Wednesday 1 October 2014
Bangladesh minister sacked after criticism of Haj
• Telecom minister Abdul Latif Siddique declared an apostate
DHAKA: Bangladesh has sacked a top minister after his criticism of the Muslim pilgrimage of Haj triggered protests by Islamists who declared him an apostate and set a 24-hour deadline to replace him.
Abdul Latif Siddique, the country’s telecommunications minister, who is in New York accompanying Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, made the comments which were aired by local television stations.
Siddique said: “I am dead against Haj and Tablig Jamaat. Two million people have gone to Saudi Arabia to perform Haj. Haj is a waste of manpower. Those who perform Haj do not have any productivity. They deduct from the economy, spend a lot of money abroad.”
The comments drew immediate protests from the group Hefajat-e-Islam whose leaders called him “an apostate” and set a 24-hour deadline to the government to sack him from the Cabinet.
A senior official told AFP Siddique would be removed but he did not comment whether it was linked to demand by the Islamists.
“The decision has been taken to remove him from the Cabinet,” the official from the Prime Minister’s Office said, speaking on condition of anonymity. He added the decision would be effective after Hasina returns home.
At a New York rally where Siddique was the lone speaker on Sunday, he was also heard making critical comments about Hasina’s influential son and technology adviser, Sajeeb Wazed Joy. “Who is Joy? Joy is not part of the government.”
He also slammed the non-political Islamic group, Tablig Jamaat, millions of whose followers congregate outside the Bangladeshi capital each year in what authorities called the second largest Muslim gathering after the Haj.
He said the around two million people who gathered “don’t do any work except halting traffic movement throughout the country,” Siddiqui said.
There was no comment from the Tablig Jamaat.
Abdul Latif Siddique, the country’s telecommunications minister, who is in New York accompanying Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, made the comments which were aired by local television stations.
Siddique said: “I am dead against Haj and Tablig Jamaat. Two million people have gone to Saudi Arabia to perform Haj. Haj is a waste of manpower. Those who perform Haj do not have any productivity. They deduct from the economy, spend a lot of money abroad.”
The comments drew immediate protests from the group Hefajat-e-Islam whose leaders called him “an apostate” and set a 24-hour deadline to the government to sack him from the Cabinet.
A senior official told AFP Siddique would be removed but he did not comment whether it was linked to demand by the Islamists.
“The decision has been taken to remove him from the Cabinet,” the official from the Prime Minister’s Office said, speaking on condition of anonymity. He added the decision would be effective after Hasina returns home.
At a New York rally where Siddique was the lone speaker on Sunday, he was also heard making critical comments about Hasina’s influential son and technology adviser, Sajeeb Wazed Joy. “Who is Joy? Joy is not part of the government.”
He also slammed the non-political Islamic group, Tablig Jamaat, millions of whose followers congregate outside the Bangladeshi capital each year in what authorities called the second largest Muslim gathering after the Haj.
He said the around two million people who gathered “don’t do any work except halting traffic movement throughout the country,” Siddiqui said.
There was no comment from the Tablig Jamaat.
ISIS Istanbul Consulate Allegedly In The Works
The ISIS spokesman also reportedly stated that the Islamic State hopes that the Istanbul consulate marks the beginning of “bilateral relations” with recently-elected president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. ISIS also maintains that the Istanbul consulate will also pay for the medical bills of all wounded Islamic militants who travel to Turkey to get treatment. The Republican People’s Party (CHP) in Turkey issued a release condemning the decision by the Turkish government to permit the Islamic State to create a diplomatic office in Istanbul. The ISIS consulate will reportedly be opened in Cankaya — “an elegant” and central metropolitan district in the city.
CHP Deputy Chairman Sezgin Tanrikulu had this to say about a massive outdoor prayer event in Turkey, where attendees were allegedly called to participate in jihad.
“What were the Istanbul police and provincial gendarmerie command doing during the hours this IS [ISIS] extension group was calling for jihad in Istanbul? Is it true that while the IS extension group was calling for jihad in Istanbul the provincial police and gendarmerie command were instructed not to intervene? Who gave this instruction?”
During the Eid al-Fitr holiday prayer event, a man in white robes allegedly said this during the sermon.
“Those who believe, those who participate in jihad on the path of Allah with their lives and all their beings will be rewarded generously. They are the ones who will survive. We beg him to compassionately help the mujahideen, those in jihad, to hit their targets accurately.”
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutglu confirmed that government diplomats kidnapped by ISIS when Mosul fell in June were released during a prisoner exchange with the Islamic State. A total of 50 ISIS detainees, including the family of a “prominent warlord,” were freed in the swap. The Turkish nationals were captured when Islamic State fighters seized the consulate in Mosul and kidnapped 49 individuals – including the consul general.
A Turkish government official who gave details about the prisoner swap also said that he was not authorized to either confirm or deny reports about the opening of an ISIS consulate in Istanbul.
What do you think about an< a href="http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/08/cengiz-isis-mosul-iraq-syria-consul-general-kidnappings-akp.html" target="_blank">ISIS Istanbul consulate?
[Image via: US News]
Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/1507641/isis-istanbul-consulate-allegedly-in-the-works/#iR2Vq9l4tDIRhk0V.99
This Tiny Country Produces Five Times as Many Islamic State Fighters Per Capita as Turkey
The nation of 11 million people has a reputation for being small and peaceful, more likely to be invaded than to do serious fighting (as Dave Barry once put it, Belgium is the “screen door of Europe” that Germany and France always slam on the way to fight one another).
Yet as the Wall Street Journal reported Monday, Belgium is the sixth-largest total European contributor of fighters for the Islamic State, with an estimated 300 Belgians having fought in Syria or Iraq.
But Belgium’s total population is tiny compared to the other big countries on that list, and when the numbers are adjusted for total population size, the difference between Belgium and the rest becomes stark: While roughly five out of every 1 million people in Germany, Turkey and Russia go to fight for jihad abroad — and nearly 10 out of every 1 million for France and the U.K. — a whopping 27 out of every 1 million Belgian citizens is estimated to have fought in Iraq or Syria.
So why is Belgium such a fertile breeding ground of jihad-ready discontent?
For one, it seems that Muslim immigrants in many cases simply are not integrated with the rest of Belgian society.
Some of the blame could lie with native Belgians shunning newcomers — a poll conducted last year by Belgian newspaper Gazet van Antwerpen revealed that 60 percent of young Muslims believe Flemish (northern Belgian) society will never accept them
But as the Gatestone Institute, a think tank chaired by former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton, noted in a recent report about the rise of Islam in Belgium and the Netherlands, the leaders of Muslim immigrant communities in Europe often work to remain separate from the surrounding population, with Muslim politicians in Belgium even “creating isolated communities and parallel societies” in the country.
In a situation of failed integration, whatever the cause, it’s easy to see how jihadist groups like “Sharia4Belgium” could attract hundreds of young men to fight under the banner of Islam.
Read more: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/09/29/this-tiny-country-produces-five-times-as-many-islamic-state-fighters-per-capita-as-turkey/
Isma blames non-Malays for provocation ahead of leader’s sedition trial
As Isma president Abdullah Zaik Abd Rahman's sedition trial draws near, the Islamic NGO has released a video today defending their Malay-rights ideals and blaming the non-Malays for provoking the community.Set to the tune of traditional Malay music, the YouTube video titled Pewaris Bangsa (Heirs of the Race) features several top Isma leaders declaring the supremacy of their race and religion, and lamenting the "interference" of the non-Malays.
Isma vice-president 2 Abdul Rahman Mt Dali said in the video that the non-Malays had "forgotten their promise" and were intervening in the affairs of Malays and Muslims as well as challenging their positions in the country.
"We have no problem with them, they stay here, we have never disturbed them, but now and lately we see that they are interfering, they have forgotten their old promise," he said in an interview in the video.
Isma vice-president 1 Muhammad Fauzi claimed there were attempts to denigrate the Malays as "pendatang (immigrants), just like the other races".
He said Isma members were simply rising up to defend the "true facts that happened in history".
"We want to affirm that this is a Malay Muslim region where Malays and Islam are the two pillars of the country and this cannot be disputed," said Fauzi in the video.
The group's deputy president, Aminuddin Yahaya, denied that their beliefs were racist and insisted they were merely defending their religion and race.
He added they would support their president even if he were imprisoned for sedition.
"God willing, the strength in our president will continue to ignite all Isma members and we shall not stray even one step away from our battle until the end of our lives," he said.
The video, which is almost five minutes long, ends with shots of Abdullah Zaik praying and a message urging the public to appear at the Kajang Sessions Court on October 13 to support Isma and its president as he attends the hearing.
On June 19, Abdullah Zaik was charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948 for claiming that the Chinese migrants who had come to Malaya during the British colonial era were "trespassers".
"Who gave them citizenship and wealth to the point that the results of their trespassing has been protected to this day," Abdullah Zaik had said in a statement published on Isma's website on May 6.
He faces a maximum RM5,000 fine or jail up to three years or both for any of the charges laid down in the Act. – September 30, 2014.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/isma-blames-non-malays-for-provocation-ahead-of-leaders-sedition-trial#sthash.n5jYbcMl.dpuf
Constitutional expert under probe for sedition
Aziz's statement is to be recorded at the Sabak Bernam police station at 11am tomorrow morning for comments he made in The Malaysian Insider, the news portal reported today.
He will be represented by Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) lawyer Afiq M Noor.
Before this, Universiti Malaya law don Azmi Sharom was investigated and later charged with sedition for comments he made to another portal, Malay Mail Online.
Azmi's comments were deemed by prosecutors to be insulting to the Perak sultan following comparisons he made with the 2009 Perak constitutional crisis, while Aziz is being investigated for sedition for comments made regarding the Selangor sultan.
According to The Malaysian Insider, the police are investigating Aziz over two articles published by the portal on Sept 1 and Sept.More than 100 police reports have been lodged against him for the comments.
One was a Malay article titled "Sultan Selangor terikat deklarasi 1992, perlu lantik Wan Azizah, kata Aziz Bari" (Sultan bound by 1992 declaration, must appoint Wan Azizah), and another article titled "Only God, not Sultan, has absolute powers, says legal expert".
Aziz was investigated under the Sedition Act in 2011 as well, after he said the sultan's decree on the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) raid was "uncommon and inconsistent".
Meanwhile, The Malaysian Insider quoted Aziz as stating that he is unfazed by the latest investigation.
"I was asked whether the sultan had absolute powers during the height of the MB crisis, to which I replied 'no'.
"I do not think I was committing a crime. I have not suggested reducing or abolishing the powers of Malay rulers," he added.
Two reporters from The Malaysian Insider had their statements taken over the said articles as well.
No cow slaughtering during school hours
I would like to urge the education department and all other politicians to respect the sanctity of schools and not to turn any school into a slaughter house.
Saravanan (PETA Asia Pasific Network activist)
Muslims are about to celebrate their holy festival on 3rd or 4th October 2014. The festival comes from the story of Nabi Ibrahim and his son Ismael. Instead of sacrificing Ibrahim’s son, Allah instructed him to sacrifice a sheep according to the story. This particular festival will be celebrated as Eid Al-Adha.
Last year, my conversation with SK Puchong school’s headmaster heated up Malaysia with the cow slaughtering issue in the school. I would like to urge the education department and all other politicians to respect the sanctity of schools and not to turn any school into a slaughter house. The incident of Nabi Ibrahim happened on a particular day in an open area and did not take place in any school.
Many UMNO politicians and Netizens commented that this is a Muslim country that they will do what they like. Some said if you don’t like it, go back to India. Papagomo commented he should kill me and many other negative comments.
I would like to remind everyone that in our education syllabus, there is no special instruction to slaughter cows or any other animal in schools. It is not a religious issue but all parties should respect the school where we gain education. The law is equal to all citizens according to the Federal Constitution. Hindus cannot celebrate Thaipusam in National schools and Chinese cannot celebrate their ghost festivals in the school. So the Education department and school headmasters should not not create double standards.
I did some research after last year’s issue. Malaysian Muslims didn’t slaughter cows during school hours 15 years back since British colonization. I have collected information from Jordan, Morocco, Turkey, and Qatar, they never slaughter animals in the school during school hours. This shows Malaysia is practicing a different Islam than other Arabic countries.
Qurban festival was celebrated in mosques, suraus, residential halls and other places where it is convenient. We do not oppose that. But as a human rights and animal rights activist I will watch closely what will be your real intention to celebrate this festival by slaughtering cows during school hours.
The cow slaughtering act doesn’t align with the education syllabus or school co-curriculum in any part of the world.
Celebrating cow slaughtering in the school will make kids psychologically traumatized. Even if the teachers and students were asked not to “see” the slaughter, fine, but one can always “hear” the slaughter being carried out.
Any country’s parliament would never approve such an inhumane act of slaughtering animals in the schools. It is a great disgrace for the country. All schools should follow world educational guidelines which is approved by the UN. Definitely animal slaughter will not be part of the system. Malaysian parliament should come to a decision to respect non violence.
Cow slaughtering in schools can cause POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER. PTSD develops after a terrifying ordeal witnessing a harmful event that happened to animals or humans. War soldiers and victims have faced this syndrome or even people working in slaughter houses.
Muslims are about to celebrate their holy festival on 3rd or 4th October 2014. The festival comes from the story of Nabi Ibrahim and his son Ismael. Instead of sacrificing Ibrahim’s son, Allah instructed him to sacrifice a sheep according to the story. This particular festival will be celebrated as Eid Al-Adha.
Last year, my conversation with SK Puchong school’s headmaster heated up Malaysia with the cow slaughtering issue in the school. I would like to urge the education department and all other politicians to respect the sanctity of schools and not to turn any school into a slaughter house. The incident of Nabi Ibrahim happened on a particular day in an open area and did not take place in any school.
Many UMNO politicians and Netizens commented that this is a Muslim country that they will do what they like. Some said if you don’t like it, go back to India. Papagomo commented he should kill me and many other negative comments.
I would like to remind everyone that in our education syllabus, there is no special instruction to slaughter cows or any other animal in schools. It is not a religious issue but all parties should respect the school where we gain education. The law is equal to all citizens according to the Federal Constitution. Hindus cannot celebrate Thaipusam in National schools and Chinese cannot celebrate their ghost festivals in the school. So the Education department and school headmasters should not not create double standards.
I did some research after last year’s issue. Malaysian Muslims didn’t slaughter cows during school hours 15 years back since British colonization. I have collected information from Jordan, Morocco, Turkey, and Qatar, they never slaughter animals in the school during school hours. This shows Malaysia is practicing a different Islam than other Arabic countries.
Qurban festival was celebrated in mosques, suraus, residential halls and other places where it is convenient. We do not oppose that. But as a human rights and animal rights activist I will watch closely what will be your real intention to celebrate this festival by slaughtering cows during school hours.
The cow slaughtering act doesn’t align with the education syllabus or school co-curriculum in any part of the world.
Celebrating cow slaughtering in the school will make kids psychologically traumatized. Even if the teachers and students were asked not to “see” the slaughter, fine, but one can always “hear” the slaughter being carried out.
Any country’s parliament would never approve such an inhumane act of slaughtering animals in the schools. It is a great disgrace for the country. All schools should follow world educational guidelines which is approved by the UN. Definitely animal slaughter will not be part of the system. Malaysian parliament should come to a decision to respect non violence.
Cow slaughtering in schools can cause POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER. PTSD develops after a terrifying ordeal witnessing a harmful event that happened to animals or humans. War soldiers and victims have faced this syndrome or even people working in slaughter houses.
For Ambiga, BTN camps are brainwashing hubs
The Kem Biro Tatanegara (BTN) or National Civics Bureau camps are nothing more than brainwashing sessions to turn Malays into racists and bigots, Datuk S. Ambiga Sreenevasan said today.The Negara-Ku patron said parents, whose children had attended the camps, were baffled by the objectives contained within the modules and things that were being taught.
"I have met several Malays who have attended these camps and they come out feeling disgusted and angry."
She was speaking during the “4th National Conference on Non-Discrimination: Unity and Social Cohesion in Malaysia – Making It Possible” in Kuala Lumpur.
"What does that tell you? Malays are being brainwashed into becoming racists and bigots while attending these national camps," Ambiga said.
The National Civics Bureau is under the purview of the Prime Minister's Office and camps are held regularly, especially for civil servants.
"I am disgusted with our leaders, they are not interested in tackling these issues. They are only interested in the politics of the issue.
"I have heard people say that this particular minister issues racist statements simply because he HAS to do it.
"What kind of an explanation is that? The blame lies entirely with our leaders, there are no excuses," Ambiga said.
"Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak appears to specialise in making fancy speeches when addressing the international community in the United Nations.
"But when it comes to walking the talk, Putrajaya fails miserably," she said to a loud round of applause from the audience.
"We are interested in national harmony, the rakyat are trying to achieve national harmony, but I am not sure that our leaders are."
She also criticised the police reports lodged against constitutional expert Professor Dr Abdul Aziz Bari, saying Malaysia was the land of police reports.
"Malaysia must be in the Guinness Book of Records for the largest number of useless police reports being lodged," Ambiga said.
"For giving his legal opinion, more than 100 reports are lodged against Aziz. Are you mad? Is this where you want to take the country?"
Ambiga said even the English would be embarrassed at the direction their colonial-era law was being taken to.
She expressed her incredulity when she read about reports that a group of influential Malays approached the Malay rulers to urge them not to repeal the Sedition Act.
"Words could not begin to express my feelings when I read about this meeting," Ambiga said, wondering what was the point of retaining the Act.
"Is it because we cannot detain people without trial any more? If the police force cannot function without these type of legislations, what does that tell you about the police?" – September 30, 2014
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/for-ambiga-btn-camps-are-brainwashing-hubs#sthash.wUoFWQnh.dpuf
More money for vernacular schools
MCA is asking for a bigger allocation for vernacular schools in the 2015 budget.
KUALA LUMPUR: Vernacular schools are now getting more money, according to an MCA minister.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Wee Ka Siong said that when he was the Education Minister, vernacular schools received about RM800 million and it was certainly much more now.
Wee, who is also the MCA deputy president, said each vernacular school had different needs and funds were given accordingly.
“MCA will fight for more allocation for vernacular schools. Even missionary schools in East Malaysia are in need of funds,” Wee said at the ground-breaking ceremony at SRJK(C) Kuen Cheng for a new building here today.
“We are now discussing to have a bigger allocation for vernacular schools in the 2015 budget,” he added.
Wee also said the use of forecast exam results for tertiary institutions should not be discontinued as this practice had been going on for about 30 years.
He said students should not be wasting their time and doing nothing while waiting for the official SPM results.
He added that the practice of using forecast results would not affect the quality of education because there were methods to kick out students who failed in the SPM examination.
“The use of forecast results has been going on for about 30 years and I don’t understand why this has been brought up.
“This practice should not be discontinued unless there is a better system or valid reason to do so,” said Wee.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Wee Ka Siong said that when he was the Education Minister, vernacular schools received about RM800 million and it was certainly much more now.
Wee, who is also the MCA deputy president, said each vernacular school had different needs and funds were given accordingly.
“MCA will fight for more allocation for vernacular schools. Even missionary schools in East Malaysia are in need of funds,” Wee said at the ground-breaking ceremony at SRJK(C) Kuen Cheng for a new building here today.
“We are now discussing to have a bigger allocation for vernacular schools in the 2015 budget,” he added.
Wee also said the use of forecast exam results for tertiary institutions should not be discontinued as this practice had been going on for about 30 years.
He said students should not be wasting their time and doing nothing while waiting for the official SPM results.
He added that the practice of using forecast results would not affect the quality of education because there were methods to kick out students who failed in the SPM examination.
“The use of forecast results has been going on for about 30 years and I don’t understand why this has been brought up.
“This practice should not be discontinued unless there is a better system or valid reason to do so,” said Wee.
Islam hijacked, says Dr M
He criticises religious leaders and scholars for not condemning violent acts by extremist groups.
PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad has denounced what he calls the “hijacking” of Islam by forces who have misunderstood the meaning of jihad.
In his latest posting on his blog Chedet.cc, he said these parties had replaced the teachings of Islam with doctrines that are anathema to the religion, posing anxiety and danger to all Muslims and Islam itself.
According to Mahathir, the call to jihad and its promise of martyrdom has a compelling attraction to Muslims who are not well versed in Islamic teachings.
“In truth, Muslims who wage war with other Muslims are committing acts that contradict Islam, which calls for brotherhood among Muslims,” he said.
“Doesn’t God command in the Quran that if two groups of Muslims are in conflict, another party should make peace between them?”
Referring to recent reports of Malaysians joining the war in Syria, he said: “Are they actually waging jihad or doing the work of America and the Jews?
“Malaysians are volunteering to kill other Muslims, justifying their act by claiming that their enemies are the Shias. They think the Shias are not Muslims.”
He lamented that the Shias are being killed mercilessly just for professing a different expression of Islam.
“The same goes for the Shias who kill the Sunnis,” he said.
He criticised religious leaders and scholars in Malaysia for not condemning the violent acts by extremist groups.
“There are some (who are) believed to have blessed these Malaysian militants,” he said.
“Please save the sacred religion of Islam from those who are trying to change its character by replacing its noble teachings with despicable ones.”
In his latest posting on his blog Chedet.cc, he said these parties had replaced the teachings of Islam with doctrines that are anathema to the religion, posing anxiety and danger to all Muslims and Islam itself.
According to Mahathir, the call to jihad and its promise of martyrdom has a compelling attraction to Muslims who are not well versed in Islamic teachings.
“In truth, Muslims who wage war with other Muslims are committing acts that contradict Islam, which calls for brotherhood among Muslims,” he said.
“Doesn’t God command in the Quran that if two groups of Muslims are in conflict, another party should make peace between them?”
Referring to recent reports of Malaysians joining the war in Syria, he said: “Are they actually waging jihad or doing the work of America and the Jews?
“Malaysians are volunteering to kill other Muslims, justifying their act by claiming that their enemies are the Shias. They think the Shias are not Muslims.”
He lamented that the Shias are being killed mercilessly just for professing a different expression of Islam.
“The same goes for the Shias who kill the Sunnis,” he said.
He criticised religious leaders and scholars in Malaysia for not condemning the violent acts by extremist groups.
“There are some (who are) believed to have blessed these Malaysian militants,” he said.
“Please save the sacred religion of Islam from those who are trying to change its character by replacing its noble teachings with despicable ones.”
AG and IGP told to stand up to Umno
Latheefa Koya says the selective manner of the current sedition blitz is Umno’s doing.
PETALING JAYA: PKR central committee member Latheefa Koya has hinted that the Attorney-General and Inspector General of Police was bowing to pressure by Umno to charge MPs, lawyers, professionals and activists with sedition.
Latheefa said, “The investigations and arrests made against these MPs and many others in the last several weeks were in response to police reports made by Umno members and complaints by Umno leaders.”
Adding that the AG “must act professionally and not succumb to pressure from any quarter,” Latheefa said the worrying part was that the criticisms were “valid” and in relation to “legal opinion”.
“There was no element of violence or public disorder in any of the alleged ‘seditious’ remarks by any of those who have been charged,” she remarked.
Latheefa also alluded to the re-opening of investigations on “old complaints” which she said was due once again to “pressure from Umno leaders”.
Touching on the “selective nature of the sedition blitz”, Latheefa said, “no action was taken against pro-Umno government people who had made far more serious remarks.”
Expressing her dismay that people were being hauled up and investigated for sedition to this day, she added, “All such actions by both the AG and IGP shows complete contradiction to what was repeatedly promised by the Prime Minister i.e. to repeal the Sedition Act.”
Accusing the AG of making “empty promises”, Latheefa said he had done nothing despite saying he would review some of the previous sedition charges.
“We therefore urge the AG to do the right thing and review and drop the sedition charges,” Latheefa stated.
PETALING JAYA: PKR central committee member Latheefa Koya has hinted that the Attorney-General and Inspector General of Police was bowing to pressure by Umno to charge MPs, lawyers, professionals and activists with sedition.Latheefa said, “The investigations and arrests made against these MPs and many others in the last several weeks were in response to police reports made by Umno members and complaints by Umno leaders.”
Adding that the AG “must act professionally and not succumb to pressure from any quarter,” Latheefa said the worrying part was that the criticisms were “valid” and in relation to “legal opinion”.
“There was no element of violence or public disorder in any of the alleged ‘seditious’ remarks by any of those who have been charged,” she remarked.
Latheefa also alluded to the re-opening of investigations on “old complaints” which she said was due once again to “pressure from Umno leaders”.
Touching on the “selective nature of the sedition blitz”, Latheefa said, “no action was taken against pro-Umno government people who had made far more serious remarks.”
Expressing her dismay that people were being hauled up and investigated for sedition to this day, she added, “All such actions by both the AG and IGP shows complete contradiction to what was repeatedly promised by the Prime Minister i.e. to repeal the Sedition Act.”
Accusing the AG of making “empty promises”, Latheefa said he had done nothing despite saying he would review some of the previous sedition charges.
“We therefore urge the AG to do the right thing and review and drop the sedition charges,” Latheefa stated.
‘Secession’ not the issue in Sabah, Sarawak
From the legal perspective, sedition charges are inapplicable in Borneo as the rights movement involves the Malaysia Agreement 1963, an equal partnership between nations.
KUALA LUMPUR: Secession is a misnomer in Sabah and Sarawak, and issuing threats against those who speak up on Borneo rights can be counter-productive since the crux of the matter is the Federal Government’s non-compliance on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“Threatening investigations and bringing sedition charges will not dampen discussions in the streets on the Borneo nations exiting from the Federation with the peninsula,” said Bingkor Assemblyman Jeffrey Kitingan after attending a public forum, Revisit Malaysia Agreement 1963, in Kuala Lumpur on Mon.
“In fact, strong-arm tactics will have the opposite effect and generate momentum.”
Jeffrey pointed out that the situation in the Borneo nations today was not like that 20 years ago when people lived in fear. Today, they are no longer intimidated by the Sedition Act, he added, nor would they be cowed if the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA) was brought back.
“The young people especially are not afraid of being arrested for standing up for their legitimate rights and their place in the sun.”
Its convictions and beliefs that drive them, he stressed, and they are fearless because the truth is with them (berani kerana benar).
He cited, as an example, the on-going signature campaign for the People’s Petition on self-determination to be sent to the United Nations after the target 500,000 endorsements are obtained. Young people everywhere are signing the petition online and getting their elders to do the same, Jeffrey disclosed. “Already, 20,000 signatures have been collected and the process is gathering momentum.”
From the legal perspective, continued Jeffrey, secession is not the issue in Borneo as this involves MA63, an equal partnership between nations. “If we are free to enter a partnership, we are equally free to leave it or even dissolve it,” said Jeffrey. “So, secession is not the right word to use in the case of the Sabah, Sarawak activists and they shouldn’t be threatened with sedition or treason charges.”
He urged Putrajaya to set up a mechanism to address grievances in the Borneo nations and cautioned that history is not on the side of the Federal Government on the matter. Instead, the authorities seem bent on creating a climate of fear to stamp out dissent, he lamented.
“We are not happy over so many socio-economic issues as well but the primary emphasis in this struggle has been on the theme that man does not live by bread alone,” said Jeffrey. “Oil, revenue-sharing, security and land are burning issues.”
“Threatening investigations and bringing sedition charges will not dampen discussions in the streets on the Borneo nations exiting from the Federation with the peninsula,” said Bingkor Assemblyman Jeffrey Kitingan after attending a public forum, Revisit Malaysia Agreement 1963, in Kuala Lumpur on Mon.
“In fact, strong-arm tactics will have the opposite effect and generate momentum.”
Jeffrey pointed out that the situation in the Borneo nations today was not like that 20 years ago when people lived in fear. Today, they are no longer intimidated by the Sedition Act, he added, nor would they be cowed if the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA) was brought back.
“The young people especially are not afraid of being arrested for standing up for their legitimate rights and their place in the sun.”
Its convictions and beliefs that drive them, he stressed, and they are fearless because the truth is with them (berani kerana benar).
He cited, as an example, the on-going signature campaign for the People’s Petition on self-determination to be sent to the United Nations after the target 500,000 endorsements are obtained. Young people everywhere are signing the petition online and getting their elders to do the same, Jeffrey disclosed. “Already, 20,000 signatures have been collected and the process is gathering momentum.”
From the legal perspective, continued Jeffrey, secession is not the issue in Borneo as this involves MA63, an equal partnership between nations. “If we are free to enter a partnership, we are equally free to leave it or even dissolve it,” said Jeffrey. “So, secession is not the right word to use in the case of the Sabah, Sarawak activists and they shouldn’t be threatened with sedition or treason charges.”
He urged Putrajaya to set up a mechanism to address grievances in the Borneo nations and cautioned that history is not on the side of the Federal Government on the matter. Instead, the authorities seem bent on creating a climate of fear to stamp out dissent, he lamented.
“We are not happy over so many socio-economic issues as well but the primary emphasis in this struggle has been on the theme that man does not live by bread alone,” said Jeffrey. “Oil, revenue-sharing, security and land are burning issues.”
We are the weeds with fire
People who lived through that time are calling this recent spate of arrests and convictions under the Sedition Act ‘Ops Lalang 2'. DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang blogged about a “...climate of fear in the country, as if we are in the midst of a ‘white terror’...” Former Bersih co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan declared to rousing applause at a forum: “...We are no ‘lalang’ (weed). We’re going to stand up today.”
Perhaps the confusion and fear in 1987 was the same as ours is now. Maybe parents chided in lowered voices about being careful what you write or say, at least until “this blows over. You never know”.
The same but not the same.
In
1987, we didn’t have the Internet. We didn’t have these amazing magic
machines which let you write, take photos, make music, shoot video and
then connect it instantly to the whole wide world. The same machines
with which you could start a fire, or a spark of hope, and watch it
spread, or flickering, die, only to revive again, like those magic
birthday candles that refuse to go out.My favorite journalist in the West, Quinn Norton, has called the Net the “Promethean substance of this age. It can consume, it can destroy, and it can empower. Like fire, we have to learn to use it and live with it”.
If you’re an artist, or a writer, if you keep a blog, or have a Facebook profile or Twitter account, whether you scribble the workings of your heart, or work all night drawing scary hands (because dammit it is fun), you wield a tiny part of this power. Now is the time to use it.
In contradiction to Ambiga’s words, though not, I believe, their spirit, I say: We ARE the weeds. We are the weeds with fire. We’re sending smoke signals across the net to find each other, and our hands are moving faster than theirs can catch.
SHARON CHIN is an artist living in Malaysia.
Pilgrimage: More Comfortable For Haj Pilgrims Now, Says Muhyiddin
From Hafizah Kamaruddin
MAKKAH, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the development of Makkah city and the Masjidilharam (Grand Mosque) as well as improved haj services provided by Tabung Haji (TH) have provided a lot of comforts to Malaysian pilgrims.
He made this comment when asked by the Malaysian media about the different experience performing his first haj 30 years ago and today, after visiting Malaysian pilgrims receiving treatment at the Aziziah Tabung Haji Treatment Centre here today.
Muhyiddin arrived here on Sunday to perform the haj with his wife, Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman, four children and two other family members.
Muhyiddin, who performed the haj for the first time with Tabung Haji in the 1980s, also said :"Much has changed."
"I feel special (this time) especially seeing the situation in Makkah and Masjidilharam today and 30 years ago... very different," he said.
"When I prayed (at the Masjidilharam), I found the Saudi Arabian government had taken the initiative of expanding space for the pilgrims, and in several levels. I could not pray downstairs, so I had to go upstairs (to pray)," he said.
He said the transport system in Makkah was more organised and less congested compared to the 1980s, and the city was cleaner than before.
"It is good to be performing the haj," he said.
Commenting on TH, he said the accommodation, transportation and other services provided were better than 30 years ago.
In fact, he said, the services provided by TH as a body which managed Malaysian haj pilgrims was acknowledged by the King of Saudi Arabia in every meeting with haj ministers.
Muhyiddin said: "Every year, many countries want to emulate TH. We give guidance and help in haj management (to other countries) so that in the future, the management of the world's pilgrims would improve or be on par (with TH) , and this would be a source of pride for Malaysia."
He added that he hoped all 22,230 Malaysian pilgrims this year could perform their haj as best as possible.
Muhyiddin also congratulated TH senior management and staff who would sacrifice their time each year to be in the Holy Land to provide the haj pilgrims with the best service, which made TH an exemplary institution.
According to the local media, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia recently ordered the newly expanded areas of the Grand Mosque in Makkah open for prayers in order to cater to more than two million haj pilgrims this year.
This means that pilgrims are now able to perform prayers inside the expanded mosque and courtyards on the northern, western, southern and eastern parts of the King Abdullah Haram Expansion Project, which is currently 67 percent completed.
King Abdullah had instructed officials to open the expanded mataf, or circumambulation area, around the Holy Kaabah.
The move has helped to reduce congestion inside the mosque and helped pilgrims perform their religious rituals with ease.
The project will increase the mosque's capacity to cater for two million worshipers, and the mataf from 52,000 pilgrims to 130,000 pilgrims per hour.
MAKKAH, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the development of Makkah city and the Masjidilharam (Grand Mosque) as well as improved haj services provided by Tabung Haji (TH) have provided a lot of comforts to Malaysian pilgrims.
He made this comment when asked by the Malaysian media about the different experience performing his first haj 30 years ago and today, after visiting Malaysian pilgrims receiving treatment at the Aziziah Tabung Haji Treatment Centre here today.
Muhyiddin arrived here on Sunday to perform the haj with his wife, Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman, four children and two other family members.
Muhyiddin, who performed the haj for the first time with Tabung Haji in the 1980s, also said :"Much has changed."
"I feel special (this time) especially seeing the situation in Makkah and Masjidilharam today and 30 years ago... very different," he said.
"When I prayed (at the Masjidilharam), I found the Saudi Arabian government had taken the initiative of expanding space for the pilgrims, and in several levels. I could not pray downstairs, so I had to go upstairs (to pray)," he said.
He said the transport system in Makkah was more organised and less congested compared to the 1980s, and the city was cleaner than before.
"It is good to be performing the haj," he said.
Commenting on TH, he said the accommodation, transportation and other services provided were better than 30 years ago.
In fact, he said, the services provided by TH as a body which managed Malaysian haj pilgrims was acknowledged by the King of Saudi Arabia in every meeting with haj ministers.
Muhyiddin said: "Every year, many countries want to emulate TH. We give guidance and help in haj management (to other countries) so that in the future, the management of the world's pilgrims would improve or be on par (with TH) , and this would be a source of pride for Malaysia."
He added that he hoped all 22,230 Malaysian pilgrims this year could perform their haj as best as possible.
Muhyiddin also congratulated TH senior management and staff who would sacrifice their time each year to be in the Holy Land to provide the haj pilgrims with the best service, which made TH an exemplary institution.
According to the local media, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia recently ordered the newly expanded areas of the Grand Mosque in Makkah open for prayers in order to cater to more than two million haj pilgrims this year.
This means that pilgrims are now able to perform prayers inside the expanded mosque and courtyards on the northern, western, southern and eastern parts of the King Abdullah Haram Expansion Project, which is currently 67 percent completed.
King Abdullah had instructed officials to open the expanded mataf, or circumambulation area, around the Holy Kaabah.
The move has helped to reduce congestion inside the mosque and helped pilgrims perform their religious rituals with ease.
The project will increase the mosque's capacity to cater for two million worshipers, and the mataf from 52,000 pilgrims to 130,000 pilgrims per hour.
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