Journalists send protest memo to PM's Office

Indonesian Church Council Supports Lady Gaga Concert

Lady Gaga, left, is welcomed by fans upon her arrival at Narita international airport in Narita, east of Tokyo, on May 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)  

While radical Indonesian Islamic groups have voiced their opposition to the planned Lady Gaga concert in Jakarta, the secretary general of the Indonesian Council of Churches said on Tuesday the international pop star should be allowed to perform because of freedom of expression.

“Don’t teach our young generation with pseudo-formality by wearing good outfits but being bad on the inside,” Gomar Gultom, secretary general of the Indonesian Council of Churches (PGI), said responding to complaints about Lady Gaga’s wardrobe.

Islamic radical groups, including the Islamic Defenders Front and the Muslim Defender Team, have threatened bad things might happen if the organizer insists on holding the show.

Mahendradatta, head of the Muslim Defender Team said Lady Gaga teaches her fans how to worship the devil and she promotes immortality.

Big Daddy, the concert organizer, is still waiting for the National Police to issue the concert permit.

Gomar said labeling a show as porn or not depended on individual views and that the concert should not be banned because of sexy outfits.

He said sexy outfits would not lead young people to pornography, but lack of religious guidance would.

“It is the duty of religious figures to guide people to have a clear mind and stand against pornography temptations,” he said.

Suara Pembaruan

Father of Irish women's murderer charged

The father of a man suspected of murdering two Irish women last year in the province of İzmir has also been charged with their murder.

Eyüp Çetin, father of 22-year-old murder suspect Recep Çetin, has been accused of participating in the killing of Elizabeth Graham and her friend Kathy Dinsmore (both 53), who authorities say the Çetin men allegedly murdered in the woods on the outskirts of the city of İzmir in August 2011.

The Anatolia news agency has quoted police as saying that the younger Recep Çetin had confessed to the murders of Graham and Dinsmore, but the elder Cetin, who was taken into custody several months ago, was not formally charged until Sunday.

In a statement to the press, Barış Kaya, lawyer for the Graham and Dinsmore families, said that DNA evidence may place both Çetin men at the scene, stating: "DNA traces were found on a shoe belonging to one of the victims -- two distinct DNA profiles, of two people who are genetically related. … So, DNA confirms there were definitely two men at the crime scene."

The Çetin men allegedly murdered the two women after Recep Çetin offered the two women a tour of İzmir, while sending his girlfriend, Graham's daughter, on a boat tour.

Friends of the younger Çetin said the suspect and his Irish girlfriend, Elizabeth Graham's 15-year-old daughter, Shannon Graham, met last summer and were getting along well, noting that they find the incident unbelievable. At the time of his arrest, Çetin claimed that he was 17 and was jailed at the Bergama Children's Prison. In late 2011, however, bone tests revealed that Recep Cetin was 22, five years older than he claimed. Çetin was originally slated to be tried by a juvenile court, and authorities have not yet announced whether his trial will be moved to an adult court.

Elizabeth Graham and Dinsmore were on holiday in Kuşadası, about 100 kilometers from İzmir. Cetin told police after his arrest that the women had “prevented his dream of marrying Shannon.”

Çetin reportedly took the women in a taxi to İzmir from Kuşadası, where he worked as a waiter, and then used his father's car to take the women to a deserted forested area, where he stabbed them to death.

Mustafa Karatay, the owner of the taxi, who was detained in connection with the murders and later released, told Anatolia in August that Çetin had called him on the day of the incident for a ride to İzmir. Karatay said Çetin had been calm.

According to Karatay, Çetin had called him again that night to ask for a ride to a hospital in Kuşadası because his hand was cut. Karatay and Çetin were both detained by police at the hospital. Karatay remained in detention for two days, although he was unaware of the murder. Karatay said that Çetin, Çetin's girlfriend and her mother had often used his taxi services, and that the dialogue among the three was “very good.” “I had not witnessed any problem among them,” Karatay said.

Paris court can't touch us, says Zahid Hamidi

Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday insisted that the French courts have no jurisdiction to summon Malaysians to testify in the ongoing inquiry into the Malaysian purchase of French submarines.

“Who are they to issue a warrant of arrest? We are not subjected to French laws,” he said at a press conference after an official visit by the Thai army chief at the Defence Ministry, aired in full by Mob.tv. 

Ahmad Zahid (right) was asked to comment on the statement made by French lawyer Joseph Breham, who is representing human rights NGO Suaram in the civil case on the submarine buys at the French courts.

Breham had said that the presiding judge has the power to issue an international arrest warrant if a subpeona is rejected, including putting out a “red alert” with Interpol.

Ahmad Zahid, who previously said he was willing to testify, later said that neither he or anyone from his ministry will cooperate with the inquiry.

Ahmad Zahid is on the list of Suaram’s list of witnesses, which was approved by investigating judge Roger Le Loire.

However, this does not mean that all seven witnesses, including Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his associate Abdul Razak Baginda, will be subpoenaed by the inquiry.

Why double standard on 'burger protest'?

Meanwhile, on a separate issue, Ahmad Zahid sidestepped opposition claims that Umno managed to fill the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Saturday for its anniversary event as it had provided buses and food.

Instead, he turned the tables on the opposition by claiming that Bersih 3.0 protesters were paid “RM200 or RM300” to rally on April 28.

“(PAS spiritual leader) Nik Aziz (Nik Mat) admitted to giving people money... this is political bribery,” he said, adding that Umno’s rally was peaceful unlike Bersih 3.0.

He also hit out at Bersih 3.0 co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan for double standards, after she decried invasion of privacy when small traders set up a burger stall in front of her home in protest over their alleged April 28 losses.

“(Ambiga) feels that street demonstrations are democratic and do not disrupt public peace, but selling burgers in front of her house is an invasion of privacy. Why is it that they make noise when it hits them but not when it happens to others?” he asked.

Land split: Ex-estate workers cry foul

They were given 15 acres by the BN Selangor government in 2007, but now they only have seven acres. The other eight acres have been allocated for a luxury housing project.

KLANG: In 2007, the Barisan Nasional-led Selangor government allocated 15 acres of land to build houses for the former Bukit Raja estate workers.

But now a former worker claims that the Pakatan Rakyat state government had allegedly diverted eight of the 15 acres for a luxury housing project.

“Piling work (for the luxury housing project) started last month despite no signboard being placed at the site,” said P Mathialagan, 55.

The tractor driver said he was shocked to learn that the Klang District Land Office had a new plan which showed that the 15-acre land had been divided into two plots.

“The district office was reluctant to provide a copy of the so-called new plan and only allowed us to take a photograph of it.

“Something strange is going on. The ground breaking ceremony was officiated by Dr Xavier Jayakumar, the state exco (for Indian affairs) in January this year.

“So how come the 15-acre land can be split into two plots in just four months?” he asked.

Also present at the ground breaking ceremony were PKR Subang MP R Sivarasa, who is the lawyer for the ex-plantation workers and PKR Kapar MP S Manikavasagam.

Commenting further, Mathialagan said he wanted Jayakumar and Sivarasa to explain the matter.

He said that Bukit Raja estate was one of the pioneer rubber plantations in the country, founded about 200 years ago.

“I was seven-years-old when I came to Bukit Raja estate with my parents who were rubber tappers,” he added.

Mahtialagan said that in 1988, Sime Darby closed the estate to pave the way for commercial development.

However, all the 144 families who had been working in the estate, took Sime Darby to court in 2004 for not meeting several demands.

“We hired Sivarasa as the lawyer to represent us in this dispute,” he said.

“In 2007, former MIC president S Samy Vellu managed to get us the 15 acres from Sime Darby while another five acres were allocated to the Bukit Raja Tamil school,” he added.

Sime Darby allocated the land and RM7,000 as compensation for each family with the agreement that they had to build the houses on their own.

Land size disputed

Mahthialagan said Samy Vellu then handed over the entire housing project to Putra Umno chief Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim and the latter brought in SanuMurni Sdn Bhd, which was the current developer.

In 2007, the plantation workers signed an agreement with the housing developer. According to the agreement, each three-room house with two bathrooms would cost RM77,000.

“We were told to pay RM7,000 as deposit while the balance would be covered by bank loans,” said Mahthialagan, who added that the project which was to be completed in 2009 was abandoned.

After a long struggle, the Pakatan state government held the ground breaking ceremony on Jan 18 this year and the event was reported in all the Tamil dailies.

The PKR leaders, who attented the event, were reported as saying that the former estate workers would be given 15 acres.

“We were told that apart from houses, a temple and a public hall will be built as well,” said Mahtialagan.

“However, it seems like the Pakatan government broke its promise now that part of the land has given for a project to enrich their cronies,” he added.

Meanwhile, Jayakumar disputed the land size that was awarded to the ex- estate workers.

“Get your facts right. Go and ask Sime Darby about the land size. The 78 estate workers wanted landed property and the court ruled in their favour. They are getting it,” the exco told FMT.

However, Manikavasagam disagreed, saying that the allocation was indeed 15 acres.

“Bukit Raja estate comes under my constituency and I’m very sure that Sime Darby allocated 15 acres to the plantation workers,” added the Kapar MP.

Despite numerous attempts Sivarasa could not be contacted.

No one is listening to rakyat

Can Najib help enlighten whatever happened to his promise that the government could only work best if it listened to the people?
COMMENT

In some South Pacific cultures, a speaker holds a conch shell as a symbol of temporary position of authority. Leaders must understand who holds the conch – that is, who should be listened to and when. – writer Max De Pree

There is a reason why human beings have been blessed with two ears and one mouth – so that we listen better and speak only when need be. However, looking at the chaotic political scenario of this country, the opposite seems to be in motion.

From Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to his team of ministers, none is listening to the rakyat. These politicians seem to have made up their minds who they will lend a listening ear to.

Joining them is former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad who, for reasons best known to him, has never learnt the virtue and value of being a “good listener”, both back when he lorded 22 years over the nation and now when as a “retiree”.

In Mahathir’s case, less than a week ago he accused the events of April 28 as attempts to discredit the ruling government under the Barisan Nasional flagship.

April 28 was when Bersih 3.0 came to be. Like the rest of the BN “loud hailers”, Mahathir’s take on the rally has ended up as myopic. He has blamed the opposition of trying to tarnish the good name of the BN government because the former is not confident of winning the 13th general election.

Who better than Mahathir to admit the hanky-panky that BN undertakes each time faced with an election? But then, the good doctor being the typical politician that he is, has decided to do his bit to discredit Bersih 3.0.

In Mahathir’s words: “….so they want to topple the government through the demonstration and Nik Aziz Nik Mat (PAS spiritual leader) said it is permissible to bring down the government in this manner [demonstration].

“They want to make Malaysia like Egypt, Tunisia, which were brought down through riots and now Syria… when the government does not fall, [they] can appeal to the foreign power to help and bring it down, even if it means using fire-power.

“The people must think and should not allow this thing to happen by giving a big win to the BN in the next general election.”

Does Mahathir honestly believe the people are out to topple the BN government under Najib’s leadership? The protest was all about seeking positive changes to the electoral system of this country. How on earth did Dr Mahathir jump to the conclusion that Bersih 3.0 was about turning Malaysia into Tunisia or Egypt?

Start listening, BN

Enough lies have been spread to malign the efforts to seek electoral reforms. The crux of the matter was simple – for the government to not indulge in “unhealthy” practices to win the country’s elections.

But instead the BN government revealed its true colour. Bad enough that listening to the rakyat has never been of any interest to it, the government decided to “play by its rules” – its Parliamentary Select Committee a mere whitewash, failing to resolve key issues pertaining to electoral reforms as demanded by Bersih.

Can Najib help enlighten whatever happened to his promise that the government could only work best if it listened to the people?

Why then such propaganda work to portray Bersih 3.0 and its key players as going against the establishment? The move to denounce the rally by roping in the National Fatwa Council is a step backward.

Instead of politicising the council which, in turn, politicises Islam, the nation’s dominant religion, BN has to muster the courage to engage in a series of introspection and retrospection and learn from its mistakes.

Sadly, the Umno soul-searching post-2008 that Najib talked about has not helped one bit. Like its

major “shareholder” Umno, BN too has become stagnant, unable to move in the “right” direction.

Had BN been centred on reality and actuality, the Bersih 3.0 could have been avoided. Instead, it has always been the ruling coalition’s arrogance that has made life difficult for the rakyat.

Take cognisance post-April 28

Bersih 3.0 came and went but that does not negate the fact that the people are no longer in the mood to tolerate corruption of any kind. No more sweet talks or handouts to conceal the truth. The rakyat knows it all too well already.

To continue to fool the people is an old trick that BN can no longer play. The setting up of the independent advisory panel to investigate allegations of police brutality is yet another “trick of the trade” the rakyat have become familiar with.

Only time will reveal whether it is yet another gimmick to fool the rakyat in view of the impending general election or is well-intended.

But then why the panel when the country has its own human rights commission, Suhakam? Does the BN administration worry that the commission will do a good job at unearthing the truth, hence the hastily-created panel?

Najib has said the panel would comprise “credible, experienced and respectable” individuals. Does Suhakam lack such “credentials”?

In any case, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein’s remark that the panel was set up to uphold the rights and freedom of Malaysians is an insult to Malaysians.

Had the rights and freedom of the rakyat been BN’s concern, the police brutality on April 28 would never dare happen.

And were the rights and freedom of Malaysians indeed been the government’s concern, the rakyat, especially the non-Malays, would have never have been treated as persona non grata.

Jeswan Kaur is a freelance writer and a FMT columnist.

PKR: Police protecting MIC Youth

PKR vice-president N Surendran claims that the police, acting on the PM's instruction, is protecting MIC Youth over the MyKad brawl.

PETALING JAYA: More than two weeks have passed since the infamous MyKad brawl outside the Prime Minister’s Office but the debates and accusations continue to rage.

This time, PKR vice-president N Surendran alleged that the police were protecting MIC Youth on the instruction of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

Despite the evidence, he said, the police had yet to arrest those responsible for the assault which left PKR Puchong division chief S Murali hospitalised for a fractured cheek bone.

Surendran, PKR legal bureau chief Latheefa Koya and Murali had their statements recorded at the Putrajaya police headquarters this afternoon.

“We stated in our police reports that we are disappointed that the police have not arrested anyone despite the release of the images regarding the brawl.

“The prime minister is protecting MIC using the police,” Surendran told FMT.

Reiterating his allegation that it was a pre-meditated attack, he said MIC Youth chief T Mohan must be arrested and charged for leading a group which perpetuated criminal intimidation.

The PKR leader also responded to his critics in MIC Youth who accused him of falsely claiming that there was an attempt to attack 17-year-old student B Reshina on that day.

Surendran said the photographs released by PKR last week clearly showed a large group of MIC Youth members rushing towards the PKR delegation which included him, Reshina and Murali.

“The mob was coming at us and Murali stood as the barrier. It was with great difficulty that I managed to get Reshina into the PMO.

“If Murali did not stand as a barrier, Reshina and I would have been hurt. I tell you now, those MIC goons wanted to attack the PKR leaders and Reshina,” he said.

On May 2, Surendran had led a delegation to submit a memorandum to the PMO to demand that Reshina be issued a MyKad.

At the same time, Mohan led a MIC Youth delegation to thank the prime minister for issuing MyKads and birth certificates to Malaysian Indians under the MyDaftar programme.

‘Malaysians are furious’

Surendran said the photographs also depicted the merciless beating of Murali, for which MIC Youth had not

answered until now.

He added that despite the evidence, MIC Youth continued to repeat its fraudulent claim that it was not responsible for the fracas.

MIC Youth had accused the PKR delegation of hurling obscenities and throwing the first punch, which the latter denied.

Surendran also claimed that the widely reported incident dealt a devastating blow for MIC, with regard to its image.

“I believe the photos and the incident will send MIC into political oblivion. Malaysians, especially the Indians are furious with what happened,” he said.

Surendran once again trained his guns on the prime minister, claiming that the latter endorsed the violence.

“I am clearly pointing the finger at the PM and his aide. Najib must explain,” he added.

The PKR leader also told MIC Youth not to “repeat the lie” that its delegation was present at the PMO to thank the prime minister.

“Our intention to go there was reported in the papers days before, so they deliberately planned to come there on the same day. I say it again, it was a pre-meditated attack,” he said.

Police: No cover up

Meanwhile, Putrajaya police chief Abdul Razak Abdul Majid dismissed Surendran’s allegation that the case was being covered up.

“There is no such thing. We are neutral in our investigations,” he told FMT.

He said the police recorded statements from the concerned parties, including witnesses, and the investigation papers had been submitted to the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters for further action.

“The investigation papers will then be sent to the DPP to determine if there is a need to charge anyone. This is the normal procedure,” he added.

Abdul Razak said the case was investigated under Sections 143, 147 and 352 of the Penal Code for “unlawful assembly”, “rioting” and “using criminal force”.

Police tortured me, claims Bersih participant

A technician alleges he was detained overnight and beaten up after he voluntarily went to the police station to give his statement about his participation in the rally.

PETALING JAYA: A participant in the Bersih 3.0 rally who voluntarily went to a police station yesterday alleged he was detained overnight and tortured when he went in to give a statement.

Mohd Safuan Mamat, 24, lodged a report at the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters at 6pm today, accompanied by Lawyers for Liberty coordinators Fadiah Nadwa Fikri and Afiz M Noor.

Also present were Bersih steering committee members Maria Chin Abdullah and Mandeep Singh.

Earlier at 3pm, Safuan was brought to a Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur to face two charges.

In the police report, Safuan said that he went on his accord to the Dang Wangi police station yesterday morning, to give a statement on his participation in the Bersih 3.0 rally held on April 28.

Safuan, who works as a technician, claimed that after recording his statement, a plainclothes officer took him to a lock-up behind the station and threatened to detain him if he did not “confess”.

“I was later handcuffed and put [overnight] in a lock-up. Later, another officer, who was in full uniform, came into my cell holding a black metal pipe,” said Safuan.

The technician from Terengganu said the officer asked him whether he was Bersih participant and kicked him on the buttocks till he fell down.

Safuan claimed the officer also forced him to admit that he had damaged a police car during the rally.

“When I denied the accusation, the officer struck my face with the metal pipe. He also hit me on my shoulder when I refused to confess,” he said.

‘I was completely stunned’

Safuan added that after the assault, he was made to change his shirt and was taken to some prisoners who also assaulted him.

“The officer told the prisoners that I was a Bersih participant and one of them slapped me four times. The officer did nothing to stop him,” he alleged.

He said he did not get the name of the officer who assaulted him.

“I was too frightened at the time. I was completely stunned and I couldn’t remember his name,” he said.

Safuan also claimed that while he was taken to the Sessions Court, some officers told him to confess that he had damaged the police car.

Safuan was charged with causing mischief during the disturbances and for not obeying an order of a public servant under Sections 440 and 174 of the Penal Code.

For the first charge, he can be jailed for five years and fined, or both, and for the second charge, he faces a one-month imprisonment and a fine or both.

He was released today after posting a RM1,500 bail.

His court hearing is fixed for June 6.

Meanwhile, Fadiah accused the police of using scare tactics to hunt down Bersih participants.

“The police should have released Safuan after recording his statement and charge him on another day. Instead, they used harsh tactics on him to get a confession,” she said.

Najib: You don’t need street demos

People's choice is what matters at the end of the day, says the prime minister. 
(Bernama) - LONDON: Malaysians living in this city had their moment with Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak yesterday evening, with many rushing to greet him and shake his hand after he had addressed them, mainly on their rights and responsibilities in a functioning democracy and the people’s choice through elections.
Najib had said that in any democracy there would be those who voted for and against but that, at the end of the day, what mattered most was the choice of the people.
“The people of Malaysia would have that choice. We have proven. You don’t need to have street demonstrations in Malaysia because, if you have them, inevitably there would be trouble, there would be clashes,” he said in an apparent reference to the Bersih 3.0 demonstration in Kuala Lumpur last month.
The prime minister addressed some 1,500 Malaysians here who had braved the heavy London traffic to be present at the “Evening with the Prime Minister” held at a concert hall at the 02 Arena in Greenwich, East London.
Najib said that one has the right to support the government or the opposition but “you must operate within the rules of the law”.
“If you discard the rules of law, there would be anarchy in the country. We cannot afford anarchy. We can allow dissent, I can appreciate difference of opinions and views but I will not respect if you break the law in the country. That is the only safeguard that we have for the future of Malaysians,” he said.
The prime minister pointed out that it had been shown that 100,000 people could gather in a stadium, and do so peacefully, making apparent reference to the mass gathering held at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in conjunction with Umno’s 66th anniversary celebration.
“That is the right way and, if Bersih wants to meet, we can give them the same stadium, and we will ensure peace and security. Nobody will be harmed and that is the right way for us as a nation that is mature. We believe in democracy, but democracy with responsibility.”
‘Rude to heckle’
Najib’s speech, delivered in a very informal setting, was received with great enthusiasm by the Malaysians who had thronged the concert hall, some bringing along their children as well.
There were one or two boisterous people in the audience, which prompted the prime minister to remark that it is “very unMalaysian and very rude to heckle”, but the rest of the audience listened with rapt attention to his speech.
“I am proud of all Malaysians who are law-abiding and respectful of others and that is why you must speak up. You must speak up for those who abuse their positions. (If) you are a minority, don’t impose your views on the majority,” he said.
He said he believed that the way ahead was to behave sensibly, abide by the law and, when the time comes, there would be the chance to decide as Malaysians.
Najib, who informed the audience of the many significant changes that the government had made in terms of the economy, education and several security laws, emphasised that the government wanted to be a government that represented the feelings of the people of Malaysia.
“We want to engage with the people of Malaysia. To do what is best for the people of Malaysia. And that is my commitment as the prime minister of Malaysia,” he said, drawing applause.
He reiterated that the era of “the government knows best is over”. “We need to listen to the people, and this is what the government is doing, listening to the people.”
Najib said the government was doing its level best to transform Malaysia into a truly developed nation by 2020 through the various economic transformation programmes and the government transformation programmes.
Enthusiastic crowd
He said it was, in fact, a very important juncture in Malaysian history because this was the first time that it was embarking on a massive wholesale transformation of Malaysia, not only in economic terms but also in social and political terms, to reach the status of a fully developed nation in 2020.
“We can do it and I believe that, as Malaysians, we are all committed towards this journey of becoming a developed nation. I hope all of you are willing to join me in this journey because the train has left the station and I want all Malaysians to be on board this train so that we have every reason and every chance to achieve our goal of being a fully developed nation,” he said.
After the speech, Najib and his wife Rosmah Mansor mingled with the enthusiastic crowd which swarmed the couple, with some people posing for pictures and others wanting to shake hands with the prime minister who obligingly did so.
Also present at the event were Malaysia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Zakaria Sulong, who organised the event, and his wife Hazizah Ahmad.
Najib and Rosmah arrived yesterday for a two-day working visit to the United Kingdom. The prime minister has been invited by the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, for a reception in conjunction with the conferment of the Royal Charter Award to the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies.

Najib BERSIH-ed in London

"Bersih! Bersih! Bersih”, were the chants that greeted Najib as he started to address Malaysians in London.
“Can you please stop it? Can you stop it, please?…I know, I know, but can you stop it? You can meet with me later, okay? Please, can you stop it?…No, no, no, okay… alright, alright, you… no, no, you wait for me,” , Najib, in sixes and sevens, tried to have his say.
Malaysiakini has the story HERE.
And here’s the video for your viewing pleasure.

Kemenangan presiden baru Perancis cepatkan siasatan Scorpene – Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR 15 Mei: Ketua Umum KEADILAN, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim berkata, kemenangan Presiden Perancis yang baru, Francois Hollande akan mempercepatkan siasatan terhadap skandal rasuah Scorpene membabitkan Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

“Kemenangan presiden baru Perancis akan mempercepatkan siasatan kes rasuah kapal selam,” kata Anwar dalam satu ceramah di Batu Caves, baru-baru ini.

Menurut Anwar, rakan karib Perdana Menteri yang juga pemilik Perimekar iaitu Abdul Razak Baginda dan Najib sendiri antara saksi yang akan dipanggil.
Katanya, Mahkamah Perancis bukan hanya menghadkan siasatan mereka terhadap pembelian Scorpene, tetapi juga akan mengheret siasatan dalam kes pembunuhan Altantuya Shaariibu, apabila turut memanggil Dr Setev Shaariibu sebagai saksi perbicaraan.

“Kalau begitu, nama Malaysia akan terjejas. Proses keadilan sedang berjalan, apa keputusan saya tidak tahu.
“Tetapi yang saya tahu, ia tidak seperti badan kehakiman seperti Malaysia. Ia (Mahkamah Perancis) lebih bebas dan terbuka dan siasatan adalah berat kerana melibatkan kes rasuah yang besar.

“Kes ini ada kaitan dengan penjualan Submarine di Pakistan yang melibatkan 13 orang terbunuh dan penjualan submarine di Taiwan yang menyebabkan seorang terbunuh, dan di Malaysia mengakibatkan seorang terbunuh (Altantuya),” ujarnya.

Pendakwa awam Perancis yang menyiasat urus niaga pembelian Scorpene baru-baru ini menemui bukti bahawa Najib ketika menjadi Menteri Pertahanan meminta AS$1 bilion (RM3 bilion) untuk syarikat tempatan Perimekar daripada DCNI – anak syarikat pembuat kapal Perancis DCN.

Menurut kertas pendakwaan yang didedahkan NGO hak asasi Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram), terdapat faksimili menunjukkan Najib meminta jumlah itu sebagai syarat mengadakan pertemuan dengan beliau pada 14 Julai 2001.

7 Mei lalu, Francois Hallonde, menewaskan Nicholas Sarkozy untuk jawatan presiden.

Mooning, Malaysia’s ultimate defence

Jaleel Hameed - The Malaysian Insider

MAY 15 — All hail our army veterans. They only need their bottoms to defend the country from its enemies.

Today, I read in The Malaysian Insider that 10 retired soldiers “exercised” their bums this morning outside Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan’s Bukit Damansara home against the April 28 Bersih rally.

The members of the Malay Armed Forces Veterans Association (PVTM) did their “butt exercises” to protest against the Bersih chief for being an “enemy” of the nation, reports the news portal.

“We Armed Forces veterans have the right to protest against an ‘enemy’ who tried to smear the nation’s name,” said PVTM president Datuk Mohd Ali Baharom.

Of course, sir. Much obliged that despite your retirement, you are brave enough to take up arms to drop your pants in the face of the enemy.

As they say, if you can’t use your head, use your bottom. Well played, sir.

But this begs the question of the weapon of choice for the Malaysian Armed Forces.

If they can use their derrieres, why do we go out and buy French submarines, Polish tanks, American and Russian fighter jets and other pricey weaponry.

All we need for the country’s defence is the well-trained, muscled bottom of the pride and joy of the nation — the Malaysian soldier — to flex our bottoms at the enemies of the state.

No enemy can defeat us for they will quake in fear when mooned by the Malaysian soldier.

This Malaysian defence weapon could just be the update of US President John F. Kennedy’s famous line: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ass what you can do for your country.”

Nazri: Proposed law academy can replace Bar

The Star

IPOH: The proposed law academy can be an alternative to the Malaysian Bar, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said.

Nazri, who recently proposed the setting up of the academy, said the Bar was not necessarily right at all times.

“It is very partisan in its accusations and so, I do not think it should be given the monopoly (to represent the legal community),” he said here yesterday after launching the e-Judiciary project.

Nazri was recently reported as saying that the time had come to establish a law academy, the membership of which would include non-practising law graduates as well as practising lawyers.

He had said there was an urgent need to establish the academy in view of the recent incidents during the Bersih 3.0 rally and also what transpired during the Bar’s extraordinary general meeting last Friday.

“The proposed academy can represent a broader spectrum of law graduates, which are currently not members of the Bar.

“There are many law graduates in the academic line, banking sector and even former judges who do not have an association to represent them at the moment,” Nazri said, adding that he would be consulting the Cabinet and Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail on the matter soon.

Lawyers split over resolution

Malay Mail
by Meena Lakshana

Some defend consensus on Bersih 3.0, others says Bar Council partial

PETALING JAYA: Lawyers are divided over the objectivity of the Malaysian Bar Council's resolution passed during the council's extraordinary general meeting (EGM) last Friday on the Bersih 3.0 rally on April 28.

While some have defended the majority consensus reached in passing the 12-point resolution, others have decried it as being partial.

Former Bar Council Human Rights Committee chairman president Edmund Bon said the pertinent issue at the EGM was the council's objection to police brutality, which did not augur well with the relevant authorities.

"Section 42 of the Legal Profession Act 1976 makes it a duty for the Bar to uphold the cause of justice without regard to its own interests or that of its members, uninfluenced by fear or favour," he said.

"We are independent in our views when it comes to police brutality and we will say it."

He said if the government was serious about reforming the police force, it would have done so by setting up an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC), which was rendered from the Royal Commission on the Management and Operations of the Royal Malaysian Police Force in 2004.

The Bar Council resolution called for an IPCMC and Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate incidents of physical assault perpetrated by the police on rally participants, media members and lawyers.

Bon said there had been attempts to split the Bar in 2002 when the government proposed the setting up of a Academy of Law.

"We have been attacked by both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat before, so this is not new to us," he said.

He also said members who opposed the Bar's decision could take the matter to court.

Former Bar Council president Ragunath Kesavan said the resolution passed at the meeting reflected the position of the Malaysian Bar and not all lawyers.

"People can agree or disagree with the Bar's stand," he said.

"It shows that we have a right to have dissenting views, which is the central tenet of a mature democracy."

He said the minority group of lawyers who opposed to the council's decision to condemn the excessive use of police force on Bersih 3.0 participants should call for an EGM and vote of no confidence in the Bar's leadership.

Ragunath said the proposal to set up an alternative legal organisation was "not going to work."

"Having another organisation for lawyers is merely duplication," he said.

Another lawyer, Datuk Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos, criticised the resolution for not addressing the breach of the court order stipulating a 50m barrier from Dataran Merdeka during the rally.

He also said the Bar Council should have equally condemned the political parties and political leaders, in reference to Parti Keadilan Rakyat de-facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and deputy president Azmin Ali, who had "failed to ensure peace at the rally".

"It was unfortunate that the Bar Council did not condemn violence of any sort and by anyone that disturbs the freedom of assembly," he said.

"Probably, the council should have waited for police investigations and the inquiry panel to complete investigations before hastily calling for an EGM, though I am against any form of harassment against lawyers who are carrying out their duties."

480,995 Illegal Immigrants Legalised Under 6P

PUTRAJAYA, May 15 (Bernama) -- The Home Ministry has legalised 480,995 illegal foreign workers (PATI) to work with 91,064 employers under the Comprehensive Legalisation Programme for Illegal Immigrants or the 6P programme.

The ministry's secretary-general, Tan Sri Mahmood Adam, said the employers were from various sectors, including manufacturing, service, construction, plantation and agriculture.

He said a total of 4,156 operations, involving 24,520 enforcement personnel, were conducted nationwide during the 6P programme, during which 13,492 PATI were arrested and actions taken against 337 employers.

"A total of 63 employers and 1,793 PATI have been brought to court, 108 employers and 812 PATI were compounded, 1,809 PATI have been deported, while another 52 employers and 4,479 PATI were still under investigation," he added.

He said the remaining 114 employers and 4,108 PATI were freed.

Army vets go ‘bottoms up’ at Ambiga’s place