Thaipusam Batu Caves: The dark side

Morocco amends controversial rape marriage law

Violence against women and gender inequality are the subjects of frequent demonstrations in Rabat

The parliament of Morocco has unanimously amended an article of the penal code that allowed rapists of underage girls to avoid prosecution by marrying their victims.

The move follows intensive lobbying by activists for better protection of young rape victims. The amendment has been welcomed by rights groups.

Article 475 of the penal code generated unprecedented public criticism.

It was first proposed by Morocco's Islamist-led government a year ago.

But the issue came to public prominence in 2012 when 16-year-old Amina Filali killed herself after being forced to marry her rapist.

Parliament has voted unanimously to alter the controversial penal code article

 

She accused Moustapha Fellak, who at the time was about 25, of physical abuse after they married, which he denies. After seven months of marriage, Ms Filali swallowed rat poison.

The case shocked many people in Morocco, received extensive media coverage and sparked protests in the capital Rabat and other cities.

Article 475 provides for a prison term of one to five years for anyone who "abducts or deceives" a minor "without violence, threat or fraud, or attempts to do so".

But the second clause of the article specifies that when the victim marries the perpetrator, "he can no longer be prosecuted except by persons empowered to demand the annulment of the marriage and then only after the annulment has been proclaimed". This effectively prevents prosecutors from independently pursuing rape charges.

In conservative rural parts of Morocco, an unmarried girl or woman who has lost her virginity - even through rape - is considered to have dishonoured her family and no longer suitable for marriage. Some families believe that marrying the rapist addresses these problems.

While welcoming the move, rights groups say that much still needs to be done to promote gender equality, protect women and outlaw child marriage in the North African country.

"It's a very important step. But it's not enough," Fatima Maghnaoui, who heads a group supporting women victims of violence, told the AFP news agency.

"We are campaigning for a complete overhaul of the penal code for women."

Analysis

Nora Fakim BBC's former Morocco correspondent

Although women activists are pleased about the amendment - and it shows the Islamist-led government is slowly starting to listen to them - some say there is still much room for improvement as the law does not necessarily protect women from violence or put an emphasis on the seriousness of rape.

Rights groups say one in four women in Morocco is a victim of violence. The most vulnerable live in the countryside where only about 20% of women are literate and attitudes are more conservative. In such areas, child marriages and forced marriages after rape have been a common practice for centuries.
Women's rights groups now want new laws to reflect the spirit of the 2011 constitution. World leaders praised it, saying Morocco was a role model for democracy in the Arab world. It states that men and women should be treated equally, yet also included Article 475.

Moderate Muslim nation of Nigeria: Protesters throw stones, demand gays be executed

Thousands of protesters threw stones into the Shariah court in a north Nigerian city Wednesday, urging the speedy convictions and executions of 11 men arrested for belonging to gay organizations.

Security officials fired into the air to disperse protesters in Bauchi city so the accused men could be safely returned to the prison. Judge El-Yakubu Aliyu closed the court abruptly.

Nigeria — Death penalty for men and whipping and/or imprisonment for women in 12 northern Nigerian states. Up to 14 years in jail in the rest of the country. 51 million in aid.

As rakyat struggle, elite live in lap of luxury, says Ku Li

Veteran Umno leader Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah (pic) said today it was unacceptable that the majority of Malaysians struggled to survive in the current economic climate while the nation’s elite continued to indulge in a luxurious lifestyle.

In an apparent dig at Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's frequent trips abroad, the former finance minister said the current capitalist system practised in Malaysia advocates a relationship between business and politics which then gives rise to corruption.

“What is unacceptable is the feeling that certain segments of the community are being hard done by the prevailing economic difficulties while a select few wallow in luxury as if there is no tomorrow,” he said.

"Financial pilferage as a result of corruption or political lobbying increases costs unnecessarily. In all likelihood, the costs will be borne by consumers.”

The Kelantan prince, affectionately known as Ku Li, said a strict implementation and management of Malaysia's economy under the Islamic system would eliminate this possibility.

"It is heartening and reassuring to note that Islamic economics and finance advocate efficiency, effectiveness, transparency, sharing and selflessness," Ku Li said.

He was speaking at a book launch organised by the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) and Malaysian Current Law Journal Sdn Bhd.

Also present at the launch was Prince Mohammed Al-Malek Feisal of Saudi Arabia, who is reportedly an ardent proponent of Syariah-compliant Islamic banking and finance system.

"The Islamic economic system is neither capitalistic nor socialistic in nature. It is a system which has been provided by the Quran," Ku Li said.

He said it was an ethical system which operated on the basis of shared risks and profits to the lender and borrower.

Pointing out the difference between the Islamic and conventional banking systems, Ku Li said the former chanelled wealth from the rich to the poor in the form of sadaqah and zakat.

"Under the conventional banking system, interest channels away wealth from the poor to the rich," he said.

"Islam views life as a compact whole and economics is one of its most important components. The Islamic economic system is balanced and everything has its place."

Ku Li said the system stood for simplicity, modesty, charity, mutual help and cooperation. It denounced miserliness, greed, extravagance and unnecessary wastage.

He cited the Pilgrims Management and Fund Board of Malaysia, or Tabung Haji, as an example of a successful system.

The brainchild of economist Royal Professor Ungku Aziz Ungku Abdul Hamid, Tabung Haji began with a total deposit of US$15,400 with an initial membership of 1,281 in 1963.

Last year, 8.2 million Tabung Haji members had deposits in excess of US$10 million (RM33 million). – January 23, 2014.

MIC: No thanks MCA, we've faith in the AG

It was an act of brotherhood.

Irked by what it perceived to be unwarranted delay on the part of the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) in prosecuting the man accused of assaulting a fellow BN party leader, MCA Youth sought to help.

However, the offer to prosecute the assault case of Deputy Education Minister II P Kamalanathan was today shot down by MIC itself and the MCA Youth legal bureau found itself being labelled “presumptuous”.

Instead, MIC’s legal adviser Selva Mookiah, in a statement, expressed full confidence in the AGC following a discussion on the case with AG Abdul Gani Patail (right) today.

“Having had the benefit of discussing the matter with Tan Sri Attorney-General today, I reiterate my confidence with the AGC in evaluating the investigation papers taking into consideration all evidence including but not limited to the eyewitness statements and medical report.

“....whilst I appreciate the MCA Youth bureau's support, but it is rather presumptuous of them to offer to prosecute without ever being privy to the investigation papers,” he said.

He further assured that Abdul Gani is giving “equally serious attention” to Kamalanathan’s case as he would any criminal report, and will decide on a course of action accordingly.

Kamalanathan had ealier this month lodged a police report claiming that Hulu Selangor Umno Youth assistant secretary Muhammad Rizuan Suhaimi had punched him in the former’s office on Jan 12.

However, with no action by the AGC despite receiving the investigation papers from the police, MCA Youth legal bureau chief Choo Wei Sern yesterday volunteered the party’s lawyers to be appointed as prosecutors on a pro bono basis to help with the case.

Choo had stated that such delays would reduce public confidence in the AGC.

Riza dropped from Oscar nominations

Buying over the rights and financing a film does not actually qualify one as a producer.

At least not according to Hollywood's premier motion picture body the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

In what the industry views as a "rare move", the Academy yesterday dropped prime minister Najib Abdul Razak's stepson Riza Aziz from the Oscars nominations list for best picture nominee Wolf of Wall Street.

Instead, in the list of producers nominated for the US$100 million film are director Martin Scorcese, lead actor Leonardo DiCaprio, Riza's business partner Joey McFarland and Scorsese's partner Emma Tillinger Koskoff.

The list of nominated producers for the 'Wolf of Wall Street' was finalised by the Academy yesterday, a week after the other nominations were announced.

This marks a departure from the Producers Guild Association, that nominated Riza as producer but not Scorsese and DiCaprio, for the controversial film about debauchery in the world of finance.

According to entertainment website Deadline Hollywood, DiCaprio had worked to get the film to screen as producer for six years and had roped in Riza and McFarland's fledgling production company Red Granite Pictures, that fully financed the venture.

Red Granite then purchased the rights from Warner Bros and was caught in a legal battle with the original producer Alexandra Milchan for compensation. The matter has been resolved out of court.

Responding to the Academy's announcement, Red Granite, in a media statement, said it will not contest the decision and that Riza is honoured to have been part of the project.

Riza is the son of Najib's wife Rosmah Mansor from her first marriage.

The movie has been banned in Malaysia, and his financing of the film has drawn scorn from right-wing Malay supremacists Perkasa.

Hollywood disdain

Meanwhile, whistleblower Sarawak Report as part of its expose on Riza cited “Hollywood insiders” as saying that the decision to dump Riza follow industry concerns over financiers “attempting to claim producer credits for films they bankrolled but did not make”.

“They are greener than green,” one “experienced producer” told Sarawak Report of Riza and McFarland, whom the portal reported previously acted as party planned for Malaysian wheeler dealer Jho Low (right).

“They are financiers, but have also taken producer credits. The producer credits have gone to Riza, Joey and some other producers, but the actual work is being done by people working for Red Granite and the other producers,” another unnamed “senior Hollywood producer” is quoted as saying.

Those in the know credit Milchan as the main driver for the film, having procured the rights to the Jordan Belfort (the jailed financier played by DiCaprio) story and commissioned the script before the project was taken up by Warner Bros.

Insiders say it was her who roped in DiCaprio and Scorsese, despite the Red Granite duo claiming to have done so in media reports, citing their friendship with the Hollywood heartthrob.

They also claim that that Milchan “came back and took over” after Warner Bros dropped the film and then sold it to Red Granite.

“It's common knowledge. That is what producers do, but Red Granite just bought over a done deal. They aren't what I would call producers, they are financiers and money men,” one insider said.

Industry professionals told the website that while the film cost US$100 million, publicity and marketing would have cost an additional US$35-40 million.

The film has grossed US$80 million so far, the insiders said, but producers only get a fraction of the takings.

“The threatre keeps 60 percent and the studio 40 percent, then there are all the payments before the producers get anything back,” one Hollywood professional is quoted as saying.

Deep pockets

Insiders also revealed that the film was not “pre-sold” for three months after it started production, and everything was on Red Granite's expense.

Sarawak Report noted that the new kids on the block's deep pockets have also set tongues wagging, with seasoned professionals questioning the rookies' ability to raise so much funds.

It also reported that there is speculation that Riza was cut by the Academy over comments by "close friends" in Malaysian media which could be viewed as anti-semitic.

The Malaysian Gazette, a portal run by a journalist close to Riza's mother Rosmah Mansor, quoted these “close friends” as saying that Riza should be celebrated for “breaking the monopoly of Jews in Hollywood”.

Riza, it reported, has never made any overt statements of bigotry but such sentiments by Riza's “close friends” and his failure to “disown” the remakrs have “appalled the liberal and egalitarian community in Hollywood”.

“Many of Hollywood’s high flyers are indeed rightfully proud of being Americans of Jewish heritage.

“However, America is passionately committed to success through merit, unlike in Malaysia, where it is increasingly complained that only certain well-connected families can expect to monopolise money-making opportunities.”

Sarawak Report had earlier exposed that Riza had purchased a US$17.5 million ((RM58.21 million mansion) in Hollywood, after purchasing a US$33.5 million (RM110 million) apartment in New York in 2010.

It reported that Riza, 36, worked with HSBC Bank in London for three years before making his Hollywood bid.

'Consumer goods will be pricier due to toll hike'

The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) has warned that an increase in tolled road charges will raise prices of consumer goods.

 

In a press release today, FMM said that a survey among its members revealed that higher toll charges would result in an increase in the price of raw materials.

 

This would subsequently lead to higher operating cost for manufacturers, which will be passed down to consumers.

 

"Given the recent increase in electricity rates, the proposed toll hikes would definitely put pressure on inflation and FMM foresees that these increases would dampen domestic consumption and affect export competitiveness.

 

"FMM strongly urges the toll concessionaires to review their decision to increase the toll rates and the government to intervene to prevent any further increase in the cost of doing business in Malaysia," said FMM.

 

FMM did not state the number of respondents involved, but specified that 68 percent of its members are SMEs operating in the Klang Valley. 

 

The group said that all respondents agreed that transportation providers will increase their fees if toll charges were increased, coupled with an increase in travelling claims of their marketing staff.

Forty-six percent of respondents believe that the price of transportantion will go up by 2 to 10 percent, while 18 percent of respondents said 11 to 20 percent and 15 percent of respondents said 25 to 30 percent.

No alternatives

 

Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong (LDP) is the most frequently used highway among the respondents, followed by the Guthrie Corridor Expressway, Kajang Dispersal Link Expressway (Silk), Sungai Besi Expressway (Besraya) and Sistem Penyuraian Trafik KL Barat (Sprint).

 

"A total of 64 percent of the respondents informed that they or their transporters do not have alternative routes to deliver goods to points of destination," said the group.

 

Highway toll charges were supposed to increase on Jan 1, but nothing has been heard of since. 

 

Tolled road operators generally have an agreement with the federal government which allowed them to periodically increase charges. 

 

Should Putrajaya stop them from increasing the charges, compensation - either through subsidies or extension of concession period - would be arranged.

 

The Najib-administration is currently under pressure to keep the prices of essential goods down while reigning in on a budget deficit.

 

Since the 13th general election in May last year, Putrajaya has abolished sugar subsidies and reduced fuel subsidies, while increasing electricity tariffs to reduce public spending.

 

However, critics belive that Putrajaya should prioritise plugging leakages and rooting out corruption before increasing the financial burden of the public.

Stop being wishy washy on CSMU, Subra

From P Waythamoorthy,

Hindraf is disappointed with the lackluster attitude and indecisiveness of the health minister S Subramaniam in handling the re-accreditation of Crimea State Medical University (CSMU).

It is clear that both MMC and the health ministry are indulging in the passing the buck game between them with contradictory statements without having the ability to be transparent in addressing the issue.

On Sept 23, 2013, Subra’s deputy confirmed in Parliament that there are two MMC officers currently under investigation by the MACC for corruption and power abuse.

Lately, it has surfaced through local media that apparently there are two different reports by the MMC in their evaluation for re-accreditation of CSMU.

From the above, there is an obvious concern on the murky direction of MMC, its operations as well as its role as an independent governing body for the medical profession.

The health minister must make an assertive and firm decision as Section 8 of the Medical Ac 1971 gives him the authority to re-recognise the university instead of dragging the matter any further.

Approximately 1,500 Malaysian students have graduated from CSMU since 1997 until it was derecognised in 2005.

Many of these students were from struggling and middle class families who were able to pursue their medical education in the said university due to its affordable tuition fees.

The said university was derecognised in 2005 although former Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai told parliament on Aug 12, 2009 that there were no quality issues with CSMU.

For the last eight years the university has been fighting an uphill task in obtaining re-accreditation in futility.

The least the ministry could do is award the university a probationary accreditation subject to an undertaking by the university to comply with the ministry’s requirement.

This is so that in the interim, students can start enrolling with them and pursue their medical studies with affordable fees.

The writer is chairman of Hindraf

Court says MIC man got RM5.5m by fraud

The party's new treasurer-general, R Ramanan, is ordered to return the money to ex-government psychiatrist M Mahadevan.

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court today ordered recently appointed MIC treasurer-general R Ramanan to return RM5.5 million to renowned psychiatrist Dr M Mahadevan, ruling that it was fraudulently received.

Judicial commissioner Lee Heng Cheong said Ramanan had misrepresented himself to Dr Mahadevan, resulting in the latter transferring the money into his personal account on May 19, 2010.

Lee also ruled that Ramanan had failed to prove that the money was for a township development project in Sungai Petani on a piece of land belonging to Dr Mahadevan.

The judge ordered Ramanan to pay the money within 14 days from today. Counsel for the defendant sought a stay and Lee ordered them to file a formal application by Monday.

Dr Mahadevan, 85, is a former chief government psychiatrist and founder of the Malaysian Psychiatric Association. He was in court when the judgment was delivered.

According to court documents, the plaintiff had filed a claim of RM26.6 million to the Defence Ministry for its use of his land as a firing range between 1968 and 1988.

In May 2010, Ramanan told Dr Mahadevan that he could help him secure the claim if he paid a sum of RM6.5 million. They subsequently agreed on reducing the amount to RM5.5 million.

In his statement of claim, Dr Mahadevan included a letter dated April 2010, furnished by the defendant, who claimed that it was from the Defence Ministry. The letter purportedly showed that the ministry had approved payment of the claim.

The plaintiff called nine witnesses, including four officers of the ministry and a handwriting expert. The witnesses testified that such a letter did not exist.

There were six witnesses for Ramanan, including himself and his father.

Dr Mahadevan was represented by Lavinia Kumaraendran and Cassandra Lee, while the defendant was represented by Harjit Singh and Mahendra Maheson.

Umno board to decide on Kamalanathan assault incident

The Umno member who punched Deputy Education Minister II P Kamalanthan has replied to the show-cause letter and it is up to the disciplinary board take action.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Umno disciplinary board will soon take action on the party member who assaulted Deputy Education Minister II P Kamalanathan during an event in Bukit Beruntung on Jan 12.

Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said Hulu Selangor division youth assistant secretary Muhammad Rizuan Suhaimi had replied to the show-cause letter issued to him a week ago.

“I have forwarded his reply to the disciplinary board. It is up to the disciplinary board to take action.

“I asked him to reply to the show-cause letter within 14 days,” he said in a press statement today.

In the Jan 12 incident in Bukit Beruntung, Kamalanathan was punched after the deputy minister ignored Muhammad Rizuan’s request to transfer his relative to Selangor.

Tengku Adnan also said 10 show-cause letters would be sent to Pahang Umno Youth leaders who held a press conference to express their disappointment with Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

The Pahang Youth leaders were dissatisifed with Khairy’s appointment of Pekan Division Youth chief Shahruddin Ahmad as the state Youth chief.

Tengku Adnan said it was unbecoming of the youth leaders to behave in such a manner.

“They should have discussed with Khairy first, instead of speaking out at a press conference.

“Khairy had the right to appoint Shahruddin as the state Youth chief,” said Tengku Adnan.

He said he had also spoken to Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir for coming out with statements regarding the party.

“Instead of coming out with statements, Mukhriz should voice it out to us or even meet the Prime Minister or his deputy to discuss any issues,” he added.

Cabinet stands by ‘Allah’ in Malay Bibles but…

...the 10-point solution cannot supersede state law, says Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

PETALING JAYA: Amid the re-ignited furore over the ‘Allah’ row, the Cabinet still stands by its commitment to the 10-point solution allowing Malay and Iban bibles to use the word ‘Allah’ and the import of the bibles into the country.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the issue of over 300 Malay and Iban language Bibles being seized by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) earlier this month was a state matter and the federal government would not intervene.

“Our (Cabinet) position is clear. The federal government is committed to the 10-point solution.

“But the 10-point solution can’t supersede the state enactment of religious issues,” Khairy was quoted by Bernama as telling reporters after speaking at the 16th Malaysia Strategic Outlook Conference 2014 in Kuala Lumpur today.

He also reportedly blamed Selangor for reigniting the decades-long debate with Jais’s raid on the Bible of Society of Malaysia (BSM) earlier this month, which saw two of the society’s leaders arrested and released later that same evening.

Khairy, who is the Umno Youth chief, added the Selangor government should resolve that issue first before any dialogue was held between Pakatan Rakyat and BN.

“That issue has to be resolved first before any dialogue between BN and Pakatan. There’s nothing that we can do,” Khairy was quoted as saying by a news portal.

Khairy was referring to Anwar’s invitation yesterday for bipartisan talks between the two coalitions on economic and racial issues plaguing the country.

He added that the Cabinet had discussed the Allah issue in its meeting yesterday.

The 10-point-solution, announced by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Idris Jala in 2011, allows bibles in all languages to not only be imported into the country, but to be printed locally in the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak.

However, the Malay edition of those bibles contain the word ‘Allah’, a word non-Muslims were prohibited from using in Selangor.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah had also said last Sunday that several words including ‘Allah’ were the exclusive rights of Muslims, citing a 1986 decree by the National Fatwa council.

Suggest Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat form a joint Summit secretariat comprising three representatives to decide on date, place and agenda of BN-PR Summit

The Barisan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor told The Malaysian Insider that the proposal by Pakatan Rakyat leaders for a Barisan Nasional-Pakatan Rakyat Leaders’ Summit will be discussed by the Barisan Nasional Supreme Council meeting tomorrow.

I welcome the prompt response of the Barisan Nasional in convening its Supreme Council tomorrow and hope that the BN Supreme Council will give a positive response to the PR proposal for a summit of the leaders of both coalitions to assure Malaysians that there could not be another May 13 riots, although there are irresponsible and reckless elements seeking to incite racial and religious hatred, conflict and tension to create the conditions for another May 13 in the country.

The proposal by the Pakatan Rakyat leaders from PKR, PAS and DAP stem from their love and patriotism to Malaysia and I hope that the Barisan Nasional leaders could be similarly motivated by their love and patriotism to Malaysia to give a positive response to hold the first BN-PR Leaders’ Summit in the nation’s history.

If the BN Supreme Council gives a positive response tomorrow, I suggest that BN and PR form a joint Summit secretariat comprising three representatives each to decide on the Summit’s date, place and agenda.

I am sure that all Malaysians look forward to the successful holding of the first BN-PR Leaders’ Summit.

PR leaders have proposed the agenda to assure Malaysians that there could not be another May 13. The Summit could also deal with the quintuplet of the national crisis in the country, national unity and nation building, economic, educational, security and the worsening corruption in the country.

(Media Conference Statement in Yong Peng after a Chinese New Year visit on Thursday, 23rd January 2014 at 5 pm)

“Allah”: The PR’s failure

The Nut Graph 
Shape of a Pocket by Jacqueline Ann Surin

As published in The Nut Graph on 13 Jan 2014.

IT’S not hard at all to be disappointed and distressed by the Barisan Nasional (BN) federal government over the way the “Allah” issue has developed and been handled. And there is no doubt in my mind that the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) raid on the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) would not have occurred if not for Putrajaya’s pivotal role in banning the word among non-Muslims.

It was the BN federal government that first banned the Al-Kitab, or the Malay-language Bible, nationwide in 1981. And then, in 1986, the BN government banned the use of “Allah” and three other words – “solat”, “Kaabah” and “Baitullah” – by non-Muslims.

Malay-speaking Christians in Malaysia have been using “Allah” and Malay translations of the Bible have existed since the 16th century. This neither created “confusion” among Muslims nor posed any “threat” to Islam before the ban in the 1980s.

And while all of that is true, it is equally disappointing and distressing to see how poorly the Pakatan Rakyat (PR)-led Selangor government and the coalition’s leadership are currently responding to the 2 Jan 2014 Jais raid. Even more troubling is the PR leadership’s failure in demonstrating that it will and can uphold the constitutional rights of minority non-Muslims in the state.

Worse than silence

Peace-loving Malaysians are justifiably outraged at Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s silence over the Jais raid. Najib has remained silent and invisible for far too long over numerous instances when bigoted voices have caused unnecessary tensions between Malaysians of different faiths. Is Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim’s response to the Jais raid any less disappointing?

It took Khalid, who is from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), six days to make a statement about the unconstitutional and illegal raid on BSM. This was despite Jais having no jurisdiction over non-Muslims. There was also no evidence that the over 300 Malay and Iban-language Bibles confiscated from a storeroom were being used to proselytise to Muslims, which is a crime according to Malaysian laws.

Shouldn’t Khalid have instantly spoken out against the use of force and aggression by a state apparatus against an entity that had not broken the law and was not threatening the peace? According to BSM president Lee Min Choon, Jais officers acted like “thugs”, repeatedly threatening to break down the door, causing him to fear for his staff’s safety. Lee added that the five Jais officers who were eventually allowed to enter the BSM office started ransacking and throwing around boxes that contained Bibles with no regard for the Christian holy book.

Instead, Khalid’s administration first claimed ignorance of Jais’s actions, saying the religious department had not given the Selangor government prior notice. Then, two days after the raid, the Selangor exco responsible for religious affairs, Sallehen Mukhyi, urged the public to abide by the Selangor sultan’s decree: “The state government takes the same position as the Selangor sultan that all parties must respect Islam as the official religion while non-Muslims may practise their respective beliefs according to the federal constitution.”

Will Selangor uphold rights?

Sallehen, on behalf of the Selangor government, shied away from stating whether non-Muslims could use “Allah” in Selangor. Neither did the Selangor government condemn Jais’s actions. Indeed, Sallehen has since come out to say that Jais’s actions, thuggish as they were, “was correct in terms of SOP (standard operating procedure)”. The only concession is that the state government has asked the religious department to revise its SOP. However, no time frame was given for this to happen. Additionally, the Selangor Islamic Religious Coun­cil is now at odds with the state government over the government’s authority to review Jais’s SOP.

This is vexing considering that this is the second time Jais has raided premises belonging to Christians. In 2011, Jais also illegally raided Damansara Utama Methodist Church during a fund-raising dinner.

These statements from the Selangor government demonstrate just how emasculated and unclear the PR seems to be over the issue. The Selangor sultan had decreed that non-Muslims in the state are barred from using “Allah”. As has been pointed out, this decree is not legally binding and is, thereby, unconstitutional. It is also problematic since the state anthem contains the word “Allah”.

And while the ruler may be head of Islam in the state, he is not above the constitution and does not have jurisdiction over non-Islamic matters such as how Malay-speaking Christians choose to worship. And yet, when asked about the Selangor government’s stand on the sultan’s decree, Khalid was reported to have said: “… We continue the Sultan’s decree.”

Additionally, it surely cannot have escaped the Selangor government that BSM had abided by the Cabinet’s 10-point agreement over Malay-language Bibles. Not only that, BSM’s storage and distribution of Malay and Iban-language Bibles for Christian use was neither illegal nor a sign of disrespect to Islam as the official religion.

And yet, Khalid, who is a second-term menteri besar, said the state government would advise non-Muslim religious leaders to abide by a flawed Selangor Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) Enactment 1988, which Jais used to raid BSM. It is this enactment that bans the use of 35 words by non-Muslims in Selangor including “Allah”.

“… We will advise maybe to not use these Bibles in Selangor, but to be used elsewhere,” Khalid was quoted as saying. This provides yet another dilemma. When it is proven that the confiscated Bibles have abided by the cabinet’s 10-point agreement with Christians, will Khalid still insist that these holy books cannot be used in the state?

How are minority faith groups supposed to “practise their respective beliefs according to the federal constitution” if their very constitutional right to do so is being threatened and forcibly snatched away by a department under the Selangor government? And how can Christians in Selangor trust the PR government when the menteri besar is advising them not to use their Malay-language Bible in the state?

None of these remarks thus far illustrate that that the current Selangor government will have the courage to uphold non-Muslim rights to “practise their respective beliefs”. Instead, the state’s official response has demonstrated a lack of understanding about what that constitutional right means. It has also shown a clear lack of commitment to speaking out against any decree or action that may threaten that constitutional right.

What’s the difference?

The PR keeps promising citizens it’s different from the BN, and that’s why we should vote for them. And yet in this particular instance, is the PR really any different from the BN?

First, the Selangor government has displayed a lacking in both clarity and courage. And then, PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim poured cold water on a proposal by three DAP assemblypersons to amend the Selangor Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) Enactment. The trio suggested a win-win situation – amending the enactment so that it could not be used to restrict anyone from practising their faith while ensuring that Muslims are protected from proselytisation.

Instead of supporting the trio’s initiative and leadership, Anwar was more interested in ticking the trio off. Not only that, he received PAS’s support for doing so. Furthermore, PAS Shah Alam Member of Parliament Khalid Samad told the three assemblypersons not to “interfere in Islamic affairs”.

We already know that the Najib administration will only act in Umno’s narrow ethnocentric interest. And that means continuing to suffer Najib’s silence and inaction when clear leadership is most needed. The recent Jais raid proves that it’s not much different with the PR, especially with PKR and PAS.

These politicians, who want us to vote them into federal government, aren’t ready to be courageous, principled leaders when it is their turn to demonstrate leadership. Apparently, like the BN, we can expect them to act in ways that are politically expedient. How disappointing when what is most needed now is clear, courageous and committed leadership in the public’s interest. 

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Jacqueline Ann Surin thinks it’s disingenuous of the PR to blame the “Allah” issue on the BN. Why? Because the current Selangor government isn’t willing to oppose an enactment and a royal edict that expands on and supports the BN’s banning of the use of certain Arabic words by non-Muslims. She regards the Muslims who turned up to support Christians at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Klang on 5 Jan 2014 as having more courage and integrity than either BN or PR politicians.

Optimise Use Of ILKAs To Produce More Skilled Workers - Najib

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 23 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he wanted use of the 434 Public Skills Training Institutes (ILKAs) in the country to be optimised to achieve the nation's target of having 33 per cent of the workforce to be skilled workers by 2015 and 50 per cent by 2020.

He said the percentage of skilled workers in the country was still low, at 28 per cent last year, and as such various initiatives need to be taken to raise the figure.

"The ILKAs throughout the country have the capacity to train 200,000 people at any one time.

"Imagine, if the capacity of this 434 ILKAs can be optimised, we won't have to build new institutes and buildings but instead we can optimise assets already available in the public service system," he said at the Prime Minister's Golden Hand ceremony held at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park in Serdang near here Thursday.

Also present were Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem and Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof.

Najib said there were now 753 Private Skills Training Institutes (ILKS) authorised by the Skills Development Department to provide skills training nationwide.

"I believe ILKAs and ILKS play significant roles in assisting the government produce skilled manpower to meet the needs of industries and boost the country's competitive edge.

"Therefore, the programmes offered have to be modified in line with current developments to ensure marketability of graduates," he said.

He reminded both ILKAs and ILKS to cooperate holistically in raising the quality of skills training by optimising their facilities and expertise.

Najib also called on trainees to further their studies to internationally recognised institutions for better value in the employment market.

Recognising the need for skilled manpower, Najib said the government had allocated RM200 million in the 2014 Budget to upgrade and enforce double shifts at National Youth Skills Institutes as well as RM178 million to improve and maintain buildings and equipment at the Manpower Department Training Institutions in line with the latest technology.

Apart from that, he said Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad also provided an allocation of RM400 million for registered companies to give employees upskilling and reskilling training.

"An allocation of RM330 million has also been channeled to the Skills Development Fund Corporation as loans for post-SPM youths take up skills training courses," he said.

Najib said the government had also created an initiative under the SkillsMalaysia InVITE programme with the aim of bringing in international students to undergo skills training in the country and currently, there were 2,119 international students taking up such programmes.

Meanwhile, Najib described skills competitions as an important agenda in mainstream skills training and platform to unearth talents, creativity and innovation among trainees and competent teaching staff.

He said the organising of the skills contests should be expanded and continued to support national skills manpower development for a competitive workforce.

"The skills competition profile in Malaysia should also be upgraded so that the agenda could be empowered to international level.

"I urge more private companies to give undivided support in sponsoring skills contests and employment opportunities to winners and participants especially at international level," he said.

Najib also expressed hope that national representatives in the Asean Skills Competition in Hanoi, Vietnam this year and the World Skills Competition in Sao Paolo next year would bring back honours for the country and prove Malaysian skills were of world class standard.

At the ceremony, Najib also announced additional incentives of RM10,000 for winners of the Prime Minister's Golden Hand Award for the MySkills category and the 2014 Malaysia Skills competition.