Ratusan berhimpun bantah kezaliman regim Bangladesh

Death sentence given in blasphemy case

MULTAN: Additional Sessions Judge Chaudhry Zafar Iqbal on Friday awarded death sentence to a man he found guilty of blasphemy.

According to the prosecution, Imam Ali, 63, a resident of Haroonabad, was found drawing pictures of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) on the walls of his room. Police said Ali had been a devotee of Habib Abdullah Shah and the caretaker of his shrine in Bahawalnagar. He was arrested in 2011. Qari Muhammad Ahmed, 27, the complainant, said, “I found the drawings in his room.” Saddar police registered a case against Ali in March 2011. A nephew of Ali’s said that several lawyers had refused to take up the defence case fearing a backlash.

The judge also fined Ali Rs100,000. Ali told The Express Tribune he believed blasphemy law was unjust. “Unfortunately, there is no way out of such situations for a poor man like me.”

Published in The Express Tribune

Hindu burial in 'Muslim graveyard' sparks protests in Badin

The burial infuriated the Muslim community of the town and its adjoining areas, who gathered in the town and staged a sit-in on the Bago Canal bridge. — Photo courtesy of Hanif Samoon

BADIN: The situation in Tando Bago town of Badin district became tense following the burial of a 75-year-old Hindu man, in a local graveyard of Bachal Shah.

Late on Wednesday night, a few people of the town dug the grave and took out the body of the resident of village Yar Mohammad Lund, some four kilometres off the Tando Bago town. The body was buried by his relatives on Monday.

But the body was reburied in the same place by the local police on the wee hours of Thursday, following which the clerics belonging to various mosques of the town made announcements that a Hindu was buried again in their graveyard.

The burial infuriated the Muslim community of the town and its adjoining areas, who gathered in the town and staged a sit-in on the Bago Canal bridge.

Speaking to media persons the protesters threatened to dig out the body from the grave again.

The protesters further claimed that a decision had been reached nearly four years ago according to which Hindus would not bury their deceased in the same part of the graveyard.

It is pertinent to mention that this graveyard had been shared since many years by both the Hindus and Muslims of the area.

There was only a small wall erected by a former taluka Nazim of Tando Bago to separate the parts of the graveyard.

Strict security measures were taken by Badin's district administration to control the law and order situation in the town.

Heavy contingents of the police have been deployed in and around the graveyard under the supervision of DSP Tando Bago.

The relatives of the Hindu man, who was buried in the graveyard, spoke to Dawn.com and claimed that the deceased was buried near the grave of his father.

The people of various rights groups voiced their concern over the issue and demanded that the government functionaries should take security measures for the minority communities.

On Oct 6, in a similar incident the body of another Hindu man was dug out of the grave and thrown away, in a local graveyard of Haji Fakir in Pangrio town of Badin district.

Tinggalkan Malaysia jika tidak suka kerajaan BN, kata Ketua Wanita Umno

Wanita Umno Bahagian Kuantan meminta pihak yang tidak berpuas hati dengan kerajaan pimpinan Barisan Nasional (BN) meninggalkan negara ini dan tinggal di negara yang disukainya.

Ketuanya Datuk Zaiton Mat (gambar) berkata, adalah mudah untuk mempertikaikan kelemahan kerajaan tetapi dalam masa yang sama menafikan usaha kuat yang dibuat kerajaan untuk melahirkan suasana yang bebas dan harmoni di negara ini.

Zaiton berkata demikian selepas mengetuai 50 anggota Umno Kuantan dan Paya Besar yang membuat laporan polis di Balai Polis Kuantan semalam, lapor The Star.

Laporan polis itu dibuat berikutan cadangan “Himpunan Guling Kerajaan” menjelang sambutan tahun baru di Kuala Lumpur.

Masyarakat Kuantan dan Paya Besar antara pihak yang paling marah dengan kerajaan ekoran kegagalan jentera kerajaan membantu mereka ketika banjir besar melanda Kuantan baru-baru ini.

Ekoran itu, pelbagai kata nista ditujukan kepada kerajaan khasnya Umno ekoran kegagalan pemimpinnya turun membantu mangsa banjir.

Usaha anggota Parlimen Kuantan Fuziah Salleh untuk mendapatkan bantuan melalui usul agar diumumkan darurat di Kuantan pula dicerca oleh ahli Parlimen daripada BN termasuk meminta beliau pulang sahaja ke kawasannya yang sedang banjir itu.

Kenyataan Ketua Wanita Umno, Datuk Seri Sharizat Jalil yang menggunakan perkataan “bangsat” terhadap beliau semakin memarahkan penduduk Kuantan kepada kerajaan BN. – 28 Disember, 2013.

Dec 31 rally organisers to bring grenades, claim cops

Police today issued a stern warning that individuals or groups would be charged for holding an anti-price hike protest on New Year’s Eve at Dataran Merdeka this Tuesday.

Kuala Lumpur deputy police chief Amar Singh Ishar Singh (left) said police would not hesitate to detain parties attempting to spark unrest under the Penal Code and the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).

He said intelligence found several groups and non-governmental organisations (NGO) would be involved in the illegal gathering to show their dissatisfaction against the government and to create chaos.

"Kumpulan Gerakan Turun Kos Sara Hidup (Turun), Jingga 13, Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia as well as Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia were believed to be involved in the gathering," he told a media conference at Kuala Lumpur police contingent headquarters today.

He added that the illegal assembly organisers would also be setting up camps around Dataran Merdeka and would be bringing various weapons, including grenades and gas masks to stir up a commotion.

In this regard, Amar Singh advised the people not to participate and support the assembly as it is against the law.

He said to date, police have received 588 reports nationwide in protest against the assembly to bring down the government.

- Bernama

Muslim group: Don't fight price hikes - work harder

Putting a positive spin on price hikes, Muslim consumer groups today said that it should spark the people to work harder and earn more money.

In a event also participated in by Finance Ministry officials, Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM) today organised a forum at a government hall, attempting to sugarcoat the spate of recent and impending hikes.

Attended by over 50 people, many were concerned about government cutbacks in petrol, sugar, toll and gas and power subsidies that may further result in inflated prices in 2014 of everything from school bus fares to a cup of tea.

PPIM, that boasts it has thousands of members, had this advice for them.

"You have got to bite the bullet. You can't just sit at home and dread the doom ...go out there, do something, find extra income," Nadzim Johan, PPIM chief (above, left) said at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Academy in Kuala Lumpur.

"We need the push. These days we lack the pressure. This will be the spark for us to rise up and work harder."
For example, he said, one could plant one's own serai (lemon grass) and plant chilli to save costs, or start a business selling fried bananas or mineral water.
For office clockwatchers he recommended that they raise productivity.

"The official time is eight hours a day in the office, but for some, the real work may take only 6 hours... so there are two hours to spare.

"So rather than taking it easy, it's better to work harder like our Chinese and Indian friends," he said.

He cited that lagging productivity was a serious malaise resulting in underpaid soldiers and police, who then sometimes are pushed to find a side income.

On the other hand, price hikes can't be avoided and is a universal occurrence, Nadzim argued, adding jokingly that "even Jupiter may have it."

'GST may not collect more'

Another Muslim consumer activist downplayed the Goods and Services Tax (GST) starting April 2015 as "a change of taxation regime."
 
"It is unavoidable. If you want to fight it, it's futile. Might as well overcome it," International Muslim Consumer Association secretary general Sheikh Abdul Kareem S Khadaied said.  

Rather than fight government price hikes, Sheikh Abdul Kareem called on consumers to unite and fight corporations and businesses that tried to cheat people.

"If you have a problem, come to us... God willing we will do what we can," he said.

Later, taking fiery questions from the audience, Finance Ministry official Chen Chaw Min tried to defend the GST.

He said the government may end up collecting no more than RM3 billion extra revenue even with the GST as it would abolish the Sales and Service Tax at the same time.

Refusing to listen anymore, an angry protester accused Chen of sounding like a MCA politician.

Chen disagreed, claiming he had a PhD in finance and saying he could have easily left the country for greener pastures elsewhere but had chosen not to.

"When we do policies we are concerned about the public perception. Whatever we do, we must be positive how we react.. this is life," Chen, a senior civil servant said.

"I have the capability to go overseas but what about my people ...who is going to help them? That's why I am in the civil service."

Silence on Perkasa backing shows multiracial BN a lie

BN parties should publicly apologise for knowingly backing Malay supremacist group Perkasa or drop pretense that they are fighting for a multi-racial Malaysia, DAP said.

Its secretary general Lim Guan Eng said that since Perkasa has disclosed that the government had funded some of its activities, BN  has revealed its true colors.

He said that while it was not surprising that Umno backed Perkasa even before the general elections, he charged MCA, MIC and Gerakan for being liars, irrelevant or powerless partners in BN, if they now profess ignorance of this fact.

"Umno can no longer blame non-Malays and non-Muslims for not supporting Umno and BN because their strong suspicions that Umno is behind Perkasa is now proven correct.

"BN and its component parties in MCA, Gerakan and MIC should publicly apologise for trying to deceive and delude the public that they are multi-racial and fight for all Malaysians. Perkasa has nothing else to offer to Malaysia to deal with the most pressing issues of fighting corruption and rising cost of living," Lim said in a statement.

The Penang chief minister said he considers BN funding of Perkasa's activities as a cover up of its own flaws as a ruling party, especially on pressing economic issues.

"Clearly BN will continue to play the racial card because they fail to provide sound policies and a bright vision of the future that will fight corruption and lead to stronger communities, a higher standard of living and sustainable development," Lim said.

He noted that BN has yet to implement open competitive tenders, make public declaration of assets of leaders of government and has not fairly explained the extraordinary wealth of BN cronies and family members, nor the recent price hikes.

Lim also criticised BN for misplaced policies including the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and price hikes of essential goods and services at a time when Malaysia's record household debt to GDP ratio stood at 83.5 percent, the second highest in Asia.

Despite this, he said, "BN cronies and their family members are continuing to live in luxury with expensive tastes not only in Malaysia but also buying expensive properties overseas."

Lim said he was sure that if the general election was held now, Pakatan would win more votes.

"After these serial price hikes, public anger at the realisation that they were deviously tricked by BN would have enabled Pakatan to win an even higher popular vote if a general election was held now," he said.

Bersih says nay to taxpayers money for Perkasa

Joining the chorus of dissenting voices, the Coalition of Free and Fair Elections (Bersih) has today urged the government to clarify if taxpayers' money or party funds are being channeled to Perkasa.

Malay supremacist group Perkasa had disclosed last week that some of its programmes have been funded by government-related agencies.

It later told Sinar Harian that funds were to help BN win the next general elections.

Bersih's president Maria Chin Abdullah (right) said today that the distinction between taxpayers and political party money was an important matter.

"Parties should be giving the money and it should not come from government, which is taxpayers' money," she told Malaysiakini.

"If the government admits to giving money to Perkasa, this would be shocking. Perkasa incites hatred and racist statements - does government actually support that or not?"

BN partners join in chorus

Other political parties Gerakan, MCA, DAP and PKR have issued similar statements calling for funds to Perkasa to be investigated and immediately stopped.

Umno supreme council member Isa Samad had said that since it was formed Perkasa has received plenty of aid from Umno.

Maria said that the Election Commission has the power to step in if there are signs of government machinery being abused to skew elections in favour of any political party. But she added that Bersih has lost faith in the EC.

After taking over the Bersih helm this month, Maria started a petition for the Agong to step in and replace the EC's existing members. This would be handed over next month after gathering signatures from as many NGOs as it can.

In the past, Maria said Bersih had noted that there had been many public complaints about BN usurping taxpayer's money to help in their polls campaigns but to no avail.

The grouses included BN using government vehicles and equipment, and promising development funds for projects even after the dissolution of Parliament.

She said that Bersih had also queried the timing of handing out BR1M aid - making it seem like part and parcel of the election campaign.

"The government should also be accountable so that their giving to NGOs is not for political purposes," Maria said.

"I wouldn’t object to NGOs taking taxpayers’ money but when they take funds to carry out political work, especially a racist thing, I totally disagree."

Kula lauds 'rare unanimity' between BN and Pakatan

From among the factors that bring down governments, which one more surely puts the skids under them in comparison to other factors?

According to DAP national vice-chairperson M Kulasegaran, the factor that more certainly scuttles incumbent governors is economic failure beyond the limits of plausible excuse or explanation.

The MP for Ipoh Barat alluded to the "rare unanimity of views" between BN and Pakatan Rakyat politicians on what would more surely bring down the more than half-century-old BN government.

"On Dec 24, the Umno MP Nur Jazlan Mohamed said the increases in the prices of goods and services will result in BN losing more votes in the 14th general election," noted the opposition legislator.

Kulasegaran said as an accountant Nur Jazlan would have a finer feel for the impact of abruptly raised prices on the pockets of the middle classes and the lower income groups.

"That must have been why he raised the alarm over what he must have seen as the pathway to certain defeat for the BN at the next general election which is the gouging of the ordinary people by forcing them to bear the burden of raised taxes and inflated prices for goods and services beyond their capacity to withstand," explained the three-term MP.

Najib administration has overspent

Citing as evidence of the "rare unanimity of views" between BN and Pakatan politicians on the matter, Kulasegaran noted that former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had urged in his latest blog postings that the government should trim its expenditure before it chooses to raise taxes and curtail or remove subsidies.

"We acknowledge that over time the government's expenditure would increase to meet the costs of serving the public, but this increase should not primarily be derived from increased taxation of the public but from prudence and frugality in its expenditure.

"After that only, should taxed be raised and subsidies be curtailed or removed," argued Kulasegaran.

He said that Prime Minister Najib Razak was "putting the cart before the horse by proposing to increase tolls and tariffs, raise taxes and remove or curtail subsidies even before looking to see where he can trim a fat and flabby administration whose upkeep is a burden to the ordinary taxpayer."

Kulasegaran said this was why even the Umno Youth leader Khairy Jamaluddin had remonstrated against the proposed increase in the electricity tariff which is expected to be raised by 15 percent from Jan 1, 2014.

"The Najib administration has overspent and now the rakyat is forced to bear the consequences of the government's spendthrift ways," said Kulasegaran.

"The shirking of responsibility is going to be punished by voters at the next election even if the government decides to resort to more rounds of Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BRIM) handouts before the polls to seduce the people from remembering who is responsible for their reduced economic plight," predicted DAP leader.

Perhimpunan haram dikhuatiri cetus rusuhan kaum

Ketua Pemuda PBB, Datuk Haji Fadillah Yusof berkata, perhimpunan itu dikhuatiri akan mencetuskan pertelagahan antara kaum di Sarawak.

KUCHING: Tindakan Persatuan Anak Muda Sarawak untuk mengadakan Perhimpunan Haram di Padang Merdeka, 31 Disember ini, mendapat kecaman dari Pemuda Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).

Ketua Pemuda PBB, Datuk Haji Fadillah Yusof berkata, perhimpunan itu dikhuatiri akan mencetuskan pertelagahan antara kaum di Sarawak.

“Ia bukan sahaja menyalahi undang-undang, malah boleh mencetuskan suasana tidak tenteram, huru-hara dan menjejaskan keharmonian kaum yang dinikmati rakyat pelbagai kaum selama ini.

“Tindakan pihak terbabit sama sekali bercanggah dengan nilai-nilai budaya di Sarawak yang dihuni kira-kira 30 suku etnik yang selama ini hidup aman dan harmoni,” tegasnya.

Malah, katanya, rakyat beragama Kristian baru sahaja menyambut perayaan Krismas dalam suasana aman harmoni dengan budaya saling mengunjungi tanpa mengira kaum dan anutan agama berdasarkan konsep 1Malaysia yang menjadi nadi kekuatan perpaduan di Sarawak.

Menteri Kerja Raya itu menasihati rakyat di semua peringkat usia supaya tidak terpengaruh dengan hasutan persatuan terbabit atau mana-mana pihak berkepentingan yang mahu mencetuskan suasana huru-hara dan porak-peranda menerusi perhimpunan sedemikian.

“Kita perlu sama-sama memelihara keharmonian kaum dan keamanan di negara ini dengan menggunakan saluran yang betul untuk menyatakan rasa tidak puas hati, bukannya bertindak melakukan perhimpunan yang kononnya aman tetapi boleh bertukar menjadi insiden yang tidak diingini,” katanya.

Tambahnya, negara ini memiliki saluran demokrasi berparlimen dan Dewan Undangan Negeri atau kepada kementerian untuk menyampaikan rasa tidak puas hati atau apa jua masalah tanpa perlunya mencetuskan huru-hara.

“Saya menggesa semua pihak memelihara keamanan dan keharmonian kaum dengan menghindarkan diri daripada terlibat dengan perhimpunan sedemikian demi mengelakkan kejadian tidak diingini tercetus di negara yang kita cintai ini,” ujarnya.

PBB akan memantau keadaan dan akan membuat laporan polis sekiranya perlu.

Jika tidak, perkara itu mampu mengganggu keharmonian dan kestabilan yang akan dikecapi menjelang ambang tahun baru nanti dengan insiden yang tidak dijangka.

“Justeru, kita perlu sama-sama memfokuskan perhatian dalam usaha untuk membangunkan negeri Sarawak demi kesejahteraan rakyat, bukan sebaliknya.

“Apa yang kita harapkan adalah sambutan kali ini diraikan secara aman tanpa melibatkan perhimpunan jalanan yang diharapkan oleh pihak tertentu untuk mengucar-kacirkan keadaan,” katanya.

Polis Melaka siasat 29 kes `Along’

Dua puluh lima kes disiasat mengikut Seksyen 5(2) Akta Pemberi Pinjam Wang (AAPW) 1951 iaitu memberi pinjaman tanpa lesen melibatkan penangkapan 13 orang dan kerugian sebanyak RM105,320.

MELAKA: Polis Melaka menyiasat 29 kes melibatkan ceti haram atau ‘Along’ yang membawa kepada penangkapan 20 orang sejak Januari lepas hingga semalam, kata Ketua Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah Komersial Melaka Supt Ee Khong Koy.

Beliau berkata daripada jumlah itu, 25 kes disiasat mengikut Seksyen 5(2) Akta Pemberi Pinjam Wang (AAPW) 1951 iaitu memberi pinjaman tanpa lesen melibatkan penangkapan 13 orang dan kerugian sebanyak RM105,320.

Katanya empat kes lagi disiasat mengikut Seksyen 29AA AAPW 1951 iaitu menjalankan kerja menampal poster membabitkan penangkapan tujuh orang.

“Polis sentiasa melakukan usaha berterusan untuk memerangi sindiket Along ini agar tidak lagi memberi ancaman kepada orang ramai,” katanya pada sidang akhbar di sini hari ini.

Terdahulu beliau mengetuai Operasi Ceti Haram dan dalam operasi itu kira-kira 2,000 poster ceti haram ditanggalkan Polis Melaka dengan kerjasama pihak berkuasa tempatan.

Ee berkata daripada jumlah suspek yang ditangkap, tujuh suspek telah didakwa di mahkamah mengikut Seksyen 5 (2) AAPW 1951 manakala tiga lagi suspek dituduh menurut Seksyen 29AA AAPW 1951.

Mengulas tentang operasi tersebut, beliau berkata pihaknya akan berterusan menanggalkan poster iklan pinjaman wang haram ditampal di tepi-tepi jalan sekitar Melaka khususnya di taman dan kawasan perumahan.

“Kita juga pernah membuat panggilan kepada nombor telefon Along yang dipaparkan dalam poster pinjaman haram mereka (bagi siasatan), namun tidak menerima respons yang begitu bagus,” katanya.

Ee turut mengingatkan agar orang ramai berjaga-jaga dan tidak melibatkan diri dengan membuat pinjaman dengan Along kerana hanya membawa keburukan.

Bernama

Kg Railway: DBKL plans to sue FMT

Deputy FT Minister Loga Balan said DBKL has done everything possible to relocate the remaining 30 families in Kg Railway, Sentul, but they have rejected the offer.

PETALING JAYA: The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is contemplating to sue FMT over a report on the demolition of houses in Kg Railway, Sentul, by enforcement officers yesterday.

Federal Territories deputy minister Loga Balan said DBKL was planning to sue FMT and Tamil daily Makkal Osai for carrying misleading news.

Earlier, Loga told reporters that the matter had been brought to his attention three months ago at a meeting with Federal Territory MPs.

Loga said the initial offer of PPR flats without rental and RM18,000 for each family were given.

About 120 families accepted the offer and remaining 30 took the matter to court and lost.

“On Dec 5, in a public programme in the presence of the media we gave out the offer letters to the 120 families.

“We gave the remaining 30 families until Dec 15 to vacate their homes and extended the deadline to Dec 20 and postponed it further to Dec 26 so that the villagers will have more time to move out.

“The 30 families then came with Batu MP Tian Chua on Dec 18 to meet me.

“On humanitarian grounds, we decided to give them PPR flats in Bukit Jalil but they had to pay the rental,” said Loga.

He said the families had taken to matter to the Federal Court and lost so they were not entitled to the PPR flats.

“But City Hall did the 30 families a favour by offering the flats.

“I also assured the villagers help in transferring their children to the school in Bukit Jalil.

“So the issue that we did not offer flats and assitance is a lie.

“I have even instructed the 30 villagers to move out before the demolition to transit homes in Dewan Perdana Satu,” said Loga.

He said if the 30 families rejected the City Hall offer nothing could be done.

NGO serah memo bantahan kezaliman Bangladesh

Memorandum diserahkan bagi membantah kezaliman kerajaan Bangladesh yang mengenakan hukuman gantung sampai mati kepada Penolong Setiausaha Agung Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh Abdul Quader Mulla
UPDATED

KUALA LUMPUR: Sebuah kumpulan – gabungan PAS, Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim), PKR dan persatuan mahasiswa menyerahkan satu memorandum bantahan kezaliman kerajaan Bangladesh berhubung hukuman gantung sampai mati kepada seorang pemimpin Islam di negara tersebut.

Penolong Setiausaha Agung Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh Abdul Quader Mullah dikenakan hukuman gantung sampai mati 11 Disember lalu setelah didapati bersalah oleh Tribunal Perang Antarabangsa atas tragedi pembunuhan perang kemerdekaan Bangladesh dari Pakistan pada tahun 1971.

Kumpulan seramai hampir 200 orang itu berarak lebih tiga kilometer sejurus selepas solat Jumaat dari Masjid Tabung Haji di sini hingga ke Pejabat Pesuruhjaya Tinggi Bangladesh.

Hampir 50 anggota polis ditugaskan bagi mengawal keadaan.

Kumpulan ini berhenti hampir 100 meter dari Pejabat Pesuruhjaya Tinggi Bangladesh setelah pihak polis melakukan sekatan.

Seramai 10 orang wakil kumpulan tersebut dibenarkan untuk menghantar memorandum mereka yang diketuai oleh Timbalan Presiden PAS Mohamad Sabu.

“Kami membantah tindakan membicarakan mereka yang digelar pengkhianat atas peristiwa yang berlaku pada tahun 1971 dan perbicaraan yang dijalankan tidak mengikut lunas undang – undang antarabangsa.

“Seorang telah dihukum gantung dan enam orang lagi bakal dikenakan hukuman sama. Ribuan lagi masih lagi ditahan dalam penjara,” kata Mohamad kepada wartawan sejurus selepas menyerahkan memorandum tersebut.

Mohamad menambah bahawa perkara ini seperti konspirasi global bagi menjatuhkan parti-parti Islam yang dilihat mula mendapat kemenangan dalam pilihan raya di negara masing-masing.

“Seperti di Algeria, kemenangan dinafikan. Di Tunisia, pemerintahan sering diganggu gugat. Ikhwan Muslimin yang dahulunya menang di Mesir kemudian dirampas kuasa dan kelmarin diisytiharkan sebagai pengganas oleh kerajaan Mesir.

“Dan di Bangladesh gerakan Jemaah Islamiah yang cuba masuk dalam proses demokrasi melalui pilihan raya tetapi pemimpin mereka diambil tindakan. Kita lihat ini konspirasi global terutama oleh Amerika Syarikat dan negara-negara Arab seperti Arab Saudi dan Qatar yang tiada pilihan raya dilihat cuba menganggu proses demokrasi terutamanya di Mesir,” tegas Mohamad.

Mohamad menambah konspirasi ini seperti menutup ruang demokrasi kepada gerakan dan parti-parti Islam di negara-negara Islam.

“Kita nampak seperti gerakan Islam dan parti Islam dipaksa bertindak jalan di luar pilihan raya.Ini yang kita tidak mahu sebab kita memilih proses pilihan raya dan proses demokrasi.

“Di Malaysia pun begitu juga. Walaupun proses demokrasi itu tidak sempurna tapi kita tetap mahu demokrasi dan berlawan melalui sistem demokrasi,” tegasnya.

Kumpulan tersebut bersurai secara aman pada jam 3.40 petang tadi.

Third force in full force to join MIC

(TMT) - The renowned ‘third force’ is in full gear to meet MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel and to join-hands with the biggest Indian-based party.

A source, who is involved in the third force initiative, told The Malaysian Times (TMT) that the neutral movement is prepared for the collaboration and will be approaching Palanivel soon for a table talk with the party number 1 man.

“The ground is very positive for us and our groundwork among the party members has showed a very optimistic result towards our third force,” the leader, who preferred to be anonymous, said.

The leader said that the movement will request Palanivel to set up a special task force comprising of young professionals from various backgrounds in order to attract the young generations of the Indian community.

“Third force has been observing MIC’s latest fiasco after party elections very closely and we feel that the party must put bigger agenda rather than harping on same old issues which can cause damage to party future.

“MIC must also learn from the past mistakes and must move on towards the party betterment under Palanivel’s new leadership,” he said.

The leader, a lawyer by profession, added: “We have carried out observations and studies on the party and have compiled a blueprint that can assist the (MIC) president to enhance on what the party is lacking of.

“We will also discuss on how we can contribute to the party by uniting with the party members,” the leader added.

The leader said that the third force is seeking for an immediate “ice breaking “session with Palanivel to be a helping hand for MIC and the Indian community.

“We are ready to join MIC to help the community and young generation. The MIC will be a great platform to achieve our objectives.

“Third force is not a normal movement, but we are the “solid voice” of the younger generation and want to create new political approaches and strategies.

The spokesperson of third force told TMT that, MIC leaders must show good example to the community and young generation and must cut off “arrogant characteristics” to disunity.

On December 10, TMT reported that the ‘third force’, comprised of over 10,000 youths, is gearing up to join hands with MIC and be committed in working towards reinforcing the party under Palanivel’s guidance.

The initial agenda of the non-political movement, which includes professionals and graduates, is to fight for the community’s plights and to restructure the 67-year-old MIC.

It was learnt that a ‘prominent young leader’ will be heading the ‘third force’ and would be the MIC’s missile to launch initiatives aimed for the development of the party and to persuade the Indian community to put their trust in the party.

Another leader, who is involved in the third force initiative, told TMT that the only priority of the movement is to be a helping hand to the community and the party.

“We will not seek any political mileage or request for a seat during election and we are very strong in our purposes,” the leader, who spoke in condition of anonymity, said.

THIRD FORCE RECEIVED WELL

The reports on the ‘third force’ initiative were received well by MIC leaders and the young generation.

Earlier, newly elected MIC vice presidents Datuk S. Sothinathan and Datuk S. Balakrishnan had expressed their support on the idea of alliance between the party and the huge group of young leaders.

“Youth are always an important force to the party. “They are the shadow of the party,” Sothinathan, who is also the Negri Sembilan MIC chairman, had said.

While, Balakrishnan, the Johor chief, said: “That (the collaboration) should be welcomed. “This is important because they (youth) are the future voters.”

Besides the two, newly elected Central Working Committee (CWC) member S. Sunther also lauded the call for cooperation for the party betterment.

“If it is true (that a third force exists) then it is definitely good for the party,” Sunther was quoted as saying.

In the meantime, the ‘third force also managed to get their attention from the young generations, who felt that the MIC needs a magic touch from the youth.

Official announcement on the MIC-Third force partnership is expected to be made soon.

Religious without religion – Muhammad As’ad

To be a religious believer we have to follow certain strict rules which cannot be violated. For instance as Muslims we believe that Allah is the only God and the Prophet Muhammad is His messenger; we must regularly observe the five daily prayers, zakat, fasting during the month of Ramadhan, and the haj at least once in a lifetime — all these are the five pillars of Islam. As Muslims, we cannot evade those five pillars except for some specific exceptions.

Another important step is to make religion a part of our life. The number of Muslims in this country is remarkable. How can we say that we are not religious?

However, Transparency International’s 2012 Corruption Perception Index showed that Indonesia was ranked 118 out of 176 countries; worse than in 2011 when Indonesia was ranked 100. The Indonesia Ulama Council (MUI) even issued an edict in 2000, stating that bribery, corruption and gratification are forbidden.

Nonetheless, these rules fail to deter corruption. For instance, the treasurer of MUI, Chairunnisa, who is also a lawmaker of the Golkar party, was arrested by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) along with the former Constitutional Court chief Akil Mochtar. We probably have religious piety but we certainly do not have social piety.

In terms of religiosity, we are quite remarkable. We can see many Indonesian people celebrating religious activities, rituals and commemorations. Nevertheless, this religiosity does not seem to influence our life.

Recently I was invited by the Japan Foundation to an intellectual exchange program. Japan resembles a nation that religious people might think and imagine as a religious country. Everything is well ordered, the streets are clean even in a rural area like Fudai, a village in Iwate prefecture where I visited. We could say that the Japanese people are very religious, through their adherence to a moral code of conduct in daily life.

However the World Values Survey in 2010 showed most Japanese think religion is not important. Only 9.9% said that religion was very important. Interestingly, this proportion is decreasing over time.

Apparently religious rituals are not an important factor in determining the good progress of a country particularly in the Japanese case.

In comparison one could refer to an article published in the Berkeley-based Global Economy Journal in 2010, on “How Islamic are Islamic countries?” It measured the degree of Islam in some countries especially in the field of economy, education, corruption, financial systems and human rights.

Interestingly, most Islamic countries including Indonesia ranked low. Most of the high ranks were occupied by non Muslim countries; New Zealand came first, followed by Luxembourg. This fact once again shows that many developed countries are already religious even though some of them claim to be non-religious countries.

I am not saying that we have to copy most of those countries, leaving behind our religious rituals and focusing on social piety. We can do better than those who think that religion is not important.

We have to implement our religious values so that they are embedded in everyday life, by helping to stop corruption, for instance, or not lying to ourselves. By applying our religion we can contribute to making our country better. - Jakarta Post, December 28, 2013.

* The writer is the director of the Pesantren Tebuireng Social Fund (LSPT) and a participant in the 2013 Invitation Program for Young Muslim Intellectuals in Southeast Asia.

Press Release: Repeal the Printing Presses and Publications Act; Independent Regulation to Preserve Independence of Media

The Malaysian Bar reiterates its call for the repeal of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, and for the establishment of an independent Media Council.

The Malaysian Bar calls into question the recent decision by the Ministry of Home Affairs to suspend indefinitely the publication permit of the weekly publication The Heat.  No clear explanation has been given for their decision to do so.

It appears from news media reports that the decision to suspend the publication permit for The Heat was made before the publisher had been given the right to be fully heard pursuant to section 13B of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 or before the process of being heard had been completed.

An indefinite suspension is an oxymoron, that is, a contradiction in terms, and is effectively a revocation.  The indefinite suspension of The Heat would appear to be in breach of Article 13 of the Federal Constitution, which provides that no person shall be deprived of property save in accordance with law.  Article 13 does not mean merely following the written law, but adhering to the due process of the law and natural justice.

The timing and speed of such indefinite suspension by the Ministry of Home Affairs gives rise to the perception that the Government is seeking to muzzle and punish a member of the media for an article it published in its 23 to 29 Nov issue headlining a report on the alleged “big spending” of the Prime Minister.

The suspension of The Heat is an unwarranted attack on the freedom of the press specifically, and an attack on freedom of speech and expression generally.  Action against The Heat is merely the latest event in a long list of State actions to suppress the press.  Other instances include incidents during which the Minister of Home Affairs harassed a Malaysiakini journalist who was asking him questions, and threatened to shut down newspapers that reported his speech in Malacca on the following day; and the physical assault and abuse of media professionals by the police during the BERSIH 3.0 public assembly in Kuala Lumpur on 28 April 2012.

A free press is a fundamental feature of a vibrant and accountable democracy.  An independent press acts as a disseminator of information, and as a check and balance of elected representatives and government.  The wellbeing of a democratic nation is dependent on, amongst other things, a healthy, professional, ethical and independent press.

The Malaysian Bar reiterates its position that the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 should be repealed.  It is offensive to the constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression enshrined in Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.  It is an archaic piece of legislation that no longer holds any relevance in a modern democracy.  The Act has been used and abused to influence, bully, intimidate, threaten and punish the press.  Such legislative and governmental control of the press, including licensing regimes, should end.  The recent court decision against the Ministry of Home Affairs, in relation to Malaysiakini’s application for a newspaper licence, is a reminder of this.

This is not to say that a newspaper, or any publication (whether print or online), is at liberty to publish anything with impunity.  It is time that Malaysia provides for independent regulation of the press media.  Complaints regarding objectionable press stories and material should be dealt with by an independent Media Council to be established — consisting of journalism practitioners and civil society representatives, and with minimal or no government representation — or, alternatively, a Media Ombudsperson.  Such a Media Council or Media Ombudsperson should be able to regulate media owners, publishers, editors, and journalists regarding offensive content and conduct.

There should be a clear separation between the role and purview of owners of media, and professional journalists and management.  There should be no pressure or interference by owners of media in the management of editorial and news content of any publication.  Any breach of such restrictions should be dealt with by the Media Council or the Media Ombudsperson.

Additionally, the press is liable to be held to account by the law just as any Malaysian citizen, for example, the laws on defamation. 

Malaysia needs, and Malaysians deserve, a free and independent press, as well as a press that is ethical, responsible and fair.

Christopher Leong
President
Malaysian Bar

Malaysia To Spread Its Wings Further On Global Map Next Year

By Nor Baizura Basri

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 27 (Bernama) -- Malaysia, which continued to spread its wings and presence especially in the international arena this year, is expected to flourish further come 2014.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's presence at international economic forums such as the World Economic Forum (WEF) in January, as well as, World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) in October, have further boosted the country's image on the global landscape.

During WEF in Davos, Switzerland, Najib, who is also Finance Minister, together with several Cabinet ministers, presented and marketed Malaysia's success stories, which were mostly driven by the country's transformation programmes.

Since the implementation of these programmes, Malaysia has successfully attracted increased investments to its shores while stepping up investments abroad, value of the stocks and employment.

Besides, Najib also presented the business community with the country's aspiration to become a high-income economy by 2020 with a per capital income of US$15,000.

The per capital income jumped to US$9,750 by end-2012 from US$6,700 four years ago, he said.

"We presented all these as one package to the international community at the WEF here. There is no other platform as big and strategic as WEF," he said at the end of the trip.

Najib said at 'Malaysia Night', the culmination of the country's participation in the WEF, investors saw a 'shadow' of what investors could enjoy and achieve if they were to visit Malaysia, what more if they decided to invest in the country.

"In gloomy conditions, especially in Europe and the United States, Malaysia is one of the few places that radiates success in managing its economy which brings about the transformation which we promised," he said.

In London, the prime minister wooed foreign investors with Malaysia's capabilities in Islamic banking and finance.

That made the city, which is among the biggest financial markets in the world, to take bold steps into the Islamic finance landscape.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said London wants to become the hub for Islamic finance outside the Muslim world.

"I don't just want London to be a great capital of Islamic finance in the Western world. I want London to stand alongside Dubai and Kuala Lumpur as one of the great capitals of Islamic finance anywhere in the world," he said.

To further prove his commitments, he announced several moves including becoming the first sovereign outside the Islamic world to issue sukuk, the creation of new Islamic indices on the London Stock Exchange Group, as well as, offering ten new Chevening Scholarships for Islamic finance for 2014-2015 period.

That, of course, did not come out blindly. It was proof of a stronger bond and relationship between Malaysia and Britain that has grown over the years.

Not only that, Cameron also praised and commended Najib on promoting moderation against extremism.

"Prime Minister Najib is a newly re-elected leader whose pioneering Global Movement of Moderates is uniting and inspiring people across the world in the fight against extremism and whose commitment to business with Britain is delivering millions of pounds of new investment and hundreds of new jobs here and in Malaysia," he said.

This has certainly boosted existing ties between the two countries and taken it to another level since 2011 compared with the "benign neglect" level between 1997 and 2010.

Meanwhile, in terms of ranking, Malaysia has set another record this year, being the only Muslim country among the top 10 global economies in terms of ease of doing business.

According to the World Bank's Doing Business 2014 report, Malaysia jumped to sixth position in the ease of doing business from 12th previously among the 189 economies in the World Bank's report.

This, according to the Prime Minister, was due to the effectiveness of the government's reform programmes.

Due to several fiscal consolidation moves by the government, international rating agencies such as Moody's and Standard & Poor's also revised their ratings to "positive" and "stable", respectively, on Malaysia's sovereign rating.

Turning back to the regional front, Malaysia has been very committed in Asean's regional integration in 2015 with 88 per cent of the measures already implemented.

With another year to go, certainly Malaysia has the tenacity and the drive to make the Asean Economic Community (AEC) a reality.

AEC, with a population of 600 million, will become the next growth driver for Asean member countries as they become a single market and production base.

Asean will then become a highly competitive economic region, a region of equitable economic development, and a region fully integrated into the global economy, attracting possible investments around the world.

This AEC would also transform Asean into a region with free movement of goods, services, investment, skilled labour and freer flow of capital.

3M Malaysia Sdn Bhd Managing Director Michael Wu said moving forward to 2014, the company was confident Malaysian businesses would seek to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the global market.

This included continued growth in demand in the key fields of oil and gas, electronics, automotive, metal fabrication, consumer and healthcare.

"Malaysia must also recognise the emerging strength of the automotive industries of our neighbours in Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines. We must be able to compete with them especially with their participation in the AEC," he told Bernama.

With the wealth of opportunities to be found within these industries alone, he said Malaysia would be able to significantly enhance both its productivity as well as position along industry supply chains so as to move the country towards gaining significantly higher value.

"Innovation will be the key that allows the nation to unlock this untapped potential and 3M is ready to partner both the Malaysian government, as well as, private enterprises to achieve our nation's goal of becoming a successful, developed and high-income nation," Wu added.