India rape case suspect commits suicide

New Delhi (CNN) -- One of the men accused of raping and fatally beating a woman in a gang assault on a New Delhi bus has committed suicide, an official said Monday.

Ram Singh hanged himself in his jail cell, Devendra Arya, additional deputy commissioner of police in New Delhi, told CNN.

Singh was housed in the city's Tihar Prisons.

He was one of five men charged with murder, rape and kidnapping in connection with the horrific attack.

The men's trial began in February and, if convicted, they could face the death penalty.

A sixth suspect is 17 and will be tried separately in juvenile court.

The attack on the 23-year-old woman in New Delhi on December 16 prompted angry protests over the country's treatment of women and handling of sexual attacks.

The victim died in a Singapore hospital in late December. Her male companion survived with a broken leg.

The case gripped India and led to calls for stricter laws on sexual assault and changes in cultural attitudes toward women in India, where most women have stories of sexual harassment and abuse on public transportation or on the streets, according to the Indian Council on Global Relations.

A panel appointed by India's home affairs minister as a result of the case criticized Indian attitudes toward sexual assault and called for policy changes, including creating an offense of gang-rape punishable by at least 20 years in prison, making it a crime for police to fail to investigate sexual assault complaints and making it illegal to consider character or previous sexual experience of the victim at a criminal trial.

Is M’sia ready for a non-Malay PM?

Events in future will determine if Malaysia opts for a non-Malay prime minister
COMMENT

Will it ever be possible for a country like Malaysia to witness a non-Malay, non-Muslim at the helm of the country? Is being the prime minister of a Malay-Muslim majority state achievable by someone of a different race and religion?

While most Malaysians consider this wishful thinking, it must be remembered that predominantly white America never thought it possible that even a half-black, half-white man like Barack Obama will be able to become president.

Whatever has happened? The change in values by Americans signified their genuine desire and zeal to put to an end centuries of hypocrisy and racism.

In the era of globalisation, traditional values have started to shift and give way to a more open and liberal society in the US.

Several years ago, when Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was asked if the island-republic was ready for a non-Chinese to be prime minister, he stated that “it is unlikely to happen until a long time more”.

What about us Malaysians? Will Malaysians feel comfortable and be able to put our faith and trust in a leader that is not of Malay origin and who does not profess Islam as his or her faith? Will there ever come a time when such a situation can become a reality?

The present framework of Malaysian society

Both sides of the Malaysian political divide seem to be going at breakneck speed currently to bring about changes in the nation and Malaysians are witnessing a slew of changes in their lives and expectedly much more to come.

This is largely due to a transformation drive by Barisan Nasional. The governing coalition sees it necessary to make drastic changes after having suffered a terrible setback in the last general election in 2008.

Waiting in the wings is the opposition coalition of Pakatan Rakyat, and its programme, it claims, is a reformation to bring about changes to accommodate the will of the rakyat and to steer the country towards being a healthier and happier state.

Very obviously, change has taken place and from the looks of it Malaysians are anticipating more and widespread changes in the future. But will there ever be change to such an extent that Malaysia will witness a non-Malay, non-Muslim being ushered in as prime minister of the country?

The chances

While the thought of a non-Malay, non-Muslim becoming prime minister probably never entered the minds of the vast majority of Malaysians, such a possibility arising in future should not be discounted.

There are several key reasons why the sweeping changes that are taking place in this country are really building up towards a more egalitarian society where fair play, justice and meritocracy are set to see the discarding of racial and religious discrimination as practised in the past.

If the New Economic Policy (NEP) which ran its course for 30 years, supposedly an affirmative action programme to assist and uplift the socio-economic status of Bumiputeras, failed in many ways, it has taught Malaysians across the board to become wiser and more pragmatic.

The NEP, coming fresh in the wake of the May 13, 1969 racial riots, failed miserably because it only served to fuel corruption and injustice and create a governing Malay elite while the rest of the Malays continued to lag behind on handouts from the government.

Most Malays and Bumiputeras now are seeing for themselves that it is no longer race and religion that are the pre-requisites for being at the pinnacle of power but integrity, justice, fair play and the virtues the prime minister has must encompass all these and more.

Malaysians from all walks of life no longer believe in the race and religion factor; the Malaysians of today are better educated and better informed and are seeking leaders who can uphold the values of the universal good.

Malaysians, irrespective of race and religion, are beginning to be impressed by secular goodness and by political leaders who don’t use race, religion or money to win the favour of the people.

The changes leading into the future

While politicians are harping on race and religion and using money politics on the campaign trail to maintain the status quo, the underlying shift in ground has become more and more noticeable in this country.

Malaysians are a tired lot. They are sick and fed up with the antics of politicians. They want civil liberties to be restored fullly in this country.

Malaysians are seeing for themselves, especially the Malay community and Bumiputeras, how the NEP and the hypocrisy, racial and religious discrimination of the past, have caused the institutions of governance in this country to be viewed with disrespect, ridicule and contempt.

People no longer have much hope or belief in the governance of the past 55 years of this country and politicians know this and that is why they are jumping on the bandwagon to bring about changes in the hope of appeasing the electorate with their various promises and manifestos.

But will all these changes lead to the chair of the prime minister being held by a non-Malay, non-Muslim Malaysian?

While change is the only constant in life, the changes we have witnessed in this country, especially in the last decade or so, are remarkable and in the near and distant future anything can happen.

This will also mean that as Malaysians become more politically mature, better informed and better educated, it will only be a matter of time before the nation witnesses the advent of a non-Malay, non-Muslim as prime minister of this country.

Inconceivable as it might be to many of us Malaysians now, the changes we have witnessed are really building up towards a just, secular, and transparent society where the barriers that divide us are being torn down.

As the changes in this country continue to roll on, the real, hard evidence that change has taken place for the betterment and good of all Malaysians is when power to the prime minister is granted on the basis of merit alone and not based on race or religion.

This will be the crowning effort for all Malaysians to be proud of. It will signal their coming of age as a nation and the concept of Satu Malaysia will then be able to be cast in iron as real visible truth and not what it is now – a mere slogan chant that is meaningless.

By going to the ground and taking the bull by the horns, Malaysians can be proud of politicians who govern without fear or favour, and can then embrace peace, progress and prosperity as their natural, rightful and due common heritage.

This will be then be the real Satu Malaysia.

Christopher Fernandez has been teaching and writing throughout Asia since 1984.

New series of Hindu exodus from Bangladesh after recent Islamic violence by Jammat e Islami.

Fiery Islamic Violence is on in Bangladesh.

 

Hindu minorities are at the receiving end in Bangladesh. The exodus of Hindus to India is continuing.

Kolkata | 8 March 2013:: Telling a lie does not come under any fine or tax. On Saturday last (2nd March 2013), the West Bengal government denied that there has not been any exodus from Bangladesh to West Bengal following violence in the neighboring country over a top Jamaat-e-Islami leader being sentenced to death for crimes against humanity during the 1971 liberation war. “We have no such report,” Home Secretary Basudeb Banerjee told PTI when asked if there was an exodus from Bangladesh. “Security arrangements have been strengthened along the border,” he said on the measures that the state government has suggested to the BSF. In Malda, the BSF has been asked to intensify patrolling along the border. Top BSF officials said that the border outposts have been alerted all along and till now there was no report of any influx from either side. Some of the worst trouble spots in Bangladesh were said to be located quite close to the West Bengal borders and round the clock vigil was mounted. The news hooked up in the prime media coverage.

But, the reality in West Bengal borders and sudden increase of pilgrimage from Bangladesh in the holy places, shrines, monasteries tell another thing.

Not only that, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Chandan Mitra, who accompanied President Pranab Muherjee on his recent Dhaka trip, said the situation in Bangladesh “is pretty tense”.

Mitra said that “Hindu minorities are at the receiving end in Bangladesh” in the current communal clashes in Bangladesh run by Jamaat e Islami of Bangladesh.

The violence against minorities is “aimed at driving out the Hindus who are concentrated in a few districts where the Jamaat is also concentrated.. The exodus of Hindus to India is continuing,” said Mitra.

The Jamaat is protesting the death sentence handed over to a leader for war crimes committed in 1971.

Mitra said India has “certain moral responsibilities as they have to be mindful of their security.. And if another exodus takes place (like during the 1971 war), we will have to provide shelter,” he said, adding that the Jamaat is like the Taliban in nature. “It has risen from strength to strength and consolidated its position.” So, the new series of Hindu exodus from Bangladesh after recent Islamic violence by Jammat e Islami, has been started afresh.

Actually, hundreds of Hindus have been attacked, their shops and businesses burnt and women threatened by the Jamaat-e-Islami in the current spate of violence unleashed by the Islamists in neighboring Bangladesh, as it is focused in a discussion forum held in New Delhi.

“Hindus, who number more than one crore in Bangladesh, live in fear and agony… They don’t have anyone to help them,” said Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Vijay at a discussion on ‘Bangla Desh-Shahbagh Rising, Jamaat-e-Islami’s violence and the Indian response’.

The protests at Shahbag transcend religion, he said.

“They are an assertion that we are all Bengali Bangladesh is a friendly country, and Sheikh Hasina (prime minister) is a friend (of India).. But it is horrendous and unacceptable that thousands of Hindu homes are being burnt, looted and police are unable to provide protection,” said Vijay.

“The Jamaat is acting on behalf of Pakistan and the ISI (Inter Services Intelligence) and against India,” he alleged.

As a result, as far as 1600 Hindu families from Noakhali and Chattagram has reached to Bharat with or without passport only to stay here until the position in Bangladesh is made stabilized. Major portion of these families are visiting holy places in West Bengal and staying in the different Dharmashalas, different branches of Hindu Ashrams and in the houses of relatives or in rented houses. The poorer Hindu refugees in this phase are also seeking the job of daily labourers or anything to be a means of survive.

Most of these Hindu uprooted families from Bangladesh are mainly halting in Kakdwip, Basanti areas in South 24 Parganas. Barasat, Banga in North 24 Parganas and Ranaghat, Tehatta areas in Nadia and Cooch Behar and Dakshin Dinaj Pur and Jalpaiguri in North Bengal. Some of these people are now in disguise of patient or pilgrims. Some of these Hindu refugees from Bangladesh uprooted by the Jamaatis, are now contemplating to venture in far states like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh or Maharashtra.

The Islamists in Bangladesh are trying to make a Hindu-less Bangladesh. Minority Hindus of Bangladesh are compelled to flee away from there to here in Bharat. Still Govt. of India is saying ‘No Exodus yet’. Though different Hindu organisations in India protesting the tremendous tortures upon Bangladesh Hindus, Govt in India is not ready to accept the truth of exodus or to extend any help to the tortured and uprooted Hindu refugees from Bangladesh. What a tragedy for the Hindus in Bangladesh.

Indictment filed against Nazareth acid attacker

The victim in the hospital (Photo: Elad Gershgoren)

Information released in case reveals relatives of 16-year-old Nazareth girl allegedly raped her for months, attacked her after rejected marriage proposal. Doctors fighting to save victim's sigh

When the accused understood that the 16-year-old girl he raped intended to marry another, he spilled acid on her face. This is a portion of the indictment filed Sunday morning in the case of the acid attack in Nazareth.

As a result of the assault, the young girl sustained injuries to her eyes and throat. She was hospitalized in serious condition at the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa and the doctors are still fighting to save her sight.

The two attackers, ages 51 and 17 are the young woman's relatives. The full indictment, which will be filed with the Nazareth District Court by Attorney Liora Hilu, from the Northern District Prosecutor's Office, has been placed under gag order in order to prevent any additional harm to the girl's privacy. The two are accused of multiple acts of rape and aggravated assault.

A summary of the released information on the indictment reveals that the two accused sexually assaulted the 16-year-old girl for months. In addition, the elder of the two men, who is married with children, asked to wed the girl, but the family refused him.

"Close to the month of February 2013, the accused was made aware of the complainant's intention to become engaged to someone else," the prosecutor described. "The accused understood that her engagement was likely to distance her from him, and thus, he would not be able to continue to rape her."

The indictment also reveals that last February 18th, at around 11:30 PM, the accused knocked on the girl's bedroom window. "When the complainant opened her window, the accused spilled hydrochloric acid on her head and face and fled."

Simultaneous to the filing of the indictment, the prosecutor's office filed a request for remand until the completion of proceedings. Ynet was informed that the main evidence in the case is the girl's testimony. "The acts of the accused reveal his immense brutality, as he will not stop at anything to attain his desires and as he does not value human life," as stated in the request.

Meanwhile, the girl's mother told Ynet: "My daughter was not raped, I don't know where these stories came from. My daughter spoke to me and told me that she did not say she was raped."

According to the mother, her daughter was tired and dazed while being examined. "She didn't understand what the investigators said to her. The issue of rape will cause us great harm, especially to my daughters.

"The police should wait until my daughter is released from the hospital and from this emotional crisis caused to her and then they will be able to speak to her freely and confirm every word she says, but to come and speak about rape is unacceptable to us."

Bitter-‘sweet embrace’: Ahmadinejad slated for hugging Chavez’s relative

AL ARABIYA - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is under the spotlight once again for another controversial move.

But this move is much “softer” than nuclear war games or the occasional lashing out at Israel or America.

This time, it’s a hug.

Ahmadinejad came under heavy criticism after a picture on Friday showed him embracing a woman at the funeral of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, according to the website of the Iranian parliament reported.

While the identity of the woman who received Ahmadinejad’s apparent act of sympathy was at first unclear, the woman appeared to be Chavez’s mother Elena Frias, according to AFP news agency.

Most of those who criticized the embrace are Iranian conservatives who staunchly supported the president during the Iranian presidential elections held in June 2008.

Iranian MP Mohammed Dehghan said, in an implicit reference to Ahmadinejad, that such an act by a prominent executive official opposes the behavior of a Muslim who is constrained by religious commitments.

Dehghan also criticized the “perverted group” - a term used by Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei’s supporters to describe the circle close to Ahmadinejad - warning of the wide spread of this group in Iran.
‘Un-Islamic’

He also called on religious scholars to seriously confront Ahmadinejad’s “un-Islamic” acts.

Former MP Hojatoleslam Mohammed Taghi Rahbar, who supported Ahmadinjed during the previous presidential elections, said the president lost control over the situation during the funeral of Chavez.

The Iranian president has previously sparked the conservatives’ outrage after he announced a national day of mourning following the death of Chavez. The move was described as “an illegal precedent.”

Prominent Shiite religious figures have called on Ahmadinejad to be better knowledgeable on his religion. They have also called on him to avoid making statements relevant to religion during the rest of his presidential term, which ends in August, to prevent stirring domestic tensions.

In his eulogy of Chavez, Ahmadinejad said the former “will come again along with Jesus Christ and Al-Imam al-Mahdi to redeem mankind.”

The statement sparked further criticism as some Iranian clerics accused Ahmadinejad of committing a sin by saying that “Chavez’s soul will return and that he will come again after the appearance of the (Hidden) Imam.”

Teenage John Doe shot dead in red zone

12 reasons why Philippines can't claim Sabah

The Malaysian Bar is extremely concerned by reports of the armed intrusion by foreign elements and ongoing conflict in the areas of Lahad Datu and Semporna, in Sabah.

We are deeply saddened by the deaths of eight Malaysian police personnel, and extend our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to their families and loved ones.
We salute our fallen heroes who have paid the highest price in defence of our nation and territory. Our thoughts and prayers also go to members of our security forces who are now in the frontline of this conflict.
The Malaysian Bar expresses its support for the Malaysian authorities in its continuing efforts to restore law and order in the affected areas.

As an independent nation, Malaysia has a sovereign right to ensure recognition and respect for the territorial integrity of its international borders.

As the conflict continues, we call on all parties to take all necessary action to minimise any further injury and loss of life.

The International Court of Justice, in the course of adjudicating a territorial dispute between the Governments of Malaysia and Indonesia over the islands of Ligitan and Sipadan off the coast of Sabah, and in delivering its decision on 17 December 2002, had set out the antecedents and history pertaining to the territory, and which effectively recognised the rights and sovereignty of Malaysia over the state of Sabah and its surrounding islands.

Sultanate had relinquished its rights

In essence, these antecedents show that the Sultanate of Sulu had, by its several actions and by various separate instruments between 19 April 1851 and 26 June 1946, relinquished and ceded all of its rights, interests and dominion over what was previously referred to as North Borneo (now known as the state of Sabah, Malaysia).  These various instruments are:

1) The Act of Re-Submission between Spain and the Sultan of Sulu dated 19 April 1851, which was confirmed by the Protocol dated 22 July 1878, whereby the island of Sulu and its dependencies were annexed by the Spanish Crown;

2) The Cession and Agreement dated 22 January 1878 between the Sultan of Sulu, and Mr Alfred Dent and Baron von Overbeck as representatives of a British company, whereby the Sultan of Sulu granted and ceded to the latter all of his rights and powers over the mainland of the island of Borneo;

3) The Commission (report) dated 22 January 1878 whereby the Sultan of Sulu appointed Baron von Overbeck the “Dato Bëndahara and Rajah of Sandakan”, and ceded all of the Sultanate's rights to Baron von Overbeck as the “supreme ruler over the said dominions”;

4) Baron von Overbeck and Mr Alfred Dent in turn relinquished all their rights to a British company, later the British North Borneo Company;

5) The Protocol dated 11 March 1877 between Spain, Germany and Great Britain;

6) The Protocol dated 7 March 1885 between Spain, Germany and Great Britain whereby, inter alia, the Spanish Government relinquished to the British Government all claim of sovereignty over the territories of the continent of Borneo and its islands;

7) The Agreement dated 12 May 1888 between the British Government and the British North Borneo Company for the creation of the State of North Borneo;

8) The Treaty of Peace of Paris dated 10 December 1898 between Spain and the United States of America whereby Spain ceded the Philippine Archipelago to the United States of America;

9) The Confirmation of Cession dated 22 April 1903 between the Sultan of Sulu and the British Government expanding the scope of the Cession and Agreement of 22 January 1878 between the Sultan of Sulu and Mr Alfred Dent and Baron von Overbeck;

10) The Convention dated 2 January 1930 between the United States of America and Great Britain delimiting the boundary between the Philippine Archipelago and the State of North Borneo;

11) The Agreement dated 26 June 1946 between the British North Borneo Company and the British Government whereby the British North Borneo Company relinquished and transferred all of its interests, powers and rights in respect of the State of North Borneo to the British Crown, whereby the State of North Borneo became a British colony.

12) The Agreement dated 9 July 1963 between the Federation of Malaya, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, North Borneo, Sarawak and Singapore relating to Malaysia, which entered into force on 16 September 1963, whereby the colony of North Borneo was to be “federated with the existing States of the Federation of Malaya as the [State] of Sabah”.

Although the Philippines was not a party to this litigation before the International Court of Justice — it did apply to intervene, but the application was rejected — it is clear from this judgment that the Sultanate of Sulu, even if such an entity were to legally exist today, has no subsisting legitimate claim to Sabah.
In any event, as a matter of post-colonial self-determination, the people of Sabah voted overwhelmingly to join Malaysia in a referendum held in 1962, which was organised by the Cobbold Commission.
Respect human rights
The Malaysian Bar thus calls upon the Malaysian Government to continue its efforts to defend its international borders and territory, protect its citizens, and apprehend the perpetrators of these acts of armed violence.

In doing so, we nonetheless call upon the Malaysian Government to take appropriate and immediate steps to resolve the conflict in a peaceful manner to avoid the further use of arms and loss of limb or life.

Just as Malaysia is insisting on the respect for its sovereign rights under international law, as is proper, it would also be correct for the Malaysian Government to honour and maintain its commitment to international humanitarian law and international human rights standards in its conduct of the conflict and treatment of any persons detained as part of the conflict, and to accord such persons due process of the law.

It is clear that there exists a serious threat to national security in the areas of conflict in Sabah, and that there are reports that the authorities have arrested 79 persons under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.

We expect that the due process of the law shall be observed and accorded to these arrested persons.

We ask the Malaysian authorities to take all necessary measures to protect and provide for the safety and well-being of civilians caught in the conflict zone, bearing in mind that these involve the elderly, women and children.

They should be provided with safe passage to non-conflict zones and be provided with access to adequate food, shelter, medical assistance and protection.

We also call upon the said authorities to ensure that all combatants, friend or foe, are treated humanely, and provided with the necessary medical assistance and treatment.

As we seek to assert our rights and protect our sovereignty and territorial integrity, we must continue to conduct ourselves with a strong sense of dignity and professionalism, with due observance of our own laws as well as international laws and standards.

It is our conduct and observance of the law and human rights in the face of adversity that will differentiate us from those who would seek to threaten us and commit acts of aggression against us.

---

The writer is the vice-president of the Malaysian Bar.

Save Selangor to maintain position of the Malays, Bumiputras: Dr M

SHAH ALAM, March 10 — In the last stretch before GE13, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad dropped all pretense for a Bangsa Malaysia and has gone for the Malay vote and slammed the Opposition for listening and accommodating the views and needs of the non-Malays.

State news agency Bernama quoted the country’s longest-serving prime minister as saying that Selangor must be saved from the opposition to ensure the rights and position of the Malays and Bumiputras are maintained in the state.

Dr Mahathir said the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) had taken over Selangor’s economy and now had great ambition to control politics in the state.

“Prior to this, when Selangor was under the Barisan Nasional (BN), we could see the economic growth was prolific and the Malays and Bumiputras had a place, so we lived more happily than previously.

“If the opposition wins and administer Selangor, the position of the Malays and Bumiputras will be shunted aside. Because of this, we must act quickly to convince the people of Selangor to topple the opposition government and replace it with BN which is led by Umno.

“Our sacrifices will be in vain if Selangor cannot be saved,” Dr Mahathir (picture) said at the closing of the convoy ‘Save Selangor’ organised by Selangor Perkasa here, today.

Also present was his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali and Selangor Perkasa president Abu Bakar Yahya.

More than 3,000 took part in the motorcycle convoy to USJ, Subang Jaya and Rantau Panjang, Klang from 10am by carrying the Malaysian, Perkasa and BN flags.

The convoy also visited the grave of the late L/Kpl Mohd Azrul Tukiran

at the Rantau Panjang Muslim Cemetary and had tahlil prayers for policemen killed in an ambush at Kampung Seri Jaya, Simunul, Semporna on March 2.

Dr Mahathir said, the weakness of two Malay parties in the opposition, resulted in disrespect for the race and risked the special privileges of the Malays and Bumpiutra being done away with.

“We also want to stress that Bahasa Melayu and Islam are the official language and religion of our nation. So they must respect our rights as how we respect their rights.

“But, because the leadership of the Malays in the opposition pact is very weak, they often just follow their colleagues including when pressed for the word Allah to be used (in the Bible).

“When they proposed to strip the special privileges of the Malays, the opposition, which purportedly had two parties with Malay leadership, willingly complied. If we are not careful, we will lose altogether our rights on our own soil and they (opposition) will get rid of all

efforts to develop the Malays and Bumiputras.

In Klang, Dr Mahathir reminded the people not to allow emotion to rule the day when choosing the government in the 13th general election.

He said the people should be wise when making the choice as their votes would determine their destiny and that of the next generation.

“We must use our good judgement to evaluate the performance of a government and if our judgement is clouded by emotions, then we may choose a wrong government, much to our detriment.

“Vote a proven party that has been responsible to the voters and willing to serve the people,” he said at the “The Future of the Malaysian Race” forum.

Study the Lahad Datu intrusion, says Dr M

In other developments, PKR leader Tian Chua continues to come under attacks for allegedly saying that the Lahad Datu intrusion was a drama staged by Umno.

KLANG: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government should identify how the Lahad Datu intrusion occurred, including the weaknesses of the country’s surveillance system.

“The study is important to determine whether the government should increase its defence spending from five per cent at present to buy better war equipment and weapons to deal with this kind of attack,” he told reporters after delivering a speech at a forum on ‘The Future of Malaysian Race’ here, today.

Mahathir said the study would help the government beef up its security in Lahad Datu for Sabah’s jagged coastline was vulnerable and easily infiltrated from neighbouring countries such as the Philippines.

In KOTA KINABALU, Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman said the people of Sabah were sad and angry with PKR leader Tian Chua who allegedly belittled the sacrifices made by security forces while others were silent over the intrusion.

Speaking to reporters after attending the Sabah Youth Patriotic Gathering – Dedication to National Heroes at Lintasan Deasoka here, today, he said the intrusion had caused much anxiety and confusion among the people in the state.

Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein meanwhile said Tian Chua seems to have lost good values and humanity for allegedly saying that the Lahad Datu intrusion is a drama staged by Umno to scare the people and intimidate them.

He asked Tian Chua whether the killings of eight policemen by a group of ruthless Filipino gunmen during the intrusion was also part of the conspiracy.

“I want to ask him (Tian Chua) whether the pictures of tens of bodies found in the jungle that I’ve seen with my own eyes are also a drama?

“It is painful to see families, children and wives of policemen like Sergeant Baharin lost their love ones.

“Do not politicise everything just to fan hatred and sentiments among the people,” he told reporters after visiting the widow of Sergeant Baharin Hamit, one of the six policemen killed by Filipino intruders in Kampung Simunul, Semporna on March 2, at Inanam Laut near here, today.

Thanking Hishammuddin for visiting her, Sumiati, who has two children, said the visit had renewed their spirit in moments of sorrow.

“The children have acceptable the lost of their father and they are stable now. We are still sad, but we are more spirited now. We have understood the situation. The children are proud to see the pictures of their father on television.. They keep saying he is a national warrior,” she added.

Kiram orders troops to stay, no surrender

The Sultans' daughter says the sultan's followers won't leave Sabah despite attacks by Malaysian security forces.

MANILA: The daughter of self-proclaimed Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III on Saturday said the followers of the sultan are standing firm on their decision not to surrender even after the foreign affairs department said that laying down their arms is the only way left to prevent further bloodshed in Sabah.

Speaking with radio dzMM, Princess Jaycel said the group of Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram still won’t leave Sabah despite the attacks being launched against them by Malaysian security forces.

“Fior the Raja Muda and his people that this is honor above life, ” she said.

” They want to live there peacefully,” she added.

Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez on Friday said Raja Muda’s group is left with no other choice but to lay down their arms after the call for ceasefire was rejected by the Malaysian government.

Malaysian police had said the Filipinos were not showing any sign of surrendering, thus the operation against them will continue.

Hernandez said Malaysian forces are determined to “destroy militants” in Lahad Datu town.

Hernandez said, however, that the DFA has yet to confirm these incidents and the total number of fatalities in Sabah.

Malaysian troops said they shot and killed 32 followers of the sultan during the latest assault, bringing the total dead to 60, including 52 militants. Eight Malaysian policemen were killed in skirmishes last weekend.

However, citing information from Raja Muda, the spokesman of Kiram III said 10 royal army soldiers have so far died since armed clashes began last week.

Abraham Idjirani claimed no more royal army soldiers died in the succeeding attacks. He said 235 royal army soldiers have all been accounted for, with 10 fatalities, 10 arrested and 4 injured.

-Agencies

Boy shot dead in restricted zone

Another sustained leg injuries in the shooting incident.

LAHAD DATU: A young boy was killed, while a man sustained leg injuries when they were shot by security forces at the restricted “Red Zone” in Kampung Tanjung Batu near here today.

The boy was aged between 12 and 15, while the man was 30 years of age.

Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar said the incident occurred at 9.45am, while the security forces were advancing towards the targeted Kampung Sungai Bilis to track down Sulu terrorists.

“The security forces were questioning two men and three women who had emerged from an undergrowth inside the ‘Red Zone’ in Kampung Tanjung Batu when they heard a rustle at a nearby bush, and spontaneously fired in that direction,” he said.

He said a medical team was dispatched to the scene before the boy’s remains and the injured man were taken to the Lahad Datu Hospital.

“The injured man, and the five people, who did not possess identification documents, have been detained to facilitate investigations,” added Ismail, in a joint media conference with Malaysian Armed Forces Chief Gen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin at the “Ops Daulat” Felda Sahabat 16 base here.

Meanwhile, Ismail said, six people were detained in Semporna today, under Section 130(c) of the Penal Code, read with Security Offences Act (Special Measures) for alleged links with the terrorists.

He said two of them were detained at Kampung Perigi Simunul at 6.30am, while the rest, two hours later, at the 1.5 mile Tawau-Semporna highway.

“Ninety-six people have so far, been detained on suspicion of having links with the terrorists, while 66 were picked up for trespassing into the ‘Ops Daulat’ restricted zone.”

Pakatan ke mahkamah untuk bersihkan daftar pemilih

Zurairi AR dan Ida Lim, TMI

Pakatan Rakyat (PR) telah memohon untuk semakan kehakiman bagi memaksa Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) membersihkan daftar pemilih di Selangor, selain dari semakan pengesahan bagi mengelakkan pengundi yang mencurigakan, kata penggubal undang-undangnya.

Anggota parlimen Klang Charles Santiago akan mengetahui pada Khamis depan jika percubaannya untuk “memaksa” SPR menyemak daftar pemilih di kawasannya berjaya, tetapi dia juga terkejut suruhanjaya itu berpendapat adalah “normal” untuk mempunyai 28 peratus pengundi tidak dikenalpasti daripada 500,000 yang terbaru di negeri Malaysia paling maju, kerana masyarakat bergerak ke seluruh negara.

“Apabila saya baca berita tersebut, saya merasakan ianya kenyataan paling tidak bertanggungjawab,” kata Santiago berhubung kenyataan Timbalan Pengerusi SPR Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar Jumaat lalu.

Santiago telah memfailkan semakan kehakiman di Mahkamah Tinggi Shah Alam bulan lalu untuk memaksa suatu penyiasatan oleh SPR, yang beliau dakwa cuba melengah-lengahkan ke atas isu pengundi diragui.

Santiago mengatakan terdapat 6,000 pengundi diragui, 3,457 pengundi dikeluarkan dari daftar pemilih tanpa kebenaran dan tidak diberitahu serta 2,195 pengundi dipindahkan tanpa kebenaran.

Pemimpin PR lain sedang memerhatikan keputusan “percubaan” Santiago sebelum mengikutinya termasuk anggota parlimen Shah Alam Khalid Samad.

“Sebenarnya, pilihan yang tinggal kepada kami adalah untuk membawa ke mahkamah,” kata ahli parlimen PAS itu, walaupun beliau percaya peluangnya mungkin tipis.

Mahkamah Shah Alam akan membuat keputusan pada Khamis depan mengenai pemberian kebenaran bagi permohonan semakan kehakiman Santiago manakala Khalid bergantung kepada sokongan orang ramai untuk meneutralkan kesan pengundi hantu.

Teresa Kok dari DAP bersetuju dengan Khalid, mengatakan beliau akan mengarahkan penyokongnya untuk mengumpulkan pengundi sebenar untuk keluar semasa hari mengundi.

Beliau mencadangkan agar pengundi membantu semasa tempoh berkempen, dan untuk berkhidmat sebagai agen mengundi dan agen mengira bagi memantau sebarang kemungkinan penipuan.

“Tidak banyak yang boleh kita lakukan, kerana semua (pegundi diragui) digazetkan dalam daftar pengundi, katanya yang juga Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Kinrara, mengatakan akan memastikan senarai pengundi yang tidak dikenali disemak di kawasan DUN beliau.

“Diperingkat kami, kami sudah sediakan orang-orang kami, mereka diberikan senarai nama pengundi tidak dikenalpasti, kata Zuraida Kamaruddin dari PKR kepada The Malaysian Insider.

“Jadi jika orang-orang ini keluar mengundi, kami akan melakukan inisiatif sendiri untuk mengesahkan mereka sebagai pengundi,” kata anggota parlimen Ampang itu, menjelaskan tiga peringkat pengesahan yang beliau akan lakukan.

Dua langkah awal adalah ahli parti akan membantah kepada SPR termasuk melalui borang-borang berkenaan, jika pengundi disenarai hitam atau pengundi dengan alamat meragukan muncul dalam daftar pemilih terkini yang digazetkan.

Terakhir mereka akan membantah jika terdapat penyelewengan semasa semakan pada hari mengundi, dimana ahli parti akan menyemak sama ada pengundi adalah rakyat asing atau tidak tinggal begitu lama dalam negara sebelum menerima kad pengenalan.

Sebarang penyelewengan dalam daftar pemilih akan difailkan dan direkodkan untuk tujuan dokumentasi supaya tindakan mahkamah boleh diambil selepas pilihan raya jika diperlukan, kata Zuraida.

“Tetapi pada masa sama, kami tidak menolak kemungkinan untuk menghalang mereka dari mengundi, katanya walaupun beliau sedar ia merupakan satu kesalahan pilihan raya untuk melakukan perkara tersebut.

Khalid walau bagaimanapun berkata, walaupun agen mengundi boleh menyemak daftar pemilih berbanding senarai Selangor, tidak banyak yang boleh dilakukan kerana mereka akan dilihat menghalang pengundi sah daripada mengundi.

SPR telah mengatakan mereka tidak boleh menghalang mereka yang berdaftar daripada mengundi, kerana ini adalah hak mereka walaupun mereka tidak boleh dikenalpasti.

READ MORE HERE

Shocking birthday news for family

A family member who was convicted of assault was found dead in police custody.

PETALING JAYA: A 47-year-old jobless man had just turned 48 today but he did not get to greet his birthday with his family members – he was found dead in police custody.

M Ragu, from Kampar, was detained at the Kampar police station over the weekend pending transfer to Tapah prison.

His family members received the shocking news that he had died in police custody.

Ragu was convicted and sentenced to 10 months in jail by a magistrate’s court in Kampar on Friday for assaulting a restaurant owner after a squabble on Wednesday.

Ragu’s nephew M Veeganes told FMT that Ragu chose to surrender himself to the police on the same day the incident took place.

“Today morning the policemen came to our house and told us that Ragu has passed away in police custody.

“Until now we were not told the reason for his death, and we were not allowed to see his body,” he told FMT by phone.

Veeganes said the family members were extremely sad at Ragu’s death and demanded to know why he was still detained in the police station after his conviction.

“The court delivered the verdict at 8am, and the Tapah Prison was just half an hour away from Kampar. Why was he still kept in the police station?” he asked.

He claimed the police have recorded on their closed-circuit television (CCTV) that Ragu was weeping at 4am today, and was found dead at 7am.

“They did not give us any reason why he died. They also refused to show us the CCTV footage,” he claimed.

Human Rights Party pro-term secretary P Uthayakumar said he has asked the police to allow Ragu’s family members to take pictures of the deceased but the request was shot down.

“It shows that they have got something to hide,” he said.

He alleged that there had been repeated cases of deaths in police custody but the matter had been covered up.

He pointed out that despite the deaths of Aminulrasyid Amzah, A Kugan and C Sugumaran in which the police had been implicated, no one had been charged with murder.

“Until now, not a single policeman was charged with murder. There is also no history of any inquest being held where the magistrate’s court would recommend the policemen be charged with the crime.”

“The most that you can expect is to see the policemen be charged with assault, like in Kugan’s case,” he said.

He said there was a dire need to mete out heavy sentences to the black sheep in the police force and the setting up of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

Meanwhile, the officer-in-charge in Kampar police station, who was only identified as Teoh, said the police would issue a statement on the case tomorrow.

The Deepak-Bala marriage: in Deepak’s own words

That afternoon, Rosmah called Deepak regarding the SD matter and the discussion got to Bala. Deepak told Rosmah what he had found out from Suresh and she asked Deepak to try and help to resolve the attempt to frame her husband with the murder case. Deepak told Rosmah he will speak to Bala directly and get a true picture of the entire events and how this thing can be resolved.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER
Raja Petra Kamarudin

Deepak Jaikishan was called to the MACC office a few times. This is already public knowledge and is no secret. What is still a secret, though, is what did Deepak tell the MACC? Until today we have not been given the gist of Deepak’s statement. And what we are also not being told is why after more than a month still no action is being taken.

From what we know, based on the newspaper reports, Deepak’s first couple of visits to the MACC office came to naught. Deepak told the MACC that he was ‘not yet ready’ to give his statement and went home, promising to return another day. Finally, on 25th January 2013, Deepak gave his statement to the MACC. However, until now, no one knows what he told the MACC. Neither Deepak nor the MACC are talking.

We are still trying to get our hands on a copy of the MACC report, and there is a strong possibility that that may happen very soon. In the meantime, while we try to get our hands on that report, maybe we can share with you the gist of what, according to our Deep Throat, Deepak told the MACC. Let us see whether this part of Deepak’s story is going to appear in his ‘official statement’.

What our Deep Throat said appears consistent with what Bala said in his exposé at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) on 27th February 2013 plus what he related in his Singapore interview (which you can see on YouTube) and in the London press conference earlier. It is also consistent with Deepak’s interviews with Malaysiakini and Free Malaysia Today.

The only part that remains hazy is: did Bala contact Deepak or did Deepak contact Bala that resulted in the meeting in Rawang that same evening that the first SD was released? Both claim that ‘the other person’ initiated the meeting. Nevertheless, the rest of the story appears consistent -- except for the part that Bala was allegedly promised RM700,000 by M. Puravalen as payment for the first SD, which Bala has thus far never mentioned but which Deepak says did happen.

Anyway, read what our Deep Throat has to say about the matter.

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In October 2006, Bala was in Razak’s office at the time when they received a phone call from Puravalen (picture above). Puravalen said he had something very urgent to discuss with Razak concerning Altantuya. Razak then agreed to meet Puravalen who arrived not long after that.

Puravalen told Razak that the police were about to arrest him (Razak) for the murder of Altantuya. Razak suddenly went pale and started to panic.

Puravalen told Razak not to worry and that he will handle this matter provided that he (Razak) agreed that he (Puravalen) will act for him as his lawyer. Later Razak’s family found out that Puravalen was actually linked to Kalimullah and was feeding information to the ‘other side’ (Karpal Singh included) through Kalimullah. Razak’s family suspected that Puravalen, who is very close to Sivarasa, was trying to fix up Razak so they decided to sack Puravalen and replace him with Shafee Abdullah.

In July 2008, Puravalen was the one who introduced Bala to Sivarasa and Americk. Sivarasa then arranged for Bala to meet DSAI to discuss signing a SD to directly implicate Najib and Rosmah to Altantuya’s murder. Bala met DSAI twice, the first time a few days before the SD was signed and the second time on the SD day itself wherein he sat beside DSAI and gave his PC flanked by his lawyer.

The first time Puravalen brought Bala to meet DSAI, he was promised RM700,000.00 if he agreed to come up with the SD by 1st July 2008. DSAI had agreed to pay the RM700,000.00 through Puravalen and the payment was to be made in two stages -- Part A, RM200,000.00, immediately and Part B, RM500,000.00, after the PC. On 1st July 2008, Bala made the SD and proceeded to conduct the PC on 3rd July 2008, organised by DSAI and his lawyers at the PKR HQ.

Unfortunately for Bala, after the PC, Puravalen only paid him RM100,000.00 although he had received RM200,000.00 from DSAI. Puravalen told Bala that DSAI had instructed for the balance to be paid after a few days. The balance RM500,000 Puravalen pocketed all to himself without Bala knowing. This angered Bala and he tried to contact DSAI through his lawyer, Americk, and other people he knew in PKR such as Sivarasa. But DSAI never responded at all to him because DSAI believed that Bala was fully paid.

At the same time, Bala started getting calls from the Brickfields Police Station and he became worried that the police will lock him up again like the last time during the Altantuya case. He started to panic as DSAI was not responding to him and the lawyer had just cheated him of his only income to enable him and his family to leave Malaysia. Bala doesn’t know that Puravalen cheated him.

Bala, the next day after waiting for DSAI or his lawyer to call him, realised that he had been cheated of his promised money by DSAI and the lawyers. He then contacted Deepak through a mutual friend, Suresh, and asked to meet Deepak so that he could relate what had happened. Deepak informed Suresh that he will first discuss this matter with Rosmah and get back to him ASAP.

 

That afternoon, Rosmah called Deepak regarding the SD matter and the discussion got to Bala. Deepak told Rosmah what he had found out from Suresh and she asked Deepak to try and help to resolve the attempt to frame her husband with the murder case. Deepak told Rosmah he will speak to Bala directly and get a true picture of the entire events and how this thing can be resolved. Deepak spoke to Bala on the phone number given by Suresh and asked him if he was prepared to tell the truth of about SD conspiracy, which was now being exploited as a political asset by Najib’s competitors.

However, Bala was reluctant to do so as he said he didn’t want to trust any politicians as DSAI had cheated him on the amount of money promised and at the same time he was worried that Najib’s people were going to get him arrested again like during the Razak Baginda case. Deepak told Bala don’t worry because if he was willing to tell the truth he will be protected and will not be harassed by the police. He can get this assurance.

After a long chat, Bala was still unconvinced and told Deepak he will call back later. Deepak then called Rosmah and reported the entire conversation to her. She then told Deepak to come to the Putrajaya house and meet her husband to explain all the matters. Deepak went to Putrajaya, Sri Satria, and met Najib and Rosmah on the first floor lounge and detailed his conversation with Bala. Najib asked Deepak to convey to Bala that it was important that he speak the truth and tell about RM700,000 promise by DSAI.

The reason DSAI had asked Bala to make the SD was because to stop Najib from taking over PM post from Pak Lah and DSAI informed Bala that he needed Najib and Rosmah to be directly implicated. The timing was perfect and DSAI wanted this whole thing to implicate Najib and Rosmah to prevent him from becoming PM and thus allowing him to succeed with his September 16th plan to get the MPs in Sabah to defect so that he could become PM as they were demoralised at that time under PM Badawi’s administration.

Deepak met Bala in Rawang at about 9pm and they had a long discussion about the entire affair involving the SD and his experience during the time he was employed by Razak Baginda. The next day Bala signed his second SD to contradict the first SD that he had signed.

Private investigator P. Balasubramanian’s interview in Singapore

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXX0l1V_Ms4

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZdiTk48400

Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tVzHDuyzyE

Deepak Jaikishan’s statement corroborating Bala’s story

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2o7lIVH1Dg

Previous news reports on the matter

1. Lawyer Puravalen to give police statement in PI Bala case http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/bar_news/berita_badan_peguam/lawyer_puravalen_to_give_police_statement_in_pi_bala_case.html

2. Lawyer M. Puravalen claims libel by NST, seeks apology or will sue http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/lawyer-m.-puravalen-claims-libel-by-nst-seeks-apology-or-will-sue

3. Explain alleged conspiracy, duo told http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/explain-alleged-conspiracy-duo-told-1.127878

Najib, Soal Negara & Tanggungjawab Tiap Rakyat Pertahankan

Filipino Intruders Should Be Tried According To Malaysian Laws - Zahid

IPOH, March 10 (Bernama) -- The Filipino intruders should be tried according to the Malaysian laws for brutally and inhumanely killing eight policemen, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

"We will ensure that no Filipino terrorists escape from our dragnet and we want them dead or arrested," he told reporters after launching the Gopeng Barisan Nasional and non-governmental organisation Carnival here, today.

Zahid did not rule out that the intruders were under the influence of drugs or using black magic for resorting to such dastardly act.

"In the laws of war, intruders or members of the security forces cannot mutilate bodies like ripping off eyes, decapitating heads or cutting up bodies.

"What they did was unacceptable to Malaysia for this acts showed that the Filipino terrorists have no mercy," he said, adding that the armed forces would leave it to the police to take appropriate actions against the terrorists according to the laws.

Zahid said no party should question who led the mopping-up operations for the armed forces and the police worked hand in hand in defending the country.

"We want the people to know that when the situation called for it, the police and the armed forces can work together. That is why the armed forces chief and the inspector-general of police had been holding joint news conferences," he added.

On self-proclaimed Sultan Jamalul Kiram III's call for a ceasefire, Zahid said the government would not compromise for there were no sign of the terrorists letting up.

"I have been at ground zero, and I could see that they intended to continue to occupy the areas that they had intruded for they had been promised a sum of money and farm land in Sabah by Jamalul Kiram and other leaders," he added.

Angry group bangs glass doors of Penang government office (Videos)

A group of about hundred people marched to Komtar where some of them rattled, shook and kicked the glass doors of the Penang state government office, alarming security personnel and nearby shop-owners.







The public entrance to the Chief Minister’s Level 28 office in Komtar is via the lifts located inside the state government office at Level 3. The nearest ‘pondok polis‘ is at Level 4, overlooking the open space at Level 3. It is not known if there was anyone in the police beat base at the time.

The protesters reportedly included members or supporters of the National Silat Federation, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Islamiah dan Dakwah, Penang Muslim Network, Federation of Peninsula Malay Students, Penang Pencinta Malaysia Association, Perkasa and Pertubuhan Kebajikan Al-Ehsan.

Unhappy over the Chief Minister’s remarks on the Allah issue, they had marched from the Masjid Jamek Banggali in Leith Street to Komtar after Friday prayers and demanded that they be allowed meet the Chief Minister. Unnerved nearby shop assistants rolled down their shutters.

Guan Eng for his part later condemned the aggressive behaviour and their use of allegedly racist language and asked why the police had not taken action against the gro