Wednesday 29 January 2014
BBC documentary unveils horrors of Gaddafi's macabre rape chamber
SYDNEY: After more than two years of capture and death of Libyan leader Muammer Gaddafi, details about his brutality towards young girls-turned-sex slaves have been emerging gradually.In BBC's documentary, for the first time the slain leader's macabre rape chamber can be seen, showing 'Gaddafi's den' where he regularly raped young girls and forced them to watching pornography.
According to news.com.au, the small, nondescript single-storey complex includes a room holding little more than a double bed with a 1970s decor and grimy Jacuzzi, all left exactly as they were when Gadaffi last used it.
What is more chilling is an actual clinical gynaecological suite in an adjoining room, where young girls were forced to undergo abortions and tested for possible STDs before being sent to Gaddafi for exploitation.
Those who were able to escape were shunned by their conservative Muslim families, those who stayed were so badly abused that they were dumped in car parks and on waste ground, and left to die.
The report said that it took the documentary-makers months of negotiations to be allowed access to information on Gaddafi as Libya remains secretive and hidebound by bureaucracy.
The BBC documentary 'Gaddafi's Secret World' will be shown on BBC4 at 10pm on February 3.
NSW baby girl circumcised in Indonesia
An Australian father charged with organising to have his baby daughter circumcised allegedly travelled to Indonesia for the procedure.
The NSW man, who cannot be named, took his then nine-month-old girl overseas, where she was circumcised sometime between February and March of 2012, police allege.
But it wasn't until the girl's mother took her to a doctor six months later that authorities were alerted to what had allegedly happened.
Following an investigation, the father was arrested on December 31 last year by officers attached to the Sex Crimes Squad.
He was later charged with aiding, abetting or procuring female genital mutilation.
Police have previously said that it was unclear in what country the alleged procedure took place.
But papers tendered during the father's brief appearance at Manly Local Court on Tuesday state it took place in Jakarta.
The girl had her clitoral tissue removed and underwent a labial fusion, the documents state.
The man said nothing during the appearance in which his lawyer applied for a national suppression order on his identity and that of his wife and daughter.
The court heard the father recently moved to Victoria where he remains on bail.
The father is believed to be the first person to have been charged in NSW with procuring a genital procedure abroad.
However, it is the second prosecution in the state of the practice.
In 2012, eight members of a small religious order in Sydney - including a sheikh, a retired nurse and two parents - were charged over the female genital mutilation of two sisters, aged six and seven.
Their case remains before the courts.
Community Services Minister Pru Goward said earlier this month that anecdotal evidence showed the practice was "more common than the reports would suggest".
She said the crime often only came to light when the child suffered a complication from the procedure or there was a marital breakdown.
The father is due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court in March.
The NSW man, who cannot be named, took his then nine-month-old girl overseas, where she was circumcised sometime between February and March of 2012, police allege.
But it wasn't until the girl's mother took her to a doctor six months later that authorities were alerted to what had allegedly happened.
Following an investigation, the father was arrested on December 31 last year by officers attached to the Sex Crimes Squad.
He was later charged with aiding, abetting or procuring female genital mutilation.
Police have previously said that it was unclear in what country the alleged procedure took place.
But papers tendered during the father's brief appearance at Manly Local Court on Tuesday state it took place in Jakarta.
The girl had her clitoral tissue removed and underwent a labial fusion, the documents state.
The man said nothing during the appearance in which his lawyer applied for a national suppression order on his identity and that of his wife and daughter.
The court heard the father recently moved to Victoria where he remains on bail.
The father is believed to be the first person to have been charged in NSW with procuring a genital procedure abroad.
However, it is the second prosecution in the state of the practice.
In 2012, eight members of a small religious order in Sydney - including a sheikh, a retired nurse and two parents - were charged over the female genital mutilation of two sisters, aged six and seven.
Their case remains before the courts.
Community Services Minister Pru Goward said earlier this month that anecdotal evidence showed the practice was "more common than the reports would suggest".
She said the crime often only came to light when the child suffered a complication from the procedure or there was a marital breakdown.
The father is due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court in March.
Lies, lies, and more lies
Now there are ‘Jesus the son of Allah’ banners which, frankly, no Christian would ever make. The reason is simple: If we do, the whole sentence would be in Malay; never in English with the Arabic ‘Allah’ word. What will come next? Maybe a ‘Melayu balik kampung’ banner which then sparks another round of racial riot rumours, or pig-heads into mosques?
These were standard tactics since 1969 in Penang but it was stopped in good time because of the then chief police officer’s (CPO) quick response and actions?
But he was an outstanding Special Branch (SB) officer well-trained in the matters of psychological warfare, but there are no such people any more, since our communist threat is no more. Our current CPOs are only of one race and religion.
Today,
police officers appear to pursue their partisan agenda against both
citizens and foreigners alike. People are losing faith in the so-called
‘not-so-royal police force’, but which however does not act against Umno
extremists. Selective persecution and prosecution seems the order of
the day today.All these rumours when printed and taken up by both mainstream and even the sidestream media, become almost facts, and then the truth of matters. I would have thought there is a law against such rumour mongering. We also witnessed such abuse of print media before the 13th general election (GE13).
Consequently, and because of our lack of faith in both the police and the Attorney-General’s Chambers, some of us with the Media Group @ MiDAS took the initiative to make a formal and written complaint to Suhakam about mainstream media distorting truth and promoting lies through advertorials; basically distorting truths and reporting untruths.
To Suhakam’s credit, I believe that they called a formal meeting with all media to address the issue last week. We await the follow up action from Suhakam.
But, why are the media lying instead of telling and promoting truths and facts? What do I mean? On the ‘Allah’ issue; do Malaysians not really know that the first and original version of the Bahasa Melayu version of the Matthew’s Gospel was translated in 1621 by a Dutch scholar named AC Ruyl?
The originals are still available at the University of Amsterdam and the University of Cambridge. By 1733, the first Malay Bible was complete and the word ‘Allah’ was consistently used.
Are these newspaper editors really ignorant and condone their journalists to choose to spread lies and not state the facts. Do they not know that Sabahans and Sarawakians had Malay Bibles well before Malaysia was formed in 1963? Furthermore, do not the same idiocratic editors not know that under the 18 and 20 point demands before the Malaysia Agreement was voted upon, these states had clearly clarified that Islam is not the religion of these states?
Dr Tajuddin’s proposal and Dr Patricia’s response
In a recent article submitted by Dr Mohd Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi, he sought to argue that Christians as a community should apply their love in action and learn to “turn the other cheek on this matter!” In reply, Dr Patricia Martinez has responded well on this issue. While his is a very noble and commendable effort, I think it is flawed both theologically and rationally.
Let me try and explain to my good friend and academic colleague why this is not feasible for the same factual reasons of misinformation:
- The ‘Allah’ issue is a bigger issue for bumiputra Christians of Sabah and Sarawak worshipping in Malay. Most peninsular Christians worshipping in English have no issue about this word and its non-usage. We would ordinarily not use the ‘Allah’ word unless when singing Malay songs or hymns;
-
The East Malaysian brothers and sisters, on the other hand, whose mother tongue is Malay, make up about 65 percent of all Malaysian Christians of about 3 million citizens. Their language of heart worship is Bahasa Melayu. Nonetheless, peninsular Christians cannot speak for them;
- They voted and elected, as moderated by the UN, to support the formation of Malaysia but under certain explicit conditions, which cannot be violated now;
- The peninsular Malays have to instead be educated about the root of the ‘Allah’ word, and that the de-sacralisation of the name of Jesus, as ‘son of Allah’, is totally in bad taste and does not even make for good theology; and
- The Christians worshipping in Malay use only the Malay Bible and have been using it since their days of the grandparents. They hardly even mix Malay and English and no English Bible would ever carry the word Arabic word ‘Allah.’
Bumiputra Christians, whether from Sabah or Sarawak, have and will always use their heart language to worship in Malay. It is their heart language and mother tongue, and cannot be changed or imposed even through theologically sound teaching, like turning the other cheek, even if it is well-communicated and well reflects Christian-type unconditional love.
Frankly, all this seems to reflect a clear and focussed agenda by some unscrupulous groups to create trouble through fear and uncertainty, but have we not learned that citizens in cities and towns today are more rational and cannot be so easily misled. There is another danger though, that all the ordinary and good hearted citizens may all get upset and decide to turn against the groups that are spreading such evil ideas and antics.
Let us not however respond to fire with fire, because once fire begets more fire and once a wildfire starts, we will all have some serious issue to deal with. I am not sure the security forces are really prepared to deal with these issues. It is better to deal with these issues before the real problems start.
Let us nip these symptoms in the bud; but that requires a police force that is indeed called to serve the public interest, not partisan interests. Let us all make March a month for prayer for good sense in this nation. May God bless Malaysia.
KJ JOHN was in public service for 29 years. The views expressed here are his personal views and not those of any institution he is involved with. Write to him at kjjohn@ohmsi.net with any feedback or views.
Perkasa veep: Sorry's no cure to racism
Prior to the last general election, a
video recording surfaced showing Perkasa vice-president Zulkifli Noordin
insulting the Hindu religion, for which he later apologised.
And
when MIC protested over him being named as the BN candidate for the
Shah Alam parliament seat, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin (left) reminded critics that Zulkifli had apologised and should be forgiven.
But now, the Perkasa leader claims that an apology is not sufficient.
In his latest blog posting, Zulkifli lamented that the Chinese school teacher who labelled two of her students as cows, tied bells on them and forced them to eat grass had been let off with a slap on the wrist.
The two Standard Four students of SJKC Khai Meng in Perak, Muhammad Nasvinder Muhammad Amit dan Mohd Izat Iqbal Mohd, were also caned.
Zulkifli said that he had expected the teacher to be subjected to sterner punishment.
“But no... Malaysia which is governed by a Malay government is very tolerant and accommodating. The teacher was merely transferred and that too because the teacher’s action had ‘tainted the name of the Education Ministry’.
“The reputation of the ministry is so valuable, more valuable than the dignity of our religion and race,” he said in a blog posting.
The Perkasa vice-president said the teacher’s actions not only violated the children’s rights but was also a form of torture that is bound to leave them traumatised.
“It is not only inhumane but also racist, since two other Chinese students who also did not complete their homework were not punished. I view these incidents as an extreme racial virus which must be curbed,” he added.
How long will apologies suffice?
Zulkifli also recounted the incident where a Muslim teacher at a Chinese school in Johor was asked to remove her tudung by the chairperson of the school board.
“Once again, the Malay government’s tolerance shone when it issued a warning not to repeat the incident after the school board chairperson reportedly apologised,” he added.
The Perkasa leader also asked what would have happened if a Malay teacher had hung a pig’s head or punished Chinese students by insinuating that they are pigs?
Zulkifli questioned for how long would these incidents be treated as isolated cases, which could be resolved with a mere apology.
“I can list out numerous incidents which smack of racial and religious bigotry which are the deliberate work of a handful of chauvinists who are let off the hook with an apology.
“Excusing them on the ground of an apology would only embolden these racists and chauvinists,” he said referring to Namewee and “many more Chinese kids”.
Zulkifli also called for an in-depth research to determine if these racist and extremist attitudes were products of vernacular schools.
“If this is true, we must be bold enough to carry out changes and transformation, including closing vernacular schools if they are found to be breeding grounds for chauvinists, racists and extremists,” he said.
And
when MIC protested over him being named as the BN candidate for the
Shah Alam parliament seat, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin (left) reminded critics that Zulkifli had apologised and should be forgiven.But now, the Perkasa leader claims that an apology is not sufficient.
In his latest blog posting, Zulkifli lamented that the Chinese school teacher who labelled two of her students as cows, tied bells on them and forced them to eat grass had been let off with a slap on the wrist.
The two Standard Four students of SJKC Khai Meng in Perak, Muhammad Nasvinder Muhammad Amit dan Mohd Izat Iqbal Mohd, were also caned.
Zulkifli said that he had expected the teacher to be subjected to sterner punishment.
“But no... Malaysia which is governed by a Malay government is very tolerant and accommodating. The teacher was merely transferred and that too because the teacher’s action had ‘tainted the name of the Education Ministry’.
“The reputation of the ministry is so valuable, more valuable than the dignity of our religion and race,” he said in a blog posting.
The Perkasa vice-president said the teacher’s actions not only violated the children’s rights but was also a form of torture that is bound to leave them traumatised.
“It is not only inhumane but also racist, since two other Chinese students who also did not complete their homework were not punished. I view these incidents as an extreme racial virus which must be curbed,” he added.
How long will apologies suffice?
Zulkifli also recounted the incident where a Muslim teacher at a Chinese school in Johor was asked to remove her tudung by the chairperson of the school board.
“Once again, the Malay government’s tolerance shone when it issued a warning not to repeat the incident after the school board chairperson reportedly apologised,” he added.
The Perkasa leader also asked what would have happened if a Malay teacher had hung a pig’s head or punished Chinese students by insinuating that they are pigs?
Zulkifli questioned for how long would these incidents be treated as isolated cases, which could be resolved with a mere apology.
“I can list out numerous incidents which smack of racial and religious bigotry which are the deliberate work of a handful of chauvinists who are let off the hook with an apology.
“Excusing them on the ground of an apology would only embolden these racists and chauvinists,” he said referring to Namewee and “many more Chinese kids”.
Zulkifli also called for an in-depth research to determine if these racist and extremist attitudes were products of vernacular schools.
“If this is true, we must be bold enough to carry out changes and transformation, including closing vernacular schools if they are found to be breeding grounds for chauvinists, racists and extremists,” he said.
Putrajaya practises ‘extreme political Islam’, says Baru Bian
(TMI) Malaysia is heading towards an oppressive Islamist regime for allowing state enactments to take precedence over the Federal Constitution on the religious freedom of non-Muslims, a Sarawak opposition leader said.In a swipe at the Najib administration, Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian (pic) said the “extreme political Islam” practised by Putrajaya was almost similar to former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s stand on the alleged conversion of Muslims.
Baru, a senior lawyer in the state, said many lawyers and scholars were not arguing against the authority the states have under Article 11(4) of the Federal Constitution to enact legislation to regulate the preaching of religion to Muslims.
“But they have no jurisdiction over non-Muslims," he pointed out
“The state laws which ban the usage of Arabic words without any reference to attempts at proselytisation are arguably unconstitutional and open to challenge,” he said.
Selangor are among several states in the peninsula that have enactments banning non-Muslims from using the word 'Allah'.
The ban not only affects Bahasa Malaysia-speaking Christians from Sarawak and Sabah, but also Sikhs.
The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, in November last year decreed that the use of the word 'Allah' in the Bible and Malay section of the Catholic weekly, Herald, cease immediately to avoid confusion among Muslims in the state over the use of the word in the context of other religions.
The sultan said everyone in the state, regardless of their religion and origin, must abide by the ban under Section 9 of the Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Amongst Muslims) Enactment 1988.
On Mahathir’s allegations that the word 'Allah' was used by certain parties to convert Muslims into Christianity, Baru said: “There has never been any proof to support this accusation and the former prime minister invites ridicule in making such baseless claims.
“However, I have to concur with him that Muslims did not have problems with Christians for a long time, but I differ with his answer as to why the issue is raised now, if not for an ulterior motive.
“My question to him is: who was it that first created the problem if not the Home Ministry in issuing the ban on the Herald?”
Baru said Mahathir was right to observe that, “we lived in harmony and there was no friction between Muslims and Christians”.
“None until the tsunami of the 2008 election, when Umno realised it needed to salvage the support of the Malays.
“Before that, no Muslim claimed to have been confused by the use of the word ‘Allah’ by Christians, a word that had been in their vocabulary for centuries,” said Baru.
“After 2008, the Umnoputras decided that the Muslims could be confused and started fomenting fear and mistrust between them and non-Muslims.
“Where no fear existed previously, the Umnoputeras planted the seeds of fear. That was when the problems started.”
Baru said the religious tension is spooking foreign investors.
“Foreign investors are having doubts about the wisdom of their decision to invest here. Should they pull out, we will become a bankrupt nation, if we are not there already.” - January 28, 2014.
PSM to contest Kajang by-election?
Secretary-general gen S Arutchelvan is in the running as he fulfills the party's criteria
PETALING JAYA: PKR should not discount the possibility that the Kajang by-election will be a crowded field.
PSM is mulling contesting the seat after receiving backing from youth NGOs who are fed up with the current situation in the PKR-led Selangor government.
“PSM has received numerous calls to contest the Kajang seat but we have not decide anything yet. The youth NGOs think that we should be the third choice in the by-election
“Party president Dr Mohd Nasir Hashim has called for a meeting to discuss the calls,” PSM secretary-general S Arutchelvan told FMT today.
According to Arutchelvan, PSM is actively serving the people of Kajang.
“We have set the criteria for any PSM candidate to contest an election, and he must have served the constituency for at least five years.
“We have candidates (who match the criteria set by the party) as we’ve been active in Kajang,” he added.
No decision yet
Arutchelvan also did not deny speculation that he will be nominated by PSM, adding that he is eligible.
“There are a lot of speculations that I would contest but we have not decided on anything. For the Kajang state seat, based on party’s criteria, I’m eligible,” he said.
In the 13th General Election (GE13), PKR first timer, Lee Chin Cheh, won the Kajang state seat by defeating five other candidates, including three independents.
Lee gained 19,571 votes, a 6,824 majority followed by BN’s Lee Ban Seng (12,747); Berjasa’s Mohamad Ismail (1,014), Independents Ir Mohd Iwan Jeffrey Abdul Majid (249), Ong Yau Foo (85) and Mohd Khalid Kassim (83).
Based on this trend, PKR should not discount the possibility that independents candidates can turn out to be spoilers in this third by-election after GE13.
Arutchelvan lost the Semenyih state seat, just outside Kajang, in the last general election under the PSM banner as PKR decided not to cave in to PSM plea to let them have a straight contest with BN candidate Johan Abd Aziz.
In 2008, Arutchelvan lost the seat narrowly to Johan under the PKR banner, but PKR decison to nominated Hamidi A Hassan in May 2013 resulting in Johan winning the seat with a 4,145 majority votes. Hamidi gained 13,471 votes followed by Arutchelvan with 5,568 votes.
PETALING JAYA: PKR should not discount the possibility that the Kajang by-election will be a crowded field.PSM is mulling contesting the seat after receiving backing from youth NGOs who are fed up with the current situation in the PKR-led Selangor government.
“PSM has received numerous calls to contest the Kajang seat but we have not decide anything yet. The youth NGOs think that we should be the third choice in the by-election
“Party president Dr Mohd Nasir Hashim has called for a meeting to discuss the calls,” PSM secretary-general S Arutchelvan told FMT today.
According to Arutchelvan, PSM is actively serving the people of Kajang.
“We have set the criteria for any PSM candidate to contest an election, and he must have served the constituency for at least five years.
“We have candidates (who match the criteria set by the party) as we’ve been active in Kajang,” he added.
No decision yet
Arutchelvan also did not deny speculation that he will be nominated by PSM, adding that he is eligible.
“There are a lot of speculations that I would contest but we have not decided on anything. For the Kajang state seat, based on party’s criteria, I’m eligible,” he said.
In the 13th General Election (GE13), PKR first timer, Lee Chin Cheh, won the Kajang state seat by defeating five other candidates, including three independents.
Lee gained 19,571 votes, a 6,824 majority followed by BN’s Lee Ban Seng (12,747); Berjasa’s Mohamad Ismail (1,014), Independents Ir Mohd Iwan Jeffrey Abdul Majid (249), Ong Yau Foo (85) and Mohd Khalid Kassim (83).
Based on this trend, PKR should not discount the possibility that independents candidates can turn out to be spoilers in this third by-election after GE13.
Arutchelvan lost the Semenyih state seat, just outside Kajang, in the last general election under the PSM banner as PKR decided not to cave in to PSM plea to let them have a straight contest with BN candidate Johan Abd Aziz.
In 2008, Arutchelvan lost the seat narrowly to Johan under the PKR banner, but PKR decison to nominated Hamidi A Hassan in May 2013 resulting in Johan winning the seat with a 4,145 majority votes. Hamidi gained 13,471 votes followed by Arutchelvan with 5,568 votes.
PRK Kajang: PAS ‘naik angin’, mahu boikot
PAS ini apa ? Parti Tupper Ware? Tak bincang sepatah? Tak runding sikit pun? Politik apa ini?
PETALING JAYA: PAS kesal dengan tindakan bekas Adun Kajang Lee Chin Cheh dari PKR yang meletakkan jawatan tanpa sebab yang munasabah.
Ketua Penerangan Dewan Ulamak PAS Pusat Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali at-Takiri berkata, pihaknya menuntut penjelasan munasabah daripada PKR kerana pilihanraya kecil akan mengorbankan banyak masa, tenaga dan harta rakyat.
“Rakyat melihat situasi ini dengan penuh prihatin.
“Pergolakan kecil politik Selangor melibatkan jawatan Menteri Besar dan isu PKNS ditambah pula dengan perletakan jawatan ini boleh memualkan rakyat di saat rakyat dibelenggu dengan pelbagai isu negara khususnya melibatkan peningkatan kos hidup,” katanya dalam satu kenyataan hari ini.
Menyifatkannya sebagai politik picisan, Mohd Khairuddin turut mengingatkan isu ini mampu menggugat keyakinan rakyat kerana Pakatan Rakyat sepatutnya fokus kepada mendedahkan kegagalan kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN) mengurus ekonomi negara.
Katanya, Pakatan Rakyat perlu menilai semula sejarah Pilihan Raya Umum ke-12 (PRU12) yang menyaksikan beberapa wakil rakyat dari PKR melompat dan meninggalkan parti yang telah merugikan dan menggugat keutuhan Pakatan Rakyat.
Manakala sejarah PRU ke-13 pula dimulakan dengan perletakan jawatan Adun.
“Nasihat ini saya lontarkan sebagai peringatan bersama seluruh warga Pakatan Rakyat khususnya para pemimpinnya,” katanya.
PAS, parti tupperware?
Sementara itu Ahli Parlimen Temerloh Nasruddin Hassan Tantawi berkata, pihaknya kecewa kerana PKR tidak pernah berbincang dengan PAS mengenai konflik di Selangor sehingga menyebabkan berlakunya pilihan raya kecil Kajang.
“PAS ini apa ? Parti Tupper Ware? Tak bincang sepatah? Tak runding sikit pun? Politik apa ini? Cara dan skil mana digunakan,” soalnya
Katanya, PKR tidak sepatutnya mempermainkan amanah rakyat yang berkerja, berjuang dan mengundi bersungguh-sungguh dalam PRU lalu.
“Saat rakyat berhempas pulas mencari sesuap nasi berdepan dengan kos sara hidup yang tinggi, kenaikan harga barang yang melambung.
“Tak pasal-pasal cipta pilihanraya kecil dengan drama realiti perletakan jawatan,” katanya.
Manakala Pengarah Jabatan Pilihanraya Dewan Pemuda PAS Malaysia Mohd Sany Hamzan berkata, pihaknya menuntut penjelasan yang munasabah daripada Lee terhadap perletakan jawatan beliau secara bertulis kepada Ketua Dewan pemuda PAS Malaysia dengan kadar segera.
“Sekiranya penjelasan yang diberikan tidak munasabah maka Jabatan Pilihanraya Dewan Pemuda PAS Malaysia memberi amaran akan mengeluarkan arahan kepada seluruh jentera pilihanraya pemuda PAS di semua peringkat untuk tidak memberikan kerjasama di dalam Pilihanraya Kecil DUN Kajang nanti sekiranya calon yang ditentukan masih lagi dari kalangan calon PKR,” tegasnya.
Beliau menganggap tindakan Lee sebagai satu pengkhianatan amanah yang diberikan rakyat Selangor serta membelakangkan semangat ‘syura’ di kalangan Pakatan Rakyat Selangor.
Beliau juga kecewa terhadap pimpinan PKR Selangor yang mengamalkan agenda ‘politik egois’ dan ‘besar kepala’ dengan membelakangkan PAS dan DAP Selangor di dalam kerja buat mereka di Selangor.
“PKR Selangor berlagak seperti ‘boss besar’ yang boleh mengambil apa saja tindakan politik yang menguntungkan mereka tanpa persetujuan dan pandangan rakan-rakan parti PAS dan DAP sedangkan PKR Selangor hanyalah ‘pemegang saham minoriti’ di dalam Kerajaan PR Selangor,” katanya.
PETALING JAYA: PAS kesal dengan tindakan bekas Adun Kajang Lee Chin Cheh dari PKR yang meletakkan jawatan tanpa sebab yang munasabah.Ketua Penerangan Dewan Ulamak PAS Pusat Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali at-Takiri berkata, pihaknya menuntut penjelasan munasabah daripada PKR kerana pilihanraya kecil akan mengorbankan banyak masa, tenaga dan harta rakyat.
“Rakyat melihat situasi ini dengan penuh prihatin.
“Pergolakan kecil politik Selangor melibatkan jawatan Menteri Besar dan isu PKNS ditambah pula dengan perletakan jawatan ini boleh memualkan rakyat di saat rakyat dibelenggu dengan pelbagai isu negara khususnya melibatkan peningkatan kos hidup,” katanya dalam satu kenyataan hari ini.
Menyifatkannya sebagai politik picisan, Mohd Khairuddin turut mengingatkan isu ini mampu menggugat keyakinan rakyat kerana Pakatan Rakyat sepatutnya fokus kepada mendedahkan kegagalan kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN) mengurus ekonomi negara.
Katanya, Pakatan Rakyat perlu menilai semula sejarah Pilihan Raya Umum ke-12 (PRU12) yang menyaksikan beberapa wakil rakyat dari PKR melompat dan meninggalkan parti yang telah merugikan dan menggugat keutuhan Pakatan Rakyat.
Manakala sejarah PRU ke-13 pula dimulakan dengan perletakan jawatan Adun.
“Nasihat ini saya lontarkan sebagai peringatan bersama seluruh warga Pakatan Rakyat khususnya para pemimpinnya,” katanya.
PAS, parti tupperware?
Sementara itu Ahli Parlimen Temerloh Nasruddin Hassan Tantawi berkata, pihaknya kecewa kerana PKR tidak pernah berbincang dengan PAS mengenai konflik di Selangor sehingga menyebabkan berlakunya pilihan raya kecil Kajang.
“PAS ini apa ? Parti Tupper Ware? Tak bincang sepatah? Tak runding sikit pun? Politik apa ini? Cara dan skil mana digunakan,” soalnya
Katanya, PKR tidak sepatutnya mempermainkan amanah rakyat yang berkerja, berjuang dan mengundi bersungguh-sungguh dalam PRU lalu.
“Saat rakyat berhempas pulas mencari sesuap nasi berdepan dengan kos sara hidup yang tinggi, kenaikan harga barang yang melambung.
“Tak pasal-pasal cipta pilihanraya kecil dengan drama realiti perletakan jawatan,” katanya.
Manakala Pengarah Jabatan Pilihanraya Dewan Pemuda PAS Malaysia Mohd Sany Hamzan berkata, pihaknya menuntut penjelasan yang munasabah daripada Lee terhadap perletakan jawatan beliau secara bertulis kepada Ketua Dewan pemuda PAS Malaysia dengan kadar segera.
“Sekiranya penjelasan yang diberikan tidak munasabah maka Jabatan Pilihanraya Dewan Pemuda PAS Malaysia memberi amaran akan mengeluarkan arahan kepada seluruh jentera pilihanraya pemuda PAS di semua peringkat untuk tidak memberikan kerjasama di dalam Pilihanraya Kecil DUN Kajang nanti sekiranya calon yang ditentukan masih lagi dari kalangan calon PKR,” tegasnya.
Beliau menganggap tindakan Lee sebagai satu pengkhianatan amanah yang diberikan rakyat Selangor serta membelakangkan semangat ‘syura’ di kalangan Pakatan Rakyat Selangor.
Beliau juga kecewa terhadap pimpinan PKR Selangor yang mengamalkan agenda ‘politik egois’ dan ‘besar kepala’ dengan membelakangkan PAS dan DAP Selangor di dalam kerja buat mereka di Selangor.
“PKR Selangor berlagak seperti ‘boss besar’ yang boleh mengambil apa saja tindakan politik yang menguntungkan mereka tanpa persetujuan dan pandangan rakan-rakan parti PAS dan DAP sedangkan PKR Selangor hanyalah ‘pemegang saham minoriti’ di dalam Kerajaan PR Selangor,” katanya.
Youth chief irked by Palani’s appointments
Sivarraajh says state leaders were chosen without consulting him
PETALING JAYA: Newly elected MIC Youth chief C Sivarraajh today expressed disappointment with party president G Palanivel’s choice of state youth leaders.
“I am not satisfied with the overall appointments,” Sivarraajh told FMT.
“Most of the names put forth by the youth wing seems to have been rejected by the president. He has taken the liberty to make his own appointments.”
He acknowledged that it was Palanivel’s prerogative to appoint the new leaders, but said he should have chosen people who could work well with officials of the parent MIC Youth movement.
Palanivel announced his choice of youth and wanita state leaders yesterday.
Former deputy MIC Youth chief V Mugilan was among the prominent names in the list. He replaces Shanker Raj Ayanger as Selangor MIC youth leader.
At the MIC Youth polls late last year, Sivarraajh defeated Mugilan by 44 votes.
“I have received numerous calls from youth members who are upset with the new appointments,” said Sivarraajh.
He said Palanivel never consulted him before announcing the list of state youth leaders.
New treasurer-general
Meanwhile, party sources have told FMT that businessman R Ragumoorthy of Klang may be replacing R Ramanan as MIC treasurer-general.
Ramanan resigned yesterday, saying he made the decision in the interest of the party and to protect Palanivel from being attacked for appointing him to the position.
Last week, the High Court here ordered Ramanan to return RM5.5 million to psychiatrist Dr M Mahadevan after it ruled that the money was fraudulently received.
A party source said Ragumoorthy, who was elected to the MIC Central Working Committee last November, would be the best replacement for Ramanan.
“He has the capacity to manage party funds and also bring in revenue to the party,” he said.
PETALING JAYA: Newly elected MIC Youth chief C Sivarraajh today expressed disappointment with party president G Palanivel’s choice of state youth leaders.“I am not satisfied with the overall appointments,” Sivarraajh told FMT.
“Most of the names put forth by the youth wing seems to have been rejected by the president. He has taken the liberty to make his own appointments.”
He acknowledged that it was Palanivel’s prerogative to appoint the new leaders, but said he should have chosen people who could work well with officials of the parent MIC Youth movement.
Palanivel announced his choice of youth and wanita state leaders yesterday.
Former deputy MIC Youth chief V Mugilan was among the prominent names in the list. He replaces Shanker Raj Ayanger as Selangor MIC youth leader.
At the MIC Youth polls late last year, Sivarraajh defeated Mugilan by 44 votes.
“I have received numerous calls from youth members who are upset with the new appointments,” said Sivarraajh.
He said Palanivel never consulted him before announcing the list of state youth leaders.
New treasurer-general
Meanwhile, party sources have told FMT that businessman R Ragumoorthy of Klang may be replacing R Ramanan as MIC treasurer-general.
Ramanan resigned yesterday, saying he made the decision in the interest of the party and to protect Palanivel from being attacked for appointing him to the position.
Last week, the High Court here ordered Ramanan to return RM5.5 million to psychiatrist Dr M Mahadevan after it ruled that the money was fraudulently received.
A party source said Ragumoorthy, who was elected to the MIC Central Working Committee last November, would be the best replacement for Ramanan.
“He has the capacity to manage party funds and also bring in revenue to the party,” he said.
Where is Anwar going with this play?
(The Sun Daily) - What is de facto Pakatan Rakyat leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s, game plan in contesting the Kajang state seat?Is it to quell the storm of discontent within a Selangor Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) wracked and debilitated by factionalism evidenced in the internecine political battle between Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid and PKR deputy president Azmin Ali?
Khalid, an astute but somewhat parsimonious state leader, has had his hands tied by Azmin and his cohorts who have given him a hard time since he took up the post in 2008.
Things came to a boil when Khalid was chosen to lead the state administration once again at the expense of Azmin who many thought could be mentri besar given his power base in Selangor.
Since then, Khalid has been under siege by Azmin and his group who many say have tried to stymie the former’s efforts to continue his programme of economic growth which has come under fire over his alleged tight-fistedness.
Or is the 67-year-old former deputy prime minister making another bid for a position of power, albeit in a smaller theatre of influence, after his climb in Umno (and the nation) came to an abrupt halt following intervention by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad?
Interestingly enough, Anwar has rubbished talk that he will be the next mentri besar upon winning the seat, indicating that he will be in the most unlikely position of backbencher in the state assembly.
Many are also surprised that DAP secretary-general and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was not apprised about the resignation of Kajang state assemblyman Lee Chin Cheh and was in no position to comment on the matter.
This is difficult to believe given that the DAP is the lynchpin in PR with 38 MPs, the largest opposition party in Parliament, with 15 state seats in Selangor giving it the power to call the shots in the state.
All this calls to question PR’s promises before the last two general elections that its complexion would be dissimilar to that of the BN in that there would be no pandering to the interests of specific individuals.
It was also assumed that this would translate into transparency in politics without cliques or factions within PR.
But this has not proven true with the mudslinging in Selangor and open rivalry between Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy and DAP chairman Karpal Singh.
Azmin is making a statement today that hopefully will throw some light on the mystery surrounding Anwar’s, and by extension, PR’s decision to field him in the forthcoming by-election.
The people of Selangor, and the nation, are in the dark about where this intrigue is going.
Kajang By-Election – Azmin: Lee’s resignation a ‘tactical move’
(MM) – Lee Chin Cheh’s resignation as Kajang state assemblyman was a tactical move to strengthen Pakatan Rakyat’s hold on Selangor, according to PKR deputy president, Azmin Ali.“It was a tactical move, we needed the seat to be vacated,” Azmin told reporters here.
Azmin said a “national leader” of Anwar’s calibre was needed to improve PR’s position in the country’s richest state, even though the coalition currently holds 44 of the 56 seats in the state assembly.
“Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim has laid a strong foundation for the past five years. But we should not be too complacent,” Azmin added.
Asked whether this meant Anwar would replace Khalid as Selangor Mentri Besar assuming the former deputy prime minister won the Kajang by-election, Azmin said that nothing had been decided yet.
“Do not speculate beyond Kajang. We will discuss matters after the by-election, if there is a need…,” Azmin said smiling without finishing his sentence.
He added that Anwar had “many contacts” who would help improve Selangor and that the Opposition leader would play a strong role as state assemblyman.
Azmin has said he personally had “no objection” to Anwar contesting the by-election.
Confirming widespread speculation today, Anwar announced that he will contest the upcoming Kajang by-election but stopped short of declaring that he planned to replace Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim as Selangor Mentri Besar.
Anwar said he had no choice but to contest the seat as he had been chosen to do so by PKR.
The Malay Mail Online understands that high-level discussions are well under way among top Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders to replace Khalid.
While popular with the general public, Khalid’s penchant for unilateral decision-making in governing the country’s wealthiest state is understood to be a source of dissatisfaction among other state level PR leaders.
Among his decisions that have ruffled feathers are controversial pay hikes for Selangor state assemblymen and administrators, an unexpected decision to go with Putrajaya’s recommendations in the state’s water restructuring plans, and the convoluted removal of PKR deputy president and known rival Azmin Ali from the board of the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS).
Rumours over the position of state chief minister began swirling after Azmin was sacked from the PKNS board, allegedly on orders from the state government.
Khalid said the Selangor executive council had not ordered Azmin’s removal, and declassified official state documents to confirm the matter last week.
Azmin told The Malay Mail Online in a recent interview that he was more concerned about improving PR’s performance in its second term in the Selangor government, rather than pursuing “personal rivalries”.
Nation on fragile ground, warns Kit Siang
BY JENNIFER GOMEZ | The Malaysian Insider
It only takes a spark to set off another May 13, said a worried Lim Kit Siang (pic) as he called on Malaysians to quell tension plaguing the country now.
The DAP adviser said this was the reason he had asked Penang PKR assemblyman Lee Khai Loon to apologise for stuffing kangkung into an effigy of the prime minister during a flash mob in Penang two weeks ago.
He said it was also why he has been crusading for Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat to form a secretariat to discuss issues plaguing the country.
“The situation has become very unhealthy, with drawn-out stoking of religious and racial tension for the past eight months,” he told The Malaysian Insider today.
Lim, who is Gelang Patah MP, is worried that the currently escalating tension could lead to a scenario similar to the black day in Malaysian history almost 45 years ago.
He also expressed concern that the police and authorities were standing by and doing nothing about the situation.
“While the majority of the rakyat want peace, all it takes is for a small percentage of people to go haywire, to spark another racial riot,” Lim warned.
Citing the recent Allah banner placed outside five churches in Penang and the molotov cocktail that was thrown into a chuch compound in Lebuh Farquhar in Penang in the wee hours of Sunday morning, Lim cautioned that there were certain quarters out to undermine harmony by engaging in these acts.
On January 15, Machang Bubok assemblyman Lee led a kangkung flash mob in Penang and stuffed the vegetable into an effigy of Datuk Seri Najib Razak, triggering outrage in Penang Umno, who then led demonstrations in the state and threatened a repeat of the May 13 racial riots.
“There was nothing wrong with what Lee Khai Loon did, but I was concerned that certain people out to create trouble would distort the situation and label it anti-Malay or such.
“For that (asking him to apologise), I got attacked all around, “Lim said.
Lim’s concerns led him to push for a Barisan Nasional-Pakatan Rakyat joint secretariat to discuss these issues.
He even suggested an emergency Parliament meeting during Chinese New Year to address the “kangkung” crisis, and the escalating attempts to incite religious hatred and create conditions for another May 13.
Lim said that over the past few days, he had received many calls from those who were equally concerned that matters were spiralling out of control.
“One of them was Ambiga. That is why I asked her to speak at the dialogue session tonight and she agreed,” he said, referring to former electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 co-chair and prominent lawyer Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan.
Lim said that what was needed was a proactive approach to remove destabilising effects on society, given what he described as extraordinary levels of tension building up in the country of late.
“There should be a proper response to this racial and religious incitement.
“We must learn to be sensitive to each other’s race and religion, and whatever we do, we must not cross the line,” he added.
The public dialogue at the DAP headquarters in KL tonight will discuss the most rational response to the escalating racial and religious polarisation in Malaysia over the past eight months.
Lim said the issue was not about the ‘kangkung phenomena’, the PM, Lee Khai Loon or any one personality,
“The issue is about reckless groups that have enjoyed immunity and impunity to incite racial and religious hatred, conflict and tension to destabilise the country and create another May 13 racial riots to achieve their petty, selfish and even traitorous political objectives,” he added.
Racial and religious tension has intensifed, with the latest incident being banners with the word ‘Allah’ put up in front of five churches in Penang over the weekend and Molotov cocktails thrown into the compound of one church early Sunday morning.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reiterated on Sunday his call for a dialogue with BN to address raging racial and religious issues, three days after making the same overture to the ruling coalition.
The opposition leader moved to extend the olive branch a second time after many Malaysians expressed concern over increased tension in the country resulting from several racial and religious issues lately. – January 28, 2014.
It only takes a spark to set off another May 13, said a worried Lim Kit Siang (pic) as he called on Malaysians to quell tension plaguing the country now.
The DAP adviser said this was the reason he had asked Penang PKR assemblyman Lee Khai Loon to apologise for stuffing kangkung into an effigy of the prime minister during a flash mob in Penang two weeks ago.
He said it was also why he has been crusading for Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat to form a secretariat to discuss issues plaguing the country.
“The situation has become very unhealthy, with drawn-out stoking of religious and racial tension for the past eight months,” he told The Malaysian Insider today.
Lim, who is Gelang Patah MP, is worried that the currently escalating tension could lead to a scenario similar to the black day in Malaysian history almost 45 years ago.
He also expressed concern that the police and authorities were standing by and doing nothing about the situation.
“While the majority of the rakyat want peace, all it takes is for a small percentage of people to go haywire, to spark another racial riot,” Lim warned.
Citing the recent Allah banner placed outside five churches in Penang and the molotov cocktail that was thrown into a chuch compound in Lebuh Farquhar in Penang in the wee hours of Sunday morning, Lim cautioned that there were certain quarters out to undermine harmony by engaging in these acts.
On January 15, Machang Bubok assemblyman Lee led a kangkung flash mob in Penang and stuffed the vegetable into an effigy of Datuk Seri Najib Razak, triggering outrage in Penang Umno, who then led demonstrations in the state and threatened a repeat of the May 13 racial riots.
“There was nothing wrong with what Lee Khai Loon did, but I was concerned that certain people out to create trouble would distort the situation and label it anti-Malay or such.
“For that (asking him to apologise), I got attacked all around, “Lim said.
Lim’s concerns led him to push for a Barisan Nasional-Pakatan Rakyat joint secretariat to discuss these issues.
He even suggested an emergency Parliament meeting during Chinese New Year to address the “kangkung” crisis, and the escalating attempts to incite religious hatred and create conditions for another May 13.
Lim said that over the past few days, he had received many calls from those who were equally concerned that matters were spiralling out of control.
“One of them was Ambiga. That is why I asked her to speak at the dialogue session tonight and she agreed,” he said, referring to former electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 co-chair and prominent lawyer Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan.
Lim said that what was needed was a proactive approach to remove destabilising effects on society, given what he described as extraordinary levels of tension building up in the country of late.
“There should be a proper response to this racial and religious incitement.
“We must learn to be sensitive to each other’s race and religion, and whatever we do, we must not cross the line,” he added.
The public dialogue at the DAP headquarters in KL tonight will discuss the most rational response to the escalating racial and religious polarisation in Malaysia over the past eight months.
Lim said the issue was not about the ‘kangkung phenomena’, the PM, Lee Khai Loon or any one personality,
“The issue is about reckless groups that have enjoyed immunity and impunity to incite racial and religious hatred, conflict and tension to destabilise the country and create another May 13 racial riots to achieve their petty, selfish and even traitorous political objectives,” he added.
Racial and religious tension has intensifed, with the latest incident being banners with the word ‘Allah’ put up in front of five churches in Penang over the weekend and Molotov cocktails thrown into the compound of one church early Sunday morning.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reiterated on Sunday his call for a dialogue with BN to address raging racial and religious issues, three days after making the same overture to the ruling coalition.
The opposition leader moved to extend the olive branch a second time after many Malaysians expressed concern over increased tension in the country resulting from several racial and religious issues lately. – January 28, 2014.
Suspension on The Heat lifted
The Sun Daily
by Karen Arukesamy
by Karen Arukesamy
PETALING
JAYA (Jan 27, 2014): The Heat will be back on the streets soon with the
Home Ministry lifting its suspension on the newsweekly today.
Confirming
this, the publication's editor-in-chief David Lee Boon Siew said that
the ministry notified the decision in a letter dated Jan 24.
A statement on the its website said the newsweekly will hit the streets on Feb 7 after the Chinese New Year holidays.
It
is learnt that the ministry's decision was conveyed to the newsweekly’s
publisher Satria Kiara Sdn Bhd in a letter dated Jan 24, 2014 that was
signed by Publications and Quranic Text Division head Hashimah Nik
Jaafar, on behalf of the ministry’s secretary-general.
It
was reported that the lifting of the suspension allows the newsweekly
to continue its operation without any change to its current publishing
permit.
The
Heat was suspended "indefinitely" on Dec 19, 2013 allegedly over its
November 23-29's front-page article entitled “All eyes on big-spending
PM Najib”.
However,
the ministry later clarified that the suspension was for allegedly not
informing them of the changes in the publication's ownership, in
addition to an alleged refusal to respond to two showcause letters.
Refrain From Reacting To Provocative Banners - Najib
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 28 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has urged all parties to refrain from reacting to provocative banners hung at Penang churches as it will further aggravate the situation.
The prime minister said as peace-loving Malaysians, they should act rationally guided by the rule of law upheld over the years.
"I hope that all parties will stay calm and will not lose their composure amidst provocations by irresponsible parties," he said in his Facebook posting Tuesday.
On Sunday, banners with the message "Allah is great, Jesus is the son of Alllah" were hung outside churches in Farquhar Street, Sungai Pinang, Pulau Tikus and Gelugor, Penang as well as at a bus stop on the island.
Meanwhile, in his Twitter post, the prime minister asked young Bumiputera entrepreneurs to demonstrate their ability to initiate business by capitalising on RM100 million allocated under the Bumiputera New Entrepreneurs Start-Up Scheme or Superb.
Introduced last year, Superb provides grants up to RM500,000 to creative and innovative new entrepreneurs in strategic sectors which have big potential in the future.
The prime minister said as peace-loving Malaysians, they should act rationally guided by the rule of law upheld over the years.
"I hope that all parties will stay calm and will not lose their composure amidst provocations by irresponsible parties," he said in his Facebook posting Tuesday.
On Sunday, banners with the message "Allah is great, Jesus is the son of Alllah" were hung outside churches in Farquhar Street, Sungai Pinang, Pulau Tikus and Gelugor, Penang as well as at a bus stop on the island.
Meanwhile, in his Twitter post, the prime minister asked young Bumiputera entrepreneurs to demonstrate their ability to initiate business by capitalising on RM100 million allocated under the Bumiputera New Entrepreneurs Start-Up Scheme or Superb.
Introduced last year, Superb provides grants up to RM500,000 to creative and innovative new entrepreneurs in strategic sectors which have big potential in the future.
Cadbury launches investigation after 'wasp is discovered' in bar of Dairy Milk
Jake Keating, from Liverpool, tweeted the image after he found the insect lodged inside a bar of Dairy Milk.
He used Twitter to contact Cadbury via their official account (@CadburyUK), saying: "As if I have just found a WASP in my chocolate!!! What are you gonna do about this!?!"
The company swiftly responded on the social networking website, replying:"We'd love to reply with a pun, but we want you to know how seriously we're taking this, so we won't,"
The image soon swept around Twitter, prompting Cadbury to take action, assuring their other followers the matter was being dealt with: "‘Hi guys, we’re investigating this and are in contact with the original poster. Thanks for flagging."
Cadbury, based in Birmingham, is listed as the second largest confectionery company in the world, after being acquired by Mondelez International in 2012.
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