Himpunan di KLCC, KL Sentral bantah akta hasutan

Mat Sabu denies Pro-Hadi group walk out

The ISIS-style execution of 17 workers in Afghan province by Taliban

The ISIS-style execution of 17 innocent workers is a heart-wrenching and shocking disaster

By Shakir

Farah, a province in western Afghanistan along the Iranian border, is one of the most insecure provinces in the country. Its defenseless inhabitants are victims of the treacherous conspiracies of the warmongers every day. Besides the deadly poverty, instability and insecurity that plagues the people of this isolated province, they have witnessed countless instants of bombings by the occupier forces, mass killings and beheadings, suicide bombings, kidnapping of children, and the shooting of their working children by the mercenary Taliban and non-Taliban forces.

Disaster has struck one after the other and made life a living hell for the people of this area. There is not a day when the people of Farah are not mourning. Farah city is the only relatively secure city. Outside this city, the Taliban monsters wait like hunters for their prey, backed by their masters. Every day a village is shrouded in grief. One day the Taliban kidnap the defenseless workers of the city municipality who are busy disposing off garbage and kill them; another day they behead innocent people in groups; and yet another day women and children are targeted by a roadside mine.

The ISIS-style execution of 17 innocent workers is a heart-wrenching and shocking disaster. On August 30, 2014, at 8 o’clock in the morning, a group of workers from the Robaat village were going to the customs on the border where they worked. In the Pul Poshta area, their car was stopped by the armed men of Mullah Nasir, one of the Taliban criminals. They were all stood in a line and shot dead. Five people among them were seriously injured and are currently fighting for their lives in a hospital. These people were Mohammad Ameen, Naseem, Fazel Ahmad, Mohammad Naeem, and Ahmad. The remaining twelve were all killed:

Wazir s/o Rasheed Woldyat Nazeer

Jan Mohammad s/o Sher Aqa

Gul Ahmad s/o Said Ahmad

Ghulam s/o Hakeem

Naeem s/o Haleem

Said Ahmad s/o Fazel Ahmad

Ghaus s/o Gulzar

Wazir s/o Abdul Rashid

Qiyamuddin s/o Mohammad Younis

Gulbuddin s/o Jabbar

Mohmmad Isa s/o Mullah Omar

Wazir s/o Rashid (same name as the person mentioned above but two different people)

One of the injured narrated the incident. He said that the Taliban were in a rush and quickly stood everyone in a line before opening fire. They were agitated and left the scene in one or two minutes. That is how some of them were not killed.

Mullah Nasir is the brother of Mullah Wakeel, and one of the most brutal Taliban. He belongs to the Siyah Jungle village of Bala Buluk district. A while back, Mullah Wakeel’s criminal gang was annihilated by the people of Boomdi. Now this bloodthirsty thug is out to get revenge for his brother’s death, with support from foreign countries. He is targeting the most oppressed strata of people. He has told some people that he wishes to put every man, woman, and even animals of the area through a shredder and cut them into bits and pieces.

Some time back, Mullah Wakeel and his criminal group entered the tents of the nomads of this area in their Taliban-style rage and wrath and against all the Afghani traditions. They walked around insulting the poor people, threatening to kill them, and abused them calling them dishonorable, US lackeys, and spineless. Then they tried to take some elders of the area as hostage.

It was then that the people of the area gathered and took arms. They stopped the cleric and his group. In the confrontation that ensued, two men were martyred, two women were injured, and a great deal of financial loss was caused for all the people of the area. But fortunately several men of the gang were killed and the filthy gang was disbanded. According to eye witnesses, they had been defeated so badly that nobody touched Mullah Wakeel and his men’s dead bodies and they lay on the ground for several days.

Most inhabitants of this area (which stretches to the Iranian border) belong to the Boomdi tribe and are Baloch nationals. They don’t have land, breed livestock and lack the very basic necessities of life, but they do not tolerate their insult and aggression of their area. Bravery and fearlessness are the valuable legacy of their ancestors and run through their blood today. By embarrassing this Taliban aggressor and his thug partners, they showed their resistance and defended their homes, teaching the murderous lackeys of occupiers and the infamous Iranian and Pakistan governments a lesson they will never forget.

One of the residents of the area who has closely followed the situation of Farah, evaluates the insecurity and the consequential incidents this way: the incapacity of the rulers has made the Taliban confident. Like many other insecure provinces Farah watches the death of its residents because a mixture of local, Pakistani, Iranian, and Chechnyan criminals have all gathered around the eight notorious Taliban commanders who were recently released from Bagram prison. They have started a horrendous battle and stream of crimes. Unfortunately what has increased the insecurity and poverty, is the drawn-out fraudulent elections and the cheap bargaining of the two sides which has further victimized our people.

Originally published on Sep. 10, 2014

Synagogue in Brussels burned

Arutz-7 reports:

A fire broke out in a synagogue in the Belgian capitals of Brussels Tuesday, in what appears to be a "criminal" act, according to reports.

Belgian daily La Dernière Heure said that several people broke into synagogue, which is located in the predominantly Muslim neighborhood of Anderlecht, and ignited several fires on the fourth floor of the building.

The wife and two children of the synagogue's caretaker suffered slight smoke inhalation in the fire on the top floor of the building, where they lived, said Laurens Dumont, a spokesman for the city prosecutor. The caretaker was absent at the time.

Dumont said "it would seem that the fire was set deliberately" at the synagogue in the Brussels neighborhood near the main train station, but the investigation was in its early stages.

Here is the news video about the story in French.


La synagogue d'Anderlecht visée par un incendie criminel

Pak Lah starts blogging, focuses on unity

Troubled by the tone and the increasing rancour in Malaysia, former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has made a surprising entry into the blogosphere.

Pak Lah, as he is affectionately known, posted his first entry on www.paklah.net today on Malaysia Day and shared his views on the meaning of independence and unity.

"As Malaysians, we are very proud of the diversity in our nation and we have promoted it around the world as an impressive treasure.

"But lately, many among us focus not on our diversity, but on our differences in political views, race, religion, and living standards.

"Such differences if left unchecked will escalate into fights that know no bounds," he wrote in the posting “Erti kemerdekaan dan perpaduan” (“The meaning of independence and unity”).

Abdullah, who was prime minister from 2003 to 2009, said tolerance and mutual respect among the people had diminished.

The freedom to speak in social media and other sites on the Internet had been used to express racial anger, he said.

"I am sad to see what is happening in our country, despite all the efforts put into forging unity among the races," he wrote

Abdullah said the people were feeling less spirited in celebrating the Merdeka season from August 31 to Malaysia Day today.

He added that such feelings should not be something seasonal.

"We must 'merdeka' (be free or independent) in our hearts and be united in our souls.

"We cannot only be united when celebrating something or in facing a tragedy or disaster. Unity must be with us in our hearts all the time, not just seasonal," he wrote.

Abdullah also said unity must not be forced on the people by frightening them because it could lead to fights.

He said that the May 13, 1969 racial riots should be a lesson to all but not something to be brought up all the time.

"Stop bringing it up. We should look ahead towards the future."

He said it was normal for people to have different views in a democracy but that it should not lead to fights.

"The government chosen democratically must be given the chance to govern, whether it is Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat.

"The same goes for leaders. If a leader is chosen, let him have his chance to run the government fairly and justly," he wrote.

Abdullah said even leaders were human and made mistakes, and if necessary, they should be advised.

He said if the people were not satisfied with anything, they should speak up but with courtesy and in keeping with the practices of democracy.

Abdullah said it was not his intention to discuss arguments between the races about matters like the special rights of the Malays, the status of Islam as the official religion and the right to profess other religions for non-Malays.

"I am not discussing them here because I realise that I may not have the answers to them now.

"All I want is to remind everyone that this is our country where our blood spills together.

"We must preserve the blessing and happiness God has bestowed on us all. Happy Malaysia Day," he said. – September 16, 2014.

Ambiga: Judiciary can stop abuse of Sedition Act

 

The judiciary is the only institution which can stop the abuse of the Sedition Act, said former Bar Council president S Ambiga.

"It is the only institution that stands between the people and those abusing power," she added.

She also pointed out that lawyer Edmund Bon, who is under investigation for sedition, was merely offering his legal opinion when he said non-Muslims were not subjected to fatwas.

"I agree with his opinion. You may think it is wrong, but it is his view and it was a legal opinion," said Ambiga, who was one of the guest speakers at the launch of the Gerakan Hapus Akta Hasutan (GHAH) last night.

Bon was called up by the police last week over comments he made in an article published by The Malaysian Insider.

Ambiga, the co-founder of NGO Negaraku and former Bersih co-chairperson, also said that the government's actions are the catalyst for hate and contempt.

"It is what they are doing to us that is bringing them to hate and contempt," she added.

Activist Safwan Anang, who recently received a 10-month jail sentence for sedition, told the audience that he was given the jail sentence because he was not a politician.

"We know that (PKR MPs) Tian Chua and N Surendran were charged so that there will be by-elections in Batu and Padang Serai, where having to pay a fine of just RM2,001 will forfeit their parliamentary seats.

"Since I am not a politician, that is why I was given a jail sentence," he added.

According to Safwan, no one is safe under the Act with the exception of Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali.

"Only he will be safe from being charged under the Act, although everyone knows how this 'frog' (a term used in reference of Ibrahim hopping to different political parties) is the king of all things seditious," he added.

'Those around Najib will not allow repeal'

Meanwhile, Universiti Malaya law lecturer Azmi Sharom labelled the Sedition Act as the biggest "penghasut" (inciter) as it is "anti-democracy".

"The Act is against democracy and against the country's identity. That's why it needs to be abolished," added the academic, who was charged under the Act recently.

DAP's Lim Kit Siang, who was accused of making seditious remarks against Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar, said the country was not becoming the “world's best democracy” as mentioned by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

"What that has been happening (spate of arrests under the Sedition Act) is quite the opposite," he said.

Former deputy minister Saifuddin Abdullah (left) said that even if Najib wanted to abolish the Act, those around him would not agree.

"We should show him (PM) that we want the Act to be abolished. Amending the Universities and University Colleges Act (AUKU) was hard, but I believe that together, the message will be delivered.

"Malaysians have their own strength to ensure it will be abolished," he said.

Saifuddin said that the country will not be a good democracy "if we continue nurturing the culture of fear".

Pro-Hadi group walks out on Mat Sabu's speech

 

MUKTAMAR Some 50 PAS Youth delegates staged a walkout from the wing's muktamar when party deputy president Mohamad Sabu delivered his speech.

The delegates, who wore black vests which read, "We are with the president and Syura Council", immediately left the hall as soon as Mohamad took the stage at 4.42pm.

Before that, PAS Youth chief Suhaizan Kaiat had delivered his policy speech for almost 90 minutes.

Mohamad Sabu, popularly known as Mat Sabu, is at odds with party president Abdul Hadi Awang and PAS clerics over the Selangor menteri besar issue.

His recent remarks in an interview with Malaysiakini, asking for the party's religious clerics to reform themselves to remain relevant also created dissatisfaction among conservative groups.

The delegates, who staged the walkout, lingered outside the Choon Moi Hall as Mohamad delivered his speech.

Several of the delegates clad in the pro-Hadi vests refused to comment when approached.

However, a Johor division delegate, who disapproved of the stunt but did not want to be named, told Malaysiakini they were led by Terengganu delegates.

A text message has since circulated among PAS delegates about the incident which read: "All the Terengganu gang in special vests 'we are with PAS president and Syura Council' stood up and left the muktamar hall."

"They were followed by some delegates from Pahang, Selangor and the Federal Territories. It is poor attitude shown by members of PAS, an Islamic movement. It is clearly a planned move,” added the message sighted by Malaysiakini.

However, the group was only a small part of the over 700 delegates present at the muktamar, who were generally supportive and cheered at Mohamad's speech.

In his speech Mohamad repeated the contents of his interview with Malaysiakini, stressing PAS' Islamic credentials alone is no longer enough as voters also look at performance.

He stressed how the clerics' loss of focus led to people supporting Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, a staunch secularist who did away with the Islamic system of governance in Turkey.

"It took more than 100 years before Islamic culture could be reintroduced," he said.

Salahuddin: This should not have happened

PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub, when approached by journalists, said he would wait for PAS Youth's report on the matter.

"I did not manage to see (the incident) as I was seated in the front row.

"It is something that should not have happened especially in this atmosphere where PAS Youth is showing how great it is," he said.

Salahuddin also defended Mohamad's urging for the party's clerics to reform themselves.

"I have read Mat Sabu's interview in Malaysiakini, he stated that the capability of clerics must also consider the factors around them if PAS is to move forward.

"I did not see, after reading it, any line that belittled the leadership of clerics," he said.

Mohamad Sabu: Maybe they went to pray

Mohamad and Suhaizan, during a joint press conference later played, down the walkout incident.

"I did not see, perhaps they wanted to go pray or do some other things and return later, it's normal," said the deputy president.

"I think that is the case, because it was getting late and some had to pray," added Suhaizan.

When pressed about the vests the delegates wore in support of Hadi and the Syura Council, Mohamad said it was "normal".

"They can wear whatever they want... I am certain PAS Youth did not determine the dress code," he said.

Asked if the vests were a sign of protest, he replied: "No, no."

Melayu pemalas?

Uthaya Sankar SB, Malay Mail Online

Kata-kata Tun Mahathir Mohamad baru-baru ini bahawa orang Melayu adalah “pemalas” dan “kurang amanah” membuatkan ramai tersentak.

Bekas perdana menteri itu memang terkenal dengan sikap “mulut laser” selepas jawatan perdana menteri diserahkannya kepada Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (2003), dan selepas itu dimintanya supaya diserahkan kepada Datuk Seri Najib Razak (2009).

Najib juga tidak terlepas daripada kritikan di mana Mahathir berkata, jika dia berada di tempat Najib sekarang, dia tentu sudah melepaskan jawatan perdana menteri.

“Harapan saya, Najib akan mengambil ikhtibar daripada prestasinya yang buruk dalam PRU-13. Malangnya sehingga kini tidak nampak apa-apa perubahan dari segi dasar atau pendekatan walaupun saya cuba menyampaikan pendapat saya secara langsung kepada Najib,” akui Mahathir di blognya pada 18 Ogos 2014.

Agak menarik untuk diperhatikan bahawa media arus perdana (elektronik dan bercetak) yang sering menjadi alat propaganda Barisan Nasional (BN) tidak berani bersuara menentang hujah bekas perdana menteri itu.

Ketika melancarkan sebuah buku di Kuala Lumpur pada 11 September lalu, bekas perdana menteri berdarah Malayali itu dilaporkan menyindir orang Melayu dengan menggelarkan mereka “malas”.

Mahathir yang menjadi perdana menteri selama 22 tahun (1981-2003) turut menuduh bangsa Melayu sebagai “kurang amanah”.

Sedap mulut sahaja mamak ini menuduh orang Melayu di negara bertuah ini sebagai “malas” dan “kurang amanah”.

Demikian saya meluahkan rasa marah saya menerusi Facebook kerana saya amat tidak bersetuju dengan kenyataan Mahathir yang bersifat serkap jarang dan stereotaip.

Saya menunggu juga Perkasa, Isma, Umno, Pekida, Kimma, Ridhuan Tee Abdullah, penari tarian punggung, pengusung kepala lembu dan para pejuang Melayu bangkit membantah tuduhan liar itu.

Menunggu juga golongan penulis Melayu bangkit berjuang mempertahankan maruah bangsa Melayu menerusi tulisan-tulisan yang bernas.

Menanti pertubuhan-pertubuhan penulis yang menerima habuan kewangan daripada Najib dan BN bangkit menyatakan sokongan padu yang tidak berbelah bagi.

Golongan penulis tidak berani bersuara

Pada suatu majlis penyampaian hadiah di kediaman rasminya di Putrajaya pada 7 Januari lalu, Muhyiddin dilaporkan berkata bahawa golongan sasterawan (Melayu) sentiasa bersama BN dan tidak pernah bersama pembangkang.

“Sekiranya ada pihak yang mendakwa golongan sasterawan berada di haluan sana (pembangkang), manakala pemimpin negara berada di haluan sini (kerajaan), itu adalah dakwaan yang tidak benar sama sekali,” katanya (Utusan Malaysia, 8 Januari 2014).

Akan tetapi, sepanjang pengetahuan saya, sehingga makalah ini ditulis, mereka belum berani bersuara menentang tuduhan liar Mahathir.

Agak menarik bahawa apabila Pengerusi Majlis Gagasan Malaysia, Manivannan Rethinam membidas kritikan Mahathir, Yang DiPertua Perkasa Selangor, Abu Bakar Yahya memberikan amaran kepada Manivannan supaya tidak masuk campur.

Selain tuduhan “malas”, golongan belia (lelaki) Melayu pula dilihat oleh Mahathir sebagai lebih berminat menjadi mat rempit dan sampah masyarakat.

“Kalau kita pergi universiti, 70 peratus perempuan. Budak-budak jantan, apa dia buat? Jadi mat rempit. … Semasa saya jadi perdana menteri, saya tidak mahu orang Melayu jadi bodoh,” katanya dalam suatu wawancara khas yang disiarkan di akhbar Mingguan Malaysia (14 September 2014).

Semasa berkongsi tuduhan “malas” dan “kurang amanah” itu menerusi Facebook, saya terpaksa membuat catatan berikut: Jangan pula ada lagi puak kurang cerdik yang menuduh “Uthaya kata Melayu malas dan kurang amanah”.

“Dalam al-Quran, ada satu Islam sahaja. Kita yang buat tiga Islam, empat Islam. Sekarang ini, ada 1,000 Islam,” katanya lagi menerusi Mingguan Malaysia.

Petikan itu juga saya kongsikan menerusi laman rangkaian sosial dengan catatan berupa harapan bahawa tidak ada sesiapa yang memutar-belitkan fakta lalu membuat tuduhan “Uthaya kata sekarang ini ada seribu Islam.”

Catatan berupa sindiran halus itu adalah disengajakan kerana semua paparan saya di Facebook adalah umum (public) dan sering disalah tafsir golongan kurang cerdik, etnosentrik dan rasis yang turut memantau tulisan saya.

Sekadar contoh, tidak lama dahulu, saya mengulas buku “Sensitive Truths in Malaysia: A Critical Appraisal of the Malay Problem” (2013) tulisan AB Sulaiman.

Segera muncul sekelompok kecil manusia yang kurang mampu membaca, lalu memutar-belitkan fakta berdasarkan fikiran sempit mereka.

Jangan lupa ‘Dilema Melayu’

Kelompok fanatik yang kurang cerdik itu membuat kesimpulan “Uthaya kata bangsa Melayu tidak wujud” sedangkan itu adalah hujah penulis buku berkenaan.

Anehnya, apabila Mahathir menyelar pemimpin Melayu serta bangsa Melayu secara terang-terangan, mereka memilih untuk membisu seribu bahasa.

Mungkin kerana mereka menganggap Mahathir maha berkuasa dan pengkritik akan terbakar hangus jika cuba melawan hujahnya.

Kalau mahu dikatakan kelompok ultrakiasu itu tidak mahu “cari gaduh” dengan pengkritik daripada kaum sendiri (Melayu), ternyata Mahathir berjaya mengabui mata mereka dengan menyembunyikan identiti sebenar keturunannya.

Dalam pada itu, ada pihak yang terlalu taksub dengan Mahathir mempersoalkan mengapa baru kini kita mahu mengkritik Mahathir, sedangkan sejak dahulu dia mengkritik orang Melayu secara terang-terangan.

Contoh paling mudah adalah buku “The Malay Dilemma” (1970) di mana Mahathir mengkritik, menyindir dan menyelar orang Melayu dengan berani dan tanpa simpati.

Ada dua faktor asas yang perlu diperhatikan berkenaan buku itu untuk menjawab persoalan mengapa orang tidak marah-marah pada waktu itu.

Pertama, buku berkenaan ditulis menggunakan Bahasa Inggeris dan sebagaimana selalu diingatkan oleh Mahathir sendiri sehingga hari ini, orang Melayu kurang membaca buku “bahasa penjajah” itu.

Kedua, selepas terbit, buku berkenaan diharamkan oleh perdana menteri waktu itu, Tunku Abdul Rahman. Maka, tidaklah dibaca secara terbuka atau dikritik secara terbuka kandungannya.

Pada 1981, sebaik Mahathir berjaya menjadi lelaki berdarah Malayali pertama memegang jawatan perdana menteri Malaysia, buku “The Malay Dilemma” tidak lagi diharamkan.

Malah, Ibrahim Saad menterjemahkan buku itu ke Bahasa Malaysia dengan judul “Dilema Melayu” (1982) demi manfaat pembaca Melayu (Umno).

Orang Melayu mudah lupa?

Memandangkan buku berkenaan dikarang oleh perdana menteri yang amat berkuasa dan disifatkan bersikap “kuku besi”, tentulah tidak ada sesiapa pun berani mempersoalkan segala hujah, kritikan, sindiran dan cemuhan Mahathir terhadap orang Melayu.

Orang Melayu mudah lupa. Demikian juga sering diingatkan oleh Mahathir.

Sajak berjudul “Melayu Mudah Lupa” dibacakan Mahathir dengan penuh perasaan pada akhir ucapan penggulungan semasa Perhimpunan Agung Umno di Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur pada 23 Jun 2001.

Harap maklum bahawa Mahathir masih perdana menteri waktu itu dan tidak ada sesiapa yang berani melawan atau membantah hujah-hujah yang disampaikannya menerusi sajak berkenaan.

Menurut laporan di Utusan Malaysia, “sebaik sahaja beliau (Mahathir) selesai membacanya (sajak), seluruh perwakilan (Umno) bangun secara spontan dari kerusi masing-masing sambil memberikan tepukan gemuruh.”

Walaupun saya dan Mahathir sama-sama mempunyai darah Malayali, saya masih tidak bersetuju apabila Mahathir menyelar orang Melayu sebagai malas, tidak amanah dan sebagainya.

Kalaulah benar orang Melayu masih malas dan tidak amanah, bukankah itu bukti kegagalan Mahathir sendiri sebagai perdana menteri, presiden Umno (baru dan lama) dan pengerusi BN?

Timbul pula pertanyaan berkenaan motif sebenar Mahathir membuat segala tuduhan dan kritikan itu.

Apakah dia sebenarnya mahu melemahkan Najib yang sudah sedia “retak menanti belah”?

Apakah Mahathir mahu segera mengangkat Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin atau Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi menjadi perdana menteri baru menjelang PRU-14?

Atau apakah pemimpin veteran itu asyik terimbas akan kegemilangan masa lalu dan menyimpan sedikit cita-cita untuk kembali memegang tampuk pemerintahan negara?

“Bangsa saya tidak tahu bersyukur”

Persoalan-persoalan di atas hanyalah andaian-andaian yang timbul semasa berbual santai dengan rakan-rakan pelbagai kaum dan agama sejak seminggu lalu.

Kalaulah kata-kata Mahathir boleh dipercayai, segala kritikannya tidak bertujuan meraih simpati dan tidak juga bertujuan memburukkan kaum Melayu.

“Saya sedih. Bukanlah saya berharap kerana kesedihan saya akan menarik simpati sesiapa. Hanya saya ingin menyatakan perasaan saya – perasaan apabila melihat kaum bangsa saya, orang Melayu, begitu sekali tidak tahu bersyukur, begitu sekali mudah lupa, begitu sekali mudah dipengaruhi dan diperalat oleh orang lain sehingga sanggup memburukkan bangsa sendiri.”

Demikian petikan “Suara hati Dr Mahathir” yang disiarkan di Utusan Malaysia (23 September 2012) untuk renungan bersama.

“Orang putih, secara terbuka menyatakan orang Melayu adalah bodoh dan malas, tidak mampu menyumbang apa-apa kepada pembangunan negeri-negeri mereka. … Orang asing dari India dan Cina [sic] perlu dibawa masuk untuk mengatasi masalah Melayu malas dan tidak cekap,” katanya lagi.

Ternyata tidak seorang pun individu kaum Melayu yang terlepas daripada kritikan pedas Mahathir.

“Untuk bekerja sebagai budak pejabat memerlukan kelulusan tertentu. Tetapi untuk menjadi Yang Berhormat, menteri, bahkan Perdana Menteri tidak memerlukan apa-apa sijil atau kelulusan.”

Kata-kata Mahathir di atas seiring keluhan orang ramai yang sudah meluat, kecewa dan menyampah dengan perangai buruk para politikus yang tidak layak menjadi pemimpin.

Dalam tulisan sama di akhbar Utusan Malaysia (23 September 2012), Mahathir meluahkan rasa sedih dan kecewa kerana bangsanya (Melayu, bukan Malaysia) “jelas tidak dapat menangani kejayaan”.

“Bangsa saya mudah lupa. Bangsa saya tidak tahu bersyukur,” katanya.

Memang hebat lakonan dan persembahan Mahathir. Memang besar sumbangannya kepada negara.

Namun, saya tetap merakamkan rasa sedih, marah dan kecewa berikutan kenyataanya bahawa orang Melayu “malas” dan “tidak amanah”.

Dr Mahathir fears Barisan will lose GE14 under Najib

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has told a Malay non-governmental organisation of his fear that Barisan Nasional (BN) will lose in the next general election if Datuk Seri Najib Razak continues as prime minister.

Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah, the president of Ikhlas, an NGO representing Malay traders and small businesses, said they met the former prime minister for a dialogue lasting more than an hour in which Dr Mahathir talked about BN’s future under Najib’s leadership.

"Tun (Dr) Mahathir was quite clear on this. He is firm in his stand that he is not in favour of PM. He said BN may lose GE14 if Najib continues to rule," Ridzuan told The Malaysian Insider.

The meeting was held yesterday at Dr Mahathir’s office at the Perdana Foundation in Putrajaya.

It was initiated by Ikhlas, or Pertubuhan Ikatan Usahawan Kecil dan Sederhana Malaysia, which wanted to meet the former premier over concerns about the economy and BN’s future.

Ridzuan told The Malaysian Insider that they had not intended to discuss Najib’s leadership, but that Dr Mahathir himself had raised the issue.

"It was not on our agenda when we met him but he told us that just because he shook hand with Datuk Seri Najib or took pictures with him, it does not mean that he supported him," Ridzuan said.

He said besides Ikhlas, representatives from Martabat Jalinan Muhibbah Malaysia, a group whose members were mainly former Malay army personnel, the Muslim Consumers Association and a few others were also present at the meeting.

Last month, Dr Mahathir had criticised Najib’s leadership and said he was withdrawing support for the latter because his feedback had not been heeded. Dr Mahathir, however, has not made a clear call for Najib’s resignation.

Ridzuan said Dr Mahathir had told the meeting yesterday that mistakes should be pointed out so they can be corrected.

"He said what is wrong is wrong. We have to point it out and not sit on the fence. This is the only way to move forward," said Ridzuan, adding that the Malay NGOs would request another session with Dr Mahathir in the future.

Ridzuan also said that all the groups at the meeting agreed that the Sedition Act should not be repealed.

"We do not want the Act to be repealed and replaced with the National Harmony Act. We have tried to get a campaign going but it did not receive support.

“The government does not seem to be interested. It is their loss. On the other hand, the opposition has been getting wide coverage. They do not mind if their cause gets no space in the mainstream media because they have the support of the online media,” Ridzuan said.

Dr Mahathir had begun the meeting yesterday by talking about Najib, BN’s future and the future of Malay economics, and he predicted that Malaysia would become a consumer nation and not a production powerhouse, according to Ridzuan.

"This has to do with the government’s policy to allow foreign nations to open their businesses in the country which affects the country's income. Our money has been going out in billions because of this," he said.

"Some of us were worried about BN and some did ask what they should do because they somehow feel like they are trapped in the middle," said Ridzuan. – September 16, 2014.

PAS supports terrorism, says MCA

MCA's Publicity Bureau Deputy Chairman cites statements by Mahfuz Omar and Nik Abduh as proof.

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA has denounced PAS for its alleged support of terrorism, citing statements by two of the party’s officials when reacting to news of the death of Mohd Lotfi Ibrahim, a Malaysian who fought on the side the Islamic State (IS) militia in Syria.

MCA Publicity Bureau Deputy Chairman Marco Yap said that PAS’s “full backing for militant activities by Malaysians against innocent civilians and religious minorities in Syria and Iraq” was indicated by statements issued by its information chief Mahfuz Omar and central committee member Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz, which contained references to Mohd Lotfi as a “martyr.”

Yap’s press statement, released yesterday, referred to IS by its old name, ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria).

“Unless PAS wants to put Malaysia in the headlines of world news for its open backing for ISIS,” he said, it “must rescind its support for the nightmare, mass shootings, head severing and terrorism committed by ISIS fighters including Malaysian ISIS followers abroad and even within Malaysia, where they had planned to bomb pubs, entertainment centres as well as the Carlsberg brewery.”

Yap, a Sabahan, said his state had experienced “intrusions, gunfire, kidnappings and murder” by terror cells linked to the Philippines-based Abu Sayyaf group. “I fully comprehend the fear and reign of terror ignited by these ISIS terrorists and urge PAS to sympathise with the victims, their families, the refugees and not with ISIS,” he said.

PAS Picking On BN Candidate's Ustaz Title In By-Election Campaign

By Mohamad Bakri Darus

TUMPAT, Sept 16 (Bernama) -- Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Mat Razi Mat Ail has become the subject of PAS' grouses as the Pengkalan Kubor by-election campaign period enters its fourth day.

The PAS' by-election machinery seems uneasy over the candidacy of BN's respected 48-year-old candidate, who also founded and owns the Maahad Tahfiz Pondok Simpangan religious school, regarding him as unworthy of being called an ustaz (religious teacher) and asked that villagers stop calling him that.

PAS candidate Wan Rosdi Wan Ibrahim, 56, said Mat Razi was ineligible to be called ustaz because he was once a civil servant and dressed formally when carrying out his religious duties.

In response to this, Mat Razi said he never asked to be called ustaz but the term was given by villagers after he opened up a madrasah (religious school).

He set up the religious school on his land where 50 students are currently studying for free.

Mat Razi, formerly Tumpat district education officer, remains calm amid such allegations as he only wants to focus on solving the people's problems and to plan additional development for the area.

Today, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin slammed PAS' insults against Mat Razi and described the party's action as a desperate attempt because it has no real issues to play up.

However, he said, the personal attack would not affect voter support for BN.

"I don't see any big issues here and PAS is attacking our candidate because they know our candidate is well-liked and excellent.

"One of their (PAS) strategies is personal attack against the (BN) candidate. Even I myself did not attack the opposition candidate in my speeches. Nevermind, they are scared, perhaps," he told reporters at Mat Razi's house in Kampung Simpangan, here, today.

Pak Din, in his 70s, was one of the PAS supporters met and asked why Mat Razi's ustaz title was being questioned.

"He is not an ustaz, he (Mat Razi) is a school teacher and he teaches the Quran," he told reporters at a coffee shop in Pengkalan Kubor.

Meanwhile, Kampung Simpangan resident Mohamad Asri Ismail, 51, said the opposition were not living in reality and loved to use slander to mislead voters.

"I've known Mat Razi since we were small and we studied in the same school. I know where he is after office hours too. He teaches the Quran and imparts religious knowledge."

He said Mat Razi also gave religious talks after Maghrib prayers at the Mukim Simpangan Hilir Mosque next to his home and that was why he was called ustaz.

Political observer, Universiti Utara Malaysia Adjunct Professor Datuk Hasan Haron said BN chose the right candidate because of his religious knowledge and work experience which made him close to the community.

He said it was normal during by-elections for local issues to be highlighted, but it must be remembered that in a state governed by PAS, the party had a role in addressing the issues.

However, the question is what has been developed by the state government because most of the projects in Pengakalan Kubor and Kelantan in general are contributed by the federal government.

"In the by-election campaign, PAS is seen trying to divert voters' attention to other issues to hide their weaknesses," said Hasan.

The Pengkalan Kubor by-election will see a three-cornered fight between Mat Razi, PAS candidate Wan Rosdi Wan Ibrahim and independent candidate Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary.

It is being held following the death of its incumbent, Datuk Noor Zahidi Omar, 57, from liver cancer on Aug 20. The Election Commission has set Sept 25 for polling.

In the 13th General Election last year, Noor Zahidi defeated PKR candidate Saharun Ibrahim and Izat Bukhary (Independent) with a 1,736-vote majority.