Friday 16 May 2014
Crime against women: Girl sold a year ago recovered, ‘buyer’ arrested
The SP said she was ‘sold off’ to a distant relative,
Basheer Masih, for Rs40,000 a year ago. PHOTO: FILE.
LAHORE: The police on Tuesday night arrested a man who had allegedly ‘bought’ a girl from her brothers a year ago.
Model Town SP Tariq Aziz Sindhu told The Express Tribune that Mariam*, youngest of seven siblings, lost her parents in a motorbike accident three years ago.
She then started living with two of her brothers, Shamoon and Asif, in Bhai Pheru.
The SP said she was ‘sold off’ to a distant relative, Basheer Masih, for Rs40,000 a year ago.
He said Mariam ran away from Masih’s house in Youhanabad on Friday and went to her uncle Bhola Masih for help. He said her uncle brought her to the police.
Sindhu said the police found and arrested the man on Tuesday.
He said he claimed he had married the girl at Model Town courts a year ago. He said the man could not furnish proof of the marriage.
“He is obviously lying as no court would allow him to marry a 12-year-old,” Sindhu said.
Sindhu said that the girl had accused the man and his 18-year-old nephew of sexually assaulting her.
Sindhu said the nephew had also been detained.
Bhola Masih, the girl’s uncle, told The Express Tribune that Basheer was an alcoholic and had been involved in drug peddling cases some years ago.
Kot Lakhpat SHO Atif Meraj told The Express Tribune that the girl was presented before a judicial magistrate on Wednesday and permission was sought to get her examined by doctors.
He said that the court had allowed the medical examination and the girl would be examined by doctors of the Lahore General Hospital on Thursday (today).
A case under Section 376 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) was initiated against Basheer and his nephew. SHO Meraj said action under Section 109 of the PPC had been initiated against the girl’s brothers, Shamoon and Asif.
*NAME HAS BEEN CHANGED TO PROTECT IDENTITY
Published in The Express Tribune, May 15th, 2014.
Saudi Arabia: Farmers flout Mers warning by kissing camels
In recent days, Saudi Arabia has urged people to wear masks and gloves when dealing with camels, to stay away from raw camel meat and camel milk, and not to go near sick animals, the newspaper Gulf News reports. But some people have refused to listen to the government's advice, posting videos and sending messages in support of camels.
In one video, a man stands between a pair of camels and asks it to sneeze. "Look at me! Sneeze, sneeze! They say there's Corona in this," the man says, while hugging and kissing his two camels. Then he shakes one of the camels' heads and says, "She says no. Is there Corona in you? She says no."
Meanwhile, a Twitter user with the handle @fheed6666 - who has more than 90,000 followers - tweets
to acting Saudi Health Minister Adel M Fakeih: "@adelmfakeih
#the_campaign_against_camels_exposed And we call for it to stop or for
evidence to be produced because camels are fine and all the ill people
are in cities." An info-graphic circulating on Twitter suggests camels are more valuable than petrol.
Saudi Arabia is the country by far most affected by Mers, with 133 deaths since the virus was detected in 2012. Nearly 500 people in the kingdom have been infected.
Use #NewsfromElsewhere to stay up-to-date with our reports via Twitter.
Sarawak suspends ‘Anak Angkat’ programme after complaints of covert conversions
Sarawak's education department today suspended the controversial "Anak Angkat" (adoption)
programme in schools in the state following protests from parents that the event was a covert attempt to convert Christian students to Islam.
Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister's Department Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman (pic), who ordered the suspension of the programme, however, said the entire issue was a misunderstanding.
He said it was a sanctioned motivational programme funded by the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, aimed at students from poor families.
He said the programme was run by an NGO called the Organisation of Graduates and Educational Institutions Malaysia, or better known as Haluan, which is based in Bangi, Selangor.
Daud said all religious elements in the future module of the programme would be removed.
“There was no intention to convert non-Muslims to Islam in the programme,” Daud said.
Yesterday, Sarawak Land Development Minister Tan Sri Dr James Masing highlighted this issue after parents of students in SMK Balai Ringin complained about the programme.
The parents told Masing the programme, first held at SMK Serian, a school about 60km from Kuching, was attended by about 50 mostly non-Muslim students on March 8.
The second was held at SMK Balai Ringin, a school about 6km from SMK Serian, last Saturday but the number of students who attended was only 21.
The whole programme was supposed to be run for 10 weeks on every Saturdays.
Students told their parents two teachers picked who should attend the programme and said it was a co-curriculum activity, but added they were asked questions on Islam.
They also pointed out that the programme facilitators were all Muslims and the talks had religious elements.
Daud said the suspension would allow the education department to review the module of the programme to remove all suspicions about it being a covert religious conversion programme.
“What happened in SMK Balai Ringin is a very regrettable affair. Even though the intention of the motivational programme was good, it was misunderstood by the students and their parents,” Daud said.
He said if it is found that there was an attempt by the NGO, Haluan, to use the programme to convert students in Sarawak schools, action would be taken against them.
“We believe that conversion is up to the individual. Any attempt to covertly convert non-Muslims to Muslims is not right.”
Daud made it clear that it was the policy of the state that Islamic religious agencies in Sarawak would never become involved in attempts to convert non-Muslims into Islam.
He also said to preserve the harmony and religious tolerance in the state, the Sarawak Majlis Islam kept tabs on all “dakwah” (missionary) activities in the state.
“Any missionary group coming into the state would be vetted and their programmes scrutinised.”
He said those that do attempt to break the state's "no-forced conversion" policy would be deported.
Haluan started its programme in 2009 with the aim to motivate poor students to perform better academically. – May 15, 2014.
Hisham: No gov't help for financially ailing MAS
“Is there any Malaysian government assistance to MAS? No,” he told a press conference today.
MAS was already making losses prior to the MH370 incident in March, and today the airline said the tragedy had a “dramatic impact" on its performance.
The
airline posted a net loss of RM442 million in the first quarter of
2014, which is almost double of the losses in the same quarter last
year, Kinibiz reported today.Previously, Tourism Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz (left) reportedly said that the government does not know what to do with the airline, but had already ruled out injecting new capital.
Meanwhile, Hishammuddin told reporters today that the multinational search operation for MH370 has cost Malaysia “hardly anything”, because each government had been contributing resources at their own cost.
“What we have incurred is only the cost of deploying our military assets, which are already there,” he said.
'M'sia will share costs'
For the next phase of extensive underwater search operations however, he reiterated that it is only fair that Malaysia shares some of the costs rather than letting Australia foot the bill alone.
However, he said the cost that Malaysia will incur in this phase has not been estimated yet, because the search area and the assets required have yet to be determined.
He added that there are also countries that may contribute military assets at no cost, and there are also ‘third parties’ that have expressed willingness to provide financial contributions.
Hishammuddin, who is also the defence minister, declined to name these third parties when asked, but instead says the matter will be discussed when he travels to meetings in the United Arab Emirates, the Asean defence ministers’ meeting in Myanmar, and meetings in China over the next two weeks.
The Boeing 777-200ER aircraft deviated from its original course on March 8, and went missing with 239 persons onboard.
Meeting in Canberra
A meeting of an international panel of experts, including from the British satellite communications company Inmarsat, is currently taking place in Canberra to pore over all existing data to determine the aircraft’s final location more accurately, and decide on the assets needed for the search.
The two-week meeting started on Wednesday last week.
Analysis
of Inmarsat’s data had been instrumental in determining that MH370’s
final resting place is somewhere in the South Indian Ocean, off the
coast of Australia.When asked about the call from family members of those onboard MH370 to publicly release the raw Inmarsat data for independent analysis, Hishammuddin said that request should be directed to Inmarsat.
“As what (Joint Agency Coordination Centre chief) Angus Houston (above) said recently in Canberra, the raw data is not in the hands of MAS, Malaysia, nor Australia.
“It is in the hands of Inmarsat, so whatever issue that needs to be verified or revealed can only be done by Inmarsat itself,” he said.
Jailani to head comms committee
Meanwhile according to Bernama, Hishammuddin at the same press conference also said the cabinet also agreed to establish a specialised communications, coordination and media committee to be headed by Communications and Multimedia Deputy Minister Jailani Johari.
The committee will focus on streamlining and strengthening effective communication between the three nations, families of those onboard MH370 and other related stakeholders.
"This is to ensure the release of timely and transparent information which is consistent with our effort to improve communications related to this incident," said Hishammuddin.
Prior to this, Malaysia had set up three ministerial committees, namely the next-of-kin committee, technical committee and deployment of assets committee to streamline the ongoing search efforts.
Hishammuddin said since the negotiation process about further details of the operation was expected to continue for the next one to two months, Malaysia was placing a special team in Canberra who included representatives from all the committees to represent the country during the period.
" This special team will coordinate any aspect related to the search operations between Malaysia and Australia. This team will comprise senior officials from the four respective ministerial committees."
He said first admiral Hanafiah Hassan and colonel Hassan Lokman would represent the asset deployment committee to discuss aspects of the acquisition of assets.
"Captain Meor Mohamad Nor Badrishah from the Civil Aviation Department will represent the technical committee to discuss data analysis and investigative matters, and Malaysian High Commissioner to Australia Zainal Abidin Ahmad will represent the next-of-kin committee to discus aspects related to next-of- kin management.
"Two officers from the newly established communications, coordination and media committee will also be placed along with the team for media affairs," he added.
Marina gets stay on defamation suit hearing
Social activist Marina Mahathir today obtained a
stay of her defamation suit against the leaders of Ikatan Muslimin
Malaysia (Isma) leaders.
This follows the Court of Appeal unanimously allowing a stay of the hearing in the High Court in Kuala Lumpur, which was scheduled to hear the matter from today.
Marina
sought the order as she wants Isma leaders who accused her of being the
person behind Comango, to testify first in her defamation suit against
them rather than she testify first, as normal in civil suits.
Comango is a coalition of Malaysian non-governmental organisations on the Universal Periodic Review on Human Rights.
"As they had accused her of being the person behind Comango, they should testify first, to prove their allegation," said Marina’s lawyer Nitin Nadkarni.
Nitin also told the appellate court that Isma leaders had earlier stated in their statement of defence agreeing that they had made the allegation. However, subsequently in their amended defence statement, they retracted it.
Hence, he said the burden of proof is on Isma to prove their allegation.
Justice Zaharah Ibrahim, who chaired a three-member panel together with Justices Mohd Ariff Mohd Yusof and David Wong Dak Wah, agreed to allow the stay.
Following this, the Court of Appeal fixed June 24 for the case management to hear Marina's appeal for Isma leaders to testify first.
'Published with malice'
In the High Court in Kuala Lumpur earlier, Justice Rosilah Yop had disagreed with Marina’s lawyers and ordered the hearing fixed for today to go on.
Marina filed the defamation suit in January and named Isma's president Abdullah Zaik Abd Rahman (left) and 15 members as defendants.
This follows the publication and distribution of 70,000 copies of a leaflet titled `Dalang di sebalik Comango' with Marina's photograph last November that said she is the mastermind behind Comango.
Marina, admitted she is a Sisters in Islam board member, but claimed no role in Comango. She claimed that the leaflet was published with malice and that its content is false and defamatory.
The leaflets, which named other leaders as well, were widely distributed in mosques in the Klang Valley, Seremban, Malacca, Samarahan (Sarawak), Kuantan and Kuala Terengganu.
Marina, the eldest of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's children, had sought a retraction from Isma on the claim made in the leaflets. Its failure to do so resulted in this legal action.
She said the leaflets had tarnished her reputation, lowered her esteem in society, and made her subject to ridicule and scorn.
This follows the Court of Appeal unanimously allowing a stay of the hearing in the High Court in Kuala Lumpur, which was scheduled to hear the matter from today.
Marina
sought the order as she wants Isma leaders who accused her of being the
person behind Comango, to testify first in her defamation suit against
them rather than she testify first, as normal in civil suits.Comango is a coalition of Malaysian non-governmental organisations on the Universal Periodic Review on Human Rights.
"As they had accused her of being the person behind Comango, they should testify first, to prove their allegation," said Marina’s lawyer Nitin Nadkarni.
Nitin also told the appellate court that Isma leaders had earlier stated in their statement of defence agreeing that they had made the allegation. However, subsequently in their amended defence statement, they retracted it.
Hence, he said the burden of proof is on Isma to prove their allegation.
Justice Zaharah Ibrahim, who chaired a three-member panel together with Justices Mohd Ariff Mohd Yusof and David Wong Dak Wah, agreed to allow the stay.
Following this, the Court of Appeal fixed June 24 for the case management to hear Marina's appeal for Isma leaders to testify first.
'Published with malice'
In the High Court in Kuala Lumpur earlier, Justice Rosilah Yop had disagreed with Marina’s lawyers and ordered the hearing fixed for today to go on.
Marina filed the defamation suit in January and named Isma's president Abdullah Zaik Abd Rahman (left) and 15 members as defendants.This follows the publication and distribution of 70,000 copies of a leaflet titled `Dalang di sebalik Comango' with Marina's photograph last November that said she is the mastermind behind Comango.
Marina, admitted she is a Sisters in Islam board member, but claimed no role in Comango. She claimed that the leaflet was published with malice and that its content is false and defamatory.
The leaflets, which named other leaders as well, were widely distributed in mosques in the Klang Valley, Seremban, Malacca, Samarahan (Sarawak), Kuantan and Kuala Terengganu.
Marina, the eldest of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's children, had sought a retraction from Isma on the claim made in the leaflets. Its failure to do so resulted in this legal action.
She said the leaflets had tarnished her reputation, lowered her esteem in society, and made her subject to ridicule and scorn.
Nuns attacked by robber, say cops
Nuns attacked by robber, say cops
SEREMBAN: Police are investigating yesterday’s attack on two Catholic nuns as a robbery but will also consider other possibilities.
Negeri Sembilan police chief Osman Salleh, who said this at press conference today, cautioned the public against speculations that could lead to religious tension.
He said a man wearing a full-face helmet used another helmet to attack Julianna Lim and Mary-Rose Teng in the compound of the Church of Visitation here some time between 6am and 6.30am.
He said Lim, 69, was still unconscious and Teng, 79, had regained consciousness but was still in a state of shock.
“We’ll get a statement from her when she’s ready,” Osman said, referring to Teng. He said police were also keen to interview Lim because she was the second to be attacked and therefore had more time to look at the assailant.
“She may have a better description,” he added. “In fact she screamed for help and then was attacked by the assailant. We pray for her speedy recovery and Mary-Rose as well.”
The only description police now have of the assailant is that he is thin and about 5 feet 7 inches tall.
“There are 13 CCTV cameras around the church, including indoors and outdoors,” Osman said. “However, two of them are faulty. The one aimed to the incident area has been faulty for quite some time.”
Osman said the assailant took the women’s handbags, both of which contained unspecified amounts of cash. Lim also had bibles in her bag and Teng had a mobile phone in hers.
The two live in the same house in Rasah.
“Both came to the church for morning prayers and both were dressed normally,” Osman said.
He said police would investigate the case from “all angles although it looks like it’s a robbery”.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has condemned the attack as “appalling and senseless”.
In an article posted on Facebook today, he said: “The attack and robbery of two nuns in Seremban yesterday was an appalling and senseless act. Rest assured that PDRM [the police] are committed to finding the perpetrators and bringing them to justice.
“I wish both Sister Julianna Lim and Sister Marie Rose a speedy recovery.”
Negeri Sembilan police chief Osman Salleh, who said this at press conference today, cautioned the public against speculations that could lead to religious tension.
He said a man wearing a full-face helmet used another helmet to attack Julianna Lim and Mary-Rose Teng in the compound of the Church of Visitation here some time between 6am and 6.30am.
He said Lim, 69, was still unconscious and Teng, 79, had regained consciousness but was still in a state of shock.
“We’ll get a statement from her when she’s ready,” Osman said, referring to Teng. He said police were also keen to interview Lim because she was the second to be attacked and therefore had more time to look at the assailant.
“She may have a better description,” he added. “In fact she screamed for help and then was attacked by the assailant. We pray for her speedy recovery and Mary-Rose as well.”
The only description police now have of the assailant is that he is thin and about 5 feet 7 inches tall.
“There are 13 CCTV cameras around the church, including indoors and outdoors,” Osman said. “However, two of them are faulty. The one aimed to the incident area has been faulty for quite some time.”
Osman said the assailant took the women’s handbags, both of which contained unspecified amounts of cash. Lim also had bibles in her bag and Teng had a mobile phone in hers.
The two live in the same house in Rasah.
“Both came to the church for morning prayers and both were dressed normally,” Osman said.
He said police would investigate the case from “all angles although it looks like it’s a robbery”.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has condemned the attack as “appalling and senseless”.
In an article posted on Facebook today, he said: “The attack and robbery of two nuns in Seremban yesterday was an appalling and senseless act. Rest assured that PDRM [the police] are committed to finding the perpetrators and bringing them to justice.
“I wish both Sister Julianna Lim and Sister Marie Rose a speedy recovery.”
‘Component parties can stay or leave BN’
Umno MPs say it is not necessary to discuss hudud with non-Muslim parties as they do not know anything about the Islamic law.
PETALING JAYA: MCA’s call for action to be taken against two ministers for their support on hudud did not go down well with Umno MPs. One MP rejected outright the need to discuss hudud with non-Muslim BN component parties.
“As Muslims, we cannot go against hudud. Umno does not reject hudud.”
“We also cannot blindly support PAS as we want to know whether PAS intends to add their own interpretation of hudud,” said Kinabatangan MP, Bung Mokhtar Radin.
“MCA’s call for action to be taken against the Minister in Prime Minister’s Department in charge of religious affairs, Jamil Khir Baharom and the International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed is not right,” he added.
Bung said that it was not necessary for Umno to consult BN component parties when the party has already decided to go ahead with the formation of a national technical committee.
“What’s the point of consulting with non-Muslim component parties when they know nothing about hudud apart from the chopping-off of hands?” he said.
Decision made without consultation
Yesterday, MCA Wanita chief Heng Saie Kie had called for action to be taken against the two ministers who had declared their support forhudud implementation, the Islamic criminal penal code, in Kelantan.
“I strongly urge the BN whip to take disciplinary action against the cabinet ministers and they should be directed to leave the joint technical committee, with Kelantan PAS government, immediately.
“It is disappointing when two BN Cabinet ministers had not only expressed their support towards PAS’ Hudud Bill but also announced their participation in the technical committee to review the implementation of hudud law in Kelantan,” Heng had said in a press statement.
She revealed that the decision to form the national technical committee on hudud had been made unilaterally and without consulting BN component parties.
At the beginning of this year, Jamil had announced that the federal government would support any state government wanting to implement hudud law.
Following this, PAS-led Kelantan government announced its intention to implement the law in the state and was supported by Kelantan Umno led by Mustapa.
The state government wants to table two Private Member Bills that would provide for the establishment of a Syariah Special Court and a Syariah Special Appeals Court.
The Syariah Court (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 is also expected to be amended. Both bills are slated to be tabled in September.
Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had proposed the formation of a national technical committee on hudud.
In the latest development, PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu recently announced that the party would postpone their plans in Kelantan, pending the outcome of the national technical committee’s findings.
It doesn’t concern the Chinese
The Padang Besar MP Zahidi Zainul Abidin has also echoed Bung Mokhtar’s views over the issue.
“MCA has no right to comment on Umno’s role on matters concerning hudud laws. Hudud is not a matter that concerns the Chinese,” he said.
In response to Heng’s claim that it was not right for the national technical committee to be formed without the consensus of BN component parties, Zahidi said that “MCA should perhaps rethink their membership in BN”.
“If they want, they can decide whether or not to remain in BN,” he said.
“As Muslims, we cannot go against hudud. Umno does not reject hudud.”
“We also cannot blindly support PAS as we want to know whether PAS intends to add their own interpretation of hudud,” said Kinabatangan MP, Bung Mokhtar Radin.
“MCA’s call for action to be taken against the Minister in Prime Minister’s Department in charge of religious affairs, Jamil Khir Baharom and the International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed is not right,” he added.
Bung said that it was not necessary for Umno to consult BN component parties when the party has already decided to go ahead with the formation of a national technical committee.
“What’s the point of consulting with non-Muslim component parties when they know nothing about hudud apart from the chopping-off of hands?” he said.
Decision made without consultation
Yesterday, MCA Wanita chief Heng Saie Kie had called for action to be taken against the two ministers who had declared their support forhudud implementation, the Islamic criminal penal code, in Kelantan.
“I strongly urge the BN whip to take disciplinary action against the cabinet ministers and they should be directed to leave the joint technical committee, with Kelantan PAS government, immediately.
“It is disappointing when two BN Cabinet ministers had not only expressed their support towards PAS’ Hudud Bill but also announced their participation in the technical committee to review the implementation of hudud law in Kelantan,” Heng had said in a press statement.
She revealed that the decision to form the national technical committee on hudud had been made unilaterally and without consulting BN component parties.
At the beginning of this year, Jamil had announced that the federal government would support any state government wanting to implement hudud law.
Following this, PAS-led Kelantan government announced its intention to implement the law in the state and was supported by Kelantan Umno led by Mustapa.
The state government wants to table two Private Member Bills that would provide for the establishment of a Syariah Special Court and a Syariah Special Appeals Court.
The Syariah Court (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 is also expected to be amended. Both bills are slated to be tabled in September.
Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had proposed the formation of a national technical committee on hudud.
In the latest development, PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu recently announced that the party would postpone their plans in Kelantan, pending the outcome of the national technical committee’s findings.
It doesn’t concern the Chinese
The Padang Besar MP Zahidi Zainul Abidin has also echoed Bung Mokhtar’s views over the issue.
“MCA has no right to comment on Umno’s role on matters concerning hudud laws. Hudud is not a matter that concerns the Chinese,” he said.
In response to Heng’s claim that it was not right for the national technical committee to be formed without the consensus of BN component parties, Zahidi said that “MCA should perhaps rethink their membership in BN”.
“If they want, they can decide whether or not to remain in BN,” he said.
Sudan: Woman facing death sentence on grounds of her religion must be released
Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases without exception
Amnesty International
A heavily pregnant Christian Sudanese woman who could be sentenced to death by hanging for ‘apostasy’, and to flogging for ‘adultery’ should be immediately and unconditionally released, Amnesty International said ahead of the ruling expected tomorrow.
Meriam Yehya Ibrahim is eight months pregnant and currently in detention with her 20-month-old son.
“The fact that a woman could be sentenced to death for her religious choice, and to flogging for being married to a man of an allegedly different religion is abhorrent and should never be even considered. ‘Adultery’ and ‘apostasy’ are acts which should not be considered crimes at all, let alone meet the international standard of “most serious crimes” in relation to the death penalty. It is flagrant breach of international human rights law,” said Manar Idriss, Amnesty International’s Sudan researcher.
Meriam Yehya Ibrahim, a Christian Sudanese, was convicted on charges of ‘apostasy’ by a Khartoum court on Sunday and was given three days to recant her faith or face a possible sentence of death.
She was also convicted of ‘adultery’ on the grounds that her marriage to a Christian man from South Sudan is considered void under Shari’a law as practiced in Sudan, and is likely to be sentenced to up to 100 lashes.
Meriam was raised as an Orthodox Christian, her mother’s religion, because her father, a Muslim, was reportedly absent during her childhood. She was arrested and charged with adultery in August 2013 after a family member reportedly claimed that she was committing adultery because of her marriage to her Christian South Sudanese husband. The court added the charge of apostasy in February 2014 when Meriam asserted that she was a Christian and not a Muslim.
“Amnesty International believes that Meriam is a prisoner of conscience, convicted solely because of her religious beliefs and identity, and must be released immediately and unconditionally,” said Manar Idriss.
“The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, which includes the freedom to hold beliefs, is far-reaching and profound; it encompasses freedom of thought on all matters, personal conviction and the commitment to religion or belief”
“International law bars coercion that would impair the right to have or adopt a religion or belief, including the use of threat of physical force or penal sanctions to compel believers or non-believers to adhere to their religious beliefs, to recant their religion or belief or to convert.”
The criminalization of ‘adultery’ violates the rights to freedom of expression and association and invariably discriminates against women in its enforcement. The criminalization of ‘apostasy’ is incompatible with the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion
Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases without exception.
A heavily pregnant Christian Sudanese woman who could be sentenced to death by hanging for ‘apostasy’, and to flogging for ‘adultery’ should be immediately and unconditionally released, Amnesty International said ahead of the ruling expected tomorrow.
Meriam Yehya Ibrahim is eight months pregnant and currently in detention with her 20-month-old son.
“The fact that a woman could be sentenced to death for her religious choice, and to flogging for being married to a man of an allegedly different religion is abhorrent and should never be even considered. ‘Adultery’ and ‘apostasy’ are acts which should not be considered crimes at all, let alone meet the international standard of “most serious crimes” in relation to the death penalty. It is flagrant breach of international human rights law,” said Manar Idriss, Amnesty International’s Sudan researcher.
Meriam Yehya Ibrahim, a Christian Sudanese, was convicted on charges of ‘apostasy’ by a Khartoum court on Sunday and was given three days to recant her faith or face a possible sentence of death.
She was also convicted of ‘adultery’ on the grounds that her marriage to a Christian man from South Sudan is considered void under Shari’a law as practiced in Sudan, and is likely to be sentenced to up to 100 lashes.
Meriam was raised as an Orthodox Christian, her mother’s religion, because her father, a Muslim, was reportedly absent during her childhood. She was arrested and charged with adultery in August 2013 after a family member reportedly claimed that she was committing adultery because of her marriage to her Christian South Sudanese husband. The court added the charge of apostasy in February 2014 when Meriam asserted that she was a Christian and not a Muslim.
“Amnesty International believes that Meriam is a prisoner of conscience, convicted solely because of her religious beliefs and identity, and must be released immediately and unconditionally,” said Manar Idriss.
“The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, which includes the freedom to hold beliefs, is far-reaching and profound; it encompasses freedom of thought on all matters, personal conviction and the commitment to religion or belief”
“International law bars coercion that would impair the right to have or adopt a religion or belief, including the use of threat of physical force or penal sanctions to compel believers or non-believers to adhere to their religious beliefs, to recant their religion or belief or to convert.”
The criminalization of ‘adultery’ violates the rights to freedom of expression and association and invariably discriminates against women in its enforcement. The criminalization of ‘apostasy’ is incompatible with the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion
Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases without exception.
Manikavasagam: PKR killing my political career
Ikhwan Zulkaflee, Free Malaysia Today
Former Kapar MP S Manikavasagam said that PKR leadership is ‘killing’ his political career by suspending his membership, thus disqualifying him from contesting in the ongoing party polls.
Speaking to FMT, Manikavasagam said that he was sad by the decision made by the party leadership.
“This sentence is like killing my political career..like what Mahathir did to Anwar. I should have been given space to defend myself. If they decided that my Kuala Selangor division chief candidacy should be disqualified then its okay but let me stand as the supreme council member.
“They should have not made me the scapegoat for grousing to the media. When they come to me and ask questions, I just gave them my answers based on what happened on polling day,” he said.
According to him, other party leaders also come forward to the media but no action is taken against them.
Manikavasagam who is contesting as Kuala Selangor chief division and supreme council member was suspended from the party after the PKR’s political bureau meeting last night decided that he breached the party election regulation by going to the media to voice his grouse.
PKR Disciplinary Board Chairman Tan Kee Kwong announced through a press statement today that Manikavasagam had violated the party election code Article B.7 which reads: “Any dispute regarding the party election should not be brought to the media or made public”.
Manikavasagam during the division polls last weekend alleged to the media that his opponent Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim was involved in money politics in the run-up to the election.
“His statement was aired in TV1 news and TV3 Buletin Utama on May 11 and published in Utusan Malaysia page 6 on May 12,” the statement read.
READ MORE HERE
Another Allah Case Arises in Malaysia
More sticky ground for the governmentOn May 11, 2008, Jill Ireland, a member of the Melanau tribe in Sarawak, landed at the low cost carrier terminal at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, carrying with her eight compact disks containing Christian educational materials in the Indonesian language and intended for her personal use.
The CDs were confiscated by customs authorities on the basis that they contained the word Allah to denote the Christian god. It has become the third of three cases the government would probably like to forget.
Six years later, Ireland is still trying to get her CDs back. It is one of three major cases involving the Allah controversy. The case was supposed to come before Kuala Lumpur High Court Judge Zaleha Yusoff on May 15. Yusoff, however, went on leave, raising questions whether the government would prefer that the case stay on the back burner. The case now has been deferred to June 30.
The Allah issue has earned the country widespread international ridicule and is tearing apart the multi-racial and multi-religious fabric of Malaysian society. It is the only Muslim country in the world, including all of the Arab nations and Indonesia, that bars Christian use of the word. Language scholars point out that it was used as a Christian name for God in the Middle East before Islam came into being.
The High Court actually granted Ireland leave for judicial review on May 4, 2009 – five years ago. But the hearing for the legal battle has yet to begin. It is a particularly thorny one for the government because as Ireland has said repeatedly, the compact disks, which are perfectly legal in Indonesia, where they were made, were for her personal use.
Sources close to the case said that the judicial review is supposed to be the final in a series of court cases involving the Allah controversy in Malaysia for at least the next 12 months. The government, the sources say, wants no more such cases to come before the courts for awhile in order to appease the country’s Muslims, who make up 60 percent of the population.
However, Aziz Bari, a professor and constitutional expert who appeared at the court, said "Both the government and the judge have to understand that the case involves eight CDs, which are meant for Jill Ireland's personal usage. They were never meant for proselytisation purposes. Hence, either the government should just withdraw the case or the judge should make a ruling that will put the house in order."
"In short, the Ministry of Home Affairs could have just returned the eight CDs to Jill Ireland, and the case is close," pointed out Aziz. "The longer the case is being dragged, the worse it will become. How long more can the country fight over that one name of Allah?"
The Allah controversy can be traced back more than three decades ago, when the government painted itself into a corner it can’t get out of. Capitulation on an issue that should never have become an issue, since it isn’t anywhere else, is something the authoritarian government can’t do without humiliating itself. Successive court cases have only hardened the government’s stance on an irrational issue.
Since 1982, barely a year after Mahathir Mohamad became the country’s fourth prime minister, Malaysian Muslims have maintained that they have exclusive claim to the name Allah, and non-Muslims were forbidden from using the name of Allah in their publication.
In that same year, the Indonesian Alkitab, or Christian Bible, used mainly by native Christians in Sabah and Sarawak, was banned although it continues in widespread use. In 1986, the government issued a directive that banned the use of Allah in non-Muslim publications. It was on this directive that customs seized Ireland’s CDs.
The same controversy led to a more celebrated case involving the Catholic Church, which led to the Kuala Lumpur High Court ruling in favor of the use of the word Allah by the Herald, a Malaysian Catholic weekly newspaper, on Dec 31, 2009. The same court had ruled that Islam’s position as the federal religion of the country did not empower the government to prohibit the use of the word Allah. It also found that the word Allah was not exclusive to Muslims.
The High Court rule, however, led to a series of street demonstrations involving Malaysian Muslims, which Najib had claimed the government could do nothing about. After several firebombings of religious places of worship, the government belatedly appealed and reversed the High Court decision.
The Herald case is now awaiting a hearing date before the country’s Supreme Court, with no date in view. Lawyers that have fought the case said any claim to exclusivity of the term "Allah" at the expense of native Bumiputra Christians of Sabah and Sarawak as well as a younger generation of Christians in Peninsular Malaysia who are proficient only in the Malay language, cannot prevail given the constitutional provisions on religious liberty and freedom.
"However, the situation is dicey," a lawyer involved in the case said on condition of anonymity. "The court can decide otherwise. This is why we feel that the rights of the minority are being suppressed."
In another case involving the Sabah church of Sidang Injil Borneo, an evangelical branch of Christianity in East Malaysia, the High Court judge referred to the appellate court’s decision, saying she was bound by the Superior Court ruling suggesting a Muslim monopoly over “Allah”
Sincerity
Aziz said that the Ireland case will once again put to test the already doubtful sincerity of Prime Minister, Najib Abdul Razak’s transformation plan since taking over from Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in 2009. Najib had been using his all-inclusive One Malaysia campaign during the last General Election in 2013, and prior to the Sarawak state election in 2011, his government had also drawn up a 10-point agreement for both East Malaysian states.
However, when the Bible Society of Malaysia was raided in January this year, Najib said the agreement was subject to state constitutions and enactments on the use of terms deemed exclusive to Muslims. "As the Federal Government, it must ensure that the Constitution of the country is always upheld," said Aziz.
'Dr M, jadilah orang tua yang segera bertaubat'
Saya kira Dr Mahathir melatah lagi.
Kali ini beliau menyerang Anwar Ibrahim kerana dijemput menyampaikan syarahan di Universiti Al-Azhar, Jakarta Indonesia. Bahkan penganjur yang menjemput Anwar juga diserang Dr Mahathir.
Kata Dr Mahathir, Anwar tidak layak menyampaikan syarahan tentang Islam kerana moralnya rendah!
Izinkan saya menceritakan kepada Dr Mahathir yang mudah lupa, lama sebelum Anwar berkawan dengan Dr Mahathir, Anwar sudah pun mengenali dan berguru dengan Dr Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, Dr Ismail Faruqi, Dr Sheikh Taha Jabir Al-Awani, Pak Natsir, Pak Hamka, Sheikh Hassan Turabi, Dr Rashid Ghanoushi, Sheik Mehdi Aqif dan ramai lagi.
Anwar terlibat dengan gerakan Islam sejak zaman sekolah, mahasiswa, belia dan tidak pernah bersara hingga hari ini.
Tokoh-tokoh ilmuan dan gerakan Islam seantero dunia seperti Dr Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, Dr Wahbah Zuhaily, Dr Abu Hamid Sulaiman, Dr Ahmad Totonji, Dr Tariq Suwaidan dan Dr Tariq Ramadan sentiasa mengunjungi Anwar setiap kali mereka berkesempatan datang ke Malaysia berbincang isu-isu umat sejagat.
Biarlah saya mengingatkan Dr Mahathir walau bersungguh-sungguh beliau berusaha untuk membunuh karakter Anwar dengan fitnah liwat selama lebih 15 tahun, fitnah jijik itu tidak mampu menjauhkan tokoh-tokoh ilmuan Islam daripada Anwar.
Kalau Dr Mahathir ingin tahu apa sebabnya, jawapannya cukup terang. Islam melarang dan mengharamkan seorang muslim memfitnah saudara muslimnya yang lain dengan fitnah zina atau liwat.
Dr Mahathirlah yang mereka (tuduhan) fitnah liwat terhadap Anwar.
Mangsa fitnah
Namun Dr Mahathir tidak pernah berupaya menampilkan empat saksi sepertimana yang Al-Quran wajibkan. Rakan-rakan Anwar dari kalangan tokoh-tokoh Ilmuan Islam ini terus mendokong Anwar kerana kayu ukur mereka ialah Al Quran. Keyakinan mereka ialah Anwar menjadi mangsa fitnah jahat Dr Mahathir.
Dr Mahathir sewaktu menjadi Perdana Menteri memperalatkan seluruh jentera pemerintah termasuk media, polis, peguam negara dan mahkamah untuk melengkapkan fitnahnya terhadap Anwar. Dipenjarakan tujuh tahun, bebas dan Anwar terus berjuang.
Apakah Dr Mahathir berhasil “membunuh” Anwar? Tidak sama sekali!
Kalau dahulu ketika masih berkuasa Dr Mahathir boleh sahaja menyekat dan memenjarakan Anwar. Hari ini pun kerajaan Umno/ BN boleh terus menyekat Anwar menyampaikan syarahan di universiti-universiti awam dan swasta di negara kita.
Kerajaan Umno/BN malah boleh mengugut mahasiswa-mahasiswa Malaysia di luar negara agar jangan mengikuti syarahan Anwar.
Namun Dr Mahathir dan kerajaan Umno/BN tidak boleh menyekat universiti-universiti terkemuka di rantau ASEAN, di Eropah, di Amerika Syarikat dan di Timur Tengah dari terus mengundang Anwar. Anwar sering dijemput mengupas pelbagai tajuk menyentuh persoalan umat Islam dan dunia seluruhnya.
Saya pernah berpergian bersama Anwar ketika beliau diundang menyampaikan syarahan di Mesir, Turki, Singapura, Indonesia dan banyak negara-negara lain. Siapa yang hadir mengikuti syarahan Anwar?
Untuk makluman Dr Mahathir, mereka ialah menteri-menteri, tokoh-tokoh pemikir dan sarjana Islam, golongan korporat, pimpinan media, professor universiti, tokoh-tokoh ekonomi dan teknokrat.
Di Tunisia misalnya Dr Rashid Ghanoushi menjemput Anwar menyampaikan pandangannya kepada seluruh ahli-ahli parlimen dan anggota jemaah menteri Tunisia.
Kupas topik Islam
Di Turki, Perdana Menteri Tayyib Erdogan menjemput Anwar berucap di Istana Presiden mengupas topik Islam dan kebangkitan dunia arab.
Satu ketika di Mesir seingat saya pada 2010, Anwar dijemput menyampaikan ucaputama persidangan antarabangsa Islam dan Demokrasi.
Di Singapura, bertempat di World Trade Center, ucapan Anwar pula ditujukan kepada tokoh-tokoh media dunia.
Di Indonesia pengaruh Anwar bukan kepalang. Seorang teman saya asal Bogor pernah bergurau, katanya tokoh-tokoh Indonesia saling berselisih dan berbeda pendapat antara satu sama lain, namun mereka boleh sahaja bersatu kalau mengkagumi Anwar.
Pesantren, universiti, badan-badan pemikir dan intelektual Indonesia sering mengundang Anwar menyampaikan pidatonya.
Anwar boleh berbicara karangan Shakespeare, Confucius, Mohamad Iqbal, Rabindranth Tagore, Jose Rizal atau mendeklamasi puisi Rendra.
Pada masa yang sama Anwar giat mempelopori maqasid syariah dan membentang kertas seminar Islam dan demokrasi di serata dunia.
Tidaklah menghairankan sebaik keluar dari penjara Anwar dilantik sebagai fellow di Universiti Oxford dan menjadi professor di Universiti New Hopkins Amerika Syarikat.
Anwar juga dilantik penasihat ekonomi Qatar dan beberapa institusi perbankan di negara arab.
Bunuh karekter
Elok juga saya mengingatkan Dr Mahathir bahawa Anwar yang cuba dibunuh karakternya oleh Dr Mahathir cuma manusia biasa. Hormat orang kepadanya bersebab. Fitnah Dr Mahathir hanya “berhasil” di dalam kalangan Umno. Itupun bukan semua.
Ramai kenalan saya di dalam Umno yang kini menduduki jawatan-jawatan utama dalam parti dan kerajaan mengakui hakikat ini. Cuma yang tiada pada mereka ialah keberanian untuk berkata benar di hadapan pemimpin pencipta fitnah.
Bagaimana sebenarnya Dr Mahathir mahu dingati? Berkuasa selama dua puluh tiga tahun legasi yang ditinggalkannya ialah merosakkan institusi kehakiman, menekan kebebasan media, menyuburkan budaya rasuah, memunggah kekayaan negara menjadi kekayaan peribadi, memusuhi institusi raja-raja Melayu dan berkekalan memusuhi ulama.
Ketika Anwar masih terus dengan tradisi ilmu dan rapat dengan Dr Yusof Qardawi, Dr Tariq Suwaidan, Dr Wahbah Zuhaily, Dr Mahathir pula rapat dengan Ananda Krishna, Francis Yeoh dan Syed Mokhtar Bukhary.
Ketika anak-anak Anwar membesar dan membina kerjaya yang cukup sederhana, Dr Mahathir pula cemerlang membantu anak-anaknya mencipta nama tergolong kelompok mahakaya di Malaysia!
Ketika Anwar terus berjuang membela rakyat, menolak politik perkauman, mengajak rakyat mencari titik persaudaraan, menuntut kekayaan negara diagih secara adil, Dr Mahathir pula kekal dengan gaya politik lama, usang, tidak pernah puas menimbun kekayaan dan penuh dendam kesumat.
Saksikanlah pada usia lebih 80-an tahun Dr Mahathir terus menyerang Anwar tanpa henti. Tidak pernah ada tanda-tanda beliau sedar dan insaf perbuatan fitnahnya terhadap Anwar. Pesanan buat Dr Mahathir, sesungguhnya Allah swt menyayangi hamba-hambanya yang sentiasa bertaubat dan membersihkan diri.
Sebaliknya Allah juga bencikan orang yang tidak mahu bertaubat dan paling dibenci-Nya ialah orang tua yang tidak mahu bertaubat. Doa saya agar Dr Mahathir tidak tergolong dalam kalangan jenis itu dan dibuka pintu hatinya. Amin ya Rabb.
SAIFUDDIN NASUTION ISMAIL ialah setiausaha agung PKR
You will hear me roar — Dyana Sofya
MAY 15 — My mother was active in politics. As her kids, my brothers and I were exposed to politics at a very young age. We would frequently meet our politician uncles and aunts during dinners, teh tarik sessions, Hari Raya open houses and birthday parties. Some of them made it to ministerial posts in later years, while some were not as lucky.
Growing up observing my mother taught me many, many things. With the good came also the bad. I soon learned that politics was a dog eat dog world which required one to have nerves of steel and skin as thick as oak before one could even begin to participate.
My older brothers in particular saw what my mother endured. They read the books she brought home from work. They saw the dirty games and Machiavellian tactics that my mother had to put up with in the name of “perjuangan.” For the party. For the country.
They also saw how she was betrayed by her own comrades and best friends for the sake of position and power. As a result, they have sworn themselves off from the world of politics.
It all began in the late 1980s, when my mother was a UMNO worker. She had loyally served the party for years, but all her sacrifice and hard work counted for nothing when the newly constituted UMNO Baru of Dr Mahathir decided not to rehire staff that had been inclined towards the “Team B” of his opponent, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, during the 1987 UMNO election.
At the time, she was just about to return to work after maternity leave.
She had just given birth to me.
*
Twenty years later in 2007, I began the first year of my Bachelor in Legal Studies at UiTM. Malaysia had moved on from Mahathir by then, the Prime Minister being Pak Lah, a former “Team B” man.
As social movements in Malaysia began to gather pace — such as Hindraf, Bersih and anti-ISA rallies, my friends and I began to get interested in politics. We googled, we read, and we became aware. The next obvious step was to begin attending political ceramahs of various parties and groups. Some were pro-establishment, but mostly were anti-government. When my mother found out, she asked me: “Aren’t you afraid? You might get arrested for being pro-opposition.”
It was the same thing some of my friends said to me. My only reply was to say that some of these “anti-establishment” leaders who fought long and hard for what they believed in despite suffering under detention were now prominent leaders and would be, when history is written fifty years from now, be seen as heroes.
Only cowards fear the judgement of history.
*
In 2011, I made the decision to join the DAP. Once again, my friends thought: “There she goes again, doing something no one would think of.”
The truth is, I didn’t do it just to be different. I did it because I felt Malaysia needed a new kind of politics. I had seen how racial politics was nothing but a scam. My mother is Malay, yet she was shunned by the very party that claims to protect Malays. Hence, the racial model is nothing but a means of power-hungry leaders to stay in power. The only way forward for our country was to break this model of racial politics.
And so I chose DAP. For its principle of multi-culturalism. For its principle of standing up for all Malaysians, regardless of race and religion. For its principle of doing what is right, despite the risks and repercussions. I knew that if I made this choice that I believed was right, I would not have to fear the judgement of history.
Of course, joining DAP came with a price. I was immediately scrutinised and lambasted. False stories were created. My words were twisted. I was labelled a “pengkhianat.” I was also called many other names.
Just a few days ago, rumours began swirling around that I may be a possible candidate for a parliamentary seat. I was of course just as surprised as everyone else. But I was even more surprised by the wave of attacks that ensued.
My personal details were misused. My phone number was distributed and I have since been the target of hundreds of lewd messages. Another thing I have realised — Malaysian society is misogynistic!
And now, to tarnish my image further, there appears to be a photo of me allegedly wearing a bikini. While I think the Pinay actress in question is very attractive, I feel this really displays the level of guttural politics that our opponents would go to, especially against a female. Guys, please grow up.
Try as they may, they will not break me. My mother and my mentors have taught me well. They had warned me that there would be days like these. As much as I have been attacked, I have also received titanic support from my family, friends, comrades, former colleagues and fellow Malaysians across all age groups, races, faiths and parties.
Many have called to encourage me. Some have said they believe in me. But the truth is, it is Malaysians like them who make me believe in what I’m doing. And it is Malaysians like those who have been attacking me that give me even more reason to continue the “perjuangan.”
As I said earlier, I am confident that I will fall on the right side of history.
And so to my detractors, I wish to paraphrase Katy Perry. You will hear me “roar!”
* Dyana Soya is political secretary to Gelang Patah MP Lim Kit Siang.
** This is the personal opinion of the writer or organisation and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malay Mail Online.
Growing up observing my mother taught me many, many things. With the good came also the bad. I soon learned that politics was a dog eat dog world which required one to have nerves of steel and skin as thick as oak before one could even begin to participate.
My older brothers in particular saw what my mother endured. They read the books she brought home from work. They saw the dirty games and Machiavellian tactics that my mother had to put up with in the name of “perjuangan.” For the party. For the country.
They also saw how she was betrayed by her own comrades and best friends for the sake of position and power. As a result, they have sworn themselves off from the world of politics.
It all began in the late 1980s, when my mother was a UMNO worker. She had loyally served the party for years, but all her sacrifice and hard work counted for nothing when the newly constituted UMNO Baru of Dr Mahathir decided not to rehire staff that had been inclined towards the “Team B” of his opponent, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, during the 1987 UMNO election.
At the time, she was just about to return to work after maternity leave.
She had just given birth to me.
*
Twenty years later in 2007, I began the first year of my Bachelor in Legal Studies at UiTM. Malaysia had moved on from Mahathir by then, the Prime Minister being Pak Lah, a former “Team B” man.
As social movements in Malaysia began to gather pace — such as Hindraf, Bersih and anti-ISA rallies, my friends and I began to get interested in politics. We googled, we read, and we became aware. The next obvious step was to begin attending political ceramahs of various parties and groups. Some were pro-establishment, but mostly were anti-government. When my mother found out, she asked me: “Aren’t you afraid? You might get arrested for being pro-opposition.”
It was the same thing some of my friends said to me. My only reply was to say that some of these “anti-establishment” leaders who fought long and hard for what they believed in despite suffering under detention were now prominent leaders and would be, when history is written fifty years from now, be seen as heroes.
Only cowards fear the judgement of history.
*
In 2011, I made the decision to join the DAP. Once again, my friends thought: “There she goes again, doing something no one would think of.”
The truth is, I didn’t do it just to be different. I did it because I felt Malaysia needed a new kind of politics. I had seen how racial politics was nothing but a scam. My mother is Malay, yet she was shunned by the very party that claims to protect Malays. Hence, the racial model is nothing but a means of power-hungry leaders to stay in power. The only way forward for our country was to break this model of racial politics.
And so I chose DAP. For its principle of multi-culturalism. For its principle of standing up for all Malaysians, regardless of race and religion. For its principle of doing what is right, despite the risks and repercussions. I knew that if I made this choice that I believed was right, I would not have to fear the judgement of history.
Of course, joining DAP came with a price. I was immediately scrutinised and lambasted. False stories were created. My words were twisted. I was labelled a “pengkhianat.” I was also called many other names.
Just a few days ago, rumours began swirling around that I may be a possible candidate for a parliamentary seat. I was of course just as surprised as everyone else. But I was even more surprised by the wave of attacks that ensued.
My personal details were misused. My phone number was distributed and I have since been the target of hundreds of lewd messages. Another thing I have realised — Malaysian society is misogynistic!
And now, to tarnish my image further, there appears to be a photo of me allegedly wearing a bikini. While I think the Pinay actress in question is very attractive, I feel this really displays the level of guttural politics that our opponents would go to, especially against a female. Guys, please grow up.
Try as they may, they will not break me. My mother and my mentors have taught me well. They had warned me that there would be days like these. As much as I have been attacked, I have also received titanic support from my family, friends, comrades, former colleagues and fellow Malaysians across all age groups, races, faiths and parties.
Many have called to encourage me. Some have said they believe in me. But the truth is, it is Malaysians like them who make me believe in what I’m doing. And it is Malaysians like those who have been attacking me that give me even more reason to continue the “perjuangan.”
As I said earlier, I am confident that I will fall on the right side of history.
And so to my detractors, I wish to paraphrase Katy Perry. You will hear me “roar!”
* Dyana Soya is political secretary to Gelang Patah MP Lim Kit Siang.
** This is the personal opinion of the writer or organisation and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malay Mail Online.
Court sticks to ruling against public assembly law, frees activists
The Malaysian Insider
by V. ANBALAGAN
by V. ANBALAGAN
The Kuala
Lumpur Sessions Court today discharged three activists who organised a
peaceful gathering on New Year's Eve, saying the charge framed against
them under the Peaceful Assembly Act was unconstitutional.
Sessions
judge Ahmad Bache said he was bound by the April 25 Court of Appeal
ruling that a punishment provision under the PPA was unconstitutional.
"As such the charge is groundless and I discharge the accused persons but not amounting to an acquittal," he said.
On
May 9, the prosecution registered the charge against Mohd Bukhairy
Sofian, Edy Noor Ridzuan and Badrul Hisham Shaharin or Chegubard, under
the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, for failing to to give police a 10-day
notice before the rally.
However,
defence counsels Gobind Singh Deo and Eric Paulsen this morning
objected to the charge read to the three, saying the court had no
jurisdiction to hear the matter.
Gobind
said the court could not take a plea for an offence that has been
declared unconstitutional by the Court of Appeal on April 25.
The
three were organisers of the rally at Dataran Merdeka on December 31
last year, organised by a group called Turun, to protest against the
rising cost of living.
They were first charged on January 29 but were granted a discharge on April 28 by the Sessions Court.
Gobind
said the Attorney-General, who is also the public prosecutor, could not
use his discretion to charge the three as it was tantamount to abuse of
power and showed disrespect to the court.
Paulsen, who appeared with Gobind, said the charge was groundless and urged the court to discharge their clients.
In
today's proceedings, Ahmad said the court had to first answer whether
it had the jurisdiction to hear and try the case, which he described a
mere summons case in which the three men were only asked to appear in
court.
"This
means they have come to court voluntarily and not brought from police
custody," he said, adding that a provision in the Subordinates Courts
Act 1948 gives him the jurisdiction to hear and try a summons case.
He then ordered the charge to be read and a plea to be taken, but the trio pleaded not guilty.
Ahmad then addressed the court whether the charge was groundless based on the pronouncement of the Court of Appeal.
"The
court has declared that there can be no punishment for organising a
peaceful assembly and the provision is struck down from the day the law
was enacted," he said.
Ahmad said the only recourse was to give the accused persons a discharge not amounting to an acquittal.
Deputy
Public Prosecutor Suhaimi Ibrahim then told Ahmad that the Federal
Court would hear on May 27 Putrajaya's appeal against the Court of
Appeal ruling.
Gobind
reminded that the A-G, Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, should take note of
the Session Court ruling and not act unconstitutionally.
"Gani
must respect the court and stop charging persons for offences that had
been declared unconstitutional. He should stop misconducting himself,"
he added. – May 14, 2014.
Najib Outlines Six Criteria To Prepare Malaysian Youths For The Future
PUTRAJAYA,
May 15 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today
outlined six basic criteria that were vital to prepare Malaysian youths
for the future.He said among them were knowledge and skills because riches today also depended on 'raw materials' in the form of ideas, creativity and innovation.
"We also need youths who have an entrepreneurship culture because it is very important in developing and generating national riches," he said at the 2014 National Youth Awards ceremony here, Thursday.
He said the next criteria was moderation or "wasatiyyah" because it was the best approach to enable youths to avoid extremism which was detrimental to the country.
"Youths must also be capable of avoiding being trapped in liberalism or pluralism," he said.
Najib said the spirit of volunterism which was becoming dimmer by the day was also essential to be instilled in the national effort to turn out a generation of successful youths.
Youths too, he said, must have a strong love for the country other than spiritual values.
"A strong patriotic spirit will be able to ward off unhealthy influences," he added.
At the event, Najib also announced that the government had approved a RM1.5 million allocation to the Malaysian Youth Council (MBM) to help lay the ground work for the setting up of the Asean Community secretariat.
He said the money would be chanelled through the Youth and Sports Ministry.
"I understand MBM will be playing a more active role among non-governmental organisations to bring youths in Asean closer ahead of the formation of the Asean Community next year," he said, adding that he hoped that with the setting of the Asean Community, Malaysian youths would play an even more active role regionally and globally.
Earlier, Najib had presented the National Premier Youth Award 2014 to Wan Adilah Wan Awang from Terengganu, an entreprenuer who had helped produce many other entreprenuers in the fisheries sector.
The men's category was won by Jufitri Joha from Negeri Sembilan. Jufitri has played an active role in developing youths and among others is the founder of volunteer group Grup Alam Sekitar and Young Interfaith Group of ABIM (Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement).
Both the winners took home RM20,000, a trophy and certificate, each.
Persatuan Belia Tenggaroh 2 was the winner in the Youth organisations category and took home RM50,000, a trophy and certificate.
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