Pak Samad menang Anugerah Masyarakat Sivil 2013

Study: Widespread Islamic Fundamentalism in Europe

“Religious fundamentalism is not a marginal phenomenon in Western Europe,” concluded a December 9, 2013, press release of the Berlin Social Science Center (Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung or WZB) with respect to European Muslims in particular. The social survey results from six West European countries supporting WZB’s conclusion present troubling questions concerning Muslim immigrant integration into free societies in Europe and beyond.

As a WZB Discussion Paper explained, the WZB-funded Six Country Immigrant Integration Comparative Survey (SCIICS) involved a 2008 “large-scale telephone survey.” Respondents were “Turkish origin” and “Moroccan origin” people “who came during the guest-worker era” pre-1975 or their descendants. SCIICS surveyed both groups in Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, while insignificant Moroccan populations limited the survey to Turkish-descent individuals in Austria and Sweden. SCIICS sought 500 respondents from each group in each country as well as from a control group of non-immigrant descended country citizens, with the exception of Belgium with its “high degree of federalism.” Here SCIICS surveyed 300 individuals from each group in both Flanders and Wallonia provinces. Almost 9,000 completed surveys or 3,373 native, 3,344 Turkish, and 2,204 Moroccan origin, resulted.

For WZB study author Ruud Koopmans the results revealed unsettling aspects of Islamic belief in Western Europe as discussed in his article “Fundamentalism and Out-Group Hostility: Muslim Immigrants and Christian Natives in Western Europe.” Among other issues, SCIICS sought to remedy the deficiency that “very little is known about the extent of religious fundamentalism among Muslim immigrants” in Europe. A “large number of studies” on American Protestant fundamentalism, meanwhile, “have shown that it is strongly and consistently associated with prejudices and hostility against racial and religious out-groups, as well as ‘deviant’ groups such as homosexuals.”

For a comparative religious fundamentalism survey, SCIICS employed Bob Altermeyer and Bruce Hunsberger’s “widely accepted definition of fundamentalism” with “three key elements.” These are (1) “that believers should return to the eternal and unchangeable rules laid down in the past;” (2) “that these rules allow only one interpretation and are binding for all believers;” and (3) “that religious rules have priority over secular laws.” Accordingly, “native respondents who indicated” being Christian (70%) and “Turkish and Moroccan origin” respondents who professed being Muslim (96%) received three questions. These were (1) “Christians [Muslims] should return to the roots of Christianity [Islam];” (2) “There is only one interpretation of the Bible [the Koran] and every Christian [Muslim] must stick to that;” and (3) “The rules of the Bible [the Koran] are more important to me than the laws of [survey country].”

These questions revealed that “religious fundamentalism is not a marginal phenomenon within West European Muslim communities.” Almost 60% of surveyed Muslims advocated a “return to the roots of Islam,” 75% accepted following “only one interpretation of the Koran,” and 65% considered “religious rules…more important” than domestic laws. “Consistent fundamentalist beliefs, with agreement to all three statements,” existed among 44% of the Muslim survey respondents.

“Fundamentalist attitudes are slightly less prevalent among Sunni Muslims with a Turkish (45% agreement to all three statements) compared to a Moroccan (50%) background,” Koopmans noted. In contrast, only 15% of Alevi, a “Turkish minority current within Islam,” were similarly fundamentalist. The “lowest levels of fundamentalism” among the individually surveyed Muslim communities appeared in Germany, where a nonetheless “widespread” 30% affirmed all three statements. This result opposed the “idea that fundamentalism is a reaction to exclusion by the host society” given that German Muslims had the least legal recognition as a religious community among all the surveyed countries. Koopmans discerned “remarkably similar patterns” in other studies of West European Muslims such that 47% of German Muslims prioritized religious rules over democracy in both his and the 2007 Federal Ministry of the Interior Muslime in Deutschland study.

By contrast, only 13-21% of Christian survey respondents agreed to the individual statements, with fewer than 4% accepting all three as “consistent fundamentalists.” Corresponding “with what is known about Christian fundamentalism,” fundamentalism rates were low among Catholics (3%) and “mainstream Protestants” (4%). A “most pronounced” high of 12% occurred “among the adherents of smaller Protestant groups such as Seventh Day Adventists, Jehovah’s Witnesses and Pentecostal believers.” Thus Christian “support for fundamentalist attitudes remains much below the levels found among Sunni Muslims.”

Such “differences are due to class rather than religion,” a critical observer might object. The “demographic and socio-economic profiles of Muslim immigrants and native Christians differ strongly,” Koopmans recognized. Moreover, “marginalized, lowerclass individuals are more strongly attracted to fundamentalist movements.” Yet “regression analyses controlling for education, labor market status, age, gender, and marital status” refuted this theory. Such “variables explain variation…within both religious groups,” but “do not at all explain or even diminish the difference between Muslims and Christians.” Particularly troubling, while Christian “religious fundamentalism is much less widespread among younger people, fundamentalist attitudes are as widespread among young as among older Muslims.”

Given that American Christian fundamentalism research “has demonstrated a strong association with hostility towards out-groups…seen as threatening the religious in-group,” SCIICS investigated “this linkage…in the European context.” Here SCIICS utilized “three statements that measure rejection of homosexuals and Jews” along with the perception of being “threatened by outside enemies.” Religious respondents received the statements “I don’t want to have homosexuals as friends” and “Jews cannot be trusted.” “Muslims aim to destroy Western culture” and “Western countries are out to destroy Islam” were, respectively, the third question for Christian natives and Turkish/Moroccan-descent Muslims.

Such “out-group hostility is far from negligible among native Christians.” The offered statements revealed that 9% of these respondents were “overtly anti-Semitic” (11% in Germany) and 13% (10% in Germany) rejected homosexual friends. “Not surprisingly,” the Muslim out-group attracted the “highest level of hostility” from 23% (17% in Germany) who feared Muslims as the West’s destroyers. Hostility towards all three groups united only 1.6% native Christians. Inclusion of all natives, secular or religious, slightly lowered the “out-group hostility” to respective rates of 8%, 10%, 21%, and 1.4%.

Although “worrisome enough,” these native figures “are dwarfed by the levels of out-group hostility among European Muslims.” Their hostility towards homosexuals and Jews reach levels of almost 60% and 45%, respectively. Compared with “Islamophobic” natives, Muslim “phobia against the West” is “much higher still;” 54% of Muslim respondents fearing a Western destruction of Islam. Koopmans suggested the term “Occidentophobia” for this fear “for which oddly enough there is no word.”

A little more than a quarter of surveyed Muslims were hostile towards all three groups, with Turkish (30% agreeing with all three statements) outscoring in this metric Moroccan Muslims (17%). Alevi (13% agreeing to all three statements) were significantly less hostile than Turkish Sunni Muslims (31%). Once again “worrying,” Muslim respondents do not replicate the native trend that “out-group hostility is significantly lower among younger generations.” Likewise once again, “controlling for socio-economic variables hardly reduces group differences.” In all, “religious fundamentalism…turns out to be by far the most important predictor of out-group hostility” as differences between surveyed Christians and Muslims indicated.

SCIICS’ “findings clearly contradict…often-heard” assertions that “Islamic religious fundamentalism is a marginal phenomenon in Western Europe” similar to the “extent of fundamentalism among the Christian majority.” “Both claims are blatantly false,” Koopmans concluded. Not only the “extent of Islamic religious fundamentalism,” but also its hostile “correlates” are “serious causes of concern for policy makers as well as Muslim community leaders.” While “religious fundamentalism should not be equated with the willingness to support, or even to engage, in religiously motivated violence,” fundamentalism’s “strong relationship to out-group hostility” could “very likely…provide a nourishing environment for radicalization.”

Contrary to politically correct nostrums about Islam’s practical equivalence to all other faiths, WZB has soberly assessed disturbing facts. WZB’s analysis is even more disturbing given traditional Islamic understandings of aggressive and authoritarian jihad/sharia norms belonging to Islam’s fundamentals, a canonical core apparently ignored by Koopmans but not by devout German Muslims-turned-violent. Europe and the rest of the world ignore these facts at their peril.

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"Whole Families Murdered": Obama-backed Jihadists execute over 80 civilians in Syrian Capital

Obama-backed savages. Slaughter, abductions. “Some families were kidnapped in order to be used as human shields in areas where the Syrian army is now trying to free the civilians.”
They roasted them in ovens. How desperately they want to be Nazis.

‘Whole families murdered’: Syrian rebels execute over 80 civilians outside Damascus Pravoslavie, December 16, 2013 (thanks to Maksim)

Over 80 civilians in a town northwest of the Syrian capital of Damascus have been executed by Islamist rebels, sources within the Syrian military told RT. Many others were kidnapped to be used as human shields.
Government forces are continuing a large-scale operation against Jabhat al-Nusra and Liwa Al-Islam fighters, who captured the town earlier this week. The area is located some 20 kilometers away from Damascus.
According to SANA news agency, around 1,000 militants were in the town when it was enveloped by the army on Friday.
The military sources said the “armed groups have performed an execution of civilians” in Adra, RT Arabic correspondent Abutaleb Albohaya reported from Syria.

“For now it’s established that over 80 people were killed in the areas now taken over by the army. Often whole families were murdered,” he said.
The number of executed civilians is expected to rise after government troops manage to recover the rest of the town - which has a population of around 20,000 - from the Islamists, the military source added.
“Some families were kidnapped in order to be used as human shields in areas where the Syrian army is now trying to free the civilians,” Albohaya stressed. Iraqi Al-Ahd television says this is the reason the Syrian army is abstaining from using artillery on Sunday.
“The military sources also said that the other kidnapped families were moved to the area south of Adra in the direction of the town of Douma, which has been the opposition’s strategic backland since the start of the Syrian crisis [in March, 2011]. It’s also where the most important rebel fortifications are situated,” Albohaya said.
The rebel presence remains strong in Adra, with “snipers entrenched in high-rise buildings,” he added. “Many opposition militant groups are still acting in areas outside and within the town.”
The army’s special forces have performed several successful operations against those groups, which have resulted in the deaths of dozens of militants, the military source said.
The military is storming every house and has already freed dozens of Alawite, Druze, and Christian families from the rebels, Al-Ahd reported.
The government troops have cornered a highway leading to the international airport in Damascus, which is situated four kilometers away from Adra.
The military does not exclude the possibility that militants will break through the blockade in this direction, putting the nearby town of Dahiyat al Asad in danger, according to Al-Ahd.
‘People toasted in ovens’
What the Islamist rebels did when they entered Adra on Wednesday morning was a “massacre,” one a local resident told RT.
“The situation was terrible - with killing, atrocities, and fear as the background. Unidentified armed men came into town, but it was obvious that they were Jabhat al-Nusra militants,” Muhammad Al-Said said.
“The worst crime they committed was that they toasted people in ovens used to bake bread when those people came to buy it. They kidnapped and beat up many,” he added.
According to Al-Said, the rebels committed the atrocities so they could place blame on government forces.
But the resident said that Adra citizens are “waiting for Syrian troops to save us from the terrorists, who came from other countries.”
“Those, who could, fled to Damascus. Some hid in the basement, with infants, the elderly, women, and sick people among them. The situation was really terrible,” Al-Said said.
Geopolitical analyst Patrick Henningsen sees foreign encouragement of rebel forces as one of the reasons behind the Adra tragedy.
“What it does indicate… is that there is involvement by the western intelligence agencies that have links to some of those radical jihadist groups,” Henningsen told RT. “And that has been proven throughout history and is also the case today. The first thing that needs to happen for any peace talks to succeed is that Western governments cannot be involved in any way, shape or form, either through proxies or through the intelligence agencies or third parties in arming, financing, giving aid of any kind to the Syrian opposition.”

Meanwhile, an estimated 76 people, including 24 children were killed when the Syrian government reportedly launched a series of airstrikes in rebel-held districts throughout the northern industrial city of Aleppo. Helicopters dropped barrels containing TNT explosives on anywhere between 6 and 10 districts, leveling shops, entire apartment complexes and sections of roads. It was reportedly the worst bombing raid on rebel-held territory in over 6 months.
Aleppo, Syria's largest city by population and one time commercial hub, is now divided between areas occupied by troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and rebel fighters.
Large swaths of the city have been decimated after rebels launched a major offensive in July 2012.
The bloody civil war has been raging in Syria for almost three years. According to UN estimates, over 100,000 people have lost their lives in the conflict.

 http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2013/12/whole-families-murdered-obama-backed-jihadists-execute-over-80-civilians-in-syrian-capital.html

80,000 objection letters received over assessment rate hike, says Tengku Adnan

 

Property owners were among those gathered outside Kuala Lumpur City Hall yesterday to protest 

against the assessment rate hike. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, December 17, 2013.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall has received an estimated 80,000 objection letters from property owners unhappy with the assessment rate hike, said Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor today.

"I discussed with my officers today and out of the 507,000 property owners, only about 80,000 had submitted their objections.

"Most of the complaints are the same as they (property owners) do not understand... and the opposition is spinning the matter out of proportion," an irate Tengku Adnan told reporters today.

He then went on to apologise again over the confusion arising out of the revaluation of properties in the city.

"I think this is like the 10th time I'm apologising and I can still apologise. It's a mistake done by us, so we are going to correct it," he added.

"People were insulting the mayor yesterday, asking him to resign but this is very uncalled for... We are doing it for the betterment of the people."

Tengku Adnan added that the new valuation is also good for commercial properties.

"I have not decided on the rates. However, the deadline to submit the objection letters is midnight," he said after launching the Park 'N Ride facility at the Southern Integrated bus Terminal (TBS) in Kuala Lumpur.

Hundreds of property owners turned up at the City Hall headquarters in Jalan Raja Laut yesterday to protest against the controversial assessment rate hike – a day before the deadline for appeals to be submitted against the increase in the valuation of properties which has not changed in 21 years.

The protesters were accompanied by Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, Batu MP Tian Chua, Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun, Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar and Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng.

Property owners in the city have been up in arms over the assessment rate hike after receiving notices from City Hall informing them of the new valuation for their properties.

The valuation of some properties will increase between 100% and 250% and owners fear that this will result in higher assessment rates, which is calculated based on a percentage of the property valuation. – December 17, 2013.

Shiites standing trial a form of 'fascism', say NGOs

A group of liberal NGOs have branded the trial of two Shiites in Perak for possessing Shiite religious materials as “fascism” and an “extreme” move.

They warned that if these elements are left unchecked, it could lead to other incidents such as burning books or punishing individuals of a different religion, race and culture.

“As such, we urge all parties that do not want their freedom to be impeded to unite against this fascist, extreme and totalitarian elements,” they said.

The statement was endorsed by Policy Research Institute (IKD), Jalan Telawi Art Community (KsJT) and the Pak Sako Academy.

Meanwhile, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal published yesterday, a local Shiite said that Shiites’ rights in the country are currently worse than those of animals and non-Muslims.

“I am a citizen of this country. I have my rights in this country. I am a Muslim. My welfare as a Muslim should be secured. Non-Muslims in this country are also given their rights. I, too, should have my rights as a Muslim. But for me, there are no rights at all. Even animals in the country have rights,” Mohd Kamilzuhairi Abdul Aziz was quoted by WSJ as saying.

He said that the Islamic religious authorities often “provoke” Shiites in getting them to say that Shiites consider Sunni Muslims as enemies.

Dr Nur Azah Abdul Halim and Mohammad Ridzuan Yusof are scheduled to stand trial today at a Syariah court in Taiping for breaking the state fatwa (edict) banning Shiite religious materials by possessing Shiite materials in their possession.

Both have pleaded not guilty.

Cut ties with Vatican to stem 'Allah' row, says Abim

The Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim) has urged Malaysia to severe diplomatic ties with the Vatican to pre-empt the speculated appointment of a more hardline bishop to defend the 'Allah' issue.

A source close to the Catholic Church had told Malaysiakini that Bishop Murphy Pakiam's (right) resignation on Dec 6 was promptly accepted by the Vatican, perhaps reflecting disappointment with Pakiam's softer stance on the Allah issue.

The editor of Catholic publication The Herald, Rev Lawrence Andrew, has however dismissed such talk.

"If a vocal and aggressive bishop is chosen (according to Vatican demands) it will spark a conflict between the parties involved (Muslims and Catholics).

"Therefore, Abim weighs seriously the direct involvement of the Vatican in the choosing Malaysia’s bishop.

"The attitude of the Vatican in this case is regretted, because it completely ignores the sensitivities of the Muslim community in this country," Abim president Amidi Abd Manan said in a statement today.
Pakiam had tendered his resignation as the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur on Dec 6 on his 75th birthday, as he reached retirement age. But some were alarmed at how fast the Vatican accepted his resignation.

Rev Lawrence Andrew however dismissed talk that Vatican would suddenly intervene in the ‘Allah’ row issue, noting that it has been on-going since the 1970s. The legal dispute over the use of the term ‘Allah’ between The Herald and the government of Malaysia, he also pointed out, was raised during Pakiam’s time as Archbishop.

In July, Jalur Tiga (Jati) president Hasan Ali, Perkasa’s Ibrahim Ali and other Muslim NGOs had also urged a review of the Vatican embassy in Malaysia. The embassy was set up in January this year, in a follow- up to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s visit to Rome in 2011 to meet the Pope.

Muslim NGOs were irked by the Holy See’s embassy after its envoy Joseph Marino was reported standing behind the local Catholic church for championing the right of Christians to use the world ‘Allah’ to refer to God. He later apologised for this remark.

‘Allah’ is used in the Bahasa Malaysia versions of the Bible, especially by Christians in Sabah and Sarawak as the mostly bumiputera congregation there worship in Bahasa Malaysia.

The Home Ministry has however banned peninsula Malaysia-based publication The Herald from using it.

‘MIC looks like a pensioners’ club’

Taman Dagang Jaya MIC branch chairman K Sathasivam says president G Palanivel's choice for new leaders will lead the party to its political demise.

PETALING JAYA: MIC president G Palanivel is taking the party to its political demise by appointing senior citizens and deadwood to the Central Working Committee (CWC), said Taman Dagang Jaya MIC branch chairman K Sathasivam.

“The party’s new leadership line-up looks like a pensioners’ club,”said Sathasivam.

Yesterday, Palanivel announced that Shah Alam MIC deputy division chairman A Prakash Rao will succeed A Sakthivel as the party’s new secretary-general.

Palanivel also dropped his ally, Jaspal Singh, and replaced him with strategy bureau vice-director R Ramanan as the party’s new treasurer-general.

MIC Selangor information chief L Siva Subramaniam was also appointed as the party’s information chief.

However, it was Palanivel’s choice for the seven appointed CWC members that drew the ire of several MIC members.

Those appointed as CWC members are K Kumaran, KS Nijhar, Senator V Subramaniam, Johor state assemblyman K Ravenkumar, former Johor MIC chief KS Balakrishnan, Raub MIC division chief K Tamil Selvam and Telok Kemang MIC division chairman R Balakrishnan.

Sathasivam said five out of the seven leaders were aged 60 and above.

“One of them will even turn 80 next year. What is the point of appointing senior citizens when your objective is to infuse more youngsters to rejuvenate the party?” asked Sathasivam.

The MIC leader said there was a ‘hidden hand’ involved in the recent appointments but refused to divulge details.

“I will expose the person when the time comes,” said Sathasivam.

Palanivel also dropped his allies Serdang MIC division chief N Rawisandran and Selangor MIC secretary K Parthiban from the line-up.

Party strategy director S Vell Paari has claimed that he was offered a CWC post but he had turned it down.

Meanwhile, new secretary-general Prakash Rao said he was honoured to be given the post and thanked Palanivel for having confidence in him.

“I will work with my other comrades to help improve education and economic opportunities for Indians and solve the social problems faced by the community,” he told FMT.

Prakash Rao said he would look into the claims of irregularities in the party polls as soon as possible.

The new treasurer-general Ramanan praised Palanivel for doing a great job in defending the rights of the Indian community.

“MIC is giant party but it was in a slumber. We have now awakened to the reality and needs of the new generation of Indians in Malaysia.

“Palanivel has made positive changes with a team mixed with fresh and experienced faces, and we are now moving forward at a renewed pace,” he said.

New Councillors issue trivial, says PKR

The ending of current councillor's terms and no alternative new councillors named, leaving the state without councillors for the month of January is a trivial issue, says Xavier Jayakumar.

PETALING JAYA: PKR State assemblyman Xavier Jayakumar defended PKR by saying that they have submitted their full list of proposed new local councillors to the Selangor MB’s office.

He said that it was a trivial issue that could be temporarily resolved in other ways.

The Seri Andalas assemblyman suggested that an executive decision tabled at the state exco meeting could pass a motion for current local councillor’s terms to be extended until the end of January 2014 while awaiting the appointing of new faces.

Xavier said that the Menteri Besar’s office is currently vetting through the submitted list and added that there may be some changes made.

He said that PAS’s delay in submitting their proposed councillors list could be due to their only having ended their ‘muktamar’ recently and that they were in the midst of finalising their new management team.

When FMT contacted DAP and Sungai Pinang assemblyman Teng Chang Khim to comment on how the delay in appointing new councillors will render the state council powerless, he replied sternly,

“On what basis are you’re saying the councils are powerless?”

It was reported yesterday, that the term for local councillors in all Selangor’s 12 local authorities will end at the end of December and nominations for new councillors has been postponed to end Jan 31, 2014, rendering the local authorities powerless for one month.

Petaling Jaya city councillor Derek Fernandez explained that the delay in naming the new councillors was due to some political parties yet to finalise their proposed list of candidates.

Fernadez claimed that the DAP has submitted their proposed list while PAS and PKR have yet to submit theirs.

It is rumoured that non-governmental organisations (NGO’s) councillors will be dropped from the new proposed line-up.

Empat lelaki didakwa bunuh remaja yang disyaki curi tabung masjid

Majistret Ayuni Izzaty Sulaiman menetapkan 17 Feb depan untuk sebutan, sementara menunggu laporan bedah siasat.

KUALA LUMPUR: Empat lelaki didakwa di Mahkamah Majistret Ampang di sini hari ini atas pertuduhan membunuh seorang remaja yang disyaki mencuri tabung masjid, dua minggu lepas.

Pengurus Keselamatan Mohamad Yusof Mohamad, 39, dan tiga lagi pengawal keselamatan Mohd Aswenry Majon, 26, Iweldo Putra, 19, dan Pondri Neriko,20, didakwa membunuh Mohamad Shah Reza Fauzi, 20, di tangga tepi pagar Masjid Al-Azim, Jalan Pandan Indah, Ampang Jaya dekat sini pada 5 pagi, 3 Dis lepas.

Tiada pengakuan dicatatkan daripada kesemua tertuduh yang berdepan hukuman mati mandatori jika disabitkan kesalahan mengikut Seksyen 302 Kanun Keseksaan.

Majistret Ayuni Izzaty Sulaiman menetapkan 17 Feb depan untuk sebutan, sementara menunggu laporan bedah siasat.

Sementara itu, Iweldo dan Pondri dari Indonesia turut dijatuhi hukuman penjara selama setahun dan dikenakan dua sebatan selepas mengaku bersalah kerana tidak memiliki dokumen perjalanan sah untuk masuk ke Malaysia.

Ayuni mmerintahkan Iweldo dan Pondri menjalani hukuman itu bermula dari tarikh mereka ditangkap iaitu pada 3 Dis lepas.

Mereka didakwa melakukan kesalahan itu di Jalan Pandan Indah 4/8, Pandan Indah, Ampang Jaya dekat sini pada 2.30 petang, 3 Dis lepas di bawah Akta Imigresen.

Pendakwaan dikendalikan Timbalan Pendakwa Raya Goh Ai Rene dan kesemua tertuduh tidak diwakili peguam.

-Bernama

29 cases investigated for insulting Islam, monarchy

(Bernama) – The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) have investigated 29 cases until June for allegedly insulting Islam and the royal institution, the Dewan Negara was told today.

Communication and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said an individual was fined RM20,000 by the Sessions Court when he was found guilty for insulting the Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim on a Facebook account.

“The MCMC also received 36 complaints over remarks allegedly insulting Islam. However, the use of Facebook, Twitter and blogs cannot be fully controlled,” he said when replying to a question from Datuk Abdul Rahman Bakar.

Ahmad Shabery said the MCMC had launched the “Klik dengan Bijak” campaign to encourage Internet users to exercise self-restrain, educate them on the good and the bad of social networking, and what could and could not be trusted on social sites.

To a supplementary question from Abdul Rahman on whether the ministry planned to impose registration and deposit on social site users, Ahmad Shabery said the ministry has no such plan.

He said the Communications and Multimedia Act, Sedition Act and Defamation Act were sufficient to regulate activities of social sites, including Facebook which has 15 million accounts.

15 penguins in Langkawi sent to new home in Vietnam

A Underwater World Langkawi (UWL) staff checks on the penguins. Pix by Shahrizal Md Noor.

LANGKAWI: Fifteen African penguin chicks, which were bred at the Underwater World Langkawi (UWL) were sent to their new home in Hanoi, Vietnam today.

The chicks, comprised of seven males and eight females were sent in three custom-made wooden boxes before being flown to Hanoi via MAS Cargo during a simple ceremony this morning.

UWL manager Norlina Zubir said the delivery of the penguin chicks to Vietnam proved UWL's capability in becoming a well-known penguin breeding and research centre in the region.

Create a strong judiciary, urges Raja Nazrin

The New Straits Times 
by JASPAL SINGH

JUSTICE FOR ALL: Ensure rights and freedoms are protected, says Perak regent

IPOH: JUDGES and lawyers need to work towards creating a strong judiciary and justice system to protect the rights, equalities and freedoms guaranteed by the Federal Constitution.

Regent of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, in issuing the reminder, stressed that a strong judiciary and a sound justice system were a pre-requisite for the growth and development of a nation.

It was imperative, he said, that lawyers and judges alike possess high levels of intellectual capacity, as well as emotional and social intelligence to gain the citizens' and other stakeholders' trust and confidence in the justice system.

"The role of lawyers and judges in the incremental development of the law and upholding justice are integral towards achieving the ultimate objective of the supremacy of the rule of law in civil society.

"These traits will allow the legal profession to achieve greater heights.

"The challenges faced by the legal profession, too, can be easily identified and solved in time through perseverance and steadfast commitment to these ideals," he said in a keynote address at the opening of the Inaugural Perak Bar Law Lectures 2013.

Raja Nazrin said a nation must strive to give due respect to the freedom of individuals and it had to balance that freedom with that of the collective whole.

"In a democratic society such as ours, the legal system is the ultimate bastion that ensures fairness and justice so that all are treated in a fair and equal manner.

"The courts and lawyers, therefore, have an important role in preserving the rights, equalities and freedom guaranteed by the (Federal) Constitution."

National development could not disregard the need for a strong, fair and dynamic legal system which was integral to a prosperous and developed nation, he said.

Present were Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Zulkefli Ahmad Makinuddin, senior Ipoh High Court judge Datuk Zainal Adzam Abd Ghani, Perak Bar Committee chairman Vivekanandan A.M.S Periasamy, deputy chair of the Asia Practice Section of the Commercial Bar of Victoria Dr Joshua D Wilson and Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.

Later, Raja Nazrin presented the Perak Bar Lifetime Achievement Award to Tan Sri V. Jeyaratnam and the Perak Bar Sports Achievement Award to Purshotamandas Nathermal Thadani.

He also witnessed the exchange of a memorandum of cooperation between the Perak Bar and the Victoria Bar, which would accelerate Perak into becoming a centre of arbitration and mediation training in the Asia-Pacific region.

Work Hard To Make Malaysia A Developed Nation, Najib Tells Civil Servants

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak Tuesday asked civil servants to work hard to make Malaysia a developed nation that continues to be highly regarded by world leaders.

The prime minister said he was convinced that with the cooperation of the 1.4 million civil servants who support such an aspiration, Malaysia would progress into the desired high-income developed nation.

He said he wanted the world leaders whom he meets, such as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, President Xi Jinping of China and President Barack Obama of the United States, to respect Malaysia as a nation which is gradually progressing into a developed one that Malaysians can be proud of.

Najib said this in his speech when opening the 26th Triennial Convention of CUEPACS, in the capital.

The prime minister said the good relations and cooperation between civil servants and the government should be maintained, with both making the mission a commitment that had to be supported, appreciated and implemented for mutual benefit.

"Hopefully, this cooperation will make us a high-income developed nation. We no longer want people to underestimate us," he said.

Obama, who was scheduled to visit Kuala Lumpur to attend the 4th Global Entrepreneurship Summit on Oct 11 and 12, had to postpone the trip due to a 16-day US government shutdown.

Najib, when announcing the postponement on Oct 2, said Obama had said that he was committed to visiting Malaysia.

Protest : Denigration of sacred Hindu Deities by Whip In (Kamala Brewing), Texas

 Images of Lord Ganesh and Deity Durga on beer bottles

Namaskar, dear supporter of Hinduism,

We have received several complaints from Hindus about a severe denigration of Hindu deities and practices by Whip In’s Kamala brewing (previously known as Namaste Brewery) in Austin Texas. Whip In has several house made beers named after sacred Hindu deities like Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha.

Attempts have been made by several Hindus to educate the owners into removing the names and images of Hindu deities from their products, but the owners have rejected all such requests to stop the denigration of Hindu deities, and are continuing to denigrate the Hindu deities and practices.

Why is this a denigration ?

Since time immemorial Hindu Deities and Goddesses have been worshipped with much reverence. Every ritual (e.g. Aarti), every festival(e.g. Ganesh Chaturthi, Navratri, Dassera), every act in Hindusim starts with divine invocation of a sacred Hindu deity.

During Navratri, on each of the nine days Goddess Durga is worshipped in her various forms by millions of Hindus.

During any puja, Lord Ganesh is first invoked through sacred mantras and shlokas.

To trivialize divinity with items consumed for temporary fun such as beers and ales, is not only being insensitive but extremely hurtful to billions of followers of Hinduism who worship Hindu deities.

We request you all to call and email the owners of Whip In to register your protest and request them to take down this denigration. You can also sign up our protest at the end of this post.

Join protest by participating in the online signature campaign on FHA website
http://forumforhinduawakening.org/dharma/campaigns/2013/12/13/protest-denigration-of-sacred-hindu-deities-by-whip-in-kamala-brewing-austin-texas/

Debunking the Umno Baru myths

Malay apathy is one of the most depressing features of Malaysian life. It is widely known that many Malays are work-shy, addicted to drugs and in long-term unemployment.

Despite the early introduction of religious indoctrination, many Malays are said to be promiscuous and involved in incestuous relationships.

Some Malays are not afraid to say what our politicians are fearful of revealing. Perhaps, it is time to debunk Umno Baru’s lies. You may wish to add to the list below.

1. Only Umno Baru can protect the Malays

Umno Baru only protects the Malays who are beholden to them. The critical Malay does not win tenders for projects. He may find all manner of problems with his business licence. His application for government permits may be delayed or rejected.

A civil servant who dares to openly criticise may be demoted or sacked, and find his income tax being scrutinised, as punishment. Meritocracy, intellect and hard-work count for nothing in the Umno Baru world, only blind allegiance does.

When will the Malays realise that Umno Baru would cease to exist without the Malays?

2. Janji di tepati (Fulfilled promises)

In the run-up to GE13, Mat Sabu of PAS claimed that despite warning the rakyat about a petrol hike if BN were to win, the Malays said that Pakatan leaders were telling lies about BN in order to garner votes.

In the coming weeks, we will be further burdened with the Goods and Services Tax (GST), and crippled by increased costs of daily goods, travel and energy. Things that were abolished before GE13 are returning in a recycled version - the abolished Internal Security Act (ISA) will be replaced with the Prevention of Crime Act (PCA). There is no further news about BR1M, version 2, worth RM1,200.

3. Malays benefit from the NEP

Most ordinary Malays cannot afford good cars. The cheapest car may be a Proton, but in the long run, the cost of replacing substandard parts is high. Homes in good locations are overpriced and people spend hours commuting or trapped in traffic jams.

When top Malay civil servants allegedly ask housing developers to make “special arrangements” so they can purchase luxury homes that are designated solely for non-Malays, it is a subtle way of disagreeing with the government’s social engineering methods in housing.

When middle class Malays complain about houses being unaffordable, the government proposes the construction of more low-cost houses. Malays are angered by a government which thinks Malays are only worthy of cheap housing.

Would-be entrepreneurs without political connections lose out because only cronies win tenders for projects. Creative and hardworking people who want to boost the economy and create jobs, emigrate. Many Malays contribute significantly to the brain-drain.

4. Types of immigrant

If not for the millions of immigrants who helped develop the rubber and tin trade in Malaya, the Umno Baru politicians would not be here today, dictating policies to undermine the descendants of this first-wave of immigrants.

We should be grateful to the ‘pendatangs’ who worked in the mines, estates and in commerce, to build English companies like Sime Darby, Guthrie and Harrisons & Crossfields. These corporations have morphed into government-linked companies (GLCs), now controlled by Umno Baru.

The recent crop of immigrants from Muslim countries  do not share much of our history and are made welcome only because they help keep Umno Baru in power.

5. Malays want syariah law

Both young and old Malays are said to be opposed to syariah law, which is a bogey that Umno Baru uses to maximum effect to create fear amongst the Malays to make them vote for Umno Baru, (and not PAS) in elections.

Malays are averse to other areas of their lives being controlled by syariah laws, because they have seen that syariah laws concerning child maintenance and polygamous marriages are not strictly enforced.

6. Malays are stupid and lazy

Policies which benefit the Malays have created distrust and contempt. Non-Malays brand the Malay as lazy, stupid, ignorant and selfish. This is wrong and un-productive. Many decent Malays are disgusted with Umno Baru, but the people who insult the Malays crush any hope of solidarity. Malay bashing will not help get rid of a racist party like Umno Baru.

7. Malay quotas

Despite a lack of formal education, many of our grandparents spoke better English than most fresh Malaysian graduates and diplomatic staff.

Ordinary Malaysians are subject to educational quotas but the children of politicians, cronies and the rich, are allowed to excel and compete with other races and nationalities in elite and international schools in Malaysia, or abroad. Select Malays can hone their competitive skills, in an environment which develops their confidence. Why not other Malaysians? Meritocracy helps; quotas do not.

8. Handouts are good

Handouts are a ploy to make people waste their hard earned savings, to enrich the government and their cronies. The BR1M handout of RM500 may be accompanied by a smartphone discount. All of the RM500 is spent but more of the victim’s savings will be used to buy the smartphone. With an initial outlay of RM500, the government and his crony receives more money from the BR1M recipient.

The same abuse happens with the government book voucher scheme, where students trade them in to participating bookshops, for the value of the voucher, minus RM50 for ‘administrative’ purposes. The crony recoups the cost of the voucher from the government but is richer by RM50.  The student may have received some petty cash but the loser is the taxpayer, who funds these poorly managed schemes.

9. Umno Baru rewards Malays

Umno Baru conned the rakyat into giving money to the government, as if it were doing the rakyat a favour. In exchange, the rakyat’s money was used to fund the lifestyle of the jet-setting ministerial spouses, on their expensive foreign junkets and fashion shows. The ordinary rakyat have to make do with a nasi lemak bungkus and stale curry puffs, when they are ferried in coaches, to attend Umno Baru ceramahs.

10. Urban Malays are pro-opposition

The urban Malays are made up of middle-class Malays who are content in their comfort zones, and the very poor, who are desperately trying to survive. Many urban Malays are mesmerised by the lies perpetuated by Umno Baru. They enjoy the glamour of rubbing shoulders with Umno Baru leaders at government functions.

The urban Malays may have access to the alternative media, but have no time to think about injustice, human rights, good governance and equality. They are happier pursuing material goods.

Umno Baru and the selfish agendas of its leaders, sacrificed the nation’s interest and betrayed generations of Malays. If Malaysia is to progress, we must overcome the two threats posed by Umno Baru and the complacent Malays.

---

MARIAM MOKHTAR is a defender of the truth, the admiral-general of the Green Bean Army and president of the Perak Liberation Organisation (PLO).

Cop who slapped foreigner in YouTube clip reprimanded

Obama Turned Benghazi into Al Qaeda Terrorist Hub

Obama justified his Libyan War to the American people by claiming that people of Benghazi were in danger from Gaddafi. After he succeeded in overthrowing Gaddafi, Benghazi reverted to its radical roots and became a city run by terrorist militias leading to the murder of four Americans.

And now a fifth American.

That shouldn’t be surprising because Benghazi had become a stop on the Jihadi Express.

Every week, about a dozen Syrians arrive at Benghazi’s airport for what’s described as insurgent training. When they fly out, they’re carrying fake Libyan passports, according to three officials familiar with the comings and goings of foreigners at the airport.

The accounts of the officials, who asked to remain anonymous because of the sensitivity of the topic, are more evidence that this city in Libya has become a regional hub for Islamist extremists seeking to hone their combat skills.

It also raises questions about the role of Libya’s homegrown militia, Ansar al Shariah, in the global jihadi movement. Ansar al Shariah has its roots in the anti-Gadhafi uprising and it’s thought to have participated in the attack last year on U.S. facilities in Benghazi that killed the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans. Any effort to train al Qaida-linked fighters here is unlikely to have gone forward without the backing of Ansar al Shariah, experts in the organization say.

Airport authorities can’t stop them because they themselves fear the repercussions of confronting militants. As one employee explained, pointing to an immigration official: “He is with Ansar al Shariah.”

Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan conceded in a recent interview with The Washington Post that government investigations have turned up Tunisians, Algerians, Sudanese and Nigerians undergoing training in Benghazi.

Clearly Obama’s plan to overthrow Gaddafi and replace him with the fun-loving LIFG and other Muslim Brotherhood militias with historical ties to Al Qaeda was a good decision that is working out really well.

Bahrain: arrest and torture of children routine, says Amnesty

Children flash the victory sign during an opposition gathering in Bahrain (archive)

(by Alessandra Antonelli) (ANSAmed) - DUBAI - Bahrain routinely arrests and tortures minors, Amnesty International said Monday in its new report on young dissidents in the oil emirate.

Scores of young protesters, some as young as 13, have been blindfolded, beaten, tortured, and threatened with rape while in detention over the past two years, the human rights watchdog alleged. Currently, at least 110 minors are behind bars in Dry Dock adult prison on Muharraq Island. They are either in pretrial detention or awaiting formal charges. Most of them are being detained on suspicion of taking part in ''unauthorized gatherings'' and protests, burning tires or throwing Molotov cocktails at police, Amnesty said.

''By detaining minors, Bahraini authorities are showing an incredible disrespect towards their own commitments to human rights'', commented Amnesty International Deputy Director for MENA Said Aboumedouah. Bahrain is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which defines a child as anyone under 18, and which explicitly forbids torture and other degrading or inhumane treatment of minors. Bahrain has a majority Shiite population ruled by a minority Sunni monarchy. The frictions between the two exploded on a grand scale during the Arab Spring revolts of February 2011 as Shiites took to the streets to demand more democracy and an end to discrimination. Authorities brutally repressed the protests, leading to the deaths of 40 people, four of them police. The ensuing wave of mass arrests and abuses attracted international scrutiny, resulting in a partial mea culpa by authorities and a dialogue for national reconciliation, which has so far not had concrete results.

''Three years ago security forces used excessive force to quell anti-government protests, and now we are seeing a new wave of repression against children'', Aboumedouah said.

Amnesty International called on Bahrain to put in place alternative sanctions against minors if they are found guilty of offenses that are recognized as such under international standards. (ANSAmed).

Zaid: Will M'sia stop Shiites from entering Mecca?

Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim has challenged Putrajaya to petition the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and the United Nations to bar those who profess to the Shiite branch of Islam from entering Mecca.

In a post on his blog today, Zaid said if the Malaysian authorities truly believes that Shiites are not Muslims, they must be consistent at the international level.

"Take on the central stage of the Muslim world if you truly want to be a Sunni warrior. Do not bully local Muslims like Mat Sabu," he wrote.

Zaid was commenting on the ongoing persecution of Shiites in Malaysia and the allegation that Mohamad Sabu, the PAS deputy president, was among them.

Zaid, who once owned the biggest law firm in the country, said the Federal Constitution guarantees religious freedom and thus the state cannot enforce the branch of Islam to be followed.

"It's up to Muslims in this country to decide for themselves what kind of Muslims they want to be. I believe they have that right under the constitution. I am a Muslim and that's all there is to it.

"The state may define Islam as the Sunnah Wal Jumaah variety, but that definition cannot supersede Article 8 in the Constitution on religious freedom.

"The state can advise on what variety is 'pure' but it cannot punish Muslims if they prefer a different variety. Punishment is God's work, not government officials,"  he said, stressing that Malaysia is a secular state.

Preventing religious wars

Zaid warned that continued persecution of Shiites will lead the country into Sunni-Shiite conflicts similar to what has happened to Lebanon and Syria.

He said constitutional provisions for religious freedoms was the only way to prevent religious wars and that the federal government should take cognizance of this if it was serious about peace and stability.

"The prime minister says he is a moderate. If that is true then he should speak out a lot more about the subject in Malaysia.

"He should also have ministers who are moderate and capable of engaging with difficult subjects. He should defend the Federal Constitution, but not as it is interpreted by the Muslim Lawyers Association," said Zaid.

High time for Tamil high school, says Dong Zong

Better late than never, Chinese educationists Dong Zong said today on the issue of setting up the country's first Tamil high school.

The idea was first mooted directly two weeks ago to Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin (right) by the Malaysian Makkal Sakti Party (MMSP) but the United Chinese School Committees' Association of Malaysia (UCSCAM or Dong Zong) said in a statement, that it is at least 57 years too late.

They cited that the country already had independent Chinese high schools and Malay high schools shortly after Malaysia received independence from the British.

"However, a Tamil high school is still nowhere in sight. Indian civilisation is one of the four greatest civilisations in the world, and Tamil is undoubtedly an integral part of that civilisation. It is therefore a grave mistake, or even a full-blown tragedy, to ignore it or hinder its rightful progress," Dong Zong said in the press release.

It said that the demand was fully in tandem with the Malaysian spirit and more.

"The country's constitution as well as United Nations human rights mandate and educational rights of minority groups to their mother tongues is stipulated by Unesco."

Backing a Tamil school would be the kind of development that the National Unity Consultative (NUCC) should back, Dong Zong said. It added that that allowing such a school was 'an acid test' to racial unity, harmony and national development.

Muhyiddin was however reported to be non-committal when the idea was raised by MMSP president R Thanenthiran (right) on Dec 1.

He would only reiterate a promise that Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools will exist under the Malaysia Education Blueprint (2013-2025) but said nothing more about advancing these schools.

'Urgent overhaul needed to our education system'

An urgent "overhaul" of the country’s education system is needed as it is not producing the skills required by the industries, International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed said today.

"We need to do a total overhaul. Out there, the people are impatient and we need to do this urgently, or else we won't reach our goals," Mustapa said at a forum to commemorate the third anniversary of the Economic Transformation Programme today.

Echoing a report by the World Bank on Malaysia's poor quality of education, he said unfortunately, the National Education Blueprint, meant to address this, would take a while to produce results.

"But this will take time so there are now programmes through Talent Corp, government-linked companies and Bank Negara Malaysia that have been put in place.

"But we need to bridge the gap (between available skills and industry needs). In the long run, we need to reform education," Mustapha said.

The World Bank in a report last week said that while there is higher enrollment in schools, schooling in Malaysia not translating into learning.

It said that Malaysian students performed worse compared to regional peers in international tests, falling behind the likes of Vietnam.

The poor quality of education, it added, would undermine Malaysia's efforts a become a high income economy - a goal Malaysia is aiming to reach in six years.

Blueprint will bear fruit in 20 years

Commenting on the matter at the forum, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Idris Jala said that educational reform needs tremendous work and there is no shortcut.

"There are 400,000 teachers we have to upgrade. If anyone who says that they can fix the education system over one or two years, that guy is lying," he said.

Idris (right) said the government is doing a lot to raise the quality of education, including providing evening classes for English Language teachers, 70 percent of whom did not do well on the English Language Cambridge Placement Test last year.

Despite Malaysia's goal to be a high income nation by 2020, he said the National Education Blueprint will only start bearing fruit in 20 years time.

"In 50 years from now, if we don't up our game in education, we will be overtaken by countries who run faster than us. In the long-term, the agenda for poverty eradication, is education," he said.

Meanwhile, Idris, who was appointed senator so he can run the Performance and Management Delivery Unit (Pemandu) called on both Pakatan Rakyat and the BN to stop politicising education.

"Wahid and I are not politicians. If there is one thing we...hope for both the BN and Pakatan Rakyat, it is to lay down their swords and not to politicise education. Come together and agree about education," he said.

He was referring to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of economic matters, Abdul Wahid Omar, who was also a panellist at the forum.

Cop who slapped foreigner in YouTube clip reprimanded

A policeman who had allegedly beaten two foreigners in Bayan Baru has been reprimanded by his superiors, said the Penang police headquarters.

State police chief senior deputy commissioner Abdul Rahim Hanafi said the suspect had been transferred to the the Southwest police operations room with immediate effect.

"The police disciplinary department has begun investigation into the case," said Abdul Rahim (left), in a statement today.

The alleged incident first surfaced in a YouTube posting titled "Police tampar orang awam" on Dec 12, in an incident which reportedly took place in the vicinity of Bayan Baru.

In the videoclip, the policeman is seen shouting and slapping one of the men.

Abdul Rahim said the police would not tolerate any misconduct which could tarnish the good name of the force or undermine the department's reputation.

"I have warned all the heads of departments and police chiefs to ensure that the men under their supervision act within the law," he said.

"Don't ever (allow them to) act beyond the limits of the law or in any way tarnish the image of our team," he warned.

Abdul Rahim, however, declined to reveal any further information about the suspect or the victims.

Palanivel unveils MIC’s new line-up

After the long wait, Palanivel broke silence in naming his new line up

PETALING JAYA: MIC President G.Palanivel today named Prakash Rao Applanaidoo as the new Secretary-General of the party and K R Ramanan as the new Treasurer-General, while former Selangor information chief L Sivasubramaniam will be the party’s new Information Chief.

The party president replaced former sec-gen A Sakthivel and treasure general Jaspal Singh.

The press statement is on MIC Online website.

Palanivel also named the other seven appointed Central Working Committee (CWC) members.

They are election committee member K Kumaran , KS Nijhar, Barat Maniam,Tenggaroh state assemblyman K Ravenkumar, K S Balakrishnan, Raub division chief K Tamil Selvam and Teluk Kemang MIC division chief R Balakrishnan.

Palanivel will continue to head Selangor, while former Perak assembly speaker R Ganeson will continue to head Perak.

Vice President S Balakrishnan Sinniah will be the new Johor chief and the other new Vice President S Sothinathan will head Negeri Sembilan.

Meanwhile M Saravanan will continue to head the Wilayah Persekutuan MIC.

Kedah will be headed by S Ganesan while Penang chief will be M Karupannan; both lawyers.

Pahang will be headed by R Goonasekaren, who is the special officer to the Pahang Menteri Besar.

Malacca’s head is MS Mahadevan and Kelantan, Perlis, Terengganu and Sabah will be continued to be headed by M Kuppusamy, S Vengadasamy, R Suppiah and V Jothi respectively.

Palanivel also said the appointments of state Wanita, Youth, Puteri and Putera leaders will be done later this month.

Palanivel, who is also the Natural Resources and Environmental Minister, wants all CWC members to get to the ground and work hard and not to be complacent with the wins or their appointments.

“All state liaison chairman should work closely with branches, divisions and grassroots members.”
He also said Ramanan as the new treasurer general should immediately work on the ground to bring in financial contribution to the party.

The new line-up announcement came almost after two weeks of MIC’s polls and AGM which were held in Malacca on Nov 30 and Dec 1.

MIC, the headless chicken

MIC's Palanivel is clueless on his and the party's direction, far more after their recent AGM.
COMMENT

We can safely call MIC as the headless chicken running around town aimlessly to anemic situation. That is in short the best descriptive image one could coin for the helpless and down-rotten political party that the Malaysian Indian community can have in ‘representing’ them.

As I have mentioned in my earlier writings, prior to their party polls, MIC has long lost its relevancy in the political arena in Malaysia.

They have practically not achieved any milestone in uplifting the socio-economic status of the deprived Indians. The Indians have scored distinctions in crime and fighting for all the wrong reasons.

We have a politically void in ideas president helming MIC that goes all the way to the government to demand an extra day of public holiday for Deepavali. Is he kidding himself and attempting to throw recycled baby pacifiers to the Indian community?

Palanivel could not and will never make the cut as a leader; what more as the president of a near defunct party. The recent MIC party polls under the captain-ship of Palanivel unearthed the rot under the carpet.

As aperitif, let us just dissect his policy speech that was made during MIC’s 67th general assembly in Malacca.

Boasting to be a 67-year-old party, both Palanivel and MIC in specific clearly lacked the wisdom in outlining their direction towards uplifting the Indians; not even in their very own eye.

He was practically begging Najib Tun Razak for extra money in order for MIC to carry out more projects. That in it self indicates the fact Najib never ever consulted Palanivel on how much should have been allocated for the Indians prior to formulating the 2014 budget.

So what was Palanivel doing all this while in the cabinet meetings? Looks like he never carried any weight in policy making.

Even his so-called status quo position in MIC today is pittance thrown by Najib to him; so for sure he has no muscle in getting an extra dime from Najib.

So all that whining in the presence of the 1,500 delegates was an act not worth a sen. He just needed to babble something looking mighty but in essence a fly could have ruffled more air in the ears of the Prime Minister.

Undeserving position

Palanivel never stood on his own per se. His current parliamentary seat was obtained due to the illiterate voters in Cameron Highlands, and even that constituency was in spirit snatched ungentlemanly from SK Devamany who was forced out to give way.

Ever since the exit of S Samy Vellu from MIC, Palanivel has never been challenged in the open.

Having been given the acting president’s position on a silver platter by Samy Vellu, Palanivel never had the confidence nor effrontery to confront his opposition camp within MIC itself.

Unblushingly he went further to negotiate his undeserving position with Dr S Subramaniam with Najib playing the middle agent’s role. How shameful for a president indeed.

In will go into the annals of MIC’s history that they harboured a president that was equivalent to a reserve player in a football team who never kicked a ball but claimed captain-ship all along.

The spectators know it, the teammates are furious and the community is disgusted.

What’s more irking is that in his address to the PM and delegates, he was vocal to say that he assured the party polls were transparent and free. Who was he fooling again?

News reports made headlines instantaneously after vote counting claiming that the polls were marred and flawed, and above all some delegates even had a field day collecting cash handouts prior to voting.

Irregularities are being reported on almost daily basis since the polls and yet Palanivel has gone into complete and unwarranted silence.

Though it will not be much of a significance even if he decides to talk, nevertheless it only confirms further the argument that he just does not fit the shoe of a leader, what more as the MIC president.

If he cannot even handle his own political party, then what is there to expect of him as an elected people’s representative in parliament.

MIC is just sheer lucky that their masters in Umno take pity on them and still let them tag along for that few Indian votes. Maybe it’s time the Indians might as well ask for the bumiputera status like the Portugese community did in Malacca.

Since their AGM was in Malacca, they could have learned a lesson or two from that community which is faring far better than many Indians in Malaysia.

Narinder Singh is a FMT team member.

The assault on academic freedom

By Ying Hooi

There is little for academic freedom in Malaysia. Has our academic freedom become such an alien idea that it no longer has a place in our universities?

An academic discussion recently featuring Wan Saiful Wan Jan, CEO of Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas), held at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), was forced to have its session in the dark as its authorities sealed off the proposed venue at Latar Siswa situated in the Faculty of Modern Languages.

Responding to this, UPM’s management said it was part of the Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) because there was a need to apply for permission prior to the event, which the organisers had failed to do. As reported, the event also saw heavy security presence, disallowing the taking of photographs or video.

It is ridiculous to disallow a research think-tank like Ideas to have an academic session in the compound of public universities. I also personally do not see any “threat” from its topic, “Liberalisation of economy: the best system for the poor”. In fact, such activities should have been organised in a more frequent basis in the universities.

And the way UPM addressed Ideas’s session has, again, attracted attention to the state of academic freedom in Malaysia.

Calling it “Kelas Pencerahan”, or Enlightenment Class, I am glad to know that this informal session was organised by a group of students who are part of the Facebook community page.

Public universities should not be a place just to obtain good grades. They should be a place where diverse ideas are celebrated, and intellectual independence and autonomy admired.

One of the key problems is the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) and its regulations that have stifled the intellectual development of local universities. Although university students are now allowed to engage in political activities under an amendment of the UUCA, students who hold positions in political parties are barred from campus elections.

Last year, University of Malaya’s Centre for Democracy and Elections (UMCEDEL) was forced to scrap its second session of a political forum, which featured members of parliaments from both coalitions.

This was because of the “instruction” and pressure from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Higher Education Ministry as highlighted by its Director, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohamad Redzuan Othman.

His reason was, I quote: “When I returned from London two weeks ago, I received a text message asking that it be cancelled… I was told this was an instruction from PMO and the Higher Education Ministry... no reason was given”.

According to the Article 27 of the 1997 Unesco Recommendation Concerning the Status of Higher Education Teaching Personnel:

“… Higher-education teaching personnel are entitled to the maintaining of academic freedom, that is to say, the right, without constriction by prescribed doctrine, to freedom of teaching and discussion, freedom in carrying out research and disseminating and publishing the results thereof, freedom to express freely their opinion about the institution or system in bodies. All higher-education teaching personnel should have the right to fulfil their functions without discrimination of any kind and without fear of repression by the state or any other source….”

Sadly the case is different in Malaysia. Academic freedom to some extent is restricted, despite efforts of branding higher learning institutions as research universities.

For example, the suspension of former International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Professor Dr Abdul Aziz Bari from his position after he criticised a decree made by the Selangor Sultan, questioning the decision on the Selangor Islamic Religious Department’s raid on Damansara Utama Methodist Church. After much pressure from the public, the suspension was lifted.

This goes to show that the quest for a greater academic freedom remains a myth. Much more will be needed before actual academic freedom could be achieved in Malaysia.

After all, the role of an academician is not just restricted to writing research papers and teachings, it is equally important to also contribute insight that is relevant to society. – December 16, 2013.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.

Muhyiddin’s MEB – “Miracle Education Blueprint” – expects Malaysian students to perform three educational miracles in his 13-year Three-Wave Educational Transformation Plan

The 2012 PISA results have been regarded as a “wake-up” call in many countries, provoking national soul-searching about the efficacy and competitiveness of their education systems compared to other countries, including Finland which fell from its pedestal as the top-performing OECD country, scoring 519 points for mathematics, Canada (518), Australia (504), New Zealand (500), United Kingdom (494) and the United States (481).

Although the first four countries are above the OECD average for mathematics, i.e. 494 points while UK’s score is the same as the OECD average, the US score of 481 is below the OECD average.

Malaysia with maths score at 421 is far behind these countries with our 15-year-old students behind their peers in Finland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK and US by 1.6 to 2.6 school years.

Yet the Finnish, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, UK and US political leaders including Education Ministers or their equivalents, education planners and parents are having a major debate over the 2012 PISA results but in Malaysia, led by the Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister, there is disgusting complacency and indifference about Malaysia’s poor performance in 2012 PISA.

It is coming to two full weeks but Muhyiddin has yet to say a single word about the 2012 PISA results released on Dec. 3 although the main objective for the quality of our education system in Muhyiddin’s Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2015 (MEB) is to be ranked the top third of countries participating in PISA and TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Survey).

Instead of boldly stepping forward to assume responsibility for the poor 2012 PISA results as he was already Education Minister since the previous 2009 PISA, Muhyiddin has “run for cover” avoiding any discussion of the 2012 PISA.

Instead, he got the Education Ministry to come out with a statement a week after the release of the 2012 PISA results which befuddled rather than clarified the educational woes faced by the country.

An unsourced and unquoted Education Ministry statement on Tuesday, 10th December said:

“Although the results of PISA 2012 were not so encouraging, the ministry is confident that Malaysia is capable of getting a better position in PISA 2015 through the implementation of MEB, which was launched on Sept 6″.

According to the statement, as an immediate move, the ministry had set up a special committee to elevate the ranking of the Malaysian students in PISA.

This Committee on Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and PISA would be led by the ministry’s Curriculum Development Division and would identify and monitor the initiatives needed to be implemented for a programme for international student assessments.

Who are these faceless, nameless and headless “miracle people” who will be responsible for the double quantum jump of Malaysian students in the bottom third to the top third of international educational assessments like PISA and TIMSS?

This is in fact a most dishonest and irresponsible statement as a special task force on PISA and TIMSS had been formed not after the 2012 PISA results were released on Dec. 3, 2013 but after 2007 TIMSS and 2009 PISA to ensure that Malaysia can improve on our performances in the 2011 TIMSS and 2012 PISA.

But this TIMSS and PISA Task Force was a dismal failure, as both the 2011 TIMSS and the 2012 PISA results were even worse for Malaysia than their previous counterparts, i.e. 2007 TIMSS and 2009 PISA.

Malaysia participated in TIMSS for the first time in 1999. The country’s scores on both Mathematics and Science (519 and 492 respectively) were above the international average, with a ranking of 16 among 38 countries in Mathematics and 22 in Science.

In 2003 TIMSS, Malaysia’s performance was similar to that of 1999. The Science score actually increased, remaining well-above the international average, while the Mathematics score dropped somewhat but also stayed above the international average and the country’s rank actually improved to 10th place among 45 countries.

The 2007 and 2011 TIMSS showed a significant deterioration in performance for Malaysian students as compared to their peers in other countries.

By 2011, the Mathematics score had dropped to 440 points (26th position among 42 countries), while the Science score benchmarks fell to 426 points (32nd among 42 countries).

In the four TIMSS 1999-2011, Malaysia is the country which suffered the biggest drop in scores among all participating countries for both maths and science: in maths dropping by 79 points from 519 in 1999 to 440 in 2011; in science, dropping by 66 points from 492 in 1999 to 426 points in 2011.

Up to 38 percent of students in Malaysia did not meet the minimum benchmarks in Mathematics and Science in 2011, an approximately twofold increase since 2007, and five times higher than in 1999.

For PISA 2009 and 2012, Malaysia performed in the bottom third for maths, science and reading, well below the international and OECD averages, as well as the level of performance expected given Malaysia’s income level and that of high income economies that Malaysia aspires to join. More than half of Malaysian students do not reach proficiency levels in maths – or in simple terms, they failed.

The Education Ministry TIMSS and PISA Task Force to improve on Malaysia’s performances in the 2011 TIMSS and 2012 PISS as a prelude to the implementation of MEB was therefore a big flop, and gives no cause for the unwarranted complacency and unfounded over-confidence in the Education Ministry statement of Dec. 10 about Malaysia “capable of getting a better position in PISA 2015 through the implementation of MEB”.

In fact, Muhyiddin owes Malaysians an explanation why the Education Ministry’s TIMSS and PISA Task Force was such a failure in failing to improve on the performances of Malaysian students in the 2011 TIMSS and 2012 PISA.

The Education Ministry is guilty of sophistry when it implies that it would be satisfied if Malaysia improves on its scores in the PISA 2015.
Let us examine what is promised in the MEB. Malaysians have been promised “three waves of reform” in 13 years in the MEB educational transformation – Wave 1 (2013-15), Wave 2 (2016-2020) and Wave 3 (2021-25).

Wave 1 is to “turn around system by supporting teachers and focusing on core skills”; Wave 2 to “accelerate system improvement” and Wave 3 to “Move towards excellence with increased operational flexibility.”

By Wave 2 (2016 – 2020), Malaysia’s performance will be at par with the international average at the next PISA and TIMMS cycle and by Wave 3 (2021-2025), Malaysia performance on PISA and TIMMS will be in the top third of the systems.

What does this mean in practical terms?

If Malaysia is to at par with the PISA international average (500 Points) in Wave 2 (2016-2020), then Malaysia must achieve at least 500 points in the 2018 PISA.

Malaysia is presently stuck in the bottom third of the PISA system for all three subjects, i.e. 421 for maths, 420 for science and 398 for reading or occupying the middle or lower half of the bottom third of PISA scores.

If Malaysia is to attain the PISA international average of 500 points in 2018 PISA, then in the next 2015 PISA, Malaysia must at least elevate from its lowly bottom-third ranking to the middle-third ranking, which means getting at least 450 points for maths, 446 for science and 442 reading so that it could be positioned in Wave 2 to elevate its scores to be at par with the international average of 500 points in the 2018 PISA.

This would mean that in the 2015 PISA, Malaysia would have to achieve a miraculous performance and improvement of at least 29 points for maths, 26 points for science, and 44 points for reading; and another miraculous performance to reach the international average of 500 points and improvement of at least 50 points for maths, 54 points for science and 58 for reading in the 2018 PISA.

Malaysia will have to perform a third educational miracle if we are to achieve Wave 3 objective to reach the “top third” of PISA, as the threshold to get into the top third of PISA will be 532 for maths, 511 for science and 508 for reading.

No country had ever achieved even one such educational miracle in improvement of PISA scores but Muhyiddin expects Malaysian students to perform three educational miracles in the next 13 years!

All these figures are based on the 2012 PISA results, as from the four triennial PISA tests of 2003, 2006, 2009 and 2012, the threshold for each third bracket of the assessment rises, for instance, the top performer in maths in 2003 was Hong Kong with a score of 550 while Shanghai topped the 2012 PISA with 613.

What does the Education Ministry mean when it says it is confident that Malaysia can do better in the 2015 PISA?

As Malaysia 2012 PISA score for maths is 421, science 420 and reading 398, would the Education Ministry claim vindication if the 2015 PISA scores are one-point improvement for each subject, i.e. 422 for Maths, 421 for science and 399 for reading.

This will completely ignore the 13-year MEB objective to reach the top third of PISA score in 2021, which would require Malaysia in Wave 1 of MEB and the 2015 PISA to achieve a minimum score of 450 for maths, 446 for science and 442 for reading!

Can Muhyiddin’s MEB achieve three educational miracles for Malaysia in the next 13 years?

On further reflection, the description of Muhyiddin’s MEB as “ Miracle Education Blueprint” is quite appropriate and pertinent.

Actions Against Syiah Practitioners Not Based On Individual, Political Party - Jamil Khir

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 16 (Bernama) -- Actions against Syiah practitioners in the country are not taken based on individual or political party, but on the fact that they have violated the ruling made by the National Fatwa Council in 1996, the Dewan Negara was told.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said the council's committee meeting in 1996 decided that the Syiah teachings contravened the Al-Sunnah Wal Jamaah or Sunni sect of Islam.

"That is why Islamic scholars decided, in regards of the law, not to allow any teachings that contravene the Sunnah Wal Jamaah to be practiced by Muslims in the country," he said when winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2014 today.

Jamil Khir also did not dismiss the possibility that the presence of Iranian tourists and students in Malaysia had also contributed to the spread of Syiah teachings among Muslims in the country, especially through cultural activity, such as the Karbala Day celebration.

However, not all Iranian tourists and students were involved in spreading Syiah teachings to local residents as some of them were followers of Sunni sect, he said.

"Nevertheless, Jakim (Malaysian Islamic Development Department) and Jain (state religious departments) will always monitor their activities," he said.

In another development, Jamil Khir said 98 deviant sects had been identified across the country so far, with five still active.

"The active deviant sects are Syiah; Al-Arqam/Rufaqa'/Global Ikhwan Sdn Bhd (GISB); Kerabat Raja Sakti (PKRS) Organisation or formerly known as Azhar Wahab sect or al-Mansur; Tuhan Harun; and Ilmu Makrifat Tok Kenali led by Haji Shaari bin Mohd Yusof," he said.

Based on record, between 2007 and 2012, a total of 442 cases related to deviant sect had been taken to courts nationwide.

The sitting continues tomorrow.

-- BERNAMA