Taib Mahmud, relies on a peronal witchdoctor, or so-called Bomoh, to make all key personal and government decisions!

The extraordinary state of affairs, which has remained a carefully guarded secret among his entourage for many years, has now been explained in detail by insiders.

“He will always consult the Bomoh before he makes an important decision, like which minister to hire or fire, or which investments to make”, one senior politician has confided.

Black magic!

Another member of the inner circle, linked closely to the family, also described how one particular Bomoh (see right) had a ‘Rasputin-like’ hold over the superstitious Chief Minister for many years.  This Bomoh died two years ago, shortly after the death of Taib’s wife Laila, and the 73 year old leader is said to be frantically searching for a new supernatural advisor, who he can trust to take him through the up-coming election period.

“He hired an interim Bomoh” one source explained, “but he clearly was not satisfied, as he has been going around Indonesia looking for a more powerful magician and he has just engaged a new one!”. 

Bomoh’s are practitioners of ‘black magic’ and are widely condemned for exploiting simple people, who do not have access to modern science and education.  Taib Mahmud’s dependence on such guidance can only be judged as unhealthy and malign.

Taib consults ‘demons’ to fight his enemies

Not so effective? Taib's new Bomohs were publicly at work praying loudly in favour of Tufail Mahmud during a court case this year.

The devotion to such a primitive cult also seriously undermines the Chief Minister’s claims to be a progressive force in Sarawak.  Perhaps even more damaging is the impact on his carefully cultivated reputation as a devout Muslim.  The Muslim faith strictly bans any consultation of these pre-Islamic practitioners of magic and dark arts, who are considered to be bad and dangerous. The majority Christian population of Sarawak will be equally dismayed for similar reasons.

The tradition of Bomohs derives from ancient witchdoctor cults based in the Indian sub-continent and these individuals claim to gain their ‘supernatural powers’ through doing business with ‘fallen angels’ or ‘djins’ (demons).  The Islamic faith recognises the existence of such evil spirits, however it forbids attempting to make contact with them.

Indeed, Muslim teachers warn that to seek favours from Djins is to bargain with evil forces and that eventually these forces will extract a terrible price.  Moreover, people who do consult such spirits are considered to be engaging them to do unacceptable harm to others and to be attempting to effectively ‘cheat in life’. Taib is believed to have sought to mobilise these forces against his political enemies and the insiders believe he is now using them in his current battle against the Malaysian PM, Najib Razak  (who would dearly like the tarnished kleptocrat to step down before the next election). 

Dependent on soothsaying

'Ustaz' - real identity Abdul Rahman Hazrat from Pakistan

The dismayed insiders have told Sarawak Report that they would be inclined to laugh at an old man’s obsession if the implications were not so alarming, given his position.  The Bomoh who held Taib enthralled for over 30 years was always known in inner circles as ’Ustaz’ (meaning teacher).  He would frequently accompany the Chief Minister, who, to conceal his real role, would refer to him publicly as ‘My Uncle’ .

Ustaz liked to boast that his black magic ‘talent’ was given from God.  He claimed to be able to foresee the future, heal the sick and, crucially, make the right political and economic decisions. 

“An advisor or family member might query some decision” said one of our sources, “but if Taib replied that the Bomoh had ruled on it, then they knew there could be no further argument”.

The death of Ustaz and the loss of this advice over political and economic decisions is said to have put immense pressure on the Chief Minister as he enters his 30th year in power still determined to fight another election.

Rise of a part-time shop-keeper

Ustaz, whose real name was Abdul Rahman Hazrat, never spoke fluent Malay.  He arrived from Pakistan in the 1960s and according to our sources was selling rings, spectacles and Islamic items in the town of Sibu at the time that Datuk Stephen Kalong Ningkan was the first Chief Minister. Hazrat claimed to be the disciple of a 130 year old teacher, who is allegedly still residing in his home country, Pakistan.   

 Taib, then 28 and State Minister for Natural Resources in Nignkan’s cabinet, was apparently introduced to to the stall-holder by the late Datuk Awang Hipni, a Melanau State Minister from Matu-Daro. It was after the ambitious young minister was sacked after failing to get along with Nignkan, that he is said to have first turned to the bomoh for advice. 

Key advice

Bottles of Djinn - in this black magic 'exorcism' Bomoh's were reported to have captured evil spirits and imprisoned them in jars. The Chief Minister would appear to be a believer.

Ustaz later confided that he told Taib not to confront Ningkan directly but to lobby for a ministerial post at Federal level and from there to plot the downfall of Ningkan.  This he did and soon Taib was appointed by Tunku Abdul Rahman as a Deputy Minister in the Federal Cabinet.

People in the know describe how it was with the advice of Ustaz that Taib used this position to topple Ningkan and eventually to succeed him. The strategy was to first place Penghulu Tawi Sli as a puppet CM, who then passed the position to Taib’s uncle.  According to Ustaz, Tun Rahman, a Melanau by race (just 4% of the population) could not succeed Ningkan directly for fear of a revolt from the Dayak community (about 50%).

The plan succeeded, according to people who have talked with Ustaz.  Tun Rahman was appointed Chief Minister in 1968 and passed the post to his nephew Taib in 1981, 29 years ago.  From then onwards Taib relied heavily on the Bomoh and kept him as his personal advisor.

Member of the Taib household

Grace and Favour Residence - The Bomoh's home in Sibu

Proud of being ‘personal advisor’ to the Chief Minister, Ustaz whispered to his friends in Sibu that Taib made arrangements for him to enjoy a comfortable life.  To hide the relationship he continued to base the soothsayer in Sibu, where the Chief Minister’s younger brother Tufail was tasked with taking care of his needs.
The guru was bought a bungalow on Bandong Road and enjoyed an allowance of over RM 10,000 a month, courtesy of a timber company, whose main shareholder is Tufail.  He was also supplied with a car and a driver, free services and a shop house at Cross Road where he was able to sell Islamic religious items.

Insiders say that if anything further was needed it was Tufail’s job to sort it out.  Tufail, unlike some of Taib’s other brothers, apparently shares the Chief Minister’s interest in Black Magic.

However, whenever Taib had to decide anything of importance he would summon Ustaz to Kuching.  The guru would usually make use of the Government-funded private jet, which Taib keeps for his own use and even had a special bedroom put aside for him in the ground floor of Taib’s home in Demak Jaya, right next to the Chief Minister’s office. 

The Bomoh was transported in the Government Cessna jet reserved for the Chief Minister - described by his nephew Yakub (son of brother Tufail) as the fastest business jet currently flying.

The Bomoh would often stay at Demak Jaya for nights at a time, say those in the know, and when he was being consulted he would always rise early in the morning (often 3am) and start a laborious ceremony of prayer and meditation as he sought the guidance of the Djins (evil, dead spirits).   Unnervingly, Ustaz was frequently considered by those around the Chief Minister to be able to provide very astute guidance.

“He was able to provide an intelligent and objective perspective of events and situations”, explains the political insider, “but I don’t call it supernatural, I call it much-needed common sense!”

Meanwhile, the Bomoh also offered the support of his magical powers around others of Taib’s inner circle.  He would intercede in cases of illness to ‘discover from the spirits’ whether the sick person’s ‘time had come’.  If this was the case he would under-take to ‘buy a little more time’ from the devils, so they could enjoy some more life.  Unsurprisingly, family members were always grateful for this intercession at a time of need.

“He was always kind” says one beneficiary, “I don’t think it was a negative, evil influence.  He just used his magic to help people”.

Bomoh used magic to help BN!

Azimat - On Taib's instructions these 'magic charms' have to be carried by all BN candidates to make voters 'warm' to them!

However, the Bomoh, with the encouragement of Taib, was not above using his magic in elections as well.  All BN candidates in Sarawak were handed special amulets or ‘azimats’, designed to be carried in their pockets on the election stomp.  The azimats were supposed to have the magical effect of making people who met the BN politicians warm to them and support them.  However, it can be noted that Taib has never failed to take the insurance of also offering large amounts of cash to prospective voters as well. 

Similar azimats were also handed to family and insiders for other occasions, such as to help pass examinations and achieve wealth and success.  For those who believe in such old superstitions, such favours could be construed as attempting to gain an unfair advantage to Taib and his supporters, which was clearly Taib’s own intention.

Falling out

However, this relationship which was so close for many years did not end happily.  Sarawak Report has received further fascinating inside information detailing how Taib fell out with his advisor in recent years, culminating in the old man’s return to Pakistan shortly before his death as a broken man. 

The fact that insiders have been breaking ranks to inform Sarawak Report of such negative issues is being regarded by many as a sign that the Chief Minister’s grip on his party is failing.  Others of a more superstitious bent may consider that he has lost his magic touch!

BN Components Agree Not To Raise Issues Enshrined In Constitution - Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties have agreed that they will no longer question sensitive issues which have been enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

The Prime Minister said what was important for Umno and the BN component parties was to be united in the spirit of 1Malaysia to face future challenges in transforming the country into a high-income and developed nation by the year 2020.

"What is important to us is to look ahead that we have more challenges as a nation, and all races must unite in the spirit of 1Malaysia so that we can build a future that is more prosperous and more successful based on the New Economic Model (NEM) and the government and economic transformation plan," he told reporters after closing the Umno General Assembly 2010 at the Putra World Trade Centre, here Saturday.

Najib, who is also the BN chairman and Umno president, said this when asked on what he expected from the BN component parties with regard to the sensitive issues including the special privileges of the Malays and Bumiputera which had been enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

"They (component parties) have given their agreement that matters pertaining to the constitution should no longer be questioned by anyone at all because I have explained them in detail," he said.

When asked whether all the BN component parties have reached a consensus on this, the prime minister said: "I would imagine they should agree because this is what I have said and as Chairman of BN, this is the spirit of BN, and it is quite academic for us to question the provisions of the Constitution."

In his policy speech on Thursday, Najib, said the position of the Malays and Bumiputera as well as the interests of the other races in terms of politics, had been enshrined as a national social contract in the Federal Constitution, and everyone must now respect this noble consensus for the sake of the country's continuity and survival.

"I believe if this is the spirit (the spirit to unite), InsyaAllah (God willing), we will place a strong foundation in terms of political stability for the nation to leap to greater heights," he said.

On the opposition's continued manipulation of such issues by saying that Umno should no longer be given power because the rights of the Malays had been safeguarded in the Constitution, Najib said:

"Although safeguarded, political power must remain with the Malays to translate the spirit of the Constitution, that's why in my speech, I had said that no matter what, we must defend Putrajaya."