Bekas pemimpin wanita Gerakan antara peserta sukaneka bogel

Report from Iraq: families throwing children from a mountain to keep them from terrorists

The nightmare that is Iraq gets worse. This was just posted at the CNEWA blog:  

This report was sent to us by Ms. Christina Patto, VP Assyrian Aid Society of Iraq. Here what she wrote:

Here is our report and some of our testimony concerning the events happening now in North of Iraq.

It is a tragic situation, nobody can imagine how terrible it is, as much as I write to you and send you reports it will not be enough to describe the suffering of people.

For Zummar and Sinjar: they are under Da’esh control, thousands of Yazidis died in the last two days, they are facing a real genocide. Till yesterday (45) children died of thirst. Some families throw their children from the top of Sinjar mountain in order not to see them die from hunger or thirst, or not to be taken by the terrorists. (1500) men were killed in front of their wives and families, (50) old men died also from thirst and illness. More than (70) girl and women (including Christians) were taken, raped and being captured and sold. More than (100) families are captured in Tel afar airport.

There is about (50) Christian families in Sinjar. The terrorists were able to control the Syriac church there and cover the Cross with their black banner. Till now we do not know anything about those Christian families.

For Nineveh Plain:

As a reason to the continuous bombing on Telkeif, Deacon (Lujain Hikmat Nano) died, most of the families left their houses and would leave one member of the family in the house, but this tragic led to an exodus from Telkeif. the same thing happened in Shekhan and the surrounded villages (shekhan center, Karanjo, Dashqotan and Ein biqri).

Ba’ashiqa: an exodus from there because there was boming and battles near Ba’ashiqa as the terrorists are trying to control that area too. Ba’ashiqa Monastory is being evacuated from the inhabitants and from IDPs.

Ein Sifni: an exodus of the Yazidi families which forced the christian families to flee too.

Mosul Falls are now under the control of the terrorist, these fall are about (10-15 Km) from Ein sifni.

Batnaye and Tellisquf: also an exodus because of the threats and bad circumstances they are going through.

Duhok:

Our Dorm, the empty houses in the villages, the halls of the churches, school and mosques are full of IDPs and in very bad conditions. I cannot give you the exact number of those families. Also it is very hard to describe their needs in food baskets only, on one can imagine this tragedy, one may cry to see those people in this situation.

Concerning Zakho and Center Duhok: Till now they are under the KRG control.

pls excuse my chaotic writing and expression, we are all in a bad situation.

So, according to my above report, you can decide what kind of aid you can offer.

Pray. And, please, give.  Click this link to help.   

Meantime, additional details from The Washington Post:

Stranded on a barren mountaintop, thousands of minority Iraqis are faced with a bleak choice: descend and risk slaughter at the hands of the encircled Sunni extremists or sit tight and risk dying of thirst.

Humanitarian agencies said Tuesday that between 10,000 and 40,000 civilians remain trapped on Mount Sinjar since being driven out of surrounding villages and the town of Sinjar two days earlier. But the mountain that had looked like a refuge is becoming a graveyard for their children.

Unable to dig deep into the rocky mountainside, displaced families said they have buried young and elderly victims of the harsh conditions in shallow graves, their bodies covered with stones. Iraqi government planes attempted to airdrop bottled water to the mountain on Monday night but reached few of those marooned.

“There are children dying on the mountain, on the roads,” said Marzio Babille, the Iraq representative for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). “There is no water, there is no vegetation, they are completely cut off and surrounded by Islamic State. It’s a disaster, a total disaster.”

Most of those who fled Sinjar are from the minority Yazidi sect, which melds parts of ancient Zoroastrianism with Christianity and Islam. They are considered by the al-Qaeda-inspired Islamic State to be devil worshippers and apostates….

…“Children have died because of dehydration and lack of food,” Vian Dakheel, a Yazidi parliamentarian from Sinjar, said through tears. “My people are being slaughtered,” she continued, referring to reports of mass killings of those who had stayed behind.

Iraqi militants remove crosses from churches, burn manuscripts: patriarch

KIRKUK: Militants who took over large areas of northern Iraq on Thursday have forced 100,000 Christians to flee and have occupied churches, removing crosses and destroying manuscripts, Chaldean Patriarch Louis Sako said.

“There are 100,000 displaced Christians who have fled with nothing but their clothes, some of them on foot, to reach the Kurdistan region,” he told AFP.

“This is a humanitarian disaster. The churches are occupied, their crosses were taken down,” said Sako, the leader of Iraq’s largest Christian denomination, which is aligned with the Roman Catholic Church. He added that up to 1,500 manuscripts were burnt.

The Islamic State (IS) group, which swept across much of Iraq’s Sunni heartland two months ago, attacked several towns and villages east of its main hub of Mosul, the country’s second city.

Among them was Qaraqosh, Iraq’s largest Christian town with a population of around 50,000, and several surrounding areas that were previously controlled by the Kurdish peshmerga force.

Fleeing residents reached by phone as they tried to enter the neighbouring autonomous region of Kurdistan confirmed the militant takeover.

AFP could not immediately verify the current status of those towns, which witnesses said have been completely emptied of their usual population.

“Daash (IS) militants last night attacked most villages in the Nineveh plains, firing mortar rounds and seizing some of them,” Sako said, speaking from his base in Kirkuk.

“The government is unable to defend our people, as is the Kurdistan government. They need to work together, receive international support and modern military equipment.”

“Today, we appeal with lots of pain and sadness, to all people of good will, the UN Security Council, European Union and relief organisations, to help those people who are facing mortal danger,” Sako said.

“I hope it is not too late to avoid a genocide,” he added.

After Gaza protest, McD's fears for staff safety - Malaysiakini

McDonald’s restaurants in Malaysia are taking precautionary steps to protect its employees, following an online campaign for a nationwide boycott of the American fast food chain tomorrow.
 

The boycott was called by Palestine sympathisers, who accuse McDonald's of channeling funds to Israel, in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Among others, the delivery personnel are advised not to wear their uniforms tomorrow, so as to not be recognised as McDonald's employees.

 

"We were told by the upper management to wear white T-shirts and dark coloured pants for tomorrow," Rahman Masturi (right) from the Jalan Telawi branch, told Malaysiakini today. 

 

The riders were also directed to remove all logos from the McDonald’s 'Cooktek' bags and their delivery vehicles. 

 

McDonald's will also be taking other measures at their  restaurants if protesters, if any, turn violent.

"If they want to hold a gathering or protest in front of the premises, it is okay with us as long as they don’t do any damage to our premises or hurt our staff," said a branch manager who wanted to be known only as Siti.

She added that branch managers were also instructed to close down their outlets if things got violent and to lodge a police report immediately.

Insults on the job

 

McDonald’s workers also expressed their frustration at being blamed for supporting Israel when they are just wage earners.
 

"I have been with the company for over four years, I am pretty sure we have no direct links with funding the forces in Israel," Siti said, explaining that only a small percent of their profits go to the franchisor company based in the United States.
 

The delivery personnel on the other hand, said abuses have been hurled at them while they were going about their work. 

 

"A few friends of mine have been called names and were insulted while delivering, especially while waiting at traffic lights," Rahim shared.

Earlier this week, a rowdy protest was held in front of McDonald's outlet in Dungun.

Sinar Harian reported that the Kerteh and Dungun outlets saw business plunge by 80 percent as the boycott movement, which sparked soon after the latest Israeli strike on Gaza about a month ago, gained momentum.

Posters urging a day of boycott tomorrow have been circulated online, despite McDonald's repeatedly explaining in newspaper advertisements that it does not support Israel.

Gaza sympathisers are also called to boycott hypermarket chain Tesco this Saturday, but Tesco, too, denies backing Israel.

 

McDonald's has been established in Malaysia for more than 32 years with about 200 branches nationwide. The fast food chain employs about 12,000 workers, of whom 85 percent are Muslim.

I am PKR’s only choice for Selangor MB, declares Wan Azizah

PKR's candidate for Selangor menteri besar, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, today shrugged off suggestions that some from within her party feel that Mohamed Azmin Ali should also be considered for the top post in the state.

"The party has chosen me, thank you," she said briefly when met by reporters at a dinner programme with Ampang residents in Selangor.

She was responding to reports that Selangor PKR leaders had said Azmin, the PKR deputy president and PKR Selangor chief, also had the capabilities to rule the country's richest state.

State party secretary Amirudin Shari and Selangor information chief Shuhaimi Shafei insisted Azmin should be named a candidate alongside Dr Wan Azizah, given his vast experience in the party.

PKR appears to be split between those who want the party president to replace Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim as menteri besar, and supporters of Azmin.

A press conference to announce the Selangor branch’s support of Dr Wan Azizah as the new menteri besar ended in chaos yesterday when a second press statement was distributed to the media endorsing Azmin instead.

However, Dr Wan Azizah’s remarks today were confirmed by PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli, who told reporters that PKR’s top leadership had officially chosen her as menteri besar candidate.

Earlier in the evening, Dr Wan Azizah told some 1,000 residents at the Kelab Belia Kampung Baru Ampang field that as menteri besar, she would focus on justice, Selangor’s cleanliness, and moving the state forward.

“We want to accelerate improvement. When I enter Kajang, I face traffic jams, rubbish, I notice the high crime rate. I go to hospitals and it is full of dengue cases.

“It’s not because I want to be the menteri besar, but if we want to save the situation, if we want to push Selangor forward and Malaysia in general, we must bring this change,” the PKR president said to cheers and applause from the crowd.

“We want at least the rubbish problems to be solved. We want Selangor to be clean, best and forward.”

She added that she was also taking up the position for the sake of her husband, party de facto chief Datuk Seri Dr Anwar Ibrahim, who was the original menteri besar replacement candidate.

“Don’t forget that the courts were used to convict Anwar. I am only here to ensure justice for all. Today, Anwar was treated this way, tomorrow, we don’t know who (will fall victim).”

Dr Wan Azizah was referring to Anwar’s sodomy conviction in March by the Court of Appeal, which effectively disqualified him from running for the Kajang state seat and replacing Khalid as menteri besar.

“When the Kajang Move happened, it was a way to make Anwar the menteri besar of Selangor. But when the Barisan Nasional used the courts to stop this, this was an injustice and I took up the responsibility to oppose the injustice and run for the Kajang seat,” she said.

Dr Wan Azizah also reminded the Chinese crowd that they were all Malaysians regardless of their race and religion, and urged them to set aside their differences help improve the economy.

“If I cut my hand, it will reveal the same red blood as yours. We are all Malaysians, all humans. So we cannot seize Bibles, intrude into temples, we cannot. We must stop telling each other to leave Malaysia,” she said, to loud cheers.

However, she refrained from saying anything about the man she wished to replace, despite her party’s claims that Khalid must be removed due to his alleged lack of integrity.

“I don’t want to say anything negative about anyone. Let us move forward, get better, and take our country to greater heights.”

Khalid today said he will respond to a letter summoning him to the PKR disciplinary hearing tonight and will disclose his reply tomorrow.

However, he refused to say whether he will show up for the disciplinary hearing.

The PKR disciplinary board has set Friday to hear Khalid's explanation for disobeying a party directive to resign as menteri besar.

The hearing is scheduled to take place at PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya.

According to the letter, Khalid is required to provide explanations on five issues related to his administration and his personal conduct.

Among them are; Selangor's water industry restructuring exercise, the 300% increase in business licence fee, MB's salary hike, the proposal to build the contentious Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) and his out-of-court settlement of a RM70-million Bank Islam loan.

Khalid has been under pressure from his party since last month to resign as menteri besar.

His party's proposal that he step down is in the process of being decided by PKR's allies in Pakatan Rakyat – DAP and PAS.

Be patient, don’t smear the hypocrites, Nik Aziz advises Khalid

Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, who is fighting to remain as Selangor Menteri Besar, has gotten advice on how to weather the crisis from none other than the iconic former Kelantan menteri besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

Nik Aziz, who was menteri besar for two decades, had advised Khalid to be patient and not smear the munafik (hypocrites) in politics.

“I met Nik Aziz and he gave me advice that, for me, is very difficult to follow,” Khalid said, relating the meeting he had with Nik Aziz during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri break last week.

“He said in politics there are many munafik... He told me to be patient, don’t smear the hypocrites,” Khalid said in his speech to an audience of 300 people at his official residence, in Shah Alam tonight.

Nik Aziz, who is also PAS’ influential spiritual leader, has backed Khalid against the latter’s own party’s attempt to remove him as menteri besar.

PKR had decided that it wants to replace Khalid, who is from PKR and is in his second term as menteri besar. It claimed this was necessary as there were several “integrity issues” that cropped up about him.

Before the Aidilfitri festival last month, PKR had laid out this proposal to DAP and PAS along with Dr Wan Azizah’s name as the candidate who would replace Khalid.

The two parties were supposed to deliberate it in their respective meetings on August 10.

However, in a surprising announcement, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat had come out to support Khalid.

Yesterday, the influential PAS Shura Council also decided that it would support Khalid.

In its statement, which was signed by the council’s chairman Nik Aziz, it said that the appointment of Khalid as menteri besar is the shared right between all three Pakatan parties.

The council said as long as Khalid had not breached the trust put upon him as menteri besar which would then justify his removal, the council would continue to support him.

“If he is found guilty by an authority such as the Anti-Corruption Agency or the Court, the council is prepared to re-evaluate his position,” the statment said.

In his speech, Khalid added that Nik Aziz reminded him that the message of Islam could be spread by Prophet Muhammad without resorting to slander and smear tactics.

“He reminded me that the Prophet could spread the message of Islam without scandalising others even though they were bad people. Instead he did this by correcting them.

“I do not know if I can do this but I will do my best and act responsibly,” he said.

Khalid said even though Selangor was going through political upheaval, the DAP still put their trust in him to perform his duties as menteri besar.

“Even though the DAP said we are not right but not one of them said that a government ruled by Islamic principles is not trustworthy and that it lied to the public. Instead it has performed its duties well.

“Even though they may not like us, their people like us more compared to their own,” he said to loud applause from the audience.

Hadi set a bad precedent in backing Khalid

Hishamuddin Rais says the PAS president is making things worse in Selangor by defying PKR and DAP in their move to replace Khalid as the MB.

PETALING JAYA: Political activist, Hishamuddin Rais says PAS president, Abdul Hadi Awang has set a bad precedent by backing Khalid Ibrahim.

He said it is “ethically unwise” for Hadi to support a leader whose own party had lost confidence in.

Hishamuddin said, “I know Hadi supports Khalid on the basis that he believes Khalid is corruption free and has managed the state’s finances well.”

“I’m not raising the issue of Khalid’s integrity here, which is also one of the major problems now. What I’m focussing on is one’s own party and the ability of respecting a collective decision.”

Hishamuddin said the intention to remove Khalid was straightforward.

He recounted that after being fielded in the 13th General Election for the Port Klang state seat under the PKR ticket, Khalid rose as the Selangor MB through PKR who gave him the platform to lead with the support of PAS and DAP.

However Hishamuddin said, “There was already earlier criticism on his management style. His one-man show was unacceptable by Pakatan.

“This matter was raised by PAS and DAP umpteen times.”

Khalid’s arrogant one-man show

Hishamuddin added that before Khalid’s second term re-appointment, the MB solemnly made a promise to change.

He adds, “This was made public by Tony Pua (DAP’s Petaling Jaya Utara MP) at a recent forum at the Chinese Assembly Hall.

“However Khalid’s arrogant one-man show continues. He is not listening to the party’s advice or anybody’s for that matter.

Hishamuddin brought up the subject of Selangor’s water problems and Khalid’s decision to sign the water agreement with the federal government, without consulting his party and without seeking the views of anyone in the Pakatan leadership, not even his own party’s Exco.

The political activist said, “He’s (Khalid) wrong if he thinks running the state government is like running a private-owned company.

“Even in a big company, you are answerable to the board of directors and major shareholders,” Hishamuddin said.

Hishamuddin further provided an alternative scenario for Hadi to ponder.

He asked what Hadi would do if a PAS MB did not heed the decisions of the PAS Central Committee or the advice of the Syura Council or Mursyidul Am and proceeded to make major decisions without informing or consulting PAS’ top leadership.

Hishamuddin said, “I’m sure the PAS leadership would replace that person. This is simple logic. P101 in politics.”

Hishamuddin asked, “Has PAS suffered a memory lapse? Can PAS not recall what took place in Kelantan in 1977-78? Does the name Mohamad Nasir not ring a bell?

Hishamuddin explained, “A Kelantan MB, a proxy of Umno, was expelled from PAS in 1978.”

Inter-party relationships

Hishamuddin also said he had his doubts as to whether Khalid was an excellent administrator since he lacked respect for this own party and refused to step down even when instructed.

“PAS is known for its Wa’ala culture (obey the collective decision taken by PAS’ leadership), but in Khalid’s case Hadi contradicts the very principal held sacred by PAS, by not advising Khalid to be Wa’ala to PKR’s collective decision,” Hishamuddin said.

He adds, “To me what is happening in Selangor today is a lesson on inter-party relationships, a learning process of respecting differences and making collective decisions and abiding to collective decisions.

“The nation will fail if our national political leaders from whatever political party, base their judgements and decisions on his or her personal ego or vendetta,” Hishamuddin said.

Revoke preacher’s ustaz title to deter others

The ustaz title of the Muslim preacher who belittled Hinduism should be revoked as a deterrent to others, say Copingo.

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang-based coalition of Indian movements (Copingo) has proposed to the Penang Mufti Department (JMPP) to strip Muslim preacher Shahul Hamid Seeni Mohd of his ustaz title.

Copingo chairman N Ganesan said such stern action would send a strong signal to other overzealous teachers or missionaries from making speeches that would disturb the fragile multireligious peace in the country.

“We need to nip this problem now to maintain peace in our country,” Ganesan said in a press statement today to clarify a petition submitted to Penang mufti Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor at the JMPP office here.

Shahul Hamid angered the Hindus when a video of him insulting Hinduism and calling on Muslims to boycott curry powder manufactured by Indians went viral during several closed-door Islamic forums held in Penang several years ago.

Ganesan said the Shahul Hamid incident was merely a tip of the iceberg as there were others which have yet to be made public.

The petition cited past incidents involving former Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin, Muslim convert Shah Kirit and former Kulim Bandar Baru MP and lawyer Zulkifli Nordin.

Ganesan said Copingo had also demanded the mufti office or the state Muslim Fatwa Committee to clarify Shahul Hamid’s remarks in his subsequent apology statements that his anti-Hindu utterances were consistent with his learning of Islam.

He said it was crucial for Muslim authorities to clarify whether Shahul Hamid became a ustaz through Islamic learning that was consistent with his overzealous utterances.

“The multireligious character of our country requires appropriate interpretations and understanding in accordance with our diversity.

“Our teachings and teachers must accordingly appreciate this fundamental truth,” said Ganesan.

Now, Selangor PKR want Azmin to be MB

Selangor PKR information chief Shuhaimi Shafiei and party secretary Amirudin Shari hope that there is room to suggest one more name.

PETALING JAYA: The Menteri Besar (MB) saga has taken another twist. Selangor PKR now want deputy president Azmin Ali to be the MB.

In a joint statement, Selangor PKR information chief Shuhaimi Shafiei and party secretary Amirudin Shari said this was the stand that should have been taken by state PKR leaders in a chaotic press conference on Wednesday.

“We have been informed that the central leadership has settled on just one name to replace Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim as the MB.

“If that has been decided, we will adhere to the party’s directive, but we hope there is room to suggest one more name,” they said in the statement.

Chaos ensued at a press conference held by the Selangor PKR on Wednesday, when two contradictory statements were released to reporters.

Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin read out a statement endorsing PKR president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as the new MB, but press statements urging the party to consider Azmin as a candidate were initially distributed.

What will the Pakatan do on Sunday?

By Zaid Ibrahim

Dato’ Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail is the President of Parti Keadilan Rakyat. She recently issued a plea to the warring factions within the shaky Opposition coalition, the Pakatan Rakyat, to rise above “petty politics” and close ranks. She asked them to restore the people’s confidence in the Opposition, which she said received 52% of the popular vote during the last General Election. She said they must all unite as the rakyat are craving for “mature politics” and expect “good values and faith” from all Pakatan parties.

Like many people around the country, I feel sorry for Dr Wan Azizah. I am sure the statement was prepared for her by her party, as is every political move she makes. I am also she realises the enormity of the task ahead for the Pakatan, especially because all the problems are centred on her own husband, Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim. But how do you tell your husband that he is the source of all the problems?

On Sunday, the Pakatan Rakyat has to decide on many big issues, and not just what to do about Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim. I hope Dr Wan Azizah will attend this meeting. She must first tell her husband that, if she wants to have any hope of nurturing a new political front with some political maturity, he needs to retire gracefully from politics. Without Anwar, the Pakatan can enjoy a new lease on life as there will be room for new leaders to emerge. It will become less saddled with “personal problems” that distract the coalition from more important national matters at hand. The opposition of PAS’s Majlis Syura to Anwar as coalition leader and a potential Prime Minister is a matter that needs to be resolved once and for all. PAS is an important component of the Pakatan. Dr Wan Azizah must put the coalition before her husband’s self-interest if she wants to continue to serve the public.

Secondly, the coalition needs to decide on Sunday that if they want to remove Khalid as Menteri Besar, they must do so by passing a vote of no confidence in the Selangor State Assembly, just as Pakatan demanded of BN when they removed Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin as MB. Why should it be any different in Selangor? The central issue for the post of MB is still the same: does the Menteri Besar have the support of the House? If it wishes to be a mature political grouping then the Pakatan must not be afraid to carry out its decision in accordance with the law. To ridicule and humiliate Khalid publicly is not the right way to go about doing things, and is certainly conduct unbecoming for any party that presents itself as a practitioner of “mature politics”.

The Pakatan parties must not be afraid of losing Anwar or Khalid or even any of its coalition partners if it wants to be a real Opposition in the long term. Be afraid of losing your credibility instead. Stick to core principles, and only then can you expect others to believe in and support you. Preaching to supporters will not do any good if they know the leaders do not believe, let alone do, what they say.

10 Ogos bukan hari penentu bagi Khalid, tetapi hari penentu Pakatan Rakyat

By Lim Kit Siang

Ahad 10 Ogos 2014 bukanlah sangat hari penentu bagi Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim sebagai Menteri Besar Selangor, bahkan sebenarnya hari penentuan bagi Pakatan Rakyat yang berusia enam tahun sama ada ia mampu untuk terus menjadi simbol aspirasi dan harapan rakyat Malaysia ke arah perubahan politik demi membawa politik baru dengan keadilan, kebebasan, akauntabiliti, ketelusan, urustadbir yang baik, perpaduan dan keharmonian rakyat Malaysia menggantikan hegemoni, korupsi dan ketidakadilan yang diamalkan Umno.

Majlis Pimpinan Pakatan Rakyat dalam mesyuaratnya pada 23 Julai 2014, dengan melibatkan pimpinan daripada ketiga-tiga parti komponen PAS, PKR dan DAP, telah memutuskan dua perkara:

i) Menukar-ganti Menteri Besar Selangor Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim; dan

ii) PAS dan DAP akan mengadakan mesyuarat di peringkat jawatankuasa pusat masing-masing untuk memutuskan mengenai pencalonan PKR untuk meletakkan Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail sebagai Menteri Besar Selangor yang baru.

Perkembangan sepanjang dua minggu lalu mengenai isu Menteri Besar Selangor selepas mesyuarat Majlis Pimpinan pada 23 Julai telah melemahkan keyakinan rakyat terhadap kesatuan tujuan, perpaduan dan masa depan Pakatan Rakyat sebagai alternatif yang memberi saingan terhadap Umno-Barisan Nasional demi membawa perubahan politik seperti yang diharapkan oleh rakyat Malaysia, seperti yang ditunjukkan melalui keputusan Pilihanraya Umum ke-13 pada 5 Mei tahun lalu, dengan lebih 52 peratus undi popular memihak kepada Pakatan Rakyat.

Pakatan Rakyat berdepan krisis terburuk sejak ia dibentuk selepas PRU ke-12 pada April 2008.

Mampukah Pakatan Rakyat bertahan di saat krisis keyakinan yang paling dahsyat?

Ini bergantung kepada komitmen semua pimpinan Pakatan Rakyat terhadap aspirasi asal pembentukan Pakatan Rakyat dan Dasar Bersama yang telah dipersetujui oleh parti komponen Pakatan Rakyat dalam tempoh enam tahun lalu, terutamanya dalam kenyataan pertama Pakatan Rakyat pada 1 April 2008 yang berjanji untuk menjunjung tinggi hak dan kepentingan semua rakyat Malaysia, tanpa mengira agama atau keturunan seperti yang termaktub di dalam Perlembagaan.

Sekiranya semua pimpinan Pakatan Rakyat, sama ada DAP, PAS, atau PKR terus berpandukan kepada prinsip-prinsip dan kerangka Dasar Bersama demi memberikan harapan kepada rakyat Malaysia terhadap perubahan yang telah lama diperlukan dalam lanskap politik negara supaya Malaysia boleh mencapai perpaduan, keadilan, demokrasi, berdaya saing dan makmur dan menjadi contoh sebuah negara berjaya yang berbilang kaum dan agama kepada seluruh dunia, maka Pakatan Rakyat mesti terus berjuang dengan segala kekuatan demi mencapai tujuannya mengambil tempat perikatan Umno/BN dalam PRU ke-14 akan datang.

Keadaan sebaliknya adalah terlalu dahsyat untuk difikirkan kerana Pakatan Rakyat pastikan akan terasing ke sudut nota kaki sejarah Malaysia.

Press Release | Recognise Indigenous Minority Rights and Take Immediate Action to Address the Unfulfilled Promises Made to the Penan and Kenyah Communities in Murum

Please click here to download the report of the Bar Council's study trip to the Metalun and Tegulang Resettlement Areas in Murum, Sarawak.

The Bar Council, through its Committee on Orang Asli Rights and Human Rights Committee, undertook a study trip to the Metalun and Tegulang Resettlement Areas in Murum, Sarawak from 17 to 23 May 2014.  The primary purpose of the trip was to study the post-relocation conditions of the Penan and Kenyah native communities, which had been displaced by the construction of the Murum Dam.

The road journey to the Resettlement Areas is hazardous, as the roads turn muddy and swampy.  The journey from these Resettlement Areas to Bintulu or Miri can thus take approximately 12 to 16 hours.  Travelling to school also becomes treacherous.  These factors contribute to the challenge and isolation of life in the Resettlement Areas. 

At the Universal Periodic Review of human rights in Malaysia conducted by the United Nations Human Rights Council in October 2013, the Government of Malaysia made several statements in respect of the communities relocated as a result of the Murum Dam construction.¹ However, it is regrettable that the situation on the ground differs significantly from the seemingly positive statements made by the Government.  For example:

(a)  The promised land allocation of 15 hectares has yet to materialise.  The Penan and Kenyah communities are unable to begin meaningful agricultural activity because of this uncertainty.  Since most of the surrounding land is under the control of palm oil plantation companies, it is difficult to see how sufficient banks of land near to the resettlement areas could be found;

(b)  The Penan and Kenyah communities are being deprived of the provision in full of the promised monthly food supplies of RM600 per month per household.  No genuine attempt has been made to explain the shortfall, nor has the shortfall been rectified;  

(c)  The housing prepared for the Penan and Kenyah communities has been constructed out of poor quality materials and with poor workmanship.  Cracks and other damage are already apparent after a mere six to eight months;

(d)  Promises of adequate furnishing of the houses in the Resettlement Areas have not been fulfilled;

(e)  Promises of diesel subsidies to help children commute to school have not been kept.  Consequently, some children have to make their way to school in small perahu via the river, which is dangerous, especially when there is heavy rain;

(f)  Ironically, despite having been relocated for the purposes of constructing the Murum Dam, which will provide hydroelectric power to the state of Sarawak, the community in Tegulang Resettlement Area receives 12 hours of electricity per day via a diesel-powered generator set.  The Metalun Resettlement Area community receives only six hours of electricity per day via the same method; and

(g)  Job opportunities for the Penans and Kenyahs in or around the Resettlement Areas are scarce or non-existent.  Most of the surrounding timber and palm oil companies hire foreign labour.

 

In short, rather than experiencing “an immediate and substantial improvement in living standards, better access to basic human rights to education and health care, and better economic opportunities, whilst preserving their cultural identities and traditions”, the affected communities have been displaced and left desolate.  Their living conditions are deplorable and their livelihood has been decimated.  In spite of this, there appears to be no sense of urgency in remedying or rectifying the situation.  The standard response when officials from Sarawak Energy Berhad visit the area is one of indifference or callousness.  The Penan and Kenyah communities are simply told that they would have to refer the matter to the “pegawai atasan” in Miri or Bintulu, which is 12 to 16 hours away by road. 

Despite some consultation having taken place with the affected communities, the Sarawak Government has clearly shown that it has ignored the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (“UNDRIP”), which calls for the free, prior and informed consent (and not just consultation) of the affected communities.

 

This shameful state of affairs exemplifies the broader challenges faced by Malaysian indigenous minorities in protecting their rights and fundamental liberties as indigenous peoples.  In Peninsular Malaysia, there has been no effective legislative or executive action to recognise the customary rights of Orang Asli to their lands, resources and territories despite there being more than a decade of judicial pronouncements by the Malaysian superior courts legally recognising these rights.  Moreover, Federal and State Governments persistently attempt to contest, reverse or ignore binding precedent and jurisprudence laid down in landmark Orang Asli cases such as Adong bin Kuwau v Kerajaan Negeri Johor and Sagong bin Tasi v Kerajaan Negeri Selangor.  The laudatory and humane principles established in these cases are, time and again, more honoured in the breach than in the observance.

A disturbing recent development is the Malaysian Government’s lack of support for recommendations, made during Malaysia’s 2013 Universal Periodic Review, for it to implement the principles contained in UNDRIP.  This contains express provisions calling for the recognition of the rights of indigenous peoples to their lands, territories and resources and the free, prior and informed consent of indigenous communities in matters affecting indigenous lands, rights and resources.  Earlier in 2006 and 2007, the Malaysian Government had unreservedly voted for UNDRIP, proclaiming the Declaration “as a standard of achievement to be pursued in a spirit of partnership and mutual respect”.  It is inexplicable that the Malaysian Government appears to have reneged on its UNDRIP pledge to the international community, and perhaps more importantly, to its indigenous minority citizenry.

As we commemorate International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on 9 August 2014, the Malaysian Bar strongly urges the Malaysian Government to immediately honour its commitment to implement UNDRIP domestically, and to give full effect to the Malaysian courts’ recognition of the customary land and resource rights of indigenous minorities.  

The Malaysian Bar also calls upon the Sarawak Government and its agency, Sarawak Energy Berhad, to immediately address the situation at hand.  They have had many years to prepare for the resettlement during the period of the construction of the Murum Dam, and yet most of the infrastructure provided to the Penan and Kenyah communities seem to have been hurried and last-minute, with many issues remaining unresolved and many promises still unfulfilled.  The life that they have been forced to accept is clearly not sustainable, is unacceptable by any decent standards, and will in the long term lead to a culture of continued dependency on the government.  Genuine regard must be shown for the well-being of the affected Penan and Kenyah communities.

Indeed, the inalienable right of all our indigenous peoples to free, prior and informed choice as to their future and their way of life, must be genuinely recognised and respected.  

Steven Thiru

Vice-President

Malaysian Bar

Moderates from rival Malaysian parties team up to fight racism

The Malaysian Insider (
by ZULKIFLI SULONG

Datuk Mujahid Yusof Rawa and Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, two politicians from PAS and Umno deemed as moderates, have decided to join hands to form a movement to end the growing problem of racism in Malaysia.

It is not clear if their respective parties have endorsed their plans but they have roped in PAS's Tamrin Ghafar, son of the late deputy prime minister Tun Ghafar Baba, for the fledgling movement's first meeting next week.

"We have agreed to set up the NGO with Mujahid as the chairman and Saifuddin as his deputy," Tamrin told The Malaysian Insider.

Tamrin is confident with strong grassroots support from both parties towards the two leaders, the initiative will bring a new dimension to racial unity in the country, where Bumiputeras form 60% of the 30 million population with significant Chinese and Indian minorities.

"We will gather all parties in this movement, including those from PAS, Umno and MCA. We have succeeded in getting the support from several Chinese and Indian leaders, but now is not the right time to announce it yet," he said.

This new movement comes less than two months after the formation of Negara-Ku, a coalition of more than 70 NGOs formed to heal Malaysia and restore hope, given the recent challenges that threaten the peace and harmony of its multi-ethnic and multi-faith society.

Negara-Ku, headed by Zaid Kamaruddin, with lawyer Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan and national laureate A. Samad Said as its patrons, is aimed at mobilising and empowering people to return to the basics of the Federal Constitution, Malaysia Agreement and Rukunegara.

Commenting on the yet-to-be-named NGO, Mujahid told The Malaysian Insider the movement would have a huge impact on the struggle to put aside racial politics in the country.

"We will strive to cooperate with other NGOs with the same objective, and this includes Negara-Ku," he said.

Asked why they did not join Negara-Ku, Mujahid said their aim may bedifferent but he is confident that they can get more support to promote racial harmony based on their track record.

Mujahid is well known for his efforts to foster interfaith relationship with the Christians and had been holding dialogues in churches across the country.

Saifuddin, the former Temerloh MP who heads the Global Movement of Moderates (GMM) set up by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, is also famous for his moderate stand, a departure from other Umno leaders.

Both Mujahid and Saifuddin are also in the Putrajaya-backed National Unity Consultative Council.

The new NGO comes when Malaysia is facing an acid test over its race relations, with many racial religious issues cropping up.

This includes the ban on the use of the word Allah - the Arabic word for God - by Christians, the seizure of Malay and Iban-language Bibles by the Selangor Islamic authorities, and interfaith custody disputes.

To worsen the situation, many Malay rights groups have entered the fray, telling non-Muslims not to question the rights of the Malays and Muslims in the country.

People Must Ensure Asean Becomes Main Pedestal For Peaceful Malaysia - Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 8 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has called on Malaysians to pool their resources to ensure that Asean remains as the main pedestal that will keep Malaysia peaceful, stable and prosperous.

He said that Asean solidarity was one of the main factors that contributed to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and Malaysia would not enjoy progress if the region was embroiled in conflicts among themselves.

"As one of the founding members of Asean, Malaysia should be proud of the efforts and role played by the country to ensure the success of the block.

"Since its establishment in 1976, Asean had become the main thrust for foreign relations.

"The setting up of Asean formed an important point in the efforts to create a peaceful, stable and prosperous South-east Asian region," said Najib in his message in conjunction with the 47th Asean anniversary, which is celebrated on Aug 8, each year.

He said that Asean solidarity had succeeded in the block gaining the trust of the world community and was now ready to be integrated fully in the community.

Najib said Asean had the objective of creating a forward-looking community, playing a major role in the development of regional issues, contributing to the development of the community that was responsible and free from conflicts and vibrant in terms of the economy.

"All these will make Asean closer to the people and subsequently turn it into an organisation of caring and responsible society," he said.

Referring to the selection of Malaysia as the Asean Chair next year, the Prime Minister said it was the responsibility of Kuala Lumpur to lead and guide efforts to strengthen the block in the post-2015 period.

He said that the coming chairmanship was most important to Malaysia because during that time, the Asean Community would be formed.

"It is our intention to enhance the involvement of all parties that have interests in Asean citivities.

"For this purpose, Malaysia upon becoming chairman in 2015 has chosen the main theme, that is People-Centered Asean," he said.

Najib said the formation of Asean, which is centred on the people, could be considered as a concrete move towards realising the aspiration of the people to achieve good governance, transparency, higher standard of living, sustainable development, women empowerment and greater opportunities for everyone.

In order to ensure that Malaysians were involved in these noble efforts, he said the government would undertake various efforts to bring Asean closer to the people in this country.

"We will intensify efforts in the next few months to raise public awareness on Asean," he said.

Meanwhile, Najib said that the slogan 'Moving Forward in Unity to a Peaceful and Prosperous Community' chosen by Myanmar as the Asean Chair this year was most appropriate.

"The slogan is most appropriate because it reminds us that Asean must always be forward thinking and progressive," he added.

Vernacular schools are irrelevant, says Malay students organisation – Bernama

The National GPMS Alumni Organisation fully supports the statement by Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Razali Ibrahim that the government should no longer entertain any request or demand for the construction of new Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools.

The president of the Federation of Peninsular Malay Students (GPMS) Alumni, Syed Anuar Syed Mohamad said it was time that the government reviewed the construction of Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools because they had never contributed to national integrity and had in fact widened the solidarity gap between the various races in the country.

"The GPMS Alumni also emphasises that the government, at the same time, must be bold and firm in drawing up a long-term plan towards closing down all such vernacular schools so that all the ethnic groups were placed under one roof and under a common system of schooling just like in other countries.

"In fact, we are of the opinion that the 1Malaysia concept can be achieved more easily if all the races followed a common system of schooling," he said in a statement today.

He said that the GPMS Alumni was of the opinion that the issue on insulting and challenging the Islamic religion, the Malay race and the monarchy had been contributed to a certain extent by the insensitivity of the present generation due to the separation in the schooling system from the past. – Bernama, August 6, 2014.

Blonde English teacher accused of having sex with two teen students

Married Brianne Altice, 35, is accused of sleeping with a 17-year-old while seeing a 16-year-old

A blonde schoolmistress on trial for having sex with a teenage student is now accused of sleeping with another boy.

Stunning English teacher Brianne Altice, 35, was identified by the 16-year-old she was first accused of bedding because he could tell police where she had tattoos and the layout of her house.

The two are alleged to have had sex over a six-month period between January and June 2013 at her home, in a park and even in a church parking lot before they went to school.

Her attorney tried to get the charges dismissed because he claimed the boy pushed for sex and she had not exerted "undue influence" over him.

She wiped away tears as a judge denied that motion in June and, a month later, prosecutors filed even more charges when a second boy, aged 17, came forward with more allegations of his claimed sexual trysts with the blonde teacher.

Her trial next month has now been delayed while the new charges are levied against her. Her marriage has since broken down and her husband has filed for divorce.

Altice allegedly used an app to disguise her cell phone number when she communicated with the two boys.

She faces four counts of rape and two counts of forcible sodomy.

Her alleged affairs only came to light when one of the boys bragged he had sex with "Miss' and a girl classmate told her grandmother who called in police.

 

The girl was later forced the change schools after she was bullied by classmates for 'telling'.

She told a local television station in the American state of Utah: “He was happy about it. He was telling everyone that, ‘Yeah, I’m the one who did that.

"He said, ‘Hey, let’s tell secrets,’ and I was like, ‘Alright.’ And there was another girl too and he told us, ‘I slept with Ms. Altice.’

“I’m happy she has been charged because she ruined my life too, like with all this happening. I think she should get charged for it. It’s wrong."

Altice, who worked at Davis High School in Kaysville, Utah, is now on $10,000 bail since her arrest last October. It is unclear when the new trial will take place.

Her husband filed for divorce shortly after and Altice was fired by the school on Feb. 3.

She had been in the school district since 2004 and was hired to teach English at the high school in 2012.

Another witness who worked with her told reporters covering the case: “I walked in and said, ‘I have a question. So and so tells me you have been sleeping with him?

"She started crying to me, saying ‘Please don’t say anything’ and then a couple days later she told me, ‘Yeah, it’s true.’”

Altice's attorney Edward Brass fought the first accusations on the grounds that the original boy was the driving force behind the relationship.

He told the first hearing, where his attempt to have the case stopped was thrown out: “She repeatedly refused and declined his advances until he ultimately broke down her resistance.

"The state failed to establish probable cause to believe that the intercourse that occurred was without consent.”