Muhyiddin: Stricter enforcement on sedition needed online

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Prime Minister: Six ISIS Attempted Attacks Against European Nations Already

Speaking in Parliament, British Prime Minister David Cameron has revealed there have been at least six serious attacks planned against member states of the European Union by the self-declared Islamic State, reports The Express.

Making a statement to the house on his visit to the NATO conference, Cameron said: “The point I would make even today to the British people is: be in no doubt about the threat that so-called Islamic State poses to us. We have already seen something like six planned attacks in the countries of the European Union from [ISIS], including of course that appalling attack in the Brussels Jewish museum, where innocent people were killed. That flows directly from this organisation.”

Although it is not known what form the planned attacks would have taken, which countries were targeted or at what stage they were foiled, it is likely the information will have come to light during conversations with other heads of state during the NATO meeting. Although European nations engage in information sharing on matters of security and counter-terrorism, the world's closest intelligence sharing network is between the UK, America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The admission by the Prime Minister that attacks have already been intercepted by security services comes some three months after the European Union counter-terrorism coordinator warned ISIS was training fighters specifically to wage war against Europe.

Speaking in June, EU coordinator Gilles de Kerchove said it was "very likely that the ISIS ... maybe is preparing, training, directing some of the foreign fighters to mount attacks in Europe” in pursuance of a ‘global Caliphate’.

The attack on the Jewish museum in Belgium, of which de Kerchove is a native, is considered the first successful ISIS attack against Europe. Mehdi Nemmouche, who had served with the Islamic State in Syria where besides fighting, he also acted as jailer to European hostages, attacked the museum in May with an AK-47 assault rifle.

His former hostages later revealed that Nemmouche had also planned another, significantly larger attack on Paris, France during their national-day Bastille celebrations. They have made a number of other claims, that he is ‘egotistical’, and a ‘sadist’ who had ‘enjoyed raping a woman before slitting her throat and killing her baby’.

Nemmouche is awaiting trial for ‘murder in a terrorism context’ in Belgium, after being arrested in the possession of a weapon, ammunition and a tape confessing the attack in France.

Nigeria: Boko Haram Seizes Michika

By Kabiru R. Anwar And Ibrahim Kabiru Sule

Yola/Abuja — Boko Haram insurgents appeared to have taken Michika, one of the major towns in the northern part of Adamawa State, yesterday.

They entered the town in the morning and took over many places apparently when security personnel reportedly fled on seeing the Boko Haram convoys.

Residents who fled the violence said well-armed militants are now patrolling the streets of the town. Some of them are reported to have set up base at the emir's palace.

The attack on Michika came two days after Boko Haram militants captured neighbouring Gulak, headquarters of Madagali Local Government Area.

A resident of Michika, who fled to the state capital Yola, said the insurgents slaughtered many young people and shot the elderly at close range.

"They killed several of my friends. They rounded dozens of young people, lay them on the ground and slit their throats while elderly people were shot at close range," he said.

Chairman of Michika Local Government Area, Vandi Pavanza, confirmed the attack, saying the town was under siege as at yesterday and residents were fleeing to escape from the assailants. He added that soldiers were still fighting to repel the attack.

"The situation is beyond our control; we need prayers to overcome this problem. Honestly I have never seen something like this but military are currently doing their best to subdue the attackers," Pavanza told Daily Trust.

Another resident told the BBC Hausa: "We were chatting with friends in front of our houses when we suddenly heard gunshots. We heard more shots for the second time, and then for the third time. We then started running helter-skelter.

"We run with our women and children into the bush. We put them in front of us, and we followed them from behind. I am now in the middle of the bush which I have never been to before in my life.

"Me and my friends are running without clothes. The situation was very bad. Despite the large population of Michika, you hardly find people now, because people have dispersed. Only God knows what happens to us next."

The resident added that the insurgents met no security personnel in the town.

"There was not a single security personnel in the town: no army, no vigilantes. It is God who saved us out from the town and into the bush," he said.

Other residents of Michika reported seeing military jets hovering over the town soon after the insurgents struck.

"Boko Haram members are presently hiding around emir's palace since the arrival of a war plane around 10.50am. But the plane has remained in Hausari quarters, not where they converged," one man said.

The takeover of Michika sparked panic in Mubi, which is the second largest town in Adamawa State, as residents began fleeing for fear of Boko Haram.

Pandemonium has also been reported in Uba and Mararaba Mubi. Residents of these towns and villages, including thousands of displaced people from Gwoza, Izge, Damboa, Madagali and Gulak, have begun fleeing to safer areas.

A health worker in Mubi, Abubakar Usman, said many residents were moving out to remote villages and other settlements to the south, in the direction of the state capital of Yola. But Daily Trust learnt that soldiers have mounted road blocks around Mubi, to stave off any attack on the town.

The Army Public Relations Officer of the 23 Armoured Brigade in Yola, Capt. Jafaru Nuhu, could not be reached for comments.

PKR confirms letter sent to Palace following royal rebuke

PKR remained coy on the possibility of submitting at least three names for the Selangor Menteri Besar post but the party confirmed it had sent a letter to the Palace following a royal rebuke last week for only nominating its president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail for the position.

Secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the letter was signed by president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and was submitted earlier today, in reply to the Palace's letter dated September 3.

"We have sent the letter to the Palace but I do not know the contents. All I know is that the letter was sent and it was acknowledged by the Palace," he said after attending the party's political bureau meeting tonight, adding that the meeting did not specifically discuss the issue of nominating more candidates for the post.

On September 3, the Selangor palace reprimanded PKR for submitting only one name, prompting the party to announce it would take "necessary and appropriate steps in the next 48 hours".

This follows Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah's decree that the three parties within Pakatan Rakyat (PR) submit more than two names, saying it was the palace's convention on the matter.

PAS had submitted three names, two from PKR and one from its own ranks, in a move that had strained ties between the Islamist party and its PR allies, PKR and DAP, who had all along insisted that Dr Wan Azizah is the only sole candidate for the state's top post.

PAS president, Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, told a special briefing for the party on Friday that Dr Wan Azizah was not qualified, as she did not have the ability to debate questions in Parliament or the state assembly.

On Monday, the Sultan revealed he was extremely disappointed with PKR and DAP for defying the decree he made on August 27.

"DAP and Keadilan's actions reflect their insolence towards the royal institution and is treason towards the Selangor Sultan," said the statement issued by the Sultan's private secretary, Datuk Munir Bani.

Earlier today, both DAP and PKR apologised to the Sultan and reiterated their loyalty to the Palace but PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim insisted that his party's decision to propose only Dr Wan Azizah
was in line with past practice and according to the state's law and convention.

"Referring to the media statement by the Selangor palace media signed by the private secretary to the Sultan yesterday, we ask the Sultan's forgiveness if our decision to abide by the Selangor State Law and
convention since 1957 offended the feelings of the Sultan," Anwar had said in a statement today.

On the Pengkalan Kubor by-election which the party gave way to PAS to contest in the Kelantan state seat, Saifuddin said PKR's machinery in the state will help PAS in its campaign, with youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad playing a pivotal role.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/pkr-confirms-letter-sent-to-palace-following-royal-rebuke#sthash.zM9lfXGN.dpuf

Muslim preacher latest to be arrested for sedition

A 32-year-old Muslim preacher is the latest to be arrested under the Sedition Act early this morning.

Wan Ji Wan Husin, 32, a former committee member of Selangor PAS's Ulama wing and a vocal critic of religious authorities, was arrested in Shah Alam at around 2.00am.

It is understood that he was taken to the Selangor Police Headquarters in Section 9, Shah Alam, and will be charged today. The specific charge against him is yet to be known.

Earlier, he posted on his Facebook page that he avoided going home after being informed of a police presence outside his house.

Meanwhile, PKR Youth condemned the arrest.

"We are committed in demanding that the government listed to the voice of the people to repeal the outdated and cruel act. At the same time, we will also assist Wan Ji with legal aid if he is charged in court," said a statement issued by the movement's committee member, Zafril Eusoff.

Wan Ji (pic, right) has in the past spoken out against religious authorities in the country, and also criticised the Home Ministry's ban on the use of the word "Allah" in Malay-language Bibles.

He had also attracted controversy for allegedly making comments about Malay rulers, and was questioned several times by police.

Among others, Wan Ji had said the sultans could not be called the head of religion.

"What is even more wrong in Malaysia, monarchs are also called head of religion.

"If we use that term, it means the head of religion does becomes the religion itself," he told The Malaysian Insider in an interview last February. – September 10, 2014.


- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/muslim-preacher-latest-to-be-arrested-for-sedition#sthash.O6OlEjNj.dpuf

Man jailed a year for insulting Muslims on FB

 

A 36-year-old construction site supervisor was jailed for a year in prison by a sessions court in Kuala Lumpur today.

This was after Chow Mun Fai pleaded guilty to insulting Muslims through a Facebook posting in June this year.

According to The Star Online, Chow was handed the sentence under Section 233 (1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1988.

The charge read out to him was initially made under the Sedition Act, but he pleaded guilty to an alternate charge under the Communications and Multimedia Act.

The Facebook post said to have insulted Muslims and the holy fasting month of Ramadan was made under the Facebook account ‘Chow Jack 982' at the KL Performing Arts Centre in Sentul on June 12 this year.

He was also charged with insulting Prophet Muhammad in the same posting.

The Star Online reported that Chow’s counsel Ahmad Ridza Mohd Noh pleaded for a lighter sentence, saying that his client had regretted his actions and took responsibility for them.

But Judge Azman Mustapha handed out the one year sentence, ruling that "public interest trumps mitigation".

DPP Suhaimi Ibrahim prosecuted.

The sentence was immediately been criticised by Lawyers for Liberty and its executive director Eric Paulsen.

In his Twitter account, Paulsen (right) said the judge was "clearly in error" in handing out the sentence as Chow had pleaded guilty and should thus be given "a discount".

"Conviction/heavy sentences for sedition and Internet offences should open our eyes - can't rely on the courts to stand up against Ops Lalang 2," he said.

Paulsen was referring to the recent spate of sedition charges against politicians, activists, and academicians, which he had dubbed as 'Ops Lalang 2'.

Lawyers for Liberty, in its own Twitter account, said Malaysia is becoming a "sad and small country" by jailing citizens for their Facebook comments.

'Sorry your highness, I was following constitution'

 

 PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim today apologised to the Selangor sultan on behalf of his party if they had offended the ruler.

He said that PKR was only following the Selangor constitution and the convention adhered to since Independence.

"Referring to the statement from the palace yesterday... We would like to seek the sultan's forgiveness if our decision to adhere to the Selangor constitution and convention since 1957 had hurt the sultan's feelings," he said in a statement.

Earlier, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng apologised for only nominating one person for the Selangor menteri besar post.

PKR has also nominated one person - PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

This despite the Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah's (above) decree that each Pakatan Rakyat party nominate "more than two" candidates for the post.

BN didn't send multiple options either

In a related matter, Anwar, who is also Opposition Leader ticked off Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak (below) for claiming that PKR disrespects the sultan in the menteri besar issue.

He pointed out that while touts respect for the palace, Umno, who in 1983 and 1993 supported constitutional amendments to curtail the power of the monarchy.

He also said that Najib’s statement is "excessive" and ignores the fact that the PKR constitution and Pakatan Rakyat statement of cooperation upholds the constitutional monarchy.

"Najib also knows that in Umno’s history since 1957, when in Perikatan and now BN,  had only ever names one state assemblyperson or parliamentarian for the chief minister, menteri besar or prime minister post.

"As PM, Najib should be honest about his party and BN’s own stand and not attack PKR for doing the same," he said.

Penghinaan terhadap Tuanku Sultan itu adalah penghinaan kepada bangsa Melayu

Aspan Alias

Tuanku Sultan Selangor yang terkenal dengan imej seorang Raja berjiwa rakyat sepatutnya tidak di ingkari oleh DAP dn PKR kerana undang-undang Tubuh Negeri Selangor jelas yang Tuanku Sultan mempunyai kuasa untuk memilih siapa Menteri Besar di negeri dan jajahan takluk Baginda. Tuanku telah begitu bermurah hati untuk meminta nama-nama cadangan dari setiap parti dalam Pakatan Rakyat. Baginda meminta setiap parti mencadangkan lebih dari dua nama untuk Baginda lantik salah seorang dari nama yang dicadangkan itu sebagai Menteri Besar. Kuasa melantik itu adalah kuasa Tuanku Sultan.

Melantik seorang Menteri Besar itu adalah kuasa Sultan bukannya kuasa parti-parti politik. Politik hanya menghantar wakil-wakil dari rakyat ke Dewan Undangan. Jika Tuanku yang berjiwa rakyat itu bersabar melihat kerenah pemimpin politik tidak ada sebab satu permintaan Baginda diberikan cadangan lebih dari dua nama sebagai calon-calon Menteri Besar itu tidak boleh di tunaikan.

Tetapi DAP dan PKR berdegil dan menderhakai Tuanku seolah-olah mereka ini mahu berdepan dengan Tuanku secara konfrantasi. Kadang-kadang saya bertanya kepada diri saya, siapa yang Raja?..Tuanku Sultan atau Anwar Ibrahim atau Guan Eng? Mohamad Sabu pun nampaknya lebih hebat dari Guan Eng, akan menolak pilihan Tuanku jika jawatan itu di berikan kepada PAS. Baru belajar berkeris selangkah dua sudah menunjuk-nunjuk kehebatannya. Mat Sabu perlu ingat setinggi-tinggi bangau terbang akhirnya akan hinggap kebelakang kerbau juga.

Anwar telah dianggap oleh setengah pihak sekarang ini sebagai rakyat berjiwa Raja. Apa yang disebut dan arahan beliau itu adalah titah. Jika Tuanku Sultan tidak mengikut kehendak nafsunya, itu dianggap sebagai derhaka Tuanku Sultan kepada Ketua Pembangkang yang banyak masalah itu.

Anwar seolah-olah memberitahu Tuanku, ‘take it or leave it’. Bagi Anwar apa yang beliau mahukan wajib dipenuhi dan tidak boleh mana-mana pihak termasuk Tuanku Sultan menyanggahnya. Semua mesti tunduk kepada beliau termasuk Raja.

Sesungguhnya Tuhan telah menyelamatkan kita semua termasuk Raja dari dihina dan diperkosa kedaulatan Raja-Raja Melayu apabila Anwar gagal untuk menjadi Perdana Menteri selepas pilihanraya yang lalu. Tidak dapat dibayangkan bagaimana PKR dan DAP menjerumuskan Raja-Raja Melayu jika Pakatan Rakyat memenangi pilihanraya yang lalu. Sistem Raja Berpelembagaan ini adalah sistem yang telah kita pegang sejak merdeka dan janganlah ada pihak-pihak yang tidak menghormati sistem ini.

Bagi rakyat yang insaf jangan lagi ‘dipatuk ular dari lubang yang sama dua kali’. Kita perlu menjauhkan diri dari pihak-pihak yang cuba untuk meruntuhkan sistem Raja Berpelembagaan ini dan sekarang kita telah mengetahui siapa dan pertubuhan apa yang sedang berusaha membunuh institusi demokrasi kita Raja-Raja Melayu ini.

DAP pula perlu melakukan pindaan kepada perlembagaan dan nyatakan dengan jelas yang parti itu tidak menghormati institusi Raja-Raja Melayu ini. DAP tidak boleh mengekalkan sifat ‘telunjuk lurus, kelengkeng berkait’. ‘Lain dimulut tetapi lain dihati’. Kita tidak mahu lagi mendengar DAP membuat ucapan terbuka menjunjung perlembagaan negara kerana apa yang dipraktikkan adalah sebaliknya. DAP telah menunjukkan belangnya dengan jelas dan tidak dapat disorokkan lagi.

Sekarang baru kita memahami setelah ISA dimansuhkan, mereka cuba untuk melakukan segala-galanya tanpa halangan dan bebas untuk berkata apa yang mereka mahu katakan secara bebas, lebih bebas dari haiwan di hutan. Jika keadaan ini tidak dihentikan terbit di hati yang akta hasutan atau apa-apa akta yang lebih ketat digubal untuk mengelak dari gejala perpecahan ini berterusan.

Budaya yang sedang cuba disemai oleh PKR ini amat menakutkan banyak pihak kerana politik kepentingan diri mereka sangat mahal harganya kepada negara dan rakyat. Untuk menyokong puak-puak ini kita terpaksa mengorbankan semuanya yang ada kepada kita dan negara.

Bagi saya, kelakuan yang ditunjukkan oleh mereka dalam isu Selangor ini adalah usaha untuk membogelkan maruah dan keunggulan Raja-Raja Melayu dan sistem yang kita pakai sejak merdeka dahulu.

Dulunya saya bersama berjuang untuk menghapuskan budaya dan kepercayaan untuk menghilangkan sempadan di antara kaum-kaum di Negara ini. Tetapi apabila orang Melayu sudah mahu memulakan perjuangan bersama itu, nampaknya keikhlasan setengah orang Melayu untuk bersama memadamkan sempadan di antara kaum itu telah diambil oleh setengah pihak sebagai kelemahan oleh kaum bukan Melayu dan parti yang dikuasai oleh bukan Melayu itu.

Secara halus usaha setengah pihak  sudah jelas untuk melakukan ‘displacement’ terhadap orang Melayu oleh setengah pihak. Jika perkara berlaku secara berterusan akan tiba masanya orang Melayu beragama Islam itu dipecahkan dan kita akan berbalah di antara kita sambil diketawakan oleh mereka yang berjaya memecah-belahkan kita semua ini.

Oleh kerana perkara ini telah jelas, saya ingin bertanya, siapa yang hendak dipersalahkan dengan kewujudan badan-badan dan NGO berhaluan kanan sekarang ini? Jika jawapannya ‘tidak salah’ apakah ‘consequence of events’ selepas ini?

Jika jawapannya adalah ‘salah’ apakah yang akan melindungi orang Melayu dari cengkaman setengah pihak yang jelas berlaku sekarang ini di Selangor? Takkanlah hendak dibiarkan sahaja pihak-pihak yang begitu bebas menghina orang Melayu melalui penghinaan terhadap Raja mereka?

Backer says he’s not guilty of racial slurs

Backer is alleged to have insulted and provoked a journalist from a Tamil daily.

GEORGE TOWN: Former independent candidate for the Bukit Gelugor by-election Abu Backer Sidek Mohamad Zan, 46, has claimed trial at the Sessions Court here today against a charge of insulting and provoking a journalist on May 12.

Abu Backer, a lawyer , pleaded not guilty before Judge Zulhasmi Abdullah, who fixed Oct 16 for case mention.

Represented by counsel Rosli Ismail, Abu Backer was charged under Section 504 for causing intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace.

The charge carries a jail term not exceeding two years, fine or both upon conviction.

Backer was alleged to have uttered the words “India pariah, Melayu bangsat dan Cina… saya pernah dengar perkataan Cina apa tapi sudah lupa” at 10.20am during the Bukit Gelugor by-election nomination day.

He is alleged to have angered a Tamil daily journalist D.Alappah at the porch of the Dewan Sri Pinang.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Razali Che Hassan, the state prosecution unit chief, read out the charge. He was assisted by Siti Fatimah Talib.

Judge Zulhasmi fixed bail at RM2,000 with a surety, which Backer posted.

Abu Backer garnered 225 votes in the four-cornered by-election on May 25.

Electoral debutant Ramkarpal Singh of DAP polled 41,242 votes to become the new Bukit Gelugor MP.

DAP to AG: Drop the excuses, arrest the culprits

Gobind Singh says MACC officers implicated in Teoh Beng Hock’s death must be hauled up immediately.

PETALING JAYA – DAP’s National Legal Bureau Chairman, Gobind Singh Deo had stern words for the Attorney-General saying he must arrest those responsible for Teoh Beng Hock’s death now.

In a statement he said, “…stop giving excuses and direct the arrest of those responsible for Teoh Beng Hock’s death without further delay”.

He expressed his disappointment saying, “They (AG Chambers) should tell us, have there been any action or arrests until now and if not, why not?”

He said a sense of urgency was needed since the case was already over five years old.

Gobind said, “The AG himself of all people should know that delays in any criminal trial would impact the quality of evidence which would be led in court. So he should not delay matters further.”

Gobind, who is also MP for Puchong said the AG’s statement that “suspicion however strong is not enough to support a conviction” was common knowledge and that he should instead let the evidence speak for itself.

Gobind said, “He (AG) should let a court decide whether or not the evidence, in particular the circumstantial evidence in this case is sufficient to support a conviction.”

He added, “With respect, the AG and his chambers should not continue to defend the indefensible in light of the judgment of the Court of Appeal.”

The Court of Appeal ruled last Friday that Teoh Beng Hock’s death was caused by persons unknown, including officers of the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) who were involved in his arrest and investigations.

Ban cheap liquor to quell social ills

Cheap liquor creates social and family problems as drinkers prefer to buy alcohol rather than provide for their families.

GEORGE TOWN: The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) has called on the government to ban the sale of cheap liquor, commonly known as samsu, as it is a social menace causing fatal health consequences and a propensity for crime while destroying families.

CAP president SM Mohamed Idris said cheap liquor created social and family problems as drinkers often used their income to purchase alcohol rather than provide for their family.

“Drinkers become a nuisance causing family disputes, which leads to other problems like child abuse, marital breakups, domestic violence and suicides.

“At a time when the price of food and other household products keep escalating, this drinking habit exacerbates the situation by trapping drinkers into debt leading to other social ills,” SM Mohamed said.

“Those consuming cheap liquor tend to get involved in criminal activities like snatch theft, robbery, stealing, violence and gangsterism,” said Idris at a press conference in his office here today.

A CAP study revealed that despite numerous campaigns against cheap liquor over the years, various brands were still readily available across the country.

The study found that many liquor retail outlets had sprouted in the country with the full endorsement of the authorities.

Cheap liquor contains 20% to 42% alcohol and is sold in small bottles of 150ml at a minimum of RM2 per bottle. It is easily available in sundry and grocery retail outlets.

Once popular mainly among ethnic Indians, the CAP study found that cheap liquor had become a favourite among other ethnic groups as well, including foreign workers from India, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Indonesia.

Other findings showed that some retail outlets operate from as early as 6am and stay open for longer to woo more customers.

Idris laments, “Women and children bear the brunt of the alcohol scourge.

“Hence, a ban on the sale of cheap liquor will reduce social ills and alleviate the sufferings of women and children.”

Household income RM5,900 a month? Why it’s a lie…

Malaysian households earn RM5,900 a month? The problem about telling lies is that with time, the liar believes his own.

By Steven Sim

People say politicians often tell lies. But really more often than not, they give us statistics. What is the difference?

I’ll let Mark Twain tell you: “There are three kinds of lies; lies, damned lies and statistics”.

The latest statistics our government proudly brandished at us was the report that household incomes in Malaysia had surpassed RM5,900 a month.

This was presented by Abdul Wahid Omar, the former boss of Maybank roped into the Cabinet as “Economy Minister”.

Intuitively, most Malaysians know it’s a farce. Why?

Because many families we know, maybe including our own, earn much less than RM5,900 a month.

Because even the government proudly claimed that its cash transfer programme BR1M benefited 80% of Malaysian households. The only condition for BR1M is that a recipient household must earn less than RM3,000 a month.

Because as recent as September 2013, the government said that 82.5% of young Malaysians below the age of 30 earned below RM3,000 a month. These constitute more than one-third of workers in Malaysia.

Because according to the 2012 Household Income and Basic Amenities Survey (HIS/BA 2012), the bottom 40% of Malaysian households only earned about RM1,800 per month.

Additionally, while the HIS/BA 2012 already noted that the average Malaysian household earned RM5,000 a month, 50% of Malaysian households actually earned less than RM3,626 monthly.

How did this happen? Statistics, the art of telling official “lies”.

(Caveat: I love statistics because if used responsibly, they provide useful insights into reality.)

The Economy Minister used the latest HIS/BA 2014 which has yet to be published by the Department of Statistics on its website. Hence, I will use the HIS/BA 2012 to illustrate how he has cleverly used statistics to paint a rosy picture of our earnings.

Abdul Wahid used mean household income to demonstrate that we are already earning RM5,900 a month.

In the HIS/BA 2012, as mentioned above, the mean household income was already RM5,000 a month. This was basically arrived at by averaging the total income of all households with the total number of households.

As we all know, arriving at an average works well if the data set is symmetrical, i.e. if everyone has roughly the same salary. Otherwise, one or two greater values in the set will significantly skew the average from the other values.

We may just add a local twist to the famous anecdote: Bill Gates entering a workmen’s bar, immediately turns everyone into a millionaire. Similarly a minister like Abdul Wahid comes in to take an income survey and presents the mean income of the bar patrons.

On the other hand, the HIS/BA 2012 also reported that the median household income in Malaysia was only RM3,626.

Median gives a better picture of an asymmetrical set of data, that is, a set with values which differ greatly from one another. It divides the set equally into two parts above and below the median value.

Thus according to the HIS/BA 2012, 50% of Malaysian households actually earned less than RM3,626 monthly although the average income was RM5,000 a month.

Both are valid statistical outputs, so what is the problem?

If you ask me, the problem with such “dishonesty” is not so much about the government lying to us but rather the government lying to itself.

By patting its own back on the so-called achievements, the government has created a false sense of its own success, thus running the risk of ignoring the real situation and the work still needed to be done.

During my first parliamentary sitting in 2013, the same Economy Minister proudly told the House that because our country’s unemployment rate was below 4%, according to economist John Maynard Keynes, we can be deemed as having full employment.

Since then, I have been pointing out that such self-congratulatory perspectives continue to blind the government towards the real condition of employment in this country, ranging from high unemployment among young Malaysians including graduates to the issue of underemployment, from unfair industrial practices to gender discrimination in the job market, from our over-dependence on low-skilled migrant labour to brain drain.

Similarly, when someone with the stature of the Economy Minister says that we are already earning RM5,900 a month, the government risks overlooking the actual problems of low wages, high cost of living, high debts among Malaysians and income inequality.

Even with all the reports showing economic growth, we have failed in the last 20 years to achieve any significant improvement to close the gap on inequality.

According to Second Finance Minister Ahmad Husni, Malaysia’s Gini Coefficient Index, which measures inequality (0 means perfect equality, 1 means perfect inequality), was 0.431 in 2012, one of the highest in the region, compared to countries such as Thailand 0.4 and Indonesia 0.37.

Thus, the problem about telling lies is not that others will be convinced, rather its that the one telling the lies eventually believes it himself.

Steven Sim is the Member of Parliament for Bukit Mertajam

Datuk Seri, please do the right thing

By Azrul Mohd Khalib | MMO

Datuk Seri Najib Razak, I, like many Malaysians around the country, support your call to repeal the Sedition Act of 1948.

There are periods in history when we are at the right place, at the right time and are called upon to act. To do what our conscience tells us as necessary because only we can. Times like these are few and far in between, when we are called to action to make right that which is wrong, heal that which has been hurt and practise that which we speak of. This is one such opportunity.

The 1948 Sedition Act is a piece of colonial era legislation which was born during a time when our penjajah, the English, intended to suppress dissent, maintain power and continue the oppression and subjugation of the people of Malaya.

It was intended to extinguish the flame of democracy which burned brightly amongst those who yearned for freedom and a better future for everyone in this country. It is an instrument born of fear, insecurity, is against democratic principles and aimed to tyrannise the ruled and to see and treat the rakyat as the enemy. It was used on the people who fought for this country’s independence.

It has been 57 years since the cry of “Merdeka!” rang seven times in the ears of all those present at Stadium Merdeka as tears ran down cheeks during that glorious moment.

How ironic is it that we have been independent for decades but continue to keep and utilise the tools of oppression and tyranny left by our colonial masters more than a century ago? Have we become today’s colonial masters who brook no opposition, no contrarian opinions and no check and balance?

Surely, Malaysia and the Malaysian people deserve better?

How can we call ourselves truly independent and democratic when we allow for the continued existence, use and abuse of such an unjust law against our own people?

Datuk Seri, you know as I do, that nobody is arguing for changes which compromise or threaten the security of the country.

Contrary to what the proponents of this law say and often deliberately misrepresent, Malaysia does not need this law to maintain its security and maintain the harmonious and peaceful existence which is our way of life. It does not make us a better people or a better government. Perkasa described the act as a “weapon” to aim at “traitors.” A weapon certainly does not promote national harmony.

What this Act does is to cultivate a culture and climate of fear, impunity, distrust and oppression where dissent and contrarian opinion are not tolerated or accepted, and even criminalised. Only extremists, people with selfish interests and those who jump at shadows and imaginary enemies or “traitors” will argue for its continued existence.

They are the ones who moan and groan of the inconvenience of democracy and prefer the authoritarian approach where might makes right. Where there is only one way. Their way. They are afraid of change, doubt the maturity of the Malaysian people and do not believe in a different and better Malaysia. They doubt your vision for the country, Datuk Seri.

Two years ago, when you announced the government’s intent and your vision to repeal the Internal Security Act of 1960 and the Sedition Act and later acted on the former, we saw hope of change for the better.

The mere act of being in disagreement or in opposition against the policies and actions of the government should never be considered either a crime or seditious. If a person cares about Malaysia, he or she will talk about both her strengths and weaknesses, warts and all. After all, what is democracy if not the right to stand up, speak out and stand for what you believe in without fear or favour. It is how together we build a better country.

But of late in the past year and these few months, many of us have seen with dismay the exponential vigorous use of a law which has resulted in activists, politicians, journalists and even academics being hauled up, accused and charged with sedition.

Far from being seditious and traitorous, many of them are in fact the very moderates which you speak so highly and are supportive of as being the bulwark against extremism and injustice in this country. They speak out in support or opposition because they care about and love this country. The extremists on the other hand seem to have a freehand, are unaccountable and act without fear and with impunity regardless of the damage, tensions and fear they create and cause.

Datuk Seri, we are concerned that even members of your own Cabinet, as recently as last week, have openly questioned or disputed, directly or indirectly, your vision of a better Malaysia without these laws. They have also tried to undermine the mandate given to the NUCC to help draft the National Harmony Bill to replace the Sedition Act.

A great change is at hand, and you are in the right time and the right place to make this happen, peacefully, constructive and of benefit for all.

The right actions are rarely easy or even popular. But it is the right thing to do. Let’s get rid of the Sedition Act of 1948 and be truly independent in deed and spirit.

Transparency pledge on new bill

The New Straits Times
by AZURA ABAS

PUTRAJAYA: THE government will be judicious and transparent in deciding whether to introduce the Harmony Act or retain the Sedition Act.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said sound judgment based on the collective views of all stakeholders would guide any decision to enact changes that affect the people, including on the fate of the Sedition Act.

“Have trust that the process will be done judiciously and transparently, albeit in a controlled environment,” he said at the monthly gathering of the Prime Minister’s Department here yesterday.

“As a result, the country will hopefully emerge more harmonious, formidable, stable and successful.”

Najib said the government would not compromise on the stability, harmony and unity that the country had been founded on.

“Whether we want the Harmony Act or maintain the Sedition Act, it must be done in a rational manner by introducing better laws as their replacement after obtaining the views of all stakeholders.

“As a government, we will not do things that can trigger uneasiness, uncertainty and worry in any community, be it the Malays or other races.”

Najib also called for understanding on why some communities reacted the way they had to certain issues.

“In this situation (referring to the Sedition Act), the Malays are more vocal about issues close to their heart such as Islam, the Malay sultans and Article 153 of the Federal Constitution (on Bumiputera rights).”

Najib said the government would not indulge in any decision that would upset the status quo.

“I want to explain this before things get out of control,” he said, adding that the government’s priority has always been the wellbeing of the people and nation.

On getting ahead amid fierce global competition, Najib said it was crucial for Malaysians to attain a global outlook.

“When the deputy prime minister brought up the move to make it compulsory to secure a pass in the English subject at university level, it is to prepare the people to be more competitive and driven for success.”

Najib said having a global outlook would push Malaysia ahead in the race to develop the nation.

Describing 2014 as a year defined by the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 and crash of flight MH17, Najib said Malaysians must learn from the tragedies.

“Who can imagine something happening on the other side of the world (Ukraine) can affect us here?

“What can we learn from the two tragedies? They show us that we are in a world that is hyper-connected; multi-directional and interdependent.”

Najib also pointed out on the importance of ensuring Malaysia’s economy continued to stay robust for Malaysians to reap the benefits, including the availability of jobs. The unemployment rate is now 2.8 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Perdana Putra complex where the prime minister’s office is located has been accorded a platinum rating in the Green Building Index (GBI) for being more energy efficient.

“In 2010, Perdana Putra had a building energy intensity of 138. Today, it has a building energy intensity of just 85,” Najib said at the GBI certificate award ceremony yesterday.

The GBI is Malaysia’s recognised green rating tool for buildings to promote sustainability in the built environment and raise awareness among developers, architects, engineers, planners, designers, contractors and the public about environmental issues and one’s responsibility to future generations.

After Perdana Putra building was retrofitted with green technology, the complex has reduced its energy intensity by 38 per cent; annual water usage by 40 per cent; carbon dioxide emission (33 per cent); and cold water (69 per cent).

“It is my intention that this project will become a catalyst for similar initiatives across Malaysia.

“Beyond Perdana Putra, I would like to see the entire city of Putrajaya transformed into a green, smart and connected city showcasing Malaysia’s economic and technological advancement.”

Present were Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa.

More pressure on Malaysia’s rights record with UN seat

Malay Mail
by SHERIDAN MAHAVERA

There will be greater international pressure on the Najib administration to respect human rights and end its crackdown on dissidents if Malaysia gets elected to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) next month, rights campaigners say.

However, those being charged under the Sedition Act shouldn’t jump for joy just yet, says one political analyst, because a country’s human rights record does not count for much on the UNSC, whose members also include China and

Russia, both veto-wielding permanent members with worse human rights records than Malaysia’s.

But being on the world stage in such an influential body could mean that whatever Malaysia does back home will be under greater scrutiny as the nation “has to walk the talk”, said Bar Council member Andrew Khoo (pic, right).

“There will be even greater scrutiny of Malaysia’s human rights record than ever before,” said Khoo, who is the Bar Council’s human rights committee co-chair.

“You can’t just sit on the council and rule on international law and human rights transgressions and at the same time have an appalling record back home,” he told The Malaysian Insider.

Malaysia has been lobbying extensively for support in its bid for one of 10 non-permanent Security Council seats, elected for two-year terms by the 193-member UN general assembly.

At the same time, international rights groups have criticised the administration of Datuk Seri Najib Razak over the recent spate of prosecutions on opposition politicians and activists under the Sedition Act, which the government claims it wants to repeal.

Groups such as Amnesty International have said the arrests have created a “climate of repression” in Malaysia.

The crackdown has fuelled questions as to whether Malaysia’s bid for a seat on the council, which includes the United States, United Kingdom and France, would be affected.

Khoo believes that Malaysia had long ago started its campaign for a Security Council seat and the rash of arrests would not be enough to convince UN members states to rethink their backing for Malaysia.

Monash University political scientist Professor James Chin (pic, left) said Malaysia would likely get elected because of political considerations of UN member countries.

“Asian members want countries who they believe will speak up on their behalf. Also Malaysia is a country with very few enemies. It never takes a strong stand on anything. It only wants to be moderate.”

But Datuk Denison Jayasooria of Proham, a rights group made up of former commissioners of the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), believes that developed countries might not support Malaysia’s bid.

“We have presented ourselves globally as modern and tolerant Islamic state.

“Freedom of speech is a fundamental human rights position and what the global community is against is not freedom of speech but violence and hate (speech),” said Jayasooria, who is Proham secretary-general.

“I think once elected into the UNSC, Malaysia will be obligated to meet global expectations and will be much more on the human rights watch list,” said Jayasooria.

“There will be stronger international pressure for what it says and does.”

A “credibility gap” between how the country acts and what is says on the world stage would have a negative impact, said Jayasooria (pic, right).

“(Malaysia) plays a major role in championing the course of Muslim minorities around the world and these kinds of crackdowns contradict the global positions Malaysia takes.”

An example of how amendable Malaysia is to world pressure, said Khoo, was how Najib had to change his stand on the militant group, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis).

In June, Najib said Umno members should emulate the group after it defeated the better armed Iraqi army.

Najib has since come out with statements criticising the group, while the home ministry announced that it was actively hunting Malaysians who have joined Isis.

“I think his recent statements are aimed at an international audience and its shows that there has been pressure from the world community”, said Khoo.

Chin agrees that human rights issues do not figure much in how UNSC operates.

“The only time human rights enters into the Security Council is when it wants to censure a country.

“Malaysia’s human rights record will not be used against itself,” Chin said. – September 8, 2014.

'Romeo November Delta, Malaysian One Seven' Final Radio Transmission From MH17

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 (Bernama) -- The transcript of the radio and telephone communications regarding Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 showed 'Romeo November Delta, Malaysian one seven' being the final radio transmission from the cockpit of the jetliner which crashed in July.

Subsequent transmissions indicated air traffic controllers tried to communicate with the plane en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur with 298 people aboard, to no avail.

That final radio transmission made by the crew was recorded at 13.19:56 hours UTC (coordinated universal time) and ended at 13.19:59 hours, according to the preliminary report on the July 17 crash issued by the Dutch Safety Board today.

"Shortly after 13.20 hours, both Ukraine and Russian Federation (air traffic control surveillance) radar lost contact with the aircraft," it said.

It said prior to the crash, Flight MH17 was under the control of Dnipropetrovs'k air traffic control (ATC) centre (Dnipro Radar).

The report said Dnipro made a radio transmission to Flight MH17 which began at 13.20:00 hours.

"At 13.20:00 hours, Dnipro cleared Flight MH17 to fly direct to waypoint TIKNA...this clearance was not read back," it said.

The document said the crew did not respond to this transmission or subsequent transmissions.

From that time until 13.35:50 hours, Dnipro Radar called Flight MH17 several times but no answer was received.

"No distress message was received from the aircraft at any point in time by the ATC," the report said.

Communications between Dnipro and Rostov air traffic controllers indicated the silence they got after the last transmission from the Malaysian Boeing 777-200.

The report said the crew of another aircraft that was flying in the area was asked if they had Flight MH17 in sight or if it was visible on their instruments.

The crew of that aircraft, it said, answered in the negative.

The transcript showed that an air traffic controller at Dnipro at one point communicated this to his or her counterpart in Rostov: "Yes, it's (MH17 has) disappeared."

The report stated that Flight MH17 was flying in unrestricted airspace.

There were no survivors in the tragedy which included 43 Malaysians.

'Why different practice now in naming Selangor MB?'

 

Constitutional expert Abdul Aziz Bari has asked why there is a departure in practice in the appointment of the new Selangor menteri besar, compared to past practices involving Umno or BN, when they had the majority support.

Abdul Aziz said the present system is a constitutional monarchy, adopted after the country's independence.

He said prior to 1948, the rulers had absolute discretion when they were not constitutional monarchs.

However, following independence when the country adopted the Reid Commission report, the notion of discretion on the part of the Agong, the rulers and the Yang di Pertua Negeri, must be seen in the light of parliamentary democracy, he asserted.

“When there is a majority (in the assembly) no discretion exists,” said Abdul Aziz.

“The palace has accepted whatever given to them by the majority party, in the days of Umno-BN. The same should apply to Pakatan now,” he emphasised, warning otherwise a challenge on the basis of Article 8 of the federal constitution may arise.

Majority rules

He added the law is clear that majority is the rule, and that convention if there is any, is inferior and subservient to the law.

In any case, the former law lecturer said in Malaysia it is law, and not convention that regulates matters.

“The law is what used to be convention in the United Kingdom but here in Malaysia it has become law by virtue of it being codified in the constitutional provisions,” he said.

“Those days when the sultan could vet and scrutinise the MB's suitability, qualifications and others, are no more. It is now the business of the legislature, namely the Parliament or state legislative assembly,” Abdul Aziz said, adding the law and practice in Malaysia does not approve what was done by the palace today.

Abdul Aziz asserted that even if the sultan does wrong, there is nothing that can be done about it as he cannot be brought to court unlike governors.

“But he will go down into the history books and may not be judged favourably,” he warned.