Najib jelaskan alasan tidak mansuh Akta Hasutan

Roh perang: Zahid umum Umno sediakan 'keris 2314'

Xinjiang violence: 15 reported killed in attack

At least 15 people have been killed and 14 others injured during an attack in the far western Chinese region of Xinjiang, state media has reported.

It said that the violence started when a group of "terrorists" attacked civilians in Shache county, 200km from the regional capital of Kashgar.

Xinjiang is home to the Muslim Uighur minority group.

There has been a wave of violence in the region, with more than 150 people being killed so far this year.

China has blamed the unrest on Uighurs pushing for the region's independence.

China's state-run Xinhua news agency reported that the attackers on Friday threw bombs out of a vehicle before they stabbed people on a street lined with food stalls.

Eleven of the dead are reported to be the attackers.

An attack in the same region in July left nearly 100 people dead, including 59 assailants, state media said.

Confirming reports about incidents in Xinjiang is difficult, because access is tightly controlled and information flow restricted.

China is enforcing a security crackdown in Xinjiang, and Uighur activists say that the government's repression of Uighur culture and religious customs is fuelling the violence.

Earlier this week, the authorities announced plans to hire 3,000 former soldiers to patrol residential areas in the region.

• Uighurs are ethnically Turkic Muslims and make up about 45% of the region's population; 40% are Han Chinese
• China re-established control in 1949 after crushing the short-lived state of East Turkestan
• Since then, there has been large-scale immigration of Han Chinese
• Uighurs say they fear their traditional culture is being eroded

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-30258011

Couple killed by family for marrying against wishes

Big News Network (IANS)

A newly-wed couple, who married in a court against family wishes were hacked to death late Friday in Hapur, police said Saturday.

The incident occurred in Kuchesar Chauplato village.

Sonu, a Hindu, and Danishta, a Muslim, had married in a court two months ago.

Talb, the brother of the girl, was enraged after the local panchayat did not pass any adverse judgement Friday against the marriage of the boy (Hindu) and girl (Muslim) in a court two months back.

Late Friday evening he along with three or four of his family members barged into the house where Sonu and Danishta were living. He attacked Sonu with an axe and killed him.

When Danishta rushed out to raise an alarm and seek help of the neighbours, he killed her,too.

The assailants escaped from the crime scene. Heavy police reinforcement was rushed to the spot as tension spread in the area, an official told IANS.

Both bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination and police are keeping a vigil.

One of the accused has been arrested, a home department official.

Police defuse a bird bomb in northern Afghanistan

By Mirwais Jalalzai

For the first time Afghan police discover and defused a bomb which was planted in a bird’s body in northern Faryab province.

Faryab is one of the thirty-four provinces of Afghanistan, which is located in the north of the country bordering neighboring Turkmenistan.

According to local police, the suspicious bird was flying over a police check point on Faryab- Jawzjan high way in Shereen Tagab distract, when police start tracking it.

“The bird which also had a GPS on the top of his head was used by unknown sources possibly Taliban against the police forces, Ahmadullah an afghan public order police solder said.

“They tried to divert the animal but it eventually had to be stopped with a rifle shot. A team went out and realized there was something suspicious under the bird. One brave soldier set it on fire to the bird with a sniper and there was a considerable explosion.

“No-one was hurt thanks to the swift action taken and they were saved from a very unusual attack.” He said.

According to Ahmadullah, it is first time that they faced with that this kind of bomb which was suppose to use against governmental institution by planting in a wild bird .

Afghan police target the bird by sniper soon after identify it as a bomber and explode a few meters a way above the police chick point.

It is not clear yet who had plan to use this bird as a bomber against afghan police but Faryab province is one of those area in northern Afghanistan which is recently wetness of Taliban and Al-Qaida activities .

But the incident has alarmed military chiefs concerned that the Taliban are now using desperate methods to attack occupying forces.

This is the first time that insurgents use a bird to lunch bomb attack on afghan forces, before that the Taliban use donkeys to launch bomb attacks on afghan and international forces in Afghanistan .

Shariah index to be tabled in February – Bernama

The government will table in February 2015 the shariah index which evaluates the country's achievements in implementing the demands of shariah, said Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

The prime minister said a taskforce made up of religious experts from the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) and Islamic Development Department (Jakim) were responsible for preparing the shariah index.

In his winding-up speech at the Umno general assembly today, the Umno president said the index will evaluate to what extent Malaysia, under the leadership of the party, had protected the religion, mind, descendants, life and property based on the five requirements of Maqasid Shariah.

"When we have tabled the shariah index for Malaysia, we can also do the same for other Muslim countries.

"Hopefully we can show that the country, under Umno's leadership, has truly upheld and spread the Islamic principles," he said. – Bernama, November 29, 2014.

Blogger Umno bangang, serang kita balik, kata Najib

Datuk Seri Najib Razak menyelar sikap blogger pro Umno yang menyerang kembali pemimpin parti Melayu itu dan kononnya bersifat “friendly fire”.

Presiden Umno itu berkata, blogger pro Umno perlu melakukan tindakan sebaliknya dengan menyerang pemimpin pembangkang kerana mereka perlu tahu pihak mana yang membiayai mereka.

“Saya setuju kata Datuk Zahid yang kata bloggers kita ni kadang-kadang tembak kita. Dalam istilah perang, friendly fire. Friendly fire is not friendly," kata Najib merujuk kepada Naib Presiden Umno Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“Bloggers kita ni cari makan dengan siapa? Pergilah tembak pembangkang. Itu cara kita nak menang dalam peperangan. Jangan perang sesama sendiri. Tak masuk akal. Bangang,” katanya semasa berucap di Perhimpunan Agung Umno di Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra (PWTC) di Kuala Lumpur hari ini.

Dalam perkembangan lain, Najib mengumumkan Indeks Syariah Malaysia yang digerakkan Universiti Islam Antarabangsa dan Jakim akan dibentangkan pada Februari selepas mendapat pandangan pakar Islam.

Katanya, apabila Indeks Syariah itu diperkenalkan kelak, ia boleh dipanjangkan ke negara Islam lain supaya tidak ada sesiapa yang boleh menyangkal negara di bawah Umno benar-benar menegakkan Islam.

“Bagaimana kita nak cari satu penilaian yang boleh menggambarkan hala tuju yang dibawa Umno dari dulu hingga sekarang berpandukan kepada tuntutan Islam sebenar?

“Maka lahirlah cadangan kita buat Indeks Syariah yang akan buat penilaian negara di bawah Umno ini menjaga agama, akal, keturunan, nyawa dan harta (iaitu) lima tuntutan maqasid syariah,” katanya. – 29 November, 2014.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/bahasa/article/blogger-umno-bangang-serang-kita-balik-kata-najib#sthash.xRtgexII.dpuf

Ministry looking into claims Sabah Christian students forced to pray under tree

The Labuan Matriculation College in Sabah has been told to probe into claims that Christian students were forced to pray under a tree if they wanted to take part in the Students' Parliament.

Sabah paper, the Daily Express reported on its website today that the Education Ministry had ordered the college to investigate the claims, which included telling the students to wear Muslim headscarves and songkok.

The newspaper reported in its portal that Christian students were not given a place in the college building to meet for prayers and were asked to pray under a tree.

It also said that students had complained about being told to don tudung if they wanted to join the Students' Parliament.

The students' parents were unhappy with these events, it reported.

"The poor students are forced to pray under the sun or tree in the compound. Even then, the security guard would allegedly harass them (students) to hurry up, forcing them to stop even before they can finish praying.

"This is ridiculous, especially when freedom of worship is guaranteed in the Federal Constitution and the nation's leaders keep reiterating this," the Daily Express said.

Quoting a source, the paper also said a Christian lecturer had shown a letter from the Education Department to the Catholic Church of Sabah to the college director, Sawang Amit.

The letter concerned the college's move to stop non-Muslim students from praying inside.

But Swang denied any knowledge of the letter and said that there was no approval from the ministry to allow Christian students to pray inside, the news portal reported.

After failing to get a response from Sawang, the Daily Express contacted Deputy Education Minister I, Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching, on Friday.

Yap said the claims against the college were serious and the school's officers had been instructed to investigate them.

"We want to ascertain if there is any truth in the allegations. They will report back to me," she was quoted as saying.

The article also caught the attention of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan, who is the Kota Belud MP.

"This has been happening way too frequent. Normally apology's issued. But enough is enough. Action must be taken against the officers. #LMC," he said on Twitter this afternoon.

Rahman, who actively tweets via the handle @mpkotabelud, also posted a snapshot of the Daily Express' article.

"If this claim is true, immediate action must be taken by MOE (Education Ministry) officers to rectify and not repeat such incident."

The college, according to Daily Express, was also embroiled in a controversy in July 2012 when Christian students from Sabah and Sarawak were pressured to convert to another faith.

It was said three students allegedly converted but it could not be confirmed although a probe into it was called.

In October 2012, Catholic bishops in Sabah jointly signed a letter together with a report from the Sabah Catholic Diocesan Centre, and called for a full probe into allegations of attempts to convert non-Muslims in local institutions of higher education.

The letter was sent to the "highest authorities" with copies addressed to Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, as well as Tan Sri Bernard Dompok and Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, who were ministers from Sabah at the time.

In December 2012, the Education Ministry met with representatives from the Catholic Diocesan Centre over the matter. – November 29, 2014.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/ministry-looking-into-claims-sabah-christian-students-forced-to-pray-under#sthash.FC2bNdFA.dpuf

Passed over for promotions, Sarawak Dayaks seethe at civil service discrimination

 

A list of promotions, purportedly in the Sarawak Road Transport Department, has sparked outrage among Dayak professionals and civil servants in the state over what they see as proof of discrimination against non-Malay Bumiputera in the federal civil service.

The list, which has been posted on a blog and on Facebook, names eight Malay enforcement officers as “berjaya” (successful) in securing promotions from the N27 scale to N32, while three Dayak officers were listed as “simpanan”, or reserve.

To Dayaks – as Sarawak's indigenous people are called – the list confirms what they have felt all along and what has also been noted in the just-released Malaysia Human Development Report 2013 – that discrimination exists within the Bumiputera working in the civil service, with Malays given preference over natives.

The list was posted on November 25 on www.pengerindu.com, a blog on Dayak interests which has a wide following among Ibans, a branch of the Dayak people.

“Dayaks are only qualified to become 'reserves' until when? I fear the 'tsunami of young Dayaks' could undermine the Sarawak government if nothing is done to help the Dayaks," wrote the author of the post, Mr J.

The post, which has been shared on Facebook, drew sarcastic and angry comments, such as Mijin Asong's, whose original posting in the Iban language translates to "Pity us Ibans to be listed like that... this is clearly religious nepotism".

Another Facebook user, Cobbold John, said Dayaks were "pemain simpanan (reserve players)”, while one called Ribi Rayang said: “That is the reality".

She also joked that the abbreviation "AK" for "anak", (or son or daughter of in traditional Dayak names) actually stood for "Awak Kemudian (you later)".

Civil service recruitment

The Ibans, the largest Dayak ethnic group, make up about 60% of Sarawak's population. Chinese are 25.4% and Malays 22.2%.

The Malaysia Human Development Report, however, showed that federal civil service departments had hired Sabah and Sarawak Bumiputera at "lower than their population share".

In 2009, 6.5% of Bumiputera from Sabah, or 2,170, and 4.9% from Sarawak, or 1,631, were hired in federal departments, the report said, citing statistics from the Implementation and Coordination Unit in the Prime Minister's Department.

This was lower than their population share at 11% for Sabah and 8.7% for Sarawak.

In the earlier years of the New Economic Policy (NEP) from 1970 and 1985, three quarters of new public service jobs went to Malays, with top positions going to Malays, the report added.

“Among bureaucrats holding the most senior government posts, 80% were Malays and 6.3% were Chinese.

“While there is no data available for Sarawak and Sabah (for that period), an examination of the list of senior government officers in the state and statutory bodies reveals a similar trend.

“It is only in the police, armed forces and resident/district offices do we see a better representation of other ethnic groups.

“It is safe to say that very little has changed since the NEP period,” stated the report, which was commissioned by the United Nations Development Programme.

By 2005, data as of June that year showed that "Other Bumiputera" – the term used by the government to denote non-Malay, non-Muslim Bumiputera – only made up 7.8% of the civil service.

Malays, meanwhile, had the highest portion at 77.04%.

But the report also acknowledged that steps had been taken to increase the non-Malay Bumiputera representation in the civil service, and that there had been an increase in recent years.

"Emphasis in the future, now should now aim to strengthen representation at the management and professional levels," it said, warning that if not addressed, such imbalances could lead to "increased racial polarisation and perceived discrimination in our civil service".

In 2012, figures from the Public Service Department showed that there were 1.36 million civil servants, of whom 88.9% or 1.2 million were Bumiputera, but this was not broken down into Malay and non-Malay Bumiputera.

Keeping to the Malaysia Agreement

Despite the acknowledged increase, the effect on the ground has not been fully felt.

Sarawak's outspoken minister, Tan Sri Dr James Masing said the NEP, which was meant to give priority to Bumiputeras in the civil service, had failed to include non-Malay Bumiputera.

“When the NEP was created, it was done with the correct and noble intention. It was to give Bumiputera, the most disadvantaged group in Malaysia at that time, a launch pad to move forward.”

The federal government has also neglected its promise under the Malaysia Agreement to ensure that Sabah and Sarawak natives take charge of the federal civil service in their states, he added.

"If we consider the promised Borneonisation of the Sarawak civil service, then Dayak communities get a raw deal.

"Dayaks deserve more. We have the numbers. We have the necessary qualifications. The federal civil service mustn't marginalise us in civil service recruitment," Masing told The Malaysian Insider.

"Borneonisation" of the public service refers to the point in Sabah and Sarawak's agreement at the formation of Malaysia that indigenous people from these states would be appropriately represented in the civil service.

PKR's Ali Biju, the assemblyman for Saratok, agreed that Putrajaya ought to uphold this point in the Malaysia Agreement.

“It seems to have ended as the Malay-nisation of the civil service," Ali said.

Ali, an Iban, said young Dayak professionals and graduates “felt marginalised”, and the posting of the promotions list, as well as the Malaysia Human Development Report, have only served to confirm the Dayaks' suspicions that such discrimination had been happening.

“We have long suspected it and we believe it is happening at all levels of the civil service, from the top to the lowly jobs.

“We are the largest ethnic group in the state and the number of Dayaks in the federal civil service does not reflect that," he said.

Masing, meanwhile, urged Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun to ensure that more Sabah and Sarawak natives were not only recruited into the public service but given higher posts according to their capabilities. Entulu is the MP for Selangau, in Sarawak.

"The Public Service Department is under his ministerial purview... it is my hope that he will look at recruitment along these lines to remedy the imbalance," Masing said. – November 30, 2014.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/passed-over-for-promotions-sarawak-dayaks-seethe-at-civil-service-discrimin#sthash.qV3Dx1b6.dpuf

PM: Learn from Dr M's mistake with Chinese votes

 

UMNO AGM Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has reminded Umno delegates of Dr Mahathir Mohamad's defeat in the 1969 general election after declaring that he did not need Chinese votes.
  
"How many times has Mahathir mentioned about his loss in the election during the (Umno assemblies)... the Malay votes were not enough (for him to win)," he added.

"He accidentally said he did not need Chinese votes and he lost, that is a lesson for him," he told delegates in his winding-up speech.

As such, Najib said declaring that the ruling coalition did not need Chinese votes was akin to the Malay proverb: "menang sorak, kampung tergadai" (Cheering but not gaining anything).

"Use your brains (guna akal)," he added.

The prime minister raised this after several delegates at the Umno general assembly this week took aim at Chinese voters for not supporting BN and urged the government to ignore them.

Using another example, Najib cited BN's recent victory in the Pengkalan Kubor by-election, where the Siamese community there only numbered 1,700.

"They are not many but if all of them went over to the opposition, we would have a 3,400-vote deficit; we would have lost," he said.

He added that former prime ministers Tunku Abdul Rahman and Abdul Razak Hussein would not have created the Alliance and BN respectively if they knew that Chinese votes were not needed.

"Surely there must be a reason. If we don't need their votes, what is the need for the Alliance and BN?" he said.

He added that the social contract was not only about winning elections but also for nation-building.

As such, Najib reiterated that the concept of BN had to be defended, but not at the expense of what is dear to the Malay community.

'Will Umno president be PM three years on?'

 

UMNO AGM Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin is unsure if Umno members can still address party president Najib Abdul Razak as "prime minister" in the party's convention three years from now.

Based on a simulation of BN’s position in the next general election, he said the coalition may only win 103 seats, which is a two percent drop from the 133 seats it won in the last polls.

"I don't know if in the next three years, whether we can address our president as prime minister or not," he said in his winding-up speech at the Umno general assembly today.

"If we want to address this, our initiatives must be wholehearted. Let's increase our seats to 141. Can we do this?" Muhyiddin (right) asked the delegates.

Receiving a less than enthusiastic "yes", he said: "That's not loud enough. That means you are not confident".

At this, the delegates then responded with a resounding "yes".

"With hard work, we can increase our seats to 159," said Muhyiddin.

"The next election is at least 39 months from now. The question is, with such a short amount of time, what are the new initiatives we can implement to return people's confidence?" he asked.

Registration numbers worrying

Earlier, Umno vice-president Shafie Apdal (left) told delegates that the low voter registration from BN component parties is worrying.

Citing the Election Commission's statistics from its database, he said only 256 MCA members, 266 MIC members, and 373 Gerakan members registered as voters from June 2013 to Sept 2014.

"This is very worrying. As such, the party president (Najib Abdul Razak) has asked me to meet all BN component parties so that a national movement can be done," he said.

As for DAP, he said 9,309 had registered as voters while Umno saw 5,939 members registering.

Shafie then stressed that the party's survival was not based on laungan (shouts) only. We need to regain the seats we lost in the next general election," he added.

Have guts, Isma tells 'talk big' Najib

 

Calling on Najib Abdul Razak to keep his word, Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) vice-president Abdul Rahman Mat Dali said the prime minister’s problem is his ‘anti-Malay’ advisers.

“Najib usually talks big (about Malay issues) during the (Umno) general assembly, but when he returns to Putrajaya, he will be straightened by his non-Muslim and anti-Malay advisers.

“So this time, we want to see a PM who is more courageous and credible.

“And therefore restoring the Malay community's and Umno’s confidence, which has eroded due to Najib’s weak leadership,” he added.

Abdul Rahman reminded Najib, who is also Umno president, not to betray the trust of the Malays and bumiputera in the issue of economic development.

He said during his policy speech at the Umno general assembly, Najib had said that Umno and BN are committed to strengthening the Malay and bumiputera’s economic status.

Therefore, he said, Najib must keep his promise.

“What has been said must be translated into action; don’t just dish out rhetoric,” he told Ismaweb today.

Rahman said there is no point that whenever Umno meets, there are fiery speeches but nothing happens.

“Year after year, there are no significant changes to the Malay and bumiputera economy,” he added.

Najib served legal notice over Hisham Rais video

 

Lawyers of activist Hishamuddin Rais have sent Prime Minister Najib Razak a legal letter over a video clip shown at this week's Umno general assembly that the former claims has "demonised" their client.

"On Nov 27, Najib Razak screened a short video clip during his speech at Umno assembly which portrayed activist Hishamuddin Rais (left) as a danger to society and as a person with a tendency to commit sedition.

"This uncalled for attack on our client by the prime minister personally, creates a real danger of prejudice to his right to a fair trial in the sedition charge against him which is now pending in KL Sessions Court," said lawyers Latheefa Koya and N Surendran in a statement today.

On Thursday Najib announced his U-turn on his pre-election 2012 promise to abolish the Sedition Act, to a standing ovation from Umno delegates present at the AGM in Kuala Lumpur.

The PM reportedly showed a video during his speech to drum up support for his highly anticipated announcement.

"The public demonising of our client was unjust and disturbing.

"The speech was widely aired on TV and other news media," said the lawyers.

The notice also demanded that  Najib "cease screenings or dissemination of the video at the remainder of the Umno assembly" or make any other allegations while the case is still pending in court.

The lawyers added that they have also reserved “Hisham's right to file contempt proceedings against Najib” and is awaiting the premier’s response before proceeding with the next course of action.

Meanwhile, Hishamuddin Rais in a separate statement said that the video clip screening would affect the decision of his on-going trial.

“The clip which was shown during the Umno annual general assembly will influence the verdict in my trial.”

He added that the reason for sending the legal notice was to warn Najib not to disseminate the video clip, especially during the current Umno general assembly.

Hishamuddin was charged under the Sedition Act 1948 on May 13 last year for a remark made at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall during a forum on the 1969 racial riots.

His statement was deemed to be inflammatory and seen as propagating a change in government by illegal means.

As Sedition Act stays, IGP wants it made easier to charge

(Malay Mail Online) – The Sedition Act should be “improved” to make it easier for authorities to prosecute those who violate the law, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said.

Despite the already low threshold of the law that criminalises speech with an undefined “seditious tendency” and without need to prove intent, Khalid urged the Attorney-General’s Chambers to draft amendments soon that will help police present charges against those accused of sedition.

“I welcome the retention of the Sedition Act in conditions when the freedom of speech, opinion, writing and many more have been misused. This Act is a law that is very suited to address the problem,” Khalid was quoted as saying by Malay daily Utusan Malaysia today.

“We also ask that some parts (of the Sedition Act) be reinforced to, among others, make the process of charging those responsible for such crimes,” he continued.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday declared that the Sedition Act 1948 will remain, in an about-turn from his earlier pledge in 2012 to repeal the colonial era law.

He also announced that the Act will be strengthened with two extra provisions: one prohibiting insults against all religions, and the other prohibiting talks of Sabah and Sarawak seceding from Malaysia.

In his policy speech at the start of the 65th Umno General Assembly, he said the decision was made after consultation with party leaders, NGOs and grassroots members.

As part of his administration’s raft of reforms, the prime minister had in 2012 pledged to do away with the Sedition Act and replace it with laws on national harmony.

Despite the pledge, Putrajaya has in recent months increased its use of the law to hitherto unseen levels.

In just nine months this year, 12 cases have been prosecuted under the Sedition Act ― the highest figure since 2009 ― raising alarm in civil society of the government’s perceived clampdown on dissent.

Umno leaders and many self-styled Malay groups have been fighting hard to convince the Najib government to retain the Act, even going as far as saying there is a need to tighten it further to include provisions that specifically prohibits individuals from insulting Islam, the Malay race and the rulers.

Zahid pledges to step-up arrests under Sedition Act

Home Minister pledges he will step up action under the new Sedition Act in a speech in which he received thunderous applause.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, in his winding up speech at the Umno General Assembly, pledged that he would step up action under the new Sedition Act and asked, “Do I look hardcore? Do I look like a fundamentalist?” and to which he received thunderous applause for.

“I am here because you voted for me. I am placed here by the prime minister and you to be the home minister.”

Delving into figures, he said 40 people were charged under the Sedition Act in 2010 and a further 12 this year alone.

“I promise when this Act has been strengthened by the prime minister, I will continue to take action against the offenders,” he said.

‘Don’t just push things to the police, the police are already investigating and conducting the arrests.”

He urged the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission and Attorney-General’s Chambers, to assist the police in securing prosecutions under the Sedition Act.

Sultans did not request road name changes

The FT Ministry's decision to change the names of the roads in the city was to honour the former kings.
FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: The change of names of nine roads in the city was not made upon the request of the Conference of Rulers, but was the decision of the Federal Territories Ministry.

Its minister, Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, said the decision was made because the former Kings were part of the country’s history and that the people should remember their names.

“The idea to change the names of those main roads did not come from the Conference of Rulers (as reported by alternative media portals), but was from the ministry.

“It was done with the aim to remind city dwellers, and Malaysians as a whole, of the names of our former Yang di-Pertuan Agong as they were part of Malaysia’s monarch system,” Tengku Adnan (left) told Bernama when contacted in Kuala Lumpur today.

The Kuala Lumpur City Council in a recent statement announced new names for Jalan Duta, Jalan Khidmat Usaha, Jalan Ipoh, Persiaran Duta, Jalan Khidmat Setia and Jalan Ibadah, Lebuhraya Mahameru, Persiaran Mahameru and Jalan Semarak.

The new names for the roads are Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim, Jalan Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Persiaran Tunku Syed Sirajuddin, Jalan Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, Lebuhraya Sultan Iskandar, Persiaran Tuanku Ja’afar and Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra, respectively.

The change took effect on Nov 26.

- BERNAMA

Muhyddin: Retaining Putrajaya a case of ‘do or be dead’

DPM says his job and the PM’s are on the line unless BN bucks up and ensures 44 grey areas do not fall into Pakatan Rakyat’s hands.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin gave a sobering winding-up speech today, cautioning Umno delegates that Barisan Nasional could end up losing Putrajaya if they dropped 2 per cent in votes in the next general elections.

Saying it was a question of “do or die”, Muhyiddin added, “If our situation doesn’t improve, if the debates we have had, the numerous talks on rejuvenation have not raised awareness, then we will experience a 2% drop in votes and will only win 103 seats.”

Arguing that two per cent was not a lot to ask for, he warned that should BN fail in achieving it, this might be the last time Umno delegates could address Najib Razak as their prime minister, or him as deputy prime minister.

Muhyddin also spoke about 44 “grey” areas that had been identified that risked falling into the hands of Pakatan Rakyat.

Saying 39 months was a very short time to make amends till the next general election, he added, “We are in a very dangerous situation” and asked what new programmes and initiatives could be carried in order to regain the confidence of the people, particularly the young.

General elections aside, Muhyiddin, who is also minister of education, said his ministry supported the teaching of a compulsory third language like Mandarin or Tamil in national schools.

He also dwelt on the logistics of such an undertaking, saying the ministry would require some 30,000 language teachers should the suggestion take shape and be implemented.

Triple politics of fear, hate and lies at the UMNO General Assembly

By Lim Kit Siang

The UMNO General Assemblies this week have been a disastrous demonstration of the triple divisive and dirty politics of fear, hate and lies.

The underlying theme of the UMNO General Assemblies was to propagate the siege mentality that the Malays and Islam are under attack, but not to allow any critical or rational thinking and inquiry as to whether and how after 57 years of UMNO rule under six UMNO Prime Ministers, the Malays and Islam are under siege in 2014.

If Malays and Islam are indeed under siege today, then UMNO which has ruled the country for 57 years with six UMNO Prime Ministers, must bear the fullest responsibility and blame.

Are the present UMNO leaders, led by Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as UMNO President and Deputy President as well as Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister respectively, prepared to admit that the 57 years of UMNO rule and the six UMNO Prime Ministers since 1957 had been such dismal failures as to result in Malays and Islam facing unprecedented siege in the nation’s history?

If 57-year UMNO rule under six UMNO Prime Ministers have brought such disastrous results to the Malays and Islam, then the answer must be found in removing UMNO from Putrajaya and not in perpetuating UMNO rule at the national level!

The politics of fear, hate and lies at the UMNO General Assemblies with the daily diet of Chinese and non-Malay bashing are detrimental to Malaysian nation-building.

Fortunately, they do not find support among the majority of rational Malaysians, whether Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans or Ibans, who find what happened at the UMNO General Assemblies most shocking and outrageous.

One UMNO delegate said “We have become slaves in our own land” while another called for the use of “1 Melayu” in replacement of “1 Malaysia” slogan.

The success of Penang were alleged to be because of illegal businesses and crimes in broad daylight committed by the Chinese in the state while the Chinese community in Kedah was accused of burning the Quran “page by page during a prayer ritual”.

The lies about the Chinese community in Kedah being guilty of having “burned the Quran page by page during a prayer ritual”, made by the former Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Mashitah Ibrahim, is the worst example of the lies and falsehoods perpetrated at the UMNO General Assemblies.

What is most outrageous is that she betrayed neither regret nor remorse when it was pointed to her that the Kedah Mentri Besar, Mukriz Mahathir had admitted that it was a mentally-ill Malay individual in Alor Setar who had been arrested for tearing the Quran and who is being detained at the psychiatric ward and that there was no burning involved.

All she could offer was the weak excuse that she had been told of a different version of the incident by the Kuala Kedah UMNO Wanita Chief.

Was it a mentally-ill Malay individual who had torn the Quran or was it the Chinese community in Kedah which burned the Quran “by by page during a prayer ritual”?

Who had told a lie – Mashitah or Mukriz Mahathir?

If DAP or any Pakatan Rakyat leader had made similar provocative and baseless speech which was made by Mashitah, which seriously undermined inter-racial and inter-religious pace and harmony not only in Kedah but throughout the country, the police would have pounced on the DAP or PR leader, who would be in jail within 24 hours.

But Mashitah is confident that like all other UMNO leaders, she enjoys immunity and impunity to make the most provocative, incendiary and seditious speeches, even when they are based on lies and falsehoods in furtherance of the UMNO politics of fear and hatein Malaysia’s plural society.

This was the reason for her arrogance and contempt at the police report which DAP wanita leaders, namely Teo Nie Ching (MP for Kulai), Kasthuri Patto (MP for Batu Kawan), Dyana Sofia Mohd Daud and Syefura Othman had lodged against her for her politics of fear, hate and lies perpetrating the falsehood that the Chinese community in Kedah had burned the Quran.

Mashitah even challenged the DAP wanita leaders to sue her. There is no reason for the DAP Wanita leaders to sue Mashitah, for she will stand out as another glaring example of double standards of Barisan Nasional government in enforcing the law, the reason for the national reaction of shock and horror at Najib’s announcement that the Sedition Act will not only be retained but strengthened.

The message at the UMNO General Assemblies is that if UMNO loses in the forthcoming general elections, the Malays will be damned.

This is in fact the clearest admission by the UMNO leadership of the dismal failure of UMNO after 57 years of UMNO government through six UMNO Prime Ministers.

If UMNO had been successful in protecting the legitimate interests of the Malays and all other communities, the message it should be sending out is that whether UMNO wins or loses in the coming general elections, the rights and interests of the Malays are assured and fully protected.

Can UMNO leaders explain why they are incapable of sending out such a message?

(Speech at a coffee-shop dialogue in Taman University, Gelang Patah on Saturday, Novembr 29, 2014 at 11 am)

Is this the party that gave us the Tunku, Dr M?

Umno was the party that moved for Malaya's independence and later the formation of Malaysia together with Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore.

Back then, Umno was a party of civil servants and intellectuals that advanced the cause of the Malays.

But if after the first couple of days of the Umno general assembly, Malaysians still believe in this party that gave us giants such as Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, Tun Hussein Onn and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, they must be: a) suffering from permanent brain damage b) illiterate c) recent "citizens" d) Umno members e) all of the above.

It is not only the ridiculous fighting talk that has been nauseating, but the sheer obtuse nature of the debate and for want of a more palatable word, stupidity at display.

It is the ruling party since Merdeka, that is some 57 years ago, and yet it talks of an economic jihad for the Malays and Bumiputera as if the government it controls has done nothing.

It is the ruling party with access to all security information and yet one leader can brazenly say a Quran has been burnt in Kedah without any proof, and with a denial from no one less than the Kedah menteri besar.

It is a party obsessed with trivial issues such as the girth of its members rather than the shrinking wallets of Malaysian citizens – be it the urban worker or the smallholder facing a crunch from falling
commodity prices.

It is a party that should discuss ideas for the future but yet it still wants to talk about the past or show slides of the May 13 riot.

How has this grand Malay nationalist party sunk to be a caricature of itself where intelligent debate has given way to shrill laments and calls for unity? Isn't it ironic that these calls for unity are for a party named the United Malays National Organisation?

Dr Mahathir urged delegates to criticise the leadership for their missteps while Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi warned that laws such as Sedition Act is no guarantee to keep Umno in power forever.

Yet, was any of this discussed or debated?

Instead, it has turned into an orgy of blame against everyone but themselves over issues such as the economy and the drift of young Malays to other parties.

The reality is simple. This is Umno Baru: a pale shadow of the real Umno that had everyone's respect and support in first few decades of Malaysia's existence.

And in today's Umno, jokes get recycled, and some get elected too. – November 29, 2014.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/is-this-the-party-that-gave-us-the-tunku-dr-m#sthash.x8a3aMES.dpuf

Press Release | Repeal of Sedition Act 1948: A Promise Unfulfilled

The Malaysian Bar is very disappointed that the Prime Minister is reported in the news media as having said that the Sedition Act 1948 will not be repealed, and therefore he would not be keeping his promise in this regard.  As we ordinarily understand it, a promise is a commitment to carry through a matter despite difficult circumstances, and not only when it is convenient to do so.

The Malaysian Bar is further appalled that the Prime Minister is not only reneging on the promise he made two years ago to repeal the Sedition Act 1948, but that he intends to “strengthen” it.  It is ludicrous that Malaysians would not only be prohibited from discussing and debating issues of public and national interest, or constitutional matters, but would be criminally punished for doing so.  This is highly oppressive, and represents a lurch towards authoritarianism.  It is delusional to imagine that such draconian legislation would foster national peace and harmony.

It is folly to think that the Sedition Act 1948 is our answer to maintaining and promoting peace and harmony. There is nothing in the history of the Sedition Act 1948 and its use — either previously or currently — that supports any such notion.  This is unsurprising, because the Sedition Act 1948 was not designed nor intended to achieve true peace and harmony.  Its sole purpose was to entrench power and control by denying democratic rights and space through suppression and punishment.  Far from promoting a culture of meaningful, frank and robust discourse, the Sedition Act 1948 criminalises questions, criticisms and expressions of thought.  In our pursuit for peace and harmony, we must accept that questions, criticisms and disagreements are integral to the learning and maturing process.

In genuinely wanting peace and harmony, we should be honest with ourselves as to what the real causes of disharmony are in Malaysia.

In many instances, disharmony in Malaysia arises from insecurity, the exploitation of such insecurity, and the inability or unwillingness to deal with questions, criticisms or differing views in a mature manner.

There are quarters in Malaysia who have created an environment of disharmony — misinterpreting and abusing the Federal Constitution, distorting our history, exploiting insecurities, and resorting to scare-mongering and threats of, or incitement to, violence against property or persons, as a response to questions, criticisms or differing views.  These people are not brought to account by the law.  Instead, the Sedition Act 1948 is used against the persons who raise questions, concerns or criticisms.

In maintaining the Sedition Act 1948, we would be playing into the hands of, and caving to, pressure by these irresponsible quarters.  It is not peace and harmony that would be achieved through the maintenance of the Sedition Act 1948, but a perpetuation of disharmony.  Recent events, the abuse of the Sedition Act 1948, and the current disharmony in Malaysia directly inform us of this.

Achieving real and lasting peace and harmony requires commitment and hard work, and not the criminalisation of criticisms and expressions of thought.  Will our other national leaders also renege on their publicly stated stance against the Sedition Act 1948?  Will they take the easy option or do the right thing instead?

The Malaysian Bar calls upon the Government to abide by and put into effect its promise to repeal the Sedition Act 1948, and to propose new national harmony legislation that would serve to promote and achieve genuine peace and harmony.

 

Christopher Leong

President

Malaysian Bar

Do Not Dispute Anymore The Rights Of The Malays, Rulers And Islam - Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- The 2014 Umno general assembly ended today with a firm and clear message from the party president that the special rights and privileges of the Malays, rulers and Islam, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, should no longer be questioned.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Malaysians should stop fighting over the matter and to focus on efforts to further develop the country.

"There is a limit to freedom. Freedom is not absolute. (One) cannot insult Islam, cannot challenge the special rights and privileges of the Malays, cannot question the monarchy system, the Royal Malay Regiment and we safeguard the interests of other races.

"Then, there will be peace. Always fighting, no work can be done. I want us to focus on developing our beloved Malaysia. We want to bring Malaysia forward," he said in his speech when winding up the assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre on Saturday.

His speech was greeted with loud applause from the more than 2,700 delegates in the Merdeka Hall.

Najib said the Sedition Act 1948 was retained based on his responsibility to maintain national peace and harmony as well as to handle the action of certain groups who disputed the federal constitution.

"People say that the Sedition Act is not democratic, the international press attack me. (Accuse) that I went back on my word, use pressure.

"I want to inform, my responsibility as the prime minister is to maintain peace and security in our country," said Najib, who announced the retention of the Sedition Act 1948 when delivering his Presidential Policy Speech on Thursday.

Recalling how Malaysia gained its independence, enjoy peace and racial harmony in the country of various races and religions, he said that the solidarity concept was the key to success.

Najib also explained that the solidarity that he had emphasised when delivering the presidential policy speech and had become the topic of debate at the Umno General Assembly this time meant: 'unite in one strong and solid force'.

Showing the audience a copy of the Sept 1, 1957 issue of The Sunday Times, Najib said the words by the country's first Prime Minister, the late Tunku Abdul Rahman, "Look at the past with gratitude, look to the future with confidence", remained relevant until Saturday.

He said the confidence was attained from the struggle by Umno since pre-Independence until today.

However, Najib drew the delegates' attention on the need for Umno and BN to continue to win the support of other races.

He said it was not possible for the past national leaders to form the Alliance Party, which represented the three largest ethnic groups in the country, and later rebranded as BN, if it did not benefit the Malays.

"That is why it is important for us to look after BN, but not to the extent of sacrificing principles which are close to the heart of the Malays.

"People say Malays are fair, firm, then why the need for the social contract and so on? It is because we are not only concerned about the election, but also to build a nation (Malaysia) and race that is successful," he added.

Meanwhile, Najib also blasted the opposition pact which he described as "the mother of all corruption" for attempting to offer a substantial amount of money to an Umno leader to bring a BN member of parliament to join the opposition in 2008.

The prime minister criticised the practice of nepotism by the opposition which 'sacrificed' an innocent member of the party merely to make way for others to hold position.

"(The opposition) can ask their elected representative to step down (because) the wife wanted to contest. Asked an innocent menteri besar (MB) to step down because the wife wanted to become MB.

"This is the biggest nepotism. Why don't we blame him. Attack the opposition," he pointed out.

Referring to the rejuvenation issue which was hotly debated by the delegates at the general assembly this time, Najib reminded the 3.47 million party members that Umno had to draw up the best strategy to realise the party cadreship agenda.

Realising the 'coolness' between a small section of the old leaders and the new which had existed even from before, he again stressed the importance of all the generations in Umno to cooperate to move in a single direction.

"If we have to look behind us and feel that there are people wanting to attack us, then we will never achieve solidarity. But, in the meantime, where necessary (we) give a chance," said Najib.

However, he said, the opportunity would only be given to the young people who were truly qualified and fulfilled the traits of future Umno leaders that had been outlined.

Najib said what was important was that every Umno member must rejuvenate the spirit of the Umno struggle in themselves.

Doktor: Setiap butir nasi yang dimakan adalah kera

Pertahan tanah Melayu: Umno hampir gaduh dengan pelajar

Palestinian Preacher at Key Holy Site Calls on Allah to ‘Annihilate America’

A Palestinian Muslim preacher ranted against the United States and Israel at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque, where he called on Allah to “annihilate America” and “cut off their heads.”

“Oh Allah, annihilate America and its coalition,” preacher Ali Abu Ahmad said. “Oh Allah, enable us to cut off their heads. Oh Allah, help our brothers, the mujahideen in the land of Iraq and Syria.”

According to the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), which found video of the impromptu sermon and translated it, Abu Ahmad spoke Friday at the Al-Aqsa mosque on the Temple Mount, the holiest site in Judaism and third holiest site to Muslims after Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia.

Shouting so he could get the attention of other worshippers and waving his hands to emphasize his points, Abu Ahmad called for the establishment of an Islamic caliphate and appeared to warn against the danger of U.S. military strikes on Islamic State group strongholds.

“Do you want America to bring you a caliphate tailored to its interests? Such a caliphate would sanction the killing of Muslims, would shed their blood, and would violate the honor of their women, in the name of Islam,” the Palestinian said according to MEMRI.

“Absolutely not, oh servants of Allah. We want a caliphate in the path of the Prophet, which will protect lives, will defend women’s honor, and will liberate Jerusalem from the Jews, the most vile of creatures,” he added.

Abu Ahmad appealed to Muslims to “seek refuge in Allah the Almighty, the Avenger” and warned the current time was “merely a prelude” to the “elimination” of the Jews both in Israel and overseas.

Read more: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/11/26/palestinian-preacher-at-key-holy-site-calls-on-allah-to-annihilate-america/

Muslim Grooming Gang Jailed In Bristol, One Of The Paedophiles Claimed Its “A Religious Requirement”.

By Kafir Crusaders

Details of the first case, which happened in 2013, can only now be reported after legal restrictions were lifted

Thirteen men have been convicted of a string of child sex crimes in Bristol involving the abuse, rape and prostitution of teenage girls.

Bristol Crown Court heard one victim, aged 16, was assaulted by five Somali men after she was moved to the city while in the care of another authority.

Her 14-year-old sister was raped by a member of the gang while visiting her.

The inquiry led to police uncovering another gang of Somali origin who had been abusing four other girls.

The four teenagers were paid £30 or given drugs, alcohol and gifts to perform sex acts on older men from the Somali community.

‘Shocked and shaken’

The court heard some were persuaded to have sex with other gang members as they were told by the gang it was Somali “culture and tradition” and “men always have sex with each other’s girlfriends”.

One 13-year-old victim was raped four times by three different men in a Premier Inn in Bristol city centre.

A statement from the Bristol Somali community said: “The community is deeply shocked and shaken by the outcome of this case. They are unforgivable acts of cruelty against the most vulnerable members of our community.”

Malays will lose out if RMAF base turned into art centre – Bernama

The proposed development of the current site of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base in Butterworth into an art and recreational centre is a threat to the future wellbeing of the Malays in Penang.

Permatang Pauh Umno division leader Datuk Mohd Zaidi Mohd Said said the proposed project in an area covering 430ha would also affect the geopolitics of the Malays.

He wanted Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak to intervene and shelve plans to develop the site.

In the speech when debating the presidential policy speech, Zaidi said the RMAF base was in the Air Tawar state constituency, which was won by Umno.

According to reports, the current site of the RMAF base in Butterworth would be developed into an art and recreation centre by a private company through a land exchange concept, whereby it would provide a new site for the RMAF base.

Zaidi claimed that the proposed project would also involve the construction of luxury beach homes. – Bernama, November 28, 2014.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/malays-will-lose-out-if-rmaf-base-turned-into-art-centre-bernama#sthash.BfinAl28.dpuf

Malaysian footballers caught smoking in national team jerseys

A photo posted on Facebook of Malaysia’s national footballers smoking in their team jerseys has been making its rounds online.

The footballers are in Singapore ahead of their Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup Group B clash against Singapore tomorrow.

The players are in the yellow and black jerseys of the Malaysia team. Striker Safee Sali is visibly smoking in the picture.

The photo was posted on Facebook today by a Facebook user "Jose Raymond" at 9.50am.

In the post, he said: “Here’s one reason why I am confident our Lions will go through to the semi-finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup. At least have the decency to remove your national colours. Recognise any of them? Tsk tsk tsk.”

Raymond, who is chief executive officer at the Singapore Environment Council, went on to say in the comments section that the photo was taken while the players were having supper at a coffeeshop near the hotel where the team is staying.

“Also serves as a reminder to all of us that the world is a very different place today and you are being watched all the time, regardless where we are, especially so when we are public figures,” Raymond added.

Speaking to TODAY, local footballer and Tanjong Pagar United captain Hafiz Osman feels that what happens off the field is the player’s “personal responsibility”.

“(Safee Sali) should have gone to a quieter place so that no one could see him when he took a puff,” Osman said.

Calling him one of the best strikers in Malaysia, Osman added that he “is human after all” and “you cannot judge him based on his actions”. – TODAY Online, November 28, 2014.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/malaysian-footballers-caught-smoking-in-team-jerseys#sthash.RLIDP6Eq.dpuf

Is Umno the right party to help poor Bumiputera?

Umno wants more control of the nation’s economic levers to raise the income of Bumiputera to be on par with other communities.

This is despite the fact it has been in power for more than 50 years and has limited success in this endeavour with all its affirmative action policies.

The first part was clearly the gist of the grassroots' debate at its assembly yesterday, while the second was the part it would not admit.

For who else was responsible for the affirmative action policies that were supposed to eradicate income disparities between Bumiputera and non-Bumiputera?

Yet the irony – demanding more chances after it had wasted so many – was lost on the party’s delegates.

What was of greater concern was not just that Umno members were demanding their leaders continue policies to “improve the lot of Bumiputera” but their refusal to give up on methods and the same policies that have failed the Malays.

Party must control government

Delegates, who are essentially representing the grassroots, started debating on the Bumiputera economic agenda since Thursday.

Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin of Perlis Umno railed against a civil service policy forbidding government departments and agencies from accepting support letters from politicians.

These support letters, usually written by elected representatives, accompany applications for almost everything, from loans to contracts.

Zahidi wanted party leaders, such as the president-cum-prime minister, to cancel this policy.

“The party must control the government,” said Zahidi, who is also Padang Besar MP.

His colleague from Federal Territory Umno, Datuk Norainah Musa, seconded this in her speech, saying that support letters from Umno division leaders should also be accepted.

“What’s wrong with support letters from division leaders? Are our signatures only valuable during an election?” asked Norainah.

Another favourite demand was that Petronas and other government-linked companies must be compelled to choose Bumiputera companies as vendors.

“Even (former prime minister) Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had said Petronas’s responsibility is to help local companies, especially Bumiputera ones,” said Pahang Umno delegate, Datuk Maznah Abdul Hamid.

Another “prescription” is that the government encourage lower-income Bumiputera households to dabble in small businesses to earn an extra income.

This, they said, could be done through microcredit loans under Tekun Nasional and more entrepreneur skills-training programmes under Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia.

Is Umno the right one for the job?

The delegates' intention is not misplaced.

A Khazanah study on the state of households showed that there is inter-ethnic inequality even after more than 40 years of affirmative action.

The median household income for Bumiputera is RM3,282, while for Indians it is RM3,676 and Chinese, RM4,643.

Economist Azrul Azwa Ahmad Tajudin said the data justified the argument that affirmative action must continue.

The trick is how to do it without repeating past mistakes.

Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah, who listened to the delegates, said a Bumiputera-only economic agenda would not be effective.

“The Bumiputera have to accept that there are other communities, so any economic agenda must be inclusive.”

This is since the private sector, which contributes 48% to gross domestic product, was not as easily demarcated along ethnic lines, he said.

Company workers, managers, along with consumers, for instance, were made up of members of all communities who interacted in ways which are too complex for a mono-ethnic policy to work, said Ahmad Husni, who is also Second Finance Minister.

Azrul Azwa said that too much of the debate on reducing the wealth gap had focused on increasing Bumiputera corporate equity to 30%, a favourite talking point at Umno assemblies, including this one.

“More emphasis should be on what the man-on-the-street really needs to increase his income and to deal with cost of living pressure.”

Much of the approach of the past has also created a section of society dependent on subsidies and handouts, which are easily used for political gain, he said.

And then there is the emphasis on entrepreneurship, which automatically assumes every low-income household can be successful at business.

“Many people are good wage earners and workers. More focus should be given to increase their wages,” said Azrul Azwar.

The obsession with entrepreneurship then becomes a way of not dealing with a key structural problem with the Malaysian economy – that it is based on the creation of low-value products at low cost and low wages.

This structure ensures that wages for Malaysians would always be suppressed because Malaysian companies could choose foreign workers who worked for peanuts, he said.

“And the government continues to allow this to happen.” – November 29, 2014.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/is-umno-the-right-party-to-help-poor-bumiputera#sthash.MFgNPPkJ.dpuf

Doc: Each grain of rice you eat is due to Umno

 

UMNO AGM Kedah Umno delegate Dr Mohamad Nawar Ariffin said he is a medical specialist now because of Umno.

Therefore, he expressed gratitude to the party, which has "contributed immensely to the Malay community."

"I told my 12-year-old child that every grain of rice you eat is because of Umno," he said during the Umno general assembly in Kuala Lumpur today.

However, Nawar (left)  lamented that most of his friends, who now have "a lot of money and high positions", like to accuse Umno of corruption.

"Don't be like my friends who have become rich but like to accuse Umno of corruption.

"What is most important is our contribution to society," he said, when debating Umno president Najib Abdul Razak's policy speech.

Umno is 'sick' and needs treatment

Earlier, Nawar had admitted that support for Umno had decreased as the party is "sick", therefore requiring "medicine".

He then pointed out that people prefer to go to private hospitals and clinics due to the "quality and security".

"Reflecting on this, I am sure that if our quality is high, we will be accepted by all.

"If our leaders have no quality, minta maaflah... (sorry to say). Do we want to go to clinics for low quality medicine?" he queried.

In order for more quality leaders to be created, he said they must possess integrity and pay attention to detail.

"Also, the approach must be based on performance. For example, if you give the same medicine but the person is still sick, that means the medicine is not working.

"And all these (becoming high quality leaders), must come from the heart," he added.

Forget Chinese votes, says Umno delegate

 

UMNO AGM Umno leaders have been told not to waste their time in getting Chinese votes as it will be a futile effort.

Perak delegate Mohd Radzi Manan (right) said this is because their votes will not increase for the BN.

"Getting their votes is like curah air di padang pasir (pouring water on sand, futile). Their votes won't increase.

"(Therefore), Umno must go back to their own race (the Malays)," said the Kampar division leader.

Mohd Radzi also rapped Umno leaders for going back to the 'kapitan Cina' (Chinese capitan) after winning the elections.

"When wanting votes, they go to the Malays, but when they win, they go back to the Chinese kapitan," he said.

Mohd Radzi, who was debating Umno president Najib Abdul Razak’s policy speech, however did not specify any particular individual when mentioning the Chinese Kapitan.

Meanwhile, he also advised Umno leaders to be closer to the younger generation.

“We should ask whether our policies make them happy and whether they are satisfied with how we spend money.

“Because they have no problems with the Penang bridge but for the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M), they consider it a waste,” he said.

At this juncture, he urged the party’s Youth wing to “do more”.

“Wake up, Umno Youth. You are not doing enough,” he said.

He also urged that Puteri Umno be fortified, lamenting that its chief, Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, was only an MP.

“She is only an MP, there is not much that she can do.

“If we do not give the ‘vehicle’, how can they (Umno Youth and Puteri Umno) move,” he asked.

3mil Umno members deciding for 30mil citizens

 

The Sedition Act is here to stay. The members of Umno attending their annual general meeting gave a thunderous applause as Najib Abdul Razak, their party president, announced, “Hence I, as the prime minister, decided that the Sedition Act 1948 will remain.”

Najib’s surprise U-turn on his stand comes closely behind the heels of its Youh chief Khairy Jamaluddin’s alarm when he blazed that “without it (the Act) to protect us, the nation would be in ruins”.

But Najib’s shocking announcement was also preceded by a wiser Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (Pak Lah) cautioning that “Umno’s power and strength comes from the people’s support. Remember, if the people no longer support us, there is no law on God’s earth that can save Umno from losing power.”

The nation’s 30 million citizens, minus Umno’s 3 million members, would also take note of what Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa said, in reaction to the shocking announcement by Najib.

As a member of the National Unity Consultative Council that was convened to draft a new bill to replace the draconian law, Mujahid said the Sedition Act also had a low burden of proof and was exposed to misuse as to the meaning of the word sedition.

He added that in contrast, the proposed National Harmony Act tightened the burden of proof aspect and also offered protection on freedom of speech.

But to what avail? It seems now that Najib has stuck with his mantra of ‘endless possibilities’ like a leech.

What is most perturbing is how millions around the globe will perceive all these.

As Jack Trout advocates, “Perceptions are really what make you and break you,” Najib needs to know foremost that he stood for the entire nation, deciding and speaking on behalf of 30 million Malaysians on the Umno platform that boasts of only 3 million citizens.

A national decision made on a party platform? Should not such a serious decision with far reaching implications and reverberations not have been made in Parliament where the government rules?

And as we examine the sentiments and arguments postulated at the Umno assembly justifying the need for the resurrection of the draconian rule, surely the nation at large will begin to also wander in the window light of Pak Lah’s caution.

Many will also wonder what would Najib do if five million citizens agreed that it has to be a ‘no go’ for the Sedition Act? Would the three million voices of Umno still overrule the majority voice?

The Sedition Act announcement signals loudly that for as long as Umno thinks its enemies are the nation’s own citizens, it has only crippled its hopes for national transformation; and for as long as Umno leaders think that laws alone will protect the party’s relevancy, its members are duped.

'PM's Sedition Act U-turn cowardly, malicious'

 

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's decision of to retain the Sedition Act is "cowardly" and "reeks of malice", says Gerakan Hapus Akta Hasutan (GHAH).

“GHAH is deeply disturbed and outraged with Najib’s cowardly decision to renege on his promise to abolish the Sedition Act and to ‘fortify and strengthen’ the Act instead,” the leading coalition for the Act's abolition said in a statement yesterday.

Led by Suaram, Lawyers for Liberty and the Civil Rights Committee of Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, GHAH added the decision is in bad faith on the part of the government.

“The sudden decision ... allegedly protect the sanctity of Islam and other religions and to address those calling for the secession of Sabah and Sarawak reeks of malice and bad faith, as the Act has been rampantly abused to charge politicians, activists and dissidents.”

GHAH added Najib’s announcement to further fortify the Act will stifle dissent and lead to a “bleak and undemocratic future”.

“This decision tightens the noose around freedom of speech and expression and makes clear what a bleak and undemocratic future we have under Najib's administration.

“The shocking increase in sedition charges and investigations in the past two years reaffirms the prime minister's false reformist credentials and it is evident that his administration is still reliant on the draconian and antiquated legislation to control and suppress democratic norms and legitimate dissent.

Promise not kept

Najib's highly anticipated announcement at the height of the Umno AGM yesterday received a standing ovation and rousing applause from the ruling party's members, who had stepped up calls for their president to back down from his pre-election promise in 2012 to abolish the Act.

After BN's poorest showing in recent history during the 13th general election in 2013, there have been growing calls from Umno's right wing to retain the Act, which has since been used in a massive dragnet over the past year against opposition members and other voices of dissent.

Last Friday, a group of GHAH activists handed over an anti-Sedition Act petition to the Parliament.

It was no surprise that speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia rejected the petition signed by 3,005 people, citing a procedure breach that some of the petitioners did not place their signatures or thumbprints in the petition.

Khalid Samad (PAS-Shah Alam) however persisted to move for the petition to be read out in the House but Pandikar stood firm on his decision.

Mashitah unfazed by police report

 

Wanita Umno delegate Mashitah Ibrahim is unfazed by the police report filed by DAP over her remark that the Chinese had burned the Quran in Kedah.

Quizzed on the report at the sidelines of the Umno general assembly today, the former deputy minister said: "Even if they want to sue me, they can go ahead."

Pointed out that her remarks regarding the incident differed from Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir's clarification, she said: "You have to check with him (Mukhriz)."

"My version is based on what was informed to me by Kuala Kedah Wanita chief (Noor Hasita Mat Isa)," she told Malaysiakini.

On Monday, Mukhriz said a mentally-ill Malay individual was arrested for tearing the Quran and is being detained at the psychiatric ward. There was no burning involved.

However, when speaking at the Wanita Umno assembly on Wednesday, Mashitah related how she was informed that the Chinese community had burned the Quran during a prayer ritual.  

"Do you feel challenged? Sensitive? Sad? Frustrated?" she had asked the delegates.

"If you feel that way, why not voice out? Don't be quiet. Where is our voice in the media, in cyberspace?

"Don't be the silent majority. (Don't allow) the minority to talk," she added.

This morning, DAP MPs Teo Nie Ching and Kasthuri Patto filed a police report against Mashitah and criticised her for making the irresponsible statement.

MCMC Seeks Facebook, Youtube’s Help

(The Sun Daily) - MCMC, through a special team, will assist police track down suspects attempting to create tension in the country by touching on racial and religious issues.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is ready to discuss with social website owners in the US to close accounts suspected of inciting violence and those touching on racial and religious sensitivities.

MCMC chairman Datuk Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi told Bernama, the commission would be applying to Facebook and YouTube of Google Inc to close accounts or videos which have been investigated by the Malaysian police for having elements of stoking Malaysians to join militant activities.

He said MCMC, through a special team, will assist police track down suspects attempting to create tension in the country by touching on racial and religious issues.

“However, we can only apply to the site owners and it depends on their decision. The fact is we cannot restrict the entry of social media and the internet,” he said.

He was commenting on allegations by certain parties that MCMC was slow in acting to close accounts and videos which could threaten public order.

Today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, in tabling a White Paper on combating threats posed by the militant group, Islamic State (IS), in the Dewan Rakyat, appealed for people’s support in the effort to curb the ideology of IS and proposed new laws to eradicate the involvement of Malaysians in militant and violent activities.

Mohamed Sharil said MCMC could not close specific individual accounts or control the entry of videos as the country may have to block the entry of Facebook and YouTube completely.

He said the action would not be in line with the national policy for internet freedom and right to freedom of expression.

As such, he said the best move would be to educate the people in the country on smart internet usage.

He was speaking at a “Click Wisely” campaign at the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Ministry kiosk held in conjunction with the Umno general assembly on level three of Putra World Trade Centre here from Nov 22 to 29.

Sabah delegate defends vernacular schools

The government should focus on raising the standard of the national language in vernacular schools.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah delegate, Taufiq Abu Bakar Titingan, told the Umno General Assembly on Friday that Orang Asal students form a near majority, if not a majority, in many Chinese schools in Sabah.

He was explaining why he was not in favour of any move to close down vernacular schools in the country.

Citing figures, he said 84 per cent of one Chinese school in Sabah were Orang Asal.

He disclosed that 15,120 out of 35,162 students in Chinese vernacular schools were Orang Asal.

“If we close these schools, where are they going to go?” he asked.

“We want all Malaysians to be able to speak the national language fluently, no matter which schools they attended.”

He conceded that many students in vernacular schools were not proficient enough in the national language and suggested that more efforts be put in to raise the standard of the Malay language in these schools.

Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, in a recent blog posting on the education system dividing the people, said the natives in Sabah and Sarawak preferred to send their children to Chinese schools.

Gobind jubilant at proposal to pay suspended MPs

Puchong MP says this should extend to all elected reps regardless of party as this is a matter of principle that extends beyond politics.

FMT

PETALING JAYA: MP for Puchong Gobind Singh Deo applauded the proposal made by the Selangor State Assembly to pay back salaries to suspended representatives following the decision of the Federal Court in his case against the Speaker of Parliament.

Gobind agreed the proposal which the House’s rights and privileges committee chairperson Hannah Yeoh confirmed today as “being considered”, was “definitely a step in the right direction.”

Explaining that representatives continued to carry out their duties despite the suspension, Gobind said it was only right that they were paid back what was duly owed to them.

He also explained that many elected representatives were full time politicians whose families depended wholly on their salaries.

“Taking away their salary not only cripples them financially but it has a very serious impact on their families as well.”

Adding that he hoped Parliament would consider reimbursing all the MP’s who had been suspended without pay in the past, Gobind said, “My call extends to all elected representatives from all political sides as this is a matter of principle which must necessarily extend beyond politics.”

Why we need a new NEP with no race bias

The DPM's recent statement deserves serious attention.

By Ramon Navaratnam - FMT

Umno Deputy President Muhyiddin Yassin made a striking statement last Tuesday at the opening of the Umno Youth, Wanita and Puteri assemblies. He said a new national economic policy needed to be drawn up to bridge the gap between the rich and poor, regardless of race.

That was exactly the real intention of the original New Economic Policy and what in fact was also proposed to the government in the New Economic Model (NEM), which has unfortunately been sidelined.

For this reason, Muhyiddin’s statement deserves much more attention than it has been given so far.

Interestingly, his statement was almost a direct quote from the original New Economic Policy (NEP) announced in 1970. Hence, after 44 years, it now appears that we have to go back to our starting point because the spirit behind the original NEP has faded away.

Actually, the recent United Nations Development Programme Report on Malaysia suggests clearly that the NEP has failed to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor.

Why is this so? Is it largely because we concentrated too much on the second prong of the NEP, which relates to equity ownership? The second prong was aimed at removing the identity of race with occupation. For many reasons, it was more attractive to many policy planners and implementers. Thus the issue of equity ownership was given higher priority than the issue of raising the incomes of the lower 40% income groups .

Education standards have been low and they have not helped to produce graduates of sufficiently high calibre. That is why we have low-productivity graduates and high graduate unemployment. If our graduates, at levels from schools to universities, were better equipped, especially in Science, Technology and the English language, they would be able to earn much higher incomes for their technical skills and greater productivity. This would have helped to considerably reduce the serious income disparities that have developed over the years..

Cronies of all kinds

Corruption has badly undermined the noble original aims of the NEP. Much of the land alienated for farming (for example, in Cameron Highlands), equity shares, permits, licenses and non-tendered government contracts, were easily provided to many incapable Malay and Bumiputera contractors and to cronies of all kinds. Thus Malay and Bumiputera businessmen lost out despite the billions of ringgit of public funds allocated to develop a more active and sustainable entrepreneurial class among them. Incomes therefore did not rise much for Malay and Bumiputera participants, except for a few.

Urban poverty was not given the high priority that rural poverty enjoyed under the premiership of Tun Abdul Razak Hussein. Today, the vast majority of our population is settled in the urban areas. Yet the financial and human resources directed to urban development to improve the welfare and quality of life of the urban poor have been quite inadequate. This has also increased income disparities.

Competition has been curtailed by many continued protectionist policies and practices. Thus a Culture of Mediocrity has seeped in throughout the whole socio-economic system and even the political system.

We have to examine the performance of the Malays and Bumiputeras in all fields to understand the debilitating consequences of pampering or “manja manja”. For instance, we need to assess how they fare in education and business, after so much financial support given so liberally for so long. Why, people ask, is there a predominance of graduate unemployment amongst them? Is it not because they are found wanting in their abilities? Don’t we realise that any good businessman or woman, regardless of race, cannot afford not to employ competent and competitive graduates, regardless of race?

The Ethos of Bumiputeraism and Ketuanan are in themselves psychologically and emotionally disruptive and self deprecating.

Why, for example, should young people – and for that matter even the older ones – want to work hard and excel if they believe that pampering and progress in their careers or businesses, are their birth rights which they may feel is the government’s responsibility to provide for them regardless of their ability to perform?

The observations above provide some insights into why there is growing income disparity and why we have to take up the challenge to review the NEP and move towards a better and more equitable, prosperous and stable Malaysia.

We hope that the DPM’s call for a review of the NEP will help to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor, without any race bias, as we are all Malaysians first and foremost.

Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam is Chairman of the ASLI Centre of Public Policy Studies.