Wednesday 5 February 2014
Fatwa over Pregnancy, Victim punished, accused spared
Lalmonirhat imam held
A teenage girl has been ostracized in Lalmonirhat through a fatwa for her pregnancy after she was lured into a physical relationship with an adult with the promise of marriage.
The father of the 13-year-old girl filed a case with Aditmari Police Station on January 12, accusing Rezaul Islam, of Vatapara village, of developing illicit relations with the girl through deception.
Five days after the filing of the case, the imam of Vatapara Jame Masjid, Fazlul Haque, imposed the fatwa on the nine-month-pregnant girl and her family, forbidding villagers to engage in any form of interaction with them.
But neither the villagers took any action against Rezaul, 19, nor did police arrest him.
"I loved Rezaul. He said he would marry me and I believed him," the girl, who had just completed the fifth grade, told The Daily Star.
Since the victim was below 18, police filed a rape case, said Sub-inspector Aminul Islam, investigation officer of the case.
Asked about the fatwa, the imam attempted to justify what he had done by saying that the girl brought false accusations against Rezaul.
"The family did not disclose details of the rape to the villagers when it happened. They lodged the case when the girl's pregnancy reached an advanced stage, which was not possible to hide, and put the blame on Rezaul," Fazlul Haque said.
However, the victim's mother said they had been trying to persuade Rezaul to keep his promise and marry the girl. The family approached the police as a last resort.
The rapist had reportedly demanded 27 decimals of land as dowry. The victim's family offered him 14 decimals of land that they could afford but he rejected the proposal.
Against such a backdrop, the girl herself went to Rezaul's house on January 1 and pleaded with him to marry her. She was beaten up by Rezaul's elder brother Mizanur and brother-in-law Fazlu and kicked out of the house.
In the case statement, the girl's father accused Mizanur and Fazlu of beating up her daughter.
Neither of Mizanur, Fazlu and Rezaul has been arrested although they are seen roaming around the area.
Local people said they had seen Rezaul offer prayers at the mosque on the day the fatwa was issued.
SI Aminul refuted the claim and said the accused were on the run.
Police raided the village in Durgapur union of Aditmari upazila yesterday evening and arrested the imam for issuing the fatwa. They also arrested a village leader, Muzibur Rahman.
http://www.thedailystar.net/victim-punished-accused-spared-9823
A teenage girl has been ostracized in Lalmonirhat through a fatwa for her pregnancy after she was lured into a physical relationship with an adult with the promise of marriage.
The father of the 13-year-old girl filed a case with Aditmari Police Station on January 12, accusing Rezaul Islam, of Vatapara village, of developing illicit relations with the girl through deception.
Five days after the filing of the case, the imam of Vatapara Jame Masjid, Fazlul Haque, imposed the fatwa on the nine-month-pregnant girl and her family, forbidding villagers to engage in any form of interaction with them.
But neither the villagers took any action against Rezaul, 19, nor did police arrest him.
"I loved Rezaul. He said he would marry me and I believed him," the girl, who had just completed the fifth grade, told The Daily Star.
Since the victim was below 18, police filed a rape case, said Sub-inspector Aminul Islam, investigation officer of the case.
Asked about the fatwa, the imam attempted to justify what he had done by saying that the girl brought false accusations against Rezaul.
"The family did not disclose details of the rape to the villagers when it happened. They lodged the case when the girl's pregnancy reached an advanced stage, which was not possible to hide, and put the blame on Rezaul," Fazlul Haque said.
However, the victim's mother said they had been trying to persuade Rezaul to keep his promise and marry the girl. The family approached the police as a last resort.
The rapist had reportedly demanded 27 decimals of land as dowry. The victim's family offered him 14 decimals of land that they could afford but he rejected the proposal.
Against such a backdrop, the girl herself went to Rezaul's house on January 1 and pleaded with him to marry her. She was beaten up by Rezaul's elder brother Mizanur and brother-in-law Fazlu and kicked out of the house.
In the case statement, the girl's father accused Mizanur and Fazlu of beating up her daughter.
Neither of Mizanur, Fazlu and Rezaul has been arrested although they are seen roaming around the area.
Local people said they had seen Rezaul offer prayers at the mosque on the day the fatwa was issued.
SI Aminul refuted the claim and said the accused were on the run.
Police raided the village in Durgapur union of Aditmari upazila yesterday evening and arrested the imam for issuing the fatwa. They also arrested a village leader, Muzibur Rahman.
http://www.thedailystar.net/victim-punished-accused-spared-9823
New York City public school kids getting new Muslim, Lunar New Year holidays
Mayor de Blasio said Monday that he’d move forward with closing schools for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, two Muslim holy days, and for Lunar New Year. But he was hesitant regarding Hindu festival Diwali.
New York City is moving to close school for two Muslim holidays and the Lunar New Year — but Mayor de Blasio isn’t so sure about the Hindu festival Diwali.
Appearing on WNYC’s “Brian Lehrer Show” on Monday, the mayor said he hadn’t taken a position on whether Diwali, the festival of lights celebrated in India and other South Asian countries, should be a day off from school.
But he said he’d move forward with closing schools for Lunar New Year and for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, Muslim holy days.
“It is complicated in terms of logistics and school calendar and budget. But it’s something I want to get done in a reasonable time frame,” he said.
A spokesman for the Indian community appealed to the mayor to recognize the Hindu holiday.
Rob Bennett for the Office of Mayor Bill de Blasio
Mayor de Blasio, in blue, will add more holidays to the New York City public school calendar — but not all the days everyone was seeking.
Ethnic communities have pushed for all four holidays to be recognized. Former Mayor Bloomberg opposed the change, saying kids should not miss more school.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/nyc-public-school-kids-new-holidays-article-1.1601237#ixzz2sNU0go00
Perkasa selar SKMM cepat bertindak tutup Facebook anti Kristian tetapi tidak anti Islam
Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Kebangsaan (Perkasa) mempersoalkan tindakan pantas Suruhanjaya Komunikasi Media Multimedia (SKMM) menutup laman Facebook yang dikatakan menghina agama Kristian tetapi lambat bertindak apabila ia berkaitan agama Islam.
Menurut Setiausaha Agung Perkasa Syed Hassan Syed Ali (gambar), agak menghairankan apabila SKMM tidak bertindak biarpun laporan polis dibuat terhadap beberapa laman sesawang dan Facebook yang menghina umat Islam di negara ini.
"Perkasa ingin bertanya kepada SKMM, mengapa begitu cepat bertindak terhadap akaun Facebook menghina Kristian tetapi tiada satu pun tindakan diambil terhadap Facebook yang menghina kesucian Islam walau sudah banyak aduan dibuat," kata Syed Hassan dalam satu kenyataan lewat petang tadi di Kuala Lumpur.
"Laporan polis terhadap beberapa portal berita dan Facebook yang menghina kesucian Islam kami kira cukup banyak tetapi mengapa masih tiada tindakan diambil? Apakah laporan polis tidak mencukupi dan perlu juga membuat aduan kepada SKMM?"
Perkasa turut menuntut SKMM agar tidak bersikap memilih dalam mengambil tindakan terhadap aduan yang dibuat kerana agak mengecewakan apabila melihat begitu banyak penghinaan terhadap kesucian Islam sedangkan pihak bertanggungjawab seperti SKMM hanya memandang ringan mengenai isu tersebut.
"Perkasa menunggu pula reaksi daripada pertubuhan yang memperjuangkan hak kebebasan bersuara mengapa tidak menyelar SKMM kerana menyekat kebebasan bersuara apabila laman Facebook tersebut ditutup.
"Adakah mereka juga memilih untuk membuat kritikan? Apabila Islam dihina dan kita menggesa tindakan diambil maka ia dilihat sebagai melanggar kebebasan bersuara?" katanya.
Menurut Syed Hassan, Perkasa tetap dengan pendirian menghina agama bukanlah kebebasan bersuara.
"Perbuatan menghina sesuatu agama bukanlah kebebasan bersuara. Penghina terhadap sesuatu agama wajar dihukum dengan hukuman yang keras," katanya.
Hari ini SKMM dilaporkan mengambil tindakan menutup beberapa laman sesawang dan Facebook anti Kristian.
Menurut Pengerusi SKMM Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi, penutupan itu termasuk laman “Semenajung Malaysia Anti Sabah and Sarawak”.
“Kami menghubungi Facebook (pentadbir) dan beberapa laman berkenaan ditutup,” katanya seperti dilapor Malaysiakini.
Katanya, siasatan SKMM terhadap laman Facebook berkenaan masih berterusan.
PAS Sabah membuat laporan polis terhadap laman Facebook yang didaftarkan atas nama “Semenanjung Malaysia Anti Sabah and Sarawak" yang menghina penganut Kristian dan Malaysia Timur.
Gambar menghina penganut Kristian termasuk seekor katak dipaku ke salib menimbulkan kemarahan warga Sabah dan Sarawak.
Dua ahli politik Sarawak mengeluarkan kenyataan bagi meredakan kemarahan penduduk Borneo terhadap sentimen anti Kristian dan anti Malaysia Timur di Semenanjung sambil memberi amaran terhadap cadangan berpisah daripada Malaysia yang disifatkannya sebagai pengkhianat.
Menteri Kabinet Sarawak Tan Sri Dr James Masing berkata tidak perlu perbincangan untuk berpisah daripada Malaysia sebagaimana yang pernah dibangkitkan dalam laman Facebook oleh warga Sabah dan Sarawak. – 4 Febuari, 2014.
Body of Special Branch officer shot twice in face found at KL roadside
A policeman attached with Federal police Special Branch unit was found dead, after he was believed to have been shot twice in the face, at Bukit Persekutuan in Kuala Lumpur, today.
Police found the body of the 37-year-old corporal after receiving a call at 4.30 pm.
The deceased was shot twice on the face, one shot pierced through his right cheek while the other through his right eye.
City police CID deputy chief ACP Khairi Ahrasa said the victim, whose identity was being held, was in plainclothes.
He said the body was found by a police patrol unit by the side of Jalan Negeri Sembilan at Bukit Persekutuan, together with 9mm bullet casings and a Modenas Kriss motorcycle, which the police said belonged to another policeman.
“We believe he was shot dead within one hour before the body was found, based on the initial checks on the body at the scene,” said Khairi.
Sources close to the investigation said the deceased wallet and personal belongings were still intact, ruling out robbery as a motive for the murder.
Police are also checking if the killer was known to the victim, based on clues found at the scene.
When contacted, Special Branch director Datuk Seri Akhil Bulat declined to give more details, saying the case was being investigated by the Kuala Lumpur police.
The case has been classified as murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
The body has been sent to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital for post mortem. – February 4, 2014.
Police found the body of the 37-year-old corporal after receiving a call at 4.30 pm.
The deceased was shot twice on the face, one shot pierced through his right cheek while the other through his right eye.
City police CID deputy chief ACP Khairi Ahrasa said the victim, whose identity was being held, was in plainclothes.
He said the body was found by a police patrol unit by the side of Jalan Negeri Sembilan at Bukit Persekutuan, together with 9mm bullet casings and a Modenas Kriss motorcycle, which the police said belonged to another policeman.
“We believe he was shot dead within one hour before the body was found, based on the initial checks on the body at the scene,” said Khairi.
Sources close to the investigation said the deceased wallet and personal belongings were still intact, ruling out robbery as a motive for the murder.
Police are also checking if the killer was known to the victim, based on clues found at the scene.
When contacted, Special Branch director Datuk Seri Akhil Bulat declined to give more details, saying the case was being investigated by the Kuala Lumpur police.
The case has been classified as murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
The body has been sent to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital for post mortem. – February 4, 2014.
The fight for water - a Selangor story
Last year we had seen woes after woes hitting the water supply services of Selangor, ranging from dry spells to the Sungai Selangor oil spill. Just recently, during Chinese New Year, one of the most important festive seasons in Malaysia, major water disruptions occurred at several places at Hulu Langat and Kuala Langat due to ammonium contamination at Sungai Langat.
While the predicament for safe, clean and continuous water supply is clear, unfortunately, the solutions are not. Following the failure of the state to restructure its water and the announcement of the continuation of Langat 2, the people are unsure when and how the issue would be settled.
Amidst all this, it was announced that Selangor state government would carry out Hybrid Off-River Augmentation System (HORAS) at the Selangor River to ensure water availability during drier months.
It is undeniable that water restructuring of water supply services is vital in ensuring the sustainability of clean and safe water supply in the state. However, the people are shrouded in uncertainty on whether the takeover of Selangor’s water supply by the federal government would actually speed up the restructuring process or otherwise.
An action plan with a solid timeline to complete the water restructuring process in Selangor should be made available by the federal government.
It was subsequently announced that the long suspended Langat 2 project is to be resumed. Langat 2 is often associated with high expenditures, and thus as an alternative to the Langat 2 project, the Selangor state government had proposed HORAS to be done at the Selangor River.
A detailed explanation on what is HORAS and how would it affects the environment and natural water cycle is necessary since information related to the project has not been made public. An environmental impact assessment and cost-benefit analysis on the proposed HORAS project should be done to justify its commencement.
In conclusion, the water sector restructuring process in Selangor should take place as soon as possible in order to ensure the sustainability of clean and safe water supply. Also, any developments such as Langat 2 and HORAS should always take into consideration the consumers’ interests and long-term sustainability of the water services industry.
MATHINI ARVEENA RAVEE is research and policy executive, Water and Sanitation Services Forum Air Malaysia (Malaysian Water Forum).
Deny ‘DAP support’, Palanivel told
MIC president G Palanivel has come under fire again, this time for not fielding strong candidates in Penang and supporting the DAP.
KUALA LUMPUR: A former MIC deputy minister wants party leader G Palanivel to explain why he did not field strong candidates in Penang in the last general election so as not to “disturb” the DAP in the state.
Former Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department T Murugiah said Palanivel should come out and clear the air over the allegation.
In FMT’s report on Jan 30, a former Central Working Committee (CWC) member said Palanivel shot down S Vell Paari’s suggestion on MIC’s candidates in Penang so as to take care of DAP’s interest in Penang.
During the meeting, Vell Paari had suggested that former youth treasurer J Dheenagaran and incumbent CWC member Henry Benedict Aasirvaatham be given the opportunity to contest under the Barisan Nasional banner in Bagan Dalam and Perai state seats respectively.
However, Palanivel immediately dismissed his suggestion by claiming that MIC should not “disturb” the DAP in Penang.
Palanivel had said then that Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Deputy Chief Minister (II) P Ramasamy were his close friends.
Vell Paari had then told FMT that the CWC members were shocked when Palanivel commented that the DAP was doing an excellent job in Penang and should let them remain in power.
He had said his suggestion to field strong candidates was turned down by Palanivel.
“This is a very serious issue and Palanivel must clarify immediately. Otherwise, it may create an unhealthy situation between MIC and other BN component parties,” Murugiah told FMT.
“Being a component party, MIC should not betray or back-stab the BN.
“Palanivel should give his explanation before the CWC meeting on Thursday,” he said.
Meanwhile, Aasirvaatham has urged the party discipline committee to act against Vell Paari if the allegations were proven false.
“Vell Paari has already challenged the party leadership to take action if what he said was false.
“The party must expel him immediately despite Vell Paari being the son of former party president S Samy Vellu,” he added.
KUALA LUMPUR: A former MIC deputy minister wants party leader G Palanivel to explain why he did not field strong candidates in Penang in the last general election so as not to “disturb” the DAP in the state.Former Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department T Murugiah said Palanivel should come out and clear the air over the allegation.
In FMT’s report on Jan 30, a former Central Working Committee (CWC) member said Palanivel shot down S Vell Paari’s suggestion on MIC’s candidates in Penang so as to take care of DAP’s interest in Penang.
During the meeting, Vell Paari had suggested that former youth treasurer J Dheenagaran and incumbent CWC member Henry Benedict Aasirvaatham be given the opportunity to contest under the Barisan Nasional banner in Bagan Dalam and Perai state seats respectively.
However, Palanivel immediately dismissed his suggestion by claiming that MIC should not “disturb” the DAP in Penang.
Palanivel had said then that Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Deputy Chief Minister (II) P Ramasamy were his close friends.
Vell Paari had then told FMT that the CWC members were shocked when Palanivel commented that the DAP was doing an excellent job in Penang and should let them remain in power.
He had said his suggestion to field strong candidates was turned down by Palanivel.
“This is a very serious issue and Palanivel must clarify immediately. Otherwise, it may create an unhealthy situation between MIC and other BN component parties,” Murugiah told FMT.
“Being a component party, MIC should not betray or back-stab the BN.
“Palanivel should give his explanation before the CWC meeting on Thursday,” he said.
Meanwhile, Aasirvaatham has urged the party discipline committee to act against Vell Paari if the allegations were proven false.
“Vell Paari has already challenged the party leadership to take action if what he said was false.
“The party must expel him immediately despite Vell Paari being the son of former party president S Samy Vellu,” he added.
Nalla offers to challenge Anwar in Kajang
The BN-friendly senator says he knows all of Anwar's secrets.
UPDATED
KUALA LUMPUR: Former ally-turned-nemesis KS Nallakaruppan today offered to contest against Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim for the Kajang state seat by-election.“I am the best candidate to challenge Anwar. I would like to share with Kajang voters all his secrets.
“His secrets are in my pocket,” said Nallakaruppan at a press conference today.
Nallakaruppan is the president of BN-friendly Malaysian Indian United Party (MIUP) and a senator since 2012.
He had been a friend of Anwar – his former tennis partner – for more than 30 years but parted ways with the PKR leader in 2007 following a party position tussle.
Nallakaruppan today urged the BN leadership to allow him to contest in the traditional MCA seat, failing which he may contemplate standing as an independent.
He said he would be meeting Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak soon to discuss the matter.
He also called on Anwar to step down as the Permatang Pauh MP, adding that he would quit his senator’s position for the by-election.
‘Who is Anwar compared to Nallakaruppan?’
When asked if he will convince MCA to allow him to contest in Kajang, Nallakaruppan said it was up to BN secretary general Tengku Adnan Mansor to do the negotiations.
Nallakaruppan also claimed he has a better standing compared to any other candidate who may be against Anwar.
“I have a better chance to win if fielded. Who is Anwar compared to Nallakaruppan?” he asked.
He also labelled Anwar as the ‘Bapa Putar Alam Malaysia’ (‘Master of Spin’), for deceiving Malaysian people with his political stunts.
Meanwhile, Ng Lum Yong who claimed to be one of the founding members of PKR in 1998 and also held a post in the central committee said that all former PKR and PAS men will join forces against Anwar for the by-election.
Ng also added that they would support any candidate introduced by BN to stand against against Anwar.
Former PKR Kedah state youth chief Zamil Ibrahim also called on Anwar to quit his Permatang Pauh MP’s post before contesting the Kajang state seat.
RM200 for a bar of soap
Corruption reigns in Malaysian prisons, alleges an Iranian social worker.
PETALING JAYA: A bar of bath soap costs RM200, a pack of cigarettes fetches RM400 and tinned food sells for RM500 a can.
No, we’re not talking about rare items or a charity auction. Neither are we painting a scenario of what the future holds if our policy makers don’t do something soon about the inflation rate.
These, according to a social worker, are the kinds of prices that prison inmates pay for merchandise that their guards either supply directly or allow someone else to deliver.
“There are many cases of bribery and corruption in the prisons,” said the social worker, an Iranian woman who frequently visits her compatriots in Malaysian jails.
She told FMT that guards made money not only be selling merchandise to the inmates but also by imposing a charge on visitors carrying food into the visiting hall.
“Whether you like it or not, you still have to pay,” she said.
“I have paid them many times. Each time I take food into the prison, they would ask for money—anywhere between RM200 and RM400, depending on who is working on that day.”
She said some guards had even asked her to deposit money into their bank accounts.
“I have to pay. I do not have options. I need to see the inmates to talk to them.”
She said she had not lodged any police report or complained to prison authorities for fear of being prevented from further visits. “If I lodge a report, I think I won’t be able to see them again.”
She alleged that corruption pervaded the entire prison system. “I think everyone from the lowest to the highest rank is corrupt.”
She said a prison officer once contacted her at night to ask for money when an Iranian inmate asked him for a cigarette.
Drug mules
There are about 400 Iranians in Malaysian prisons, many of them awaiting trial for drug-related offences.
The social worker claimed that the majority of them came from poor families, were poorly educated and were tricked into becoming drug mules.
“They came here because someone had told them to carry luggages into Malaysia and then fly back to Iran to collect their payment,” she said.
“Only 5% who were caught really knew what they were doing. They knew the risks, but were still willing to do it because of the money. This small number of inmates were not arrested at the airport, but somewhere in the city.
“Those who were tricked into becoming drug mules were arrested at the airport. Only when they were arrested did they find out that they had brought in illegal substances.”
PETALING JAYA: A bar of bath soap costs RM200, a pack of cigarettes fetches RM400 and tinned food sells for RM500 a can.
No, we’re not talking about rare items or a charity auction. Neither are we painting a scenario of what the future holds if our policy makers don’t do something soon about the inflation rate.
These, according to a social worker, are the kinds of prices that prison inmates pay for merchandise that their guards either supply directly or allow someone else to deliver.
“There are many cases of bribery and corruption in the prisons,” said the social worker, an Iranian woman who frequently visits her compatriots in Malaysian jails.
She told FMT that guards made money not only be selling merchandise to the inmates but also by imposing a charge on visitors carrying food into the visiting hall.
“Whether you like it or not, you still have to pay,” she said.
“I have paid them many times. Each time I take food into the prison, they would ask for money—anywhere between RM200 and RM400, depending on who is working on that day.”
She said some guards had even asked her to deposit money into their bank accounts.
“I have to pay. I do not have options. I need to see the inmates to talk to them.”
She said she had not lodged any police report or complained to prison authorities for fear of being prevented from further visits. “If I lodge a report, I think I won’t be able to see them again.”
She alleged that corruption pervaded the entire prison system. “I think everyone from the lowest to the highest rank is corrupt.”
She said a prison officer once contacted her at night to ask for money when an Iranian inmate asked him for a cigarette.
Drug mules
There are about 400 Iranians in Malaysian prisons, many of them awaiting trial for drug-related offences.
The social worker claimed that the majority of them came from poor families, were poorly educated and were tricked into becoming drug mules.
“They came here because someone had told them to carry luggages into Malaysia and then fly back to Iran to collect their payment,” she said.
“Only 5% who were caught really knew what they were doing. They knew the risks, but were still willing to do it because of the money. This small number of inmates were not arrested at the airport, but somewhere in the city.
“Those who were tricked into becoming drug mules were arrested at the airport. Only when they were arrested did they find out that they had brought in illegal substances.”
Hutan Melintang PKR man quits party?
In the letter, he cited dissatisfaction with the PKR leadership as a reason to turn independent
K Pragalath, FMT
Two-term Hutan Melintang state assemblyman S Kesavan has allegedly quit PKR to be an independent assemblyman.
A source from the Perak Speaker’s office confirmed receiving a party resignation letter purportedly from Kesavan, and is trying to verify if the letter was indeed sent by Kesavan.
FMT also obtained a copy of a letter allegedly signed by Kesavan. He could not be contacted to confirm the resignation.
The letter is dated Jan 2 and is addressed to Perak state legislative assembly speaker SK Devamany. It was received by Devamany’s office today.
In it, Kesavan declared that he was quitting PKR effective immediately after losing confidence and dissatisfaction with the PKR leadership.
The state assemblyman first won the seat in 2008 by polling 7,804 votes against MIC candidate S Thangaswari. He defended his position in 2013 by polling 10,155 votes in a four cornered tussle.
News of this resignation letter has taken Perak DAP by surprise with its state chief Ngeh Koo Ham reportedly saying that he was not informed of the matter.
PKR supreme council member Mustafa Kamil Ayub meanwhile was reported to have said in a mainstream news portal that Kesavan did not mention his intention when he met him during the party’s supreme council meeting last month.
Meanwhile, in a twist of events, PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil denied Kesavan had submitted a resignation letter to the state speaker.
“After receiving an explanation from YB Kesavan, PKR confirms that he had never sent that letter, nor has he quit the party,” Fahmi said in a brief statement.
“YB Kesavan has also been advised to lodge a police report over the fake letter,” he added.
READ MORE HERE
K Pragalath, FMTTwo-term Hutan Melintang state assemblyman S Kesavan has allegedly quit PKR to be an independent assemblyman.
A source from the Perak Speaker’s office confirmed receiving a party resignation letter purportedly from Kesavan, and is trying to verify if the letter was indeed sent by Kesavan.
FMT also obtained a copy of a letter allegedly signed by Kesavan. He could not be contacted to confirm the resignation.
The letter is dated Jan 2 and is addressed to Perak state legislative assembly speaker SK Devamany. It was received by Devamany’s office today.
In it, Kesavan declared that he was quitting PKR effective immediately after losing confidence and dissatisfaction with the PKR leadership.
The state assemblyman first won the seat in 2008 by polling 7,804 votes against MIC candidate S Thangaswari. He defended his position in 2013 by polling 10,155 votes in a four cornered tussle.
News of this resignation letter has taken Perak DAP by surprise with its state chief Ngeh Koo Ham reportedly saying that he was not informed of the matter.
PKR supreme council member Mustafa Kamil Ayub meanwhile was reported to have said in a mainstream news portal that Kesavan did not mention his intention when he met him during the party’s supreme council meeting last month.
Meanwhile, in a twist of events, PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil denied Kesavan had submitted a resignation letter to the state speaker.
“After receiving an explanation from YB Kesavan, PKR confirms that he had never sent that letter, nor has he quit the party,” Fahmi said in a brief statement.
“YB Kesavan has also been advised to lodge a police report over the fake letter,” he added.
READ MORE HERE
Anwar: What I would do as S’gor MB
Malaysiakini
The first person that visitors to the PKR headquarters would meet is
mustachioed security guard Balu, who usually stands at the entrance of
the building in the high-end neighbourhood of Tropicana, Selangor.
Although he has a seat in the information booth, Balu cannot help but crack a joke when asked why PKR has not provided him a chair: “In this party, the biggest problem is seats.”
In the latest episode, the seat in question is the post of Selangor menteri besar, with the ‘Kajang Move’ being seen as a way to unseat Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and replace him with PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.
A consummate politician, Anwar who is contesting the Kajang by-election in a bid to enter the state legislative assembly, insisted on prefacing his plans with the word ‘If’.
“If I become MB,” he said, raising his voice on ‘if’, “it will be until I become prime minister.”
His meeting with Malaysiakini yesterday was sandwiched between a long list of media interviews, and even his cheery pink candy-stripe shirt did not mask the shadow of fatigue on his face.
Still, fatigue cannot push a seasoned player like Anwar to say what he should not – that the MB’s post is merely a stepping stone and Khalid another pawn to be toppled on the longer route to the premiership.
Instead, Anwar painted a gentler picture of friendship and politics. Khalid, he said, is a good friend but Selangor needs “political clout”.
“It is sad how … he has to leave. It is sad. The circumstances and the dictate of the time requires that Selangor be driven,” he said, clenching his fist at the end to prove this point.
“I cannot accept Selangor being held every time to ransom. Every other week you have this problem, this attack.
“We seem to be quite helpless, either they (the BN) use state apparatus or some NGO and not much can be done … we will not allow this to happen. This requires political leadership.”
‘It’s not about the money’
Enter Anwar – former finance minister and someone so deft in political manouevring that he managed to oust Ghafar Baba for the Umno deputy president’s post in a heartbeat despite Ghafar’s four-decade long career in the party.
But Khalid, too, has solid credentials. Under his stewardship, Selangor reserves now stand at an astounding RM3 billion, a mountain of cash that he jealously guards.
He has refused to play politics with the funds, either by through politically-expedient projects camouflaged as state initiatives or through feeding the party.
Critics of the ‘Kajang Move’ allege that this is actually the main reason behind the manouevre. They say it is just a bid by PKR to break into the coffers.
Anwar shrugged, as if this is nothing new, and without missing a beat lamented how “unfair” such accusations are.
“How can I, at this stage of my political career, compromise on good governance? It is sheer insanity if I do that! … On that score, I am not going to change.”
What he will change, however, is how the reserves are used. He argued that there is no point of talking about reserves with issues like poverty and public housing still a problem in the state.
“The mantel of economic management is not good reserves but good management of the economy. If you spend money, say the reserves, for public housing and free education for Universiti Selangor students, then is it wasting public money?”
Solution to Bible seizure
Anwar took the long and winding route in responding to a question as to why he chose to finally intervene in Selangor.
At the end of this, it is not hard to conclude that one of his grouses was the way the state has handled the Bible seizure issue.
While the Bible Society of Malaysia continues to await the return of the copies seized, Anwar sees this as a cut-and-dried “administrative” matter. This, he said, will be his first stop as MB.
“I would say: ‘Guarantee that they won’t be distributed to Muslims, don’t send them to schools and only use them for Christians. I want it in writing.’ And then I (would) send them back,” he said.
Comparing himself to Anwar, Khalid last week had said that, unlike him, Anwar can face impossible demands (he uses Hindraf’s demands as an example) but at the end of the meeting, those making the demands will be part of Anwar’s fanclub.
It is this trait that Anwar seems to be banking on to deal with rising religious tensions over the use of ‘Allah’ by non-Muslims.
If he heads the Selangor government, Anwar said he can use state resources to build the confidence of Muslims so they would not feel threatened by purported threats to their faith.
He said he has met Muslims who are “virtually fearful” of mass Christianisation and this means the issue is “beyond political”.
“No, I don’t believe Islam is threatened or (that) we (would) allow it to happen. I would say you have all the resources at your disposal to strengthen the position of Islam, to use the mosque to educate, to launch your dakwah (preaching) programmes.
“But you should never allow people to be held to ransom, to instill this sort of fear among the non-Muslims. This is something that is just pathetic after half a century of independence.”
If Anwar becomes the MB, would he then support a change in the state enactment to bar non-Muslims from using ‘Allah’?
In answer, he related the anecdote of a Permatang Pauh Muslim scholar who had questioned him as to why non-Muslims want to change the enactment.
“I told him, Tuan Guru, if you have a non-Muslim living on Jalan Masjid, then technically he cannot use the term ‘Jalan Masjid’.
“(The scholar) said, ‘He can.’ I said, ‘But this is the law.’ Then he was shocked and his immediate reaction was (that) you have to correct the law, not knowing the implications.
“So I think we have to explain. People say, no, we change the law. But I think give it time, we have to explain. Don’t under-estimate or over-estimate your influence or power without engaging with the people.”
Deference to palace
Outside Khalid’s reverence for his “political animal” instincts, Anwar, too, prides himself as being in tune with sentiments on the ground.
Reading this while planning the ‘Kajang Move’, Anwar has known that, even if the palace cannot legally reject his nomination as MB, it would be unwise to arrogantly brush off the influence of the palace.
“I know the (state) constitution, I understand it. But as deference to the ruler, I always said that in a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy, it’s not just the legal constitution.
“If you accept the institution of royalty, of kingship (sic), then there is the paraphernalia, the facade of office that you need to recognise, and that means deference.”
Royal assent, protest votes and consensus within Pakatan Rakyat are hurdles he has to clear to become MB, but these are all things that Anwar and his team of advisors have accounted for.
This is why his candidacy was announced less than 24 hours of Kajang incumbent Lee Chin Cheh’s resignation from the state seat and why he is “taking the soft line” in explaining why it was done.
It also means admitting to “mistakes” – like leaving DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng in the dark over the ‘Kajang Move’, blaming “pressure” to get things going and miscommunication (he thought DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang would tell his son).
Simply put, he said, Kajang was chosen among several seats because its demographics reflect that of the state and doing it now means there will still be time for Anwar and Pakatan to prove their chops in Selangor before the next general election.
“I cannot go on with this (and the feud within PKR Selangor and attacks by BN) on a protracted basis. I have to decide. It was a very difficult decision, not very popular in this instance andMalaysiakini is partly responsible.
“But the decision has to be made for the larger interest and I think, at least for a start, we have caught BN off guard. Nobody anticipated it …”
Neither did the people, some of whom are incensed that PKR is forcing yet another by-election.
For now, though, Anwar almost appears proud.
“It’s not bad (our responses). It means we had read the sentiments, which to me is a positive trait in political leadership.”
The first person that visitors to the PKR headquarters would meet is
mustachioed security guard Balu, who usually stands at the entrance of
the building in the high-end neighbourhood of Tropicana, Selangor.Although he has a seat in the information booth, Balu cannot help but crack a joke when asked why PKR has not provided him a chair: “In this party, the biggest problem is seats.”
In the latest episode, the seat in question is the post of Selangor menteri besar, with the ‘Kajang Move’ being seen as a way to unseat Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and replace him with PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.
A consummate politician, Anwar who is contesting the Kajang by-election in a bid to enter the state legislative assembly, insisted on prefacing his plans with the word ‘If’.
“If I become MB,” he said, raising his voice on ‘if’, “it will be until I become prime minister.”
His meeting with Malaysiakini yesterday was sandwiched between a long list of media interviews, and even his cheery pink candy-stripe shirt did not mask the shadow of fatigue on his face.
Still, fatigue cannot push a seasoned player like Anwar to say what he should not – that the MB’s post is merely a stepping stone and Khalid another pawn to be toppled on the longer route to the premiership.
Instead, Anwar painted a gentler picture of friendship and politics. Khalid, he said, is a good friend but Selangor needs “political clout”.
“It is sad how … he has to leave. It is sad. The circumstances and the dictate of the time requires that Selangor be driven,” he said, clenching his fist at the end to prove this point.
“I cannot accept Selangor being held every time to ransom. Every other week you have this problem, this attack.
“We seem to be quite helpless, either they (the BN) use state apparatus or some NGO and not much can be done … we will not allow this to happen. This requires political leadership.”
‘It’s not about the money’
Enter Anwar – former finance minister and someone so deft in political manouevring that he managed to oust Ghafar Baba for the Umno deputy president’s post in a heartbeat despite Ghafar’s four-decade long career in the party.
But Khalid, too, has solid credentials. Under his stewardship, Selangor reserves now stand at an astounding RM3 billion, a mountain of cash that he jealously guards.
He has refused to play politics with the funds, either by through politically-expedient projects camouflaged as state initiatives or through feeding the party.
Critics of the ‘Kajang Move’ allege that this is actually the main reason behind the manouevre. They say it is just a bid by PKR to break into the coffers.
Anwar shrugged, as if this is nothing new, and without missing a beat lamented how “unfair” such accusations are.
“How can I, at this stage of my political career, compromise on good governance? It is sheer insanity if I do that! … On that score, I am not going to change.”
What he will change, however, is how the reserves are used. He argued that there is no point of talking about reserves with issues like poverty and public housing still a problem in the state.
“The mantel of economic management is not good reserves but good management of the economy. If you spend money, say the reserves, for public housing and free education for Universiti Selangor students, then is it wasting public money?”
Solution to Bible seizure
Anwar took the long and winding route in responding to a question as to why he chose to finally intervene in Selangor.
At the end of this, it is not hard to conclude that one of his grouses was the way the state has handled the Bible seizure issue.
While the Bible Society of Malaysia continues to await the return of the copies seized, Anwar sees this as a cut-and-dried “administrative” matter. This, he said, will be his first stop as MB.
“I would say: ‘Guarantee that they won’t be distributed to Muslims, don’t send them to schools and only use them for Christians. I want it in writing.’ And then I (would) send them back,” he said.
Comparing himself to Anwar, Khalid last week had said that, unlike him, Anwar can face impossible demands (he uses Hindraf’s demands as an example) but at the end of the meeting, those making the demands will be part of Anwar’s fanclub.
It is this trait that Anwar seems to be banking on to deal with rising religious tensions over the use of ‘Allah’ by non-Muslims.
If he heads the Selangor government, Anwar said he can use state resources to build the confidence of Muslims so they would not feel threatened by purported threats to their faith.
He said he has met Muslims who are “virtually fearful” of mass Christianisation and this means the issue is “beyond political”.
“No, I don’t believe Islam is threatened or (that) we (would) allow it to happen. I would say you have all the resources at your disposal to strengthen the position of Islam, to use the mosque to educate, to launch your dakwah (preaching) programmes.
“But you should never allow people to be held to ransom, to instill this sort of fear among the non-Muslims. This is something that is just pathetic after half a century of independence.”
If Anwar becomes the MB, would he then support a change in the state enactment to bar non-Muslims from using ‘Allah’?
In answer, he related the anecdote of a Permatang Pauh Muslim scholar who had questioned him as to why non-Muslims want to change the enactment.
“I told him, Tuan Guru, if you have a non-Muslim living on Jalan Masjid, then technically he cannot use the term ‘Jalan Masjid’.
“(The scholar) said, ‘He can.’ I said, ‘But this is the law.’ Then he was shocked and his immediate reaction was (that) you have to correct the law, not knowing the implications.
“So I think we have to explain. People say, no, we change the law. But I think give it time, we have to explain. Don’t under-estimate or over-estimate your influence or power without engaging with the people.”
Deference to palace
Outside Khalid’s reverence for his “political animal” instincts, Anwar, too, prides himself as being in tune with sentiments on the ground.
Reading this while planning the ‘Kajang Move’, Anwar has known that, even if the palace cannot legally reject his nomination as MB, it would be unwise to arrogantly brush off the influence of the palace.
“I know the (state) constitution, I understand it. But as deference to the ruler, I always said that in a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy, it’s not just the legal constitution.
“If you accept the institution of royalty, of kingship (sic), then there is the paraphernalia, the facade of office that you need to recognise, and that means deference.”
Royal assent, protest votes and consensus within Pakatan Rakyat are hurdles he has to clear to become MB, but these are all things that Anwar and his team of advisors have accounted for.
This is why his candidacy was announced less than 24 hours of Kajang incumbent Lee Chin Cheh’s resignation from the state seat and why he is “taking the soft line” in explaining why it was done.
It also means admitting to “mistakes” – like leaving DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng in the dark over the ‘Kajang Move’, blaming “pressure” to get things going and miscommunication (he thought DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang would tell his son).
Simply put, he said, Kajang was chosen among several seats because its demographics reflect that of the state and doing it now means there will still be time for Anwar and Pakatan to prove their chops in Selangor before the next general election.
“I cannot go on with this (and the feud within PKR Selangor and attacks by BN) on a protracted basis. I have to decide. It was a very difficult decision, not very popular in this instance andMalaysiakini is partly responsible.
“But the decision has to be made for the larger interest and I think, at least for a start, we have caught BN off guard. Nobody anticipated it …”
Neither did the people, some of whom are incensed that PKR is forcing yet another by-election.
For now, though, Anwar almost appears proud.
“It’s not bad (our responses). It means we had read the sentiments, which to me is a positive trait in political leadership.”
Najib should invite Teresa Kok to screen her “Onederful Malaysia CNY 2014” and give proper translation of the Cantonese-Mandarin dialogue and background at the Cabinet meeting tomorrow before more UMNO Ministers make fools of themselves
Another UMNO Minister has jumped into the fray over DAP MP for Seputeh Teresa Kok’s 11-minute video “Onderful Malaysia CNY 2014”, another UMNO leader to make a fool of himself as if he understands Cantonese and Mandarin, the languages used in the video dialogue.
He is none other than the Minister for Communications and Multimedia Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek, who weighed in on the subject today, denouncing Teresa’s satirical Chinese New Year video “unbecoming of a leader” and deploying a string of derogatory ephithets for the video: “annoying”, “more nauseating”, “more disgusting”.
How does Ahmad Shabery know? Has he suddenly understood Mandarin and Cantonese, or was it based on hearsay, and biased and prejudiced hearsay by MCA or Gerakan leaders?
The first UMNO leader who tried to get political mileage from Teresa’s video is the Minister for Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal who accused Teresa’s video of lampooning the Malaysian security forces and the Lahad Datuk intrusion tragedy which saw the loss of lives among soliders and policemen.
Shafie succeeded in getting the police to swing into immediate action within hours with the Police Internal Security and Public Order director Datuk Seri Salleh Mat Rashid declaring that Teresa’s video clip would be investigated for sedition and defamation.
In actual fact, Teresa’s video did not lampoon the security forces as it did not make any mention of the security forces or the Lahad Datuk incursion tragedy.
This is a simple, open-and-shut case.
This is why I invited Shafie yesterday to a public get-together with Teresa and he could come with his experts and advisers so that his team could publicly point out where the security forces or the Lahad Datu intrusion tragedy had been the subject of ridicule by the video satire.
I am not surprised that Shafie has kept his silence because he had been caught red-handed making a fool of himself saying something he knows nothing about – unless he knows Mandarin and Cantonese to understand the video dialogue, which would make him even more culpable as deliberately telling a lie.
At present, we can only say that Shafie was foolish enough to be misled and misinformed about something he does not know as to make baseless allegations about Teresa’s video.
Who had misinformed Shafie? Was it MCA or Gerakan leaders in the BN? Is he prepared to reveal their identities.
Now another UMNO Minister, Ahmad Shabery has jumped into the morass with his eyes closed – as he could not have understood Mandarin or Cantonese.
Before more UMNO Ministers make fools of themselves, I seriously suggest that the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak should invite Teresa Kok to screen her 11-minute video “Onederful Malaysia CNY 2014” and to give proper translation of the Cantonese-Mandarin dialogue and background at the Cabinet meeting tomorrow so that UMNO Ministers will not be so easily misled whether by MCA or Gerakan on the issue.
May be Parliament when it reconvenes on March 10 next month should have a full screening of Teresa’s 11-minute video “Onederful Malaysia CNY 2014” with Teresa providing the correct translation of the Chinese-Mandarin dialogue and background.
Teresa should be congratulated instead of being criticized for her creative video which is heading for a million hits on YouTube – getting more hits than the most popular That Effing Show on YouTube, “Let Them Eat Kangkung” which scored 182,634 hits in two weeks as compared to Teresa’s video which received 187,334 hits in six days.
Not everybody like the “Onederful Malaysia” video, which is controversial and which is why it has collected 2,631 likes to 1,619 dislikes on YouTube.
But this does not make it seditious or criminal defamation as to be subject of police investigation.
As Bar Council President Christoper Leong has rightly said in his interview with Free Malaysia Today yesterday, action cannot be taken against Teresa on her Chinese New Year video as it was not seditious.
Leong said there was nothing seditious about the video as far as the law and the Sedition Act is concerned, regardless whether some may find the video entertaining or otherwise.
He pointed out how there were various ways to highlight serious issues or expound issues of concern.
Leong said: “Being grim-faced with frown lines when doing so is one way, but that is not necessarily the only way.
“One may convey concerns or express an opinion on issues through numerous mediums like oratory, debate, written articles, cartoons, theatrical plays, satire and poems.”
As such, it is all about getting a message across in a peaceful way.
Leong said: “There does not appear to be any element of incitement in the video. The fact that some people are taking offence to it and may excite or incite themselves, does not mean that the video and its contents are unlawful.”
He added that in order to move forward, people should not interpret laws to pander to the lowest denominator.
“Education must be the key, not outmoded draconian laws,” said Leong.
Umno Minister should not be guilty of interpreting laws to pander to the lowest denominator.
Clearly, among the first persons that need to be educated about political satires are UMNO Cabinet Ministers like Shafie and Ahmad Shabery. - Lim Kit Siang
Victim just wants to go back to school
The Star
by RUBEN SARIO
by RUBEN SARIO
KOTA
KINABALU: The family of a 13-year-old rape victim hopes that she can
move on with her life and go back to school now that the culprit has
been sentenced to 12 years’ jail and ordered to be given two strokes of
the rotan.
Rights groups have lauded the sentencing, saying it sent a “loud and clear” message to would-be rapists.
An aunt who has been taking care of the girl said she was a bright student and dreamed of becoming a doctor.
“We
just want her to get on with her life and achieve her dreams,” said the
sister of the girl’s father outside the Sessions Court after
41-year-old restaurant manager Riduan Masmud was sentenced.
Riduan
was found guilty of raping the girl, then about 12, in a car by a
roadside near the Kionsom Waterfall in Inanam between 9am and 10am on
Feb 18, last year.
On
May 20, last year, Riduan told the court that he had married the girl,
but the Attorney-General’s Chambers decided to go ahead and prosecute
him for the offence.
Sessions
judge Ummu Kalthom Abdul Samad, when sentencing Riduan, noted that the
girl had stopped schooling since the incident and was deprived of her
“teenage life” when she became a housewife.
Hailing
the sentence, the Sabah Women’s Action Resource Group said the penalty
would send a strong message to would-be rapists that they could not prey
on children and then try to manipulate the system to escape punishment.
“This is important because of the worrying trend in rape committed against children in Sabah,” said its president Winnie Yee.
She
noted that 80% of rape cases in the state last year involved girls
under the age of 16. Of this, 17% could be categorised as paedophilia as
the victims were 13 years and below while the rapists were at least
five years older.
In
KUALA LUMPUR, Bar Council chairman Christopher Leong said the decision
reflected the serious views held by law and society on statutory rape.
“It
is also a welcome message that perpetrators cannot use the device of
marrying the underage victim as an excuse to escape criminal liability,”
he said.
Leong
also commended the Attorney-General’s Chambers on the prosecution, and
said parents should realise that marrying a child to her rapist often
added to the harm done to their daughters.
Association of Women Lawyers president Meera Samanther said the decision showed that justice could and would be served.
“The message in the judgment is loud and clear – rapists cannot circumvent punishment by marrying the victim,” she added.
Sisters
In Islam programme manager Suri Kempe said a rehabilitation order
should have been included in the sentence to address the root cause of
the rapist’s behaviour.
“The
man did not see anything wrong with his actions and has thus far
expressed no remorse. He even made a public announcement that he was
going to marry his victim and tried to circumvent the criminal justice
system,” she added.
Syariah
Lawyers Association secretary-general Moeis Basri said the girl had to
apply for an annulment as the Syariah Court could not do so on its own
despite the man being convicted.
“The Syariah Court on its own motion cannot annul the marriage unless the wife applies to the court for it to be dissolved.
“Under the Syariah law, if the husband is imprisoned for more than a year, the wife can apply for a dissolution,” he said.
Moeis
said the conviction was an important lesson that a rapist could not
escape punishment by marrying his victim, especially when she is a
minor.
“It sends an important message to society that marriage is not a licence to escape rape charges.”
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