Thursday 28 February 2013
Muslim Brotherhood Islamists Surround Christian Church in Attempt to Stop Construction
Security forces were deployed to the area to convince the group to step down and allow work to resume, the sources claimed.
Ramsis al-Deiry, a member of the Shubra al-Kheima archbishopric's Millet Council, said group of Salafis and members affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood surrounded the building and prevented workers from resuming construction.
Hindraf: Pakatan manifesto a big letdown
Election pledges completely ignores Indians and even Anwar’s pledge to resolve the 350,000 stateless Indians issue within 100 days is not mentioned, says Waythamoorthy
GEORGE TOWN: Pakatan Rakyat election manifesto has sidelined, isolated and marginalised the already much maligned ethnic Indian community, charged Hindraf Makkal Sakti today.
Its supremo, P Waythamoorthy, accused Pakatan of completely ignoring the needs and interests of the Indian community in its election pledges.
He summed up Pakatan’s so-called people’s manifesto as one that has disappointed Indian Malaysians and does not value the community’s support or needs.
“In one stroke, the manifesto has said so many things that disappointed us. It is deeply distressing, not so much by what it says, but by what it does not say.
“It failed to even acknowledge, let alone recognise, the community’s longstanding woes,” the Hindraf chairman said in a statement.
In recent talks with Pakatan leaders, especially PKR, he said they failed to take note that Hindraf had been diligently working with them to bring solutions for these serious problems.
When questioned on this, PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim said that Pakatan’s manifesto transcends racial groups as well as subgroups including the Indian community.
“If this was the case, how does Anwar justify specific pledges to the Malays, Chinese, Orang Asals, Sabah and Sarawakians, the ex-armed forces and Felda settlers in the manifesto?
“The provisions there do not seem to transcend racial groups and subgroups,” said Waythamoorthy.
“Enough has been said of Pakatan moving away from racial politics but that is more a statement of its intent than the frame for its policies.
“Pakatan has been using this once too often as a cover to ignore the problems of the Indian poor and marginalised.
“That should leave anyone with a strong liberal and democratic conscience, disturbed,” added Waythamoorthy.
He said that it was time to address the Indian problem permanently, to eliminate its root cause – the institutional discrimination – and bring back the almost 1.3 million poor and working class Indians into the mainstream of economic development.
He cited an independent study from the Centre for Policy Studies concluded in 2000 that 600,000 estate workers have been forcibly displaced in the country.
Pakatan taking the same path
He added that Hindraf estimated the figure had reached at 800,000 now.
“This massive forced displacement is a direct result of state development programmes operating in the milieu of institutional racism,” said Waythamoorthy.
By ignoring the problem with the “transcends race argument” and the acceptance of serious violation of human rights, he accused Pakatan of taking the same Umno-led BN path.
He pinpointed that Anwar’s pledge to resolve the 350,000 stateless Malaysian Indians issue within 100 days “found no mention in the manifesto”.
In its various meetings and communications, he said Hindraf had stressed to Anwar and Pakatan allies the need for a targeted and pointed programme to address this serious accumulated problem arising from all the human rights violations of the past 56 years.
He said Hindraf’s proposals were stipulated in its five-year blueprint for the Indian community submitted to all Pakatan parties – PKR, DAP and PAS.
He said the blueprint sought to address issues of institutional discrimination and equal rights of land procurement for economic purposes, equal business opportunities which included business loans, permits and educational opportunities.
He said the annual budget required to fully implement the blueprint was a mere RM4.5 billion or 1.8% of the 2013 annual national budget.
This sum, he insisted, was a reinvestment on human capital to stimulate progress and development in lives of marginalised people.
“Our proposed solutions are permanent, practical and comprehensive. Pakatan confirmed verbally that it was in principle agreeable with the blueprint,” said Waythamoorthy.
He noted that Pakatan not only failed to give a single pledge in its manifesto to address any of the Indian problems, but it also did not formally endorse the blueprint.
Even though Hindraf recognised that it was Pakatan’s prerogative, he said the movement was more concerned with “loss of a historic opportunity to get the process of change rolling”.
Kingmakers sidelined
Meanwhile, Malaysian Indian Progressive Association (Mipas) secretary-general S Bharatidasan asked why Indians were left out in Pakatan’s latest manifesto.
“Remember that we are kingmakers in several seats and a majority of us supported Pakatan in the 2008 general election,” he said.
Bharatidasan demanded the opposition pact prepare specific allocations and programmes for Indians, as the community is still lagging in many fields.
“We also demand Indians be given seven ministers and eight deputy ministers’ posts should Pakatan form the next federal government,” said Bharatidasan.
- See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/02/27/hindraf-pakatan-manifesto-a-big-letdown/#sthash.NFQctR41.dpuf
Its supremo, P Waythamoorthy, accused Pakatan of completely ignoring the needs and interests of the Indian community in its election pledges.
He summed up Pakatan’s so-called people’s manifesto as one that has disappointed Indian Malaysians and does not value the community’s support or needs.
“In one stroke, the manifesto has said so many things that disappointed us. It is deeply distressing, not so much by what it says, but by what it does not say.
“It failed to even acknowledge, let alone recognise, the community’s longstanding woes,” the Hindraf chairman said in a statement.
In recent talks with Pakatan leaders, especially PKR, he said they failed to take note that Hindraf had been diligently working with them to bring solutions for these serious problems.
When questioned on this, PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim said that Pakatan’s manifesto transcends racial groups as well as subgroups including the Indian community.
“If this was the case, how does Anwar justify specific pledges to the Malays, Chinese, Orang Asals, Sabah and Sarawakians, the ex-armed forces and Felda settlers in the manifesto?
“The provisions there do not seem to transcend racial groups and subgroups,” said Waythamoorthy.
“Enough has been said of Pakatan moving away from racial politics but that is more a statement of its intent than the frame for its policies.
“Pakatan has been using this once too often as a cover to ignore the problems of the Indian poor and marginalised.
“That should leave anyone with a strong liberal and democratic conscience, disturbed,” added Waythamoorthy.
He said that it was time to address the Indian problem permanently, to eliminate its root cause – the institutional discrimination – and bring back the almost 1.3 million poor and working class Indians into the mainstream of economic development.
He cited an independent study from the Centre for Policy Studies concluded in 2000 that 600,000 estate workers have been forcibly displaced in the country.
Pakatan taking the same path
He added that Hindraf estimated the figure had reached at 800,000 now.
“This massive forced displacement is a direct result of state development programmes operating in the milieu of institutional racism,” said Waythamoorthy.
By ignoring the problem with the “transcends race argument” and the acceptance of serious violation of human rights, he accused Pakatan of taking the same Umno-led BN path.
He pinpointed that Anwar’s pledge to resolve the 350,000 stateless Malaysian Indians issue within 100 days “found no mention in the manifesto”.
In its various meetings and communications, he said Hindraf had stressed to Anwar and Pakatan allies the need for a targeted and pointed programme to address this serious accumulated problem arising from all the human rights violations of the past 56 years.
He said Hindraf’s proposals were stipulated in its five-year blueprint for the Indian community submitted to all Pakatan parties – PKR, DAP and PAS.
He said the blueprint sought to address issues of institutional discrimination and equal rights of land procurement for economic purposes, equal business opportunities which included business loans, permits and educational opportunities.
He said the annual budget required to fully implement the blueprint was a mere RM4.5 billion or 1.8% of the 2013 annual national budget.
This sum, he insisted, was a reinvestment on human capital to stimulate progress and development in lives of marginalised people.
“Our proposed solutions are permanent, practical and comprehensive. Pakatan confirmed verbally that it was in principle agreeable with the blueprint,” said Waythamoorthy.
He noted that Pakatan not only failed to give a single pledge in its manifesto to address any of the Indian problems, but it also did not formally endorse the blueprint.
Even though Hindraf recognised that it was Pakatan’s prerogative, he said the movement was more concerned with “loss of a historic opportunity to get the process of change rolling”.
Kingmakers sidelined
Meanwhile, Malaysian Indian Progressive Association (Mipas) secretary-general S Bharatidasan asked why Indians were left out in Pakatan’s latest manifesto.
“Remember that we are kingmakers in several seats and a majority of us supported Pakatan in the 2008 general election,” he said.
Bharatidasan demanded the opposition pact prepare specific allocations and programmes for Indians, as the community is still lagging in many fields.
“We also demand Indians be given seven ministers and eight deputy ministers’ posts should Pakatan form the next federal government,” said Bharatidasan.
- See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/02/27/hindraf-pakatan-manifesto-a-big-letdown/#sthash.NFQctR41.dpuf
Go to the moon, Vell Paari tells Perkasa
Responding to Perkasa's stinging criticism, the MIC leader says that it is them and not him who is the real liability to BN.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malay extremist group Perkasa has launched a scathing attack against MIC leader S Vell Paari and defended academic Ridhuan Tee Abdullah over his controversial article.
In an online news report, the movement’s secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali described the MIC strategy director as a publicity hound attempting to reverse his sinking political fortunes.
Calling Vell Paari a liability to Barisan Nasional, he said Indian community leaders close to Perkasa had advised the MIC leadership to ignore Vell Paari because his voice was no longer important.
Responding to the criticism, the MIC leader said that he was willing to sponsor mirrors for the members of Perkasa.
“It is obvious that they have not looked at themselves in a mirror. These imbeciles label me a burden to BN when Perkasa was responsible for alienating non-Malay votes with their racism.
“So I hope with these mirrors, they could take a good look at themselves before pointing their stained fingers at others.
“It also seems that my voice was important enough to draw a reaction from Perkasa,” he told FMT.
Furthermore, Vell Paari said unlike Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali, who hopped from BN to the opposition, and then back again, he continued to remain with the ruling coalition.
“Their leader is a frog, who would never turn into a handsome prince no matter how many times you kiss him and these people have the audacity to talk about me. I find that amusing,” he added.
Barking for the right reasons
As for him being a publicity hound, Vell Paari quipped that he was glad to be compared to an animal that was considered grateful.
The MIC leader added that at least he was in the news for barking in defence of preserving this nation’s multiracialism unlike Perkasa which was in the news for being rabid, and therefore should be put to sleep.
“Once again, with the mirrors I am willing to present Perkasa, they could at least stand before them and ask, ‘mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the biggest threat to BN of them all’,” he added.
Commenting on Syed Hassan’s remark that Indian leaders close to Perkasa had advised MIC’s top brass to ignore him, Vell Paari said he was shocked that the movement’s leaders had Indian friends.
“And if there are Indian community leaders willing to be close to such bigots, it is their voices which must be ignored, not mine.
“I love my country more than I love the party that I belong to. So I would not stop criticising those who threaten my nation with their venom,” he stressed.
Does Perkasa represent the Malays?
Vell Paari also took Syed Hassan to task for claiming that the former’s views did not represent the sentiments of the Indian community.
“This is the problem with those who only read certain newspapers and live in a cocoon.
“It is Perkasa’s views that do not represent the feelings of the ‘true’ Malays as illustrated by the handful of supporters who turned up for their so-called counter protest against Bersih.
“We could even ask the Malays in PAS and PKR if Perkasa represented their voice,” he added.
Quizzed on Perkasa’s defence of Ridhuan’s article, saying that there were some elements of truth in it, Vell Paari said that statement alone proved the mindset of the movement’s leaders.
“These people are criticising me for criticising a racist. Perkasa and people like Ridhuan belong on the moon and not in a multi-racial nation like Malaysia,” he said.
On Syed Hasan’s warning that Vell Paari and opposition Indian leaders should refrain from making threats and hurtful remarks, the MIC leader said the Perkasa secretary-general should advise his president first.
“Ibrahim Ali called for the burning of Bibles. I am asking for action to be taken against a racist. So in what warped logic, am I the greater threat?” he asked.
“Ridhuan stands accused of plagiarising and being a fraud. Is this the type of people Perkasa wishes to defend? That speaks volumes about Perkasa, doesn’t it?” he added.
The MIC leader also clarified that he was not demanding an apology from Ridhuan but rather wanted him sacked for his insensitive remarks.
- See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/02/27/go-to-the-moon-vell-paari-tells-perkasa/#sthash.Qy0h2I8d.dpuf
In an online news report, the movement’s secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali described the MIC strategy director as a publicity hound attempting to reverse his sinking political fortunes.
Calling Vell Paari a liability to Barisan Nasional, he said Indian community leaders close to Perkasa had advised the MIC leadership to ignore Vell Paari because his voice was no longer important.
Responding to the criticism, the MIC leader said that he was willing to sponsor mirrors for the members of Perkasa.
“It is obvious that they have not looked at themselves in a mirror. These imbeciles label me a burden to BN when Perkasa was responsible for alienating non-Malay votes with their racism.
“So I hope with these mirrors, they could take a good look at themselves before pointing their stained fingers at others.
“It also seems that my voice was important enough to draw a reaction from Perkasa,” he told FMT.
Furthermore, Vell Paari said unlike Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali, who hopped from BN to the opposition, and then back again, he continued to remain with the ruling coalition.
“Their leader is a frog, who would never turn into a handsome prince no matter how many times you kiss him and these people have the audacity to talk about me. I find that amusing,” he added.
Barking for the right reasons
As for him being a publicity hound, Vell Paari quipped that he was glad to be compared to an animal that was considered grateful.
The MIC leader added that at least he was in the news for barking in defence of preserving this nation’s multiracialism unlike Perkasa which was in the news for being rabid, and therefore should be put to sleep.
“Once again, with the mirrors I am willing to present Perkasa, they could at least stand before them and ask, ‘mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the biggest threat to BN of them all’,” he added.
Commenting on Syed Hassan’s remark that Indian leaders close to Perkasa had advised MIC’s top brass to ignore him, Vell Paari said he was shocked that the movement’s leaders had Indian friends.
“And if there are Indian community leaders willing to be close to such bigots, it is their voices which must be ignored, not mine.
“I love my country more than I love the party that I belong to. So I would not stop criticising those who threaten my nation with their venom,” he stressed.
Does Perkasa represent the Malays?
Vell Paari also took Syed Hassan to task for claiming that the former’s views did not represent the sentiments of the Indian community.
“This is the problem with those who only read certain newspapers and live in a cocoon.
“It is Perkasa’s views that do not represent the feelings of the ‘true’ Malays as illustrated by the handful of supporters who turned up for their so-called counter protest against Bersih.
“We could even ask the Malays in PAS and PKR if Perkasa represented their voice,” he added.
Quizzed on Perkasa’s defence of Ridhuan’s article, saying that there were some elements of truth in it, Vell Paari said that statement alone proved the mindset of the movement’s leaders.
“These people are criticising me for criticising a racist. Perkasa and people like Ridhuan belong on the moon and not in a multi-racial nation like Malaysia,” he said.
On Syed Hasan’s warning that Vell Paari and opposition Indian leaders should refrain from making threats and hurtful remarks, the MIC leader said the Perkasa secretary-general should advise his president first.
“Ibrahim Ali called for the burning of Bibles. I am asking for action to be taken against a racist. So in what warped logic, am I the greater threat?” he asked.
“Ridhuan stands accused of plagiarising and being a fraud. Is this the type of people Perkasa wishes to defend? That speaks volumes about Perkasa, doesn’t it?” he added.
The MIC leader also clarified that he was not demanding an apology from Ridhuan but rather wanted him sacked for his insensitive remarks.
- See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/02/27/go-to-the-moon-vell-paari-tells-perkasa/#sthash.Qy0h2I8d.dpuf
Kayveas: Is Palani powerless or just ignorant?
The PPP chief, while telling MIC to stay out of their spat with Nanban, questions the party chief's credibility in standing up for the Indian community.
PETALING JAYA: People’s Progressive Party (PPP) president, M Kayveas, condemned MIC’s support of Malaysia Nanban over its humiliating statements against the Indian community.
The Tamil daily, in an article on Feb 20, opined that the Indian community could be won over with “free food and tasty mutton”, and that PPP was prone to doing that to rake in votes.
The article questioned if such a move by PPP, which is a Barisan Nasional component party, would favour the ruling coalition in attracting the Indian community’s votes.
Angered by the article, party members and Kayveas were reported to have ambushed the daily’s headquarters in Jalan Ipoh, seeking clarification.
Kayveas, in denying the news reports, said: “First of all, we didn’t ‘ambush’ the daily. We were in fact invited to the Nanban office by the director Ahmad Mydin Sikandar Batcha.
“He wanted to show us proof that what was written was indeed true. They promised a public apology the next day but instead now claim that we had ambushed them.”
‘Why should I apologise?’
Kayveas also said that a number of MIC men were present, claiming to be “security” personnel when he and other PPP members visited the Nanban office.
“Why does MIC need to send ‘security’ [personnel] for Nanban? They have nothing to do with this. Police officers were already deployed and they helped settle the issue before we left,” he said.
Kayveas also said that MIC Youth chief T Mohan and strategy director S Vell Paari have told him to apologise to Nanban for his actions.
“Why should I apologise to them? What did we do to harm them? Why are they not standing up for the Indian community? What is their motive really?” he asked.
When asked if he had contacted the MIC president G Palanivel with regard to this issue, he said: “I only received a reply from Palanivel saying ‘you are free to do your part’.”
“This clearly means that he isn’t going to do anything about this. Is he powerless or is he just being plain ignorant?” he said.
Kayveas assured that PPP will continue to fight for Indians and suggested that it was best for MIC to stay out of this matter as “I know how to handle this issue amicably”.
- See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/02/27/kayveas-is-palani-powerless-or-just-ignorant/#sthash.5A42um12.dpuf
The Tamil daily, in an article on Feb 20, opined that the Indian community could be won over with “free food and tasty mutton”, and that PPP was prone to doing that to rake in votes.
The article questioned if such a move by PPP, which is a Barisan Nasional component party, would favour the ruling coalition in attracting the Indian community’s votes.
Angered by the article, party members and Kayveas were reported to have ambushed the daily’s headquarters in Jalan Ipoh, seeking clarification.
Kayveas, in denying the news reports, said: “First of all, we didn’t ‘ambush’ the daily. We were in fact invited to the Nanban office by the director Ahmad Mydin Sikandar Batcha.
“He wanted to show us proof that what was written was indeed true. They promised a public apology the next day but instead now claim that we had ambushed them.”
‘Why should I apologise?’
Kayveas also said that a number of MIC men were present, claiming to be “security” personnel when he and other PPP members visited the Nanban office.
“Why does MIC need to send ‘security’ [personnel] for Nanban? They have nothing to do with this. Police officers were already deployed and they helped settle the issue before we left,” he said.
Kayveas also said that MIC Youth chief T Mohan and strategy director S Vell Paari have told him to apologise to Nanban for his actions.
“Why should I apologise to them? What did we do to harm them? Why are they not standing up for the Indian community? What is their motive really?” he asked.
When asked if he had contacted the MIC president G Palanivel with regard to this issue, he said: “I only received a reply from Palanivel saying ‘you are free to do your part’.”
“This clearly means that he isn’t going to do anything about this. Is he powerless or is he just being plain ignorant?” he said.
Kayveas assured that PPP will continue to fight for Indians and suggested that it was best for MIC to stay out of this matter as “I know how to handle this issue amicably”.
- See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/02/27/kayveas-is-palani-powerless-or-just-ignorant/#sthash.5A42um12.dpuf
Ramasamy: BN behind rallies backing me
The idea is to cause a split in DAP, says the Penang deputy chief minister.
PETALING JAYA: Penang deputy chief minister P Ramasamy today accused Barisan Nasional of masterminding protests that ostensibly championed him as a victim of alleged manipulation of DAP election results.
Commenting on a report appearing in FMT yesterday, he said it was wrong to call them “pro-Ramasamy rallies” because they were held not out of concern for his political career but to cause a split in DAP.
The participants were not even DAP members, he added.
“There was one protest held in Perai by members of the Indian Progressive Front (IPF) and another by anti-Pakatan people in Georgetown,” he said. “They definitely have no love for me.”
He said he was certain that the protests were organised by elements in BN.
Yesterday, a group of DAP grassroots members called on the party to investigate demonstrations that depicted Ramasamy’s defeat in last December’s central executive committee (CEC) election as a defeat to the Indian community.
The group, who included Penang DAP Indian Bureau secretary S Sukumar and Bagan Luar branch chairman G Asoghan, asked the party to identify the mastermind of the protests and remove them from DAP.
Speaking on the behalf of the group, Asoghan said many grassroots leaders and members were astonished by the protests and the press statements issued about them.
The polls were marred by a glitch that was attributed to miscalculations on Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. Ramasamy was subsequently co-opted into the CEC.
Ramasamy told FMT he had never complained about the results. “I was the first to accept the CEC election results,” he said.
- See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/02/27/ramasamy-bn-behind-rallies-backing-me/#sthash.JnvYSBCY.dpuf
Commenting on a report appearing in FMT yesterday, he said it was wrong to call them “pro-Ramasamy rallies” because they were held not out of concern for his political career but to cause a split in DAP.
The participants were not even DAP members, he added.
“There was one protest held in Perai by members of the Indian Progressive Front (IPF) and another by anti-Pakatan people in Georgetown,” he said. “They definitely have no love for me.”
He said he was certain that the protests were organised by elements in BN.
Yesterday, a group of DAP grassroots members called on the party to investigate demonstrations that depicted Ramasamy’s defeat in last December’s central executive committee (CEC) election as a defeat to the Indian community.
The group, who included Penang DAP Indian Bureau secretary S Sukumar and Bagan Luar branch chairman G Asoghan, asked the party to identify the mastermind of the protests and remove them from DAP.
Speaking on the behalf of the group, Asoghan said many grassroots leaders and members were astonished by the protests and the press statements issued about them.
The polls were marred by a glitch that was attributed to miscalculations on Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. Ramasamy was subsequently co-opted into the CEC.
Ramasamy told FMT he had never complained about the results. “I was the first to accept the CEC election results,” he said.
- See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/02/27/ramasamy-bn-behind-rallies-backing-me/#sthash.JnvYSBCY.dpuf
India's Political Despair
Narendra Modi: Can he cure the paralysis?
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There is an overwhelming sense of disconnect among the citizens of India for the upcoming 2014 general election. Not even the current €560 million VVIP (very very important persons) helicopter procurement scandal, which has ensnared retired Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi, a former chief of the Indian Air Force, and his relatives, has disturbed the ennui in the populace.
India's shrill TV news anchors line up politicians, retired judges and social activists every night with exaggerated outrage to debate abuse of power, corruption and even murder but nothing changes.
Despite the campaign of reformer Anna Hazae, which drew millions of protesters last year, ther appears little shame among the political class. About a third of sitting members of parliament have serious criminal cases pending against them. Long misused and abused by politicians, the lowly-paid police are demoralized and cynical. The courts carry a backlog of cases that take forever to be heard. Citizens have lost faith in the institutions of the state. The world's greatest democracy is dysfunctional and no one seems to care anymore -- least of all the electorate.
India is a nation without leadership. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has long given up any pretense of vision or mission for the country. He is waiting to be released from his thankless burden next year. He would have gone earlier if the party had a credible replacement. True power remains behind the curtain with Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her coterie of confidants.
Another Italian job
Opposition politicians were quick to bray 'Italian connection' when the luxury helicopter scandal broke -- a hark back to the Bofors scam of the 1980s which also involved an Italian arms dealer, Ottavio Quattrocchi and the Nehru-Gandhi family. That probe faded inconclusively, like probes into so many other scams, after the initial furore.
The Bofors scandal cost Rajiv Gandhi his clean image and got the Congress routed in the 1989 general election although the New Delhi High Court quashed charges of bribery against Rajiv and others in early 2004. Congress was returned to office in the mid-2004 general election.
Prosecution in Italy led to the arrest this February of Guiseppe Orsi, CEO and chairman of Finmeccanica, the Italian company behind the Augusta-Westland helicopter deal. Kickbacks of €51 million (US$68 million) to senior politicians in Italy and India along with former Air Force Chief Tyagi and his three cousins, surfaced during the trial. For comparison, the Bofors kickbacks to politicians and defence officials amounted to US$12m.
The easy access which the Italian arms dealers had to the Ministry of Defense and military chiefs, reinforces the suspicion that the Congress high command ghosts lurk somewhere in the background. Elections cost a lot of money and ruling parties in the Third World routinely hack defensce procurement and infrastructure contracts to siphon off taxpayer funds. Individuals in the pipeline get rewarded to front for politicians, facilitate the theft and keep their mouths shut.
Three highly placed men intimately involved in the copter deal are beyond the arm of the law by virtue of their lofty constitutional positions: Pranab Mukherjee was Minister of Finance in 2005 when the contract was approved; Bharat Vir Wangchoo was director of the Special Protection Group set up after the assassination of Indira Gandhi and MK Narayanan was National Security Advisor. Pranab is now President of India, Vir Wangchoo is Governor of Goa and MK Narayanan is Governor of West Bengal. All three are protected by legal immunity.
Congress loses support but no swing to BJP
One would normally expect disgust with the ruling party to swing votes to the opposition. The India Today-Nielsen 'Mood of the Nation' poll of Jan 2013 projected a -7.7 percent% swing away from the Congress-led, United Progressive Alliance (UPA) coalition. But poll responses indicate that will translate to only a paltry +1.6 percent gain for the opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Hindu fundamentalist-backed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The reality in Indian politics since 1989 is that no single party can command enough seats in parliament to form a majority government. The 2004 general election saw the UPA gain majority by cobbling formal and informal alliances with smaller regional parties.
The bulk of the swing away (+6.6 percent) from the UPA, according to the pollsters, will benefit the smaller regional parties fixated on local issues far from the center in Delhi. Both the Congress and the BJP have presence in the north but are weak in the southern and eastern states.
The increasing reliance for parliamentary support on a mixed bag of regional parties - few of whichm ideologically align with either the Congress or the BJP, contributes to policy paralysis at the center. The smaller parties enjoy disproportionate leverage in horse-trading for ministerial posts without the experience or administrative competence to discharge their duties.
The legacy of the despotic leadership and paranoia of Indira Gandhi in the late 1970s keeps a capable crop of Congress leaders in Delhi while lesser mortals head states. Indira believed in keeping her rivals close where she could watch them. The BJP has a surprisingly strong set of chief ministers in their states. The BJP's best talent is not at party HQ in Delhi.
BJP ambivalent about next prime minister
While the Congress has only itself to blame for wasting its mandate, the BJP is in disarray over its leadership. The chief minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi, having just won a resounding third term, is the best candidate for the prime ministership in a BJP-led coalition in 2014.
However the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Hindu-nationalist movement which dictates political policy to the BJP, seems ambivalent. Modi's economic management in Gujarat and his modernist leadership are winning him political points across the country. He is less dependent on RSS patronage than most other BJP politicians. That discomforts the RSS.
To the rest of the country Modi comes across as a capable manager who gets the basics right while other chief ministers flounder. He runs a disciplined civil administration and has consistently delivered economic growth above the national average. To digital natives who would figure significantly in the 2014 election, Modi is a politician who understands their culture and uses social networking platforms to connect with them.
Modi's major black mark that he has great difficulty removing is his role in the horror of the 2002 Gujarat Hindu-Muslim riots. Many in the country believe he allowed the massacre of Muslims by looking the other way.
The Indian middle class is far more comfortable with a secular India than a narrowly Hindu one. They embrace meritocracy and open opportunities without the baggage of caste divisions and feudal social entitlements. Their instincts are to support secular parties and politicians. It is a polity for Congress to lose, which they effectively have done.
(Cyril Pereira [ cyrilper@gmail.com] is a regular contributor to Asia Sentinel.)
43-Days to 13GE – Has Transparency International Malaysia provisions to delete and disqualify signatories to its Election Integrity Pledge who blatantly violate its four principles in the run-up to the 13GE?
By Lim Kit Siang,
The Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob has followed in the footsteps of the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz to criticise Pakatan Rakyat leaders for their reluctance to sign the Transparency International-Malaysia’s (TIM) Election Integrity Pledge which was signed with such fanfare by the Prime Minister last Wednesday.
Adnan repeated the “old chestnut” that Pakatan Rakyat leaders are reluctant to sign the TIM Election Integrity Pledge because they have something to hide and that they are still doubtful whether the opposition coalition could responsibly run the country if they come to power.
Speaking at the opening of a meeting of the Pahang branch of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress in Kuantan on Sunday, Adnan said : “In future, if they abuse their powers, then the opposition leaders will give the excuse that they did not sign the integrity pledge to escape.”
I am shocked at such nonsensical argument spouted by a Mentri Besar, completely ignoring the laws of the land, religious teachings and ethics against corruption and abuses of power.
Is Adnan seriously suggesting that all the Barisan Nasional leaders, whether at the national or state levels, whether Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Ministers, Mentri-Mentri Besar, Chief Ministers and State Excos can claim entitlement to corrupt practices and abuses of power solely on the excuse that they had not yet signed the TI Election Integrity Pledge?
It is these lame excuses of UMNO/BN leaders which have raised questions and concerns whether the TIM Election Integrity Pact is meaningful or whether it is being used to “whitewash” all the corruption and abuses of power which have been committed by UMNO/BN leaders whether at the national or state levels in the past.
Even officials of the Election Commission (EC), which should be an independent, professional and credible body to conduct free and fair elections in the country, have joined the bandwagon to echo UMNO/BN leaders’ criticisms of Pakatan Rakyat on the TIM Election Integrity Pact.
The Deputy Chairman of Election Commission, Wan Ahmad Wan Omar, hit out at Pakatan Rakyat by declaring that it is “a shame” that opposition party leaders are shying away from signing TIM’s Election Integrity Pledge.
The real shame is the Election Commission’s failure to understand it is only confirming its subservience and subordination to the ruling coalition of UMNO/BN to the extent of echoing UMNO/BN criticisms against PR, when the Election Commission should stay above the fray to conscientiously carry out its constitutional duty to conduct free and fair elections in the country.
If Wan Ahmad wants to dabble in politics, he should resign from the Election Commission and contest the 13GE as a BN candidate instead of continuing to undermine the independence and integrity of the Malaysian electoral process by being a subservient agent of Umno/BN.
Wan Ahmad said it is incumbent on candidates contesting in the general election to sign the pledge as the people desired representatives not merely to profess to have integrity but to practise it as well.
He said he believed the people would feel more assured in their choice if the candidates had no qualms about signing the pledge, as what Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had done.
Although I must say that Wan Ahmad has given more sensible arguments than Adnan Yaakob to present the case for candidates signing the TIM Election Integrity Pledge, his remarks reek of hypocrisy and dishonesty as the Election Commission has never taken a stand against the rampant corruption of money politics by UMNO/BN in previous general elections.
I have qualms about signing the TIM Election Integrity Pledge precisely because of the Prime Minister’s cynical signature without showing any signs that he is serious and fully committed to its principles, and the abject and disgraceful role of Election Commission in the past in ensuring a clean, ethical, free and fair elections in the country.
TIM’s Election Integrity Pledge stipulates four principles for all signatories to observe in the 13th general elections, viz:
• Truth, integrity, ethical conduct and accountability, including not accepting or giving bribes or being involved in corrupt practices in any way;
• Upholding and giving priority to the interests of the rakyat as a whole;
• Good governance and transparency; and
• Compliance with all the applicable laws and regulations of Malaysia.
Has TIM any mechanism to receive and investigate public complaints that signatories have violated the four principles enshrined in the Election Integrity Pledge – even in the run-up to the 13GE?
Are there any provisions for TIM to delete and disqualify signatories to its Election Integrity Pledge who blatantly violate its four principles in the run-up to the 13GE?
For instance, within days of signing the Election Integrity Pledge, the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has violated his commitment to conduct a clean and ethical election campaign, when he declared in Kuala Terengganu on Saturday that “a vote for DAP is a vote for the oppression of Muslims” – a most unethical and shameless incitement of racial and religious hatred which is also totally against Najib’s signature 1Malaysia policy.
Will TIM communicate with Najib that the Prime Minister has violated the Election Integrity Pledge which he had signed last Wednesday to conduct a clean and ethical election campaign?
Will TIM ask the Prime Minister to withdraw and apologise for the irresponsible and unethical statement which is not only baseless and irresponsible but a most shameful example of incitement of racial and religious hatred and conflict?
If Najib is not prepared to withdraw and apologise for his unethical remark, will TIM delete Najib’s signature from its roster of signatories and disqualify him as eligible to be a signatory because of his blatant disregard of the four principles laid down in the TIM Election Integrity Pledge?
The Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob has followed in the footsteps of the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz to criticise Pakatan Rakyat leaders for their reluctance to sign the Transparency International-Malaysia’s (TIM) Election Integrity Pledge which was signed with such fanfare by the Prime Minister last Wednesday.
Adnan repeated the “old chestnut” that Pakatan Rakyat leaders are reluctant to sign the TIM Election Integrity Pledge because they have something to hide and that they are still doubtful whether the opposition coalition could responsibly run the country if they come to power.
Speaking at the opening of a meeting of the Pahang branch of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress in Kuantan on Sunday, Adnan said : “In future, if they abuse their powers, then the opposition leaders will give the excuse that they did not sign the integrity pledge to escape.”
I am shocked at such nonsensical argument spouted by a Mentri Besar, completely ignoring the laws of the land, religious teachings and ethics against corruption and abuses of power.
Is Adnan seriously suggesting that all the Barisan Nasional leaders, whether at the national or state levels, whether Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Ministers, Mentri-Mentri Besar, Chief Ministers and State Excos can claim entitlement to corrupt practices and abuses of power solely on the excuse that they had not yet signed the TI Election Integrity Pledge?
It is these lame excuses of UMNO/BN leaders which have raised questions and concerns whether the TIM Election Integrity Pact is meaningful or whether it is being used to “whitewash” all the corruption and abuses of power which have been committed by UMNO/BN leaders whether at the national or state levels in the past.
Even officials of the Election Commission (EC), which should be an independent, professional and credible body to conduct free and fair elections in the country, have joined the bandwagon to echo UMNO/BN leaders’ criticisms of Pakatan Rakyat on the TIM Election Integrity Pact.
The Deputy Chairman of Election Commission, Wan Ahmad Wan Omar, hit out at Pakatan Rakyat by declaring that it is “a shame” that opposition party leaders are shying away from signing TIM’s Election Integrity Pledge.
The real shame is the Election Commission’s failure to understand it is only confirming its subservience and subordination to the ruling coalition of UMNO/BN to the extent of echoing UMNO/BN criticisms against PR, when the Election Commission should stay above the fray to conscientiously carry out its constitutional duty to conduct free and fair elections in the country.
If Wan Ahmad wants to dabble in politics, he should resign from the Election Commission and contest the 13GE as a BN candidate instead of continuing to undermine the independence and integrity of the Malaysian electoral process by being a subservient agent of Umno/BN.
Wan Ahmad said it is incumbent on candidates contesting in the general election to sign the pledge as the people desired representatives not merely to profess to have integrity but to practise it as well.
He said he believed the people would feel more assured in their choice if the candidates had no qualms about signing the pledge, as what Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had done.
Although I must say that Wan Ahmad has given more sensible arguments than Adnan Yaakob to present the case for candidates signing the TIM Election Integrity Pledge, his remarks reek of hypocrisy and dishonesty as the Election Commission has never taken a stand against the rampant corruption of money politics by UMNO/BN in previous general elections.
I have qualms about signing the TIM Election Integrity Pledge precisely because of the Prime Minister’s cynical signature without showing any signs that he is serious and fully committed to its principles, and the abject and disgraceful role of Election Commission in the past in ensuring a clean, ethical, free and fair elections in the country.
TIM’s Election Integrity Pledge stipulates four principles for all signatories to observe in the 13th general elections, viz:
• Truth, integrity, ethical conduct and accountability, including not accepting or giving bribes or being involved in corrupt practices in any way;
• Upholding and giving priority to the interests of the rakyat as a whole;
• Good governance and transparency; and
• Compliance with all the applicable laws and regulations of Malaysia.
Has TIM any mechanism to receive and investigate public complaints that signatories have violated the four principles enshrined in the Election Integrity Pledge – even in the run-up to the 13GE?
Are there any provisions for TIM to delete and disqualify signatories to its Election Integrity Pledge who blatantly violate its four principles in the run-up to the 13GE?
For instance, within days of signing the Election Integrity Pledge, the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has violated his commitment to conduct a clean and ethical election campaign, when he declared in Kuala Terengganu on Saturday that “a vote for DAP is a vote for the oppression of Muslims” – a most unethical and shameless incitement of racial and religious hatred which is also totally against Najib’s signature 1Malaysia policy.
Will TIM communicate with Najib that the Prime Minister has violated the Election Integrity Pledge which he had signed last Wednesday to conduct a clean and ethical election campaign?
Will TIM ask the Prime Minister to withdraw and apologise for the irresponsible and unethical statement which is not only baseless and irresponsible but a most shameful example of incitement of racial and religious hatred and conflict?
If Najib is not prepared to withdraw and apologise for his unethical remark, will TIM delete Najib’s signature from its roster of signatories and disqualify him as eligible to be a signatory because of his blatant disregard of the four principles laid down in the TIM Election Integrity Pledge?
85-year-old coffeeshop serves its last meal on Thursday
The StarStory and photos by VINCENT TAN
Popular coffee shop Sin Seng Nam will close shop tomorrow, after 85 years of being in business.
Located
along Medan Pasar or the old “Market Square” in Kuala Lumpur, the
coffeeshop has been operating from a three-storey pre-war building,
which until recently was owned by the descendants of Loke Yew.
Sin
Seng Nam is a beautiful example of architecture of the Malaysian
pre-war kopitiam, with its high ceilings and swinging wooden windows,
which make the place airy.
The
building is over 100 years old, having been built in 1906. The
Hainanese kopitiam has been very much a part of the building’s history
and added to the old world charm that its surrounding area once had.
The nearby shophouses are still standing and in need of a fresh coat of paint.
But
it is a far cry from the business and financial district it once was,
with the premises now run by foreign workers. In fact, the area near the
clock tower has been made into a pedestrian-only area.
Sin Seng Nam serves as the last reminder of Medan Pasar as it once was.
“My
father, Choong Yoo Ying and his two brothers started the kopitiam in
1928 when Medan Pasar was still one of the main roads in Kuala Lumpur,”
said second-generation owner Choong Ah See, 62.
Adorning
the walls of the kopitiam are old prints, which includes photos of
Medan Pasar with and without the small clock tower built in 1937 to
commemorate George V’s coronation and pre-war vehicles lining the
pre-war shophouses.
Choong
took over from his father in the mid-1980s after he passed away and his
uncles retired. He has been busy running the shop while his business
partners manage the kitchen.
Choong’s
sister Siew Yong, 70, operates the popular chicken rice stall, which
not only sells roasted and steamed chicken during weekdays, but also
fish and chicken curries on selected days.
Work starts at 5am, when Choong comes in to start the fires for his charcoal-fuelled grill and boil water for drinks.
Then his brother-in-law Wong Ah Toy, 78, and nephew Tan Loong, 36, come in at 11am to prepare for the lunch crowd.
Back
in the old days when the superior courts were located in the Sultan
Abdul Samad building, it was a favourite haunt among lawyers.
They used to sit there enjoying cups of coffee and discussing their cases.
Even
till now, some lawyers still come to Sin Seng Nam as some law firms are
located in the area and the Bar Council building is right opposite the
coffeeshop.
“The
lawyers used to walk here from the old courthouses in their robes. And
during the trial of Mona Fandey and other popular cases, many
journalists covering the cases frequent the shop for meals,” said
Choong.
The
kopitiam was also a regular meeting place for politicians such as Lim
Kit Siang and Karpal Singh, as well as corporate figures such as Tan Sri
Francis Yeoh and his brother Datuk Mark Yeoh.
Mark
fondly remembers Sin Seng Nam as his favourite lunch place when he was a
chambering law student attending court at the Sultan Abdul Samad
building.
“I
am sad that it is closing as it has been a part of my life for the last
30 years. I liked their fried meehoon for breakfast and chicken rice
for lunch, but we had to be there by noon or it was sold out,” said
Mark.
He
added that Sin Seng Nam was an institution, but hoped it that Choong
and his nephew Tan could re-open a similar establishment somewhere else.
Even now, the kopitiam is still a hive of activity, especially during lunch hour.
Staff from nearby banks come here for the chicken rice, Hailam noodles and chicken chop.
Choong
said the wooden cash counter was there from his father’s time, as was
the wooden cabinet and stool. The cash counter and cabinet will be sold
to Heritage House.
“It
is not easy running a restaurant. Maybe now I can take a rest and spend
more time with my family,” said Choong, who has a son and daughter.
“I
was also lucky that the Loke family did not raise the rent too much
over the years. Nowadays, the rent in this area can cost five figures,”
he said.
In response to whether it will be difficult leaving the business, he said: “I have mixed feelings.”
Opposition Manifesto Like Alice In Wonderland Fantasy, Says Shahrizat
SEREMBAN, Feb 27 (Bernama) -- The opposition's manifesto for the upcoming 13th general election is like the "Alice in Wonderland" children's fantasy story as it contains dream promises that are impossible to come true.
Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said the promises in the manifesto were lies and mere political gimmick to fish for votes in the elections.
"When I looked at the manifesto carefully, I shook my head in disbelief as it is an over-the-top political gimmick that is irresponsible and I think, the worst ever dished out by the opposition.
"Wanita (Umno) has been going to the ground, visiting one house after another and the feedback is that the public too find the election manifesto unbelievable," she said after visiting and handing out aid to injured construction worker Wong Kok Leong at his house in Taman Bunga Blossom, here, Wednesday.
Shahrizat was asked to comment on the Pakatan Rakyat election manifesto announced by the loose opposition pact of PAS, DAP and PKR on Monday.
She said while the manifesto if implemented could cause the country to go bankrupt, it also seemed to have very little concern for the people's welfare as there was no mention of how they could help the less fortunate.
Shahrizat, who is former women, family and community development minister, also expressed sadness and regret over PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang's insulting statements on the giving of the aid, Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M), and its recipients.
"Their statements do not reflect the party's struggle as an Islamic party although they had before harped about establishing a welfare state.
"So, what is their actual welfare concept and struggle if they cannot help the poor and low-income group?" she said.
During the visit, Shahrizat who is the National Welfare Foundation's board of trustees chairman, handed over RM2,000 and daily essentials to Wong to lessen his family's burden after he stopped work following an accident at the workplace last December.
Wong, 48, who has a wife and two school-going children, broke his pelvic bone in the accident and the injury has also affected his urinary tract.
Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said the promises in the manifesto were lies and mere political gimmick to fish for votes in the elections.
"When I looked at the manifesto carefully, I shook my head in disbelief as it is an over-the-top political gimmick that is irresponsible and I think, the worst ever dished out by the opposition.
"Wanita (Umno) has been going to the ground, visiting one house after another and the feedback is that the public too find the election manifesto unbelievable," she said after visiting and handing out aid to injured construction worker Wong Kok Leong at his house in Taman Bunga Blossom, here, Wednesday.
Shahrizat was asked to comment on the Pakatan Rakyat election manifesto announced by the loose opposition pact of PAS, DAP and PKR on Monday.
She said while the manifesto if implemented could cause the country to go bankrupt, it also seemed to have very little concern for the people's welfare as there was no mention of how they could help the less fortunate.
Shahrizat, who is former women, family and community development minister, also expressed sadness and regret over PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang's insulting statements on the giving of the aid, Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M), and its recipients.
"Their statements do not reflect the party's struggle as an Islamic party although they had before harped about establishing a welfare state.
"So, what is their actual welfare concept and struggle if they cannot help the poor and low-income group?" she said.
During the visit, Shahrizat who is the National Welfare Foundation's board of trustees chairman, handed over RM2,000 and daily essentials to Wong to lessen his family's burden after he stopped work following an accident at the workplace last December.
Wong, 48, who has a wife and two school-going children, broke his pelvic bone in the accident and the injury has also affected his urinary tract.
Where will Pakatan find RM46bn to fulfil its promises?
Pakatan Rakyat has come up with a statement to show where it will get the money to finance its campaign promises.
Pakatan estimates that its promises will cost RM46bn to implement. This RM46bn includes a RM12bn reduction in oil revenue as a result of raising oil royalty payments (to oil-producing states) to 20 per cent from the present 5 per cent. Toll abolition will cost RM6bn. The plan to abolish study loans, provide free education and raise teachers’ allowances will cost a further RM8bn. An injection of RM5bn will also be made into the affordable housing programme.
Where will this RM46bn come from? Pakatan claims it is able to save 24 per cent of the Selangor state government’s expenditure by wiping out leakages and corruption and reviewing expenditure priorities. If this performance (24 per cent saving) is extrapolated to the federal operating and development expenditure totalling RM206bn, Pakatan claims that it will be able to save RM50bn. This, I believe, is eminently possible given the staggering corruption, wastage, cronyism, patronage and rent-seeking we have seen.
Other revenue will come from a reduction of subsidies to IPPs and the reallocation of the huge sum presently allocated to the Prime Minister’s Department to more pressing expenditure priorities.
My note: Tolls need not be completely abolished. They can be used to invest in public transport. That should provide a few additional billion ringgit.
Also, additional allocations need to be made to lift the government’s public health care spending to 6 per cent of GDP from the present meagre 2 per cent – though no doubt the government can also save plenty by re-nationalising drug procurement and health care support services. Of course, care must also be taken to retain skilled staff in the public health care system.
Pakatan estimates that its promises will cost RM46bn to implement. This RM46bn includes a RM12bn reduction in oil revenue as a result of raising oil royalty payments (to oil-producing states) to 20 per cent from the present 5 per cent. Toll abolition will cost RM6bn. The plan to abolish study loans, provide free education and raise teachers’ allowances will cost a further RM8bn. An injection of RM5bn will also be made into the affordable housing programme.
Where will this RM46bn come from? Pakatan claims it is able to save 24 per cent of the Selangor state government’s expenditure by wiping out leakages and corruption and reviewing expenditure priorities. If this performance (24 per cent saving) is extrapolated to the federal operating and development expenditure totalling RM206bn, Pakatan claims that it will be able to save RM50bn. This, I believe, is eminently possible given the staggering corruption, wastage, cronyism, patronage and rent-seeking we have seen.
Other revenue will come from a reduction of subsidies to IPPs and the reallocation of the huge sum presently allocated to the Prime Minister’s Department to more pressing expenditure priorities.
My note: Tolls need not be completely abolished. They can be used to invest in public transport. That should provide a few additional billion ringgit.
Also, additional allocations need to be made to lift the government’s public health care spending to 6 per cent of GDP from the present meagre 2 per cent – though no doubt the government can also save plenty by re-nationalising drug procurement and health care support services. Of course, care must also be taken to retain skilled staff in the public health care system.
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