'We are all pendatang, so stop fighting'

Mah shocked by racism, mulls sacking racist Gerakan members

Vile image of baby girl being 'beheaded' found by Kurds on phone taken from dead ISIS fanatics in Kobane

• Sickening image shows child pinned to floor with knife held to her throat
• Feared she and her family may have been beheaded for being Alevi Muslims
• Group have previously been targeted by Islamic State militants in Kobane
• Other images of phones show jihadis playing football with severed heads

An horrific image has emerged of a baby girl moments from being beheaded by IS.

The picture is among several recovered by Kurdish soldiers from the mobile phones of dead fanatics in the Syrian town of Kobane.

It shows the child being pinned to the floor, in clear distress as a knife is held to her throat.

It is feared she may have been beheaded along with her family for being an Alevi Muslim, a branch of Islam whose followers have been targeted by IS.

Other pictures show beheadings and jihadis playing football with the severed heads of victims.

They were found by Kurdish YPG fighters defending the besieged town, where more than 1,100 are thought to have been killed since last month.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2798667/kurds-vile-image-baby-girl-beheaded-photograph-recovered-phones-dead-isis-fanatics-kobane.html

Festivals today lack family spirit, unity, says man in Deepavali video – Bernama

"It was different before... the Malays, Chinese and Indians used to live as one family. We shared experiences, especially during the festival seasons, which we celebrated together... those were really happy occasions.

"Now the country is developed, the people well-educated, knowledgeable, but lack the family spirit and there is less unity," said Jamil Mohd Yusof, 76, as he recalled his youth in a special interview with Bernama and Bernama TV recently.

With Deepavali around the corner, Jamil has become a topic of conversation, attracting the attention of people from all walks of life, including those overseas, after he was featured in a 70-second video clip on social media sites like Facebook, YouTube and Whatsapp.

In the clip (see below) with its concept of "Nothing Greater Than Being Malaysian", Jamil wished "Happy Deepavali" to Hindus in the country in fluent Tamil.

Malaysians, including leaders, politicians, academicians, businessmen, students, rural folks and even foreign workers, described the video clip as meaningful and significant, with a powerful message, describing him as a "True Malaysian".

P. Elango, 45, a MAS steward who will not be celebrating Deepavali this year due to the death of his father, said he was moved by the clip which was done in Malay and Tamil with English subtitles.

"Usually, during Deepavali, the Petronas advertisements would become a major attraction because of their new concept. This year, the clip featuring Jamil became popular with its message. Although Jamil is an estate worker, his message is really good," he said.

Elango who shared the video clip with his relatives and friends who are working or studying overseas said they were impressed with Jamil and recognised that race relations was different today compared with the past.

Commenting on the clip, Jamil said a group of local Indian crew who were shooting at Batu 2, Ladang Kerling, about seven kilometers from Kuala Kubu Baru last year had casually recorded the conversation.

"They knew that I was fluent in Tamil and asked me to talk. What can an "estate person" say? I just say whatever is in my heart. Isn’t it true that it is different now compared with previous years. But I did not expect it to become popular like this."

About 53 years ago, Jamil, then 23, born in Jalan Bukit Kuda, Klang, took over the sundry shop in Ladang Kerling from his brother-in-law.

"Before that, I used to work as a cook in the home of the Sungai Chua estate manager F.W.Harrison. I was 15 then, so his wife taught me to cook," he said.

From his marriage to Stiah Kutty, 72, who is of Malabari descent, Jamil has seven children (three boys and four girls), 25 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, who are all multi-lingual.

Known as "anneh" (brother) and "kadaikaru"(shopkeeper) to the local residents, Jamil has been living in Kerling estate for more than 50 years. – Bernama, October 19, 2014.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/festivals-today-lack-family-spirit-unity-says-man-in-deepavali-video-bernam#sthash.vhQ5IOsS.dpuf

Remember you are pendatang too, Umno told

A Gerakan delegate today cautioned Umno leaders against making "pendatang" (immigrants) remarks, reminding them that Malays were immigrants as well.

"Let me make the positions of Malaysians clear, Malays, Chinese and Indians were all pendatang, except the Orang Asli, Sabahans and Sarawakians, who are the original bumiputera," said Johor delegate Tan Lai Soon.

"Umno members who often said Chinese were pendatang never thought that they themselves were also pendatang," said Tan(right) when debating party president Mah Siew Keong's policy speech during the Gerakan annual general meeting in Setia Alam today.

The Parit Sulong division member, however, in praising the Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's speech, which emphasised the importance of moderate politic and reiterated BN rejects all form of extremism earlier today, asked if Najib was just all rhetoric.

　

"Najib's speech is very good, but would he hold to his promise?" said Tan.

　

"This is important. If (Najib) just talked and not do anything about it. That would be just syok (sendiri). It would be a total failure," he said.

"Mentally ill" people caused disunity

Tan, also touched on the past leadership where the country was once peaceful and free of religious and racial problems. 

　

The problems start in the 70s, where people realised the federal constitution was being "dismantled", he said.

　

Tan personally opined, there was hidden agenda in the mind of Umno leaders, caused by greed for wealth and power back then.

　

Tan also accused Malay rights group such as Isma and Perkasa, as well as some highly educated people and professors, for the disunity between the races in the country. 

　

"Malaysians and I think they are mentally ill, so serious that (it is) hard to cure," he said, and only when they are gone would the country be united and safe.

　

Tan said he is not concerned if the government probed him under the Sedition Act.

 

"When I speak the truth, why should I be scared of the government?

　

"We did not say something bad about the government, we just offered our views," he told KiniTV.

Equal rights for all

Other delegates also asked for equal rights for all, with a few of them touching on the vernacular school issue.

Delegate P Poovarasan from Selangor blamed the social media for spreading extreme views. 

　　　

He said, if used properly, social media can plays its role in nation development, but the extreme views on religion and race now spread through the social media may lead to racial clashes, similar to what happened in 1969.

　

He also criticised those who questioned vernacular education systems, citing that the federal constitution  guarantees mother tongue language.

　

"As long as we still live, we shall defend Chinese and Tamil education to the last drop of our blood," he said, amid applause.

　

Meanwhile, Penang delegate Lau May Ling urged the party to call for the abolishment of race-based policies and the quota system, which is against the 1Malaysia concept.

　

She strongly believed the one key to be truly Malaysian was to ensure the equal rights of all Malaysians.

Blueprint for new Gerakan

　

"If Gerakan is serious about the road of transformation, then the party must without fear and favour, continuously and diligently called for gradual abolishment of all quota system and race based policies," she said.

　

"If Gerakan dares to take up the challenge when no one dares, then it could be the leader of tomorrow," she said.

　

Gerakan youth delegate E Swee Yong called for "toothless" Gerakan to have a "blueprint" for a transformation.

He suggested the party change its role so the people know that the party is different.

He said that the party should instead be monitoring the government on the vernacular school issue, rather than just making appeals.

Muslims and dogs mingle in 'pat-a-dog' event

A dog patting event aimed at breaking the taboo over dogs among Muslims drew hundreds of participants in Petaling Jaya this morning.

 

The two-hour event which began at 8am at Central Park, Bandar Utama allowed opportunities to the public, including Muslims, to pat pet dogs while being overseen by their owners.

 

Prior to that, a mini forum was held, featuring a Islamic religious scholar, a Muslim taxi driver with experience in handling dogs and a veterinarian, where the public asked questions in a bid to allay fears on handling the animals.

 

Muslims were also thought how to properly cleanse themselves if they were to touch the dogs when they are wet as the dogs are deemed to be unclean (najis) in such a state.

 

Dogs have generally been a taboo among Malaysian Muslims with a misconception among more conservative sections of society that they are not allowed to come in contact with the creature.

 

However, at the event, Muslims were made aware that  there are ways to cleanse (samak) oneself for prayer purposes, if they are to come in contact with the animal when it is wet.

 

Aside from the patting, the event also allowed people from all walks of life to learn how to interact with dogs.

 

Muslim parents were also seen at the event encouraging the children to pat the dogs.
 

Syed Azmi Alhabshi, who organised the event, said he was pleased at the encouraging response.

 

"Today, many Muslims came and they were comfortable as they did not have any doubts after we taught them the proper cleansing methods and the dog owners were also present to oversee them.

 

"What is important is knowledge (for Muslims to handle dogs)," he told Malaysiakini.

 

Meanwhile, participant Aimi Syafiqah Ghazali, 23, praised the event for creating awareness and shedding the negative perception that Muslims supposedly cannot touch dogs.

 

"Normally Muslims in Malaysia are sceptical. They would say we cannot do this or cannot do that. But this event creates awareness that Islam is actually a simple religion.

 

"We need to get rid of that mentality (that everything is forbidden). This event is a good start and I hope there would be more of such events at other places," she said.

 

Echoing this is Siti Khadijah Samsudin, 22, said such events teaches Muslims to love other creatures despite certain rules that must be followed.

 

Abdullah Fauzi Samsudin, 31 said such events help to allay Muslims' fear of touching dogs and to get to know the creature better.

 

"Even though dogs are considered unclean (najis) but they are very friendly. There are ways to touch a dog and we can also touch them when they are dry," he said.

Religious conversion rears its ugly head again

Mariam Mokhtar

OUTSPOKEN: When Muslim clerics claim that Muslims are being converted in churches throughout Selangor and Perak, all hell breaks loose. When Muslims are accused of converting people of other faiths against their will, nothing happens.

On Oct 10, Sarawak DAP vice-chairman Leon Jimat Donald said that some parents had complained that their children had been enticed into converting to Islam, in their schools, in Betong. Children were allegedly prevented from bringing their Bibles to the MRSM boarding schools and boys had been forced to wear the “songkok”.

The parents’ fears were heightened after reading reports that a group had been visiting longhouses in Belaga, to convert the communities. It was alleged that the group had misused the “goodwill and welfare” programme, to entice them to become Muslims, with an offer of RM6,000 per person.

Earlier this May, another peninsular-based NGO, Himpunan Lepas Institusi Pendidikan Malaysia (Haluan) was alleged to have set up “religious camps”, under the programme called “Anak Angkat”, in schools in Kuching.

Following feedback from their children, parents had voiced their concerns to the Balai Ringin assemblyman, Snowdan Lawan. They met Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president, Tan Sri Dr James Masing to tell him about the alleged conversions. They said that some of the speakers from Haluan were religious teachers (ustaz), who lectured the children on things like how to differentiate between holy water and “Air ZamZam.” The programme was subsequently suspended prior to re-evaluation.

Of the 1.3 million Dayaks in Sarawak, 80% are Christian, but the indigenous people of Sarawak are not the only people who are the targets of religious conversion. Another vulnerable group of people is the Orang Asli (OA) community.

In 2006, it was reported that in an effort to propagate the spread of Islam, Kelantan offered Muslim preachers RM10,000 to marry OA women. Other incentives included free accommodation, a four-wheel drive vehicle and a fixed monthly allowance of RM1,000.

For the interior people of Sarawak, most of whom do not have a fixed income, RM50 is considered a blessing, RM300 a king’s ransom, and RM6,000 as heaven sent. The financial incentive to the Muslim preachers of Kelantan is morally wrong. These acts are objectionable and deceitful.

These underhand tactics, to convert non-Muslims, give Islam a bad name. A person who wishes to convert should only do so if there is a sincere desire to follow and adhere to the teachings of that particular faith.

He should not do it because of financial reward, a house, a 4WD or because he is to be married to one. We need only look at another part of the world, where the minority Kurdish Yazidis, are prepared to face death, when members of the extremist cult Islamic State (IS) warn them, that they will be executed unless they convert to Islam.

In the Kelantan case, did the state stop to consider that the financial reward would encourage bogus preachers? The idea of a marriage of convenience, because of material rewards is abhorrent.

What if the marriage breaks down and the OA woman wishes to return to her community and culture? She will find it an impossibility. Any children from the union will be subject to the same torture which is faced by Perakian Indira Gandhi, who after her divorce, found that her husband had converted to Islam, and forced all his children to convert. Despite a High Court order to return the youngest daughter to her mother, the husband has refused to comply and remains a fugitive. A very inept IGP has been unable to apprehend him.

In Malaysia, it is apparent that some Muslim NGOs and the Islamic state departments have the backing of the Umno-Baru government to play politics with religion. All of them give Islam a bad name. They forget that being a Muslim is not about scoring points or a numbers game.

Hasan Ali a Selangor politician, Harussani Zakaria, the Perak Mufti and other infamous Muslim politicians have used apostasy as a scaremongering tactic amongst Muslims, presumably to divide the Malays. Hasan said that a solar powered talking bible was used to convert Muslims. To date, not one solar powered bible has been produced.

Harussani said that a church in Ipoh, was used to convert Muslims. His irresponsible lies, nearly caused a riot. A church in Kuala Lumpur was said to be the seat of Malay conversions and two reporters infiltrated Sunday mass and desecrated the Holy Communion service. A dinner in the Methodist Church in Petaling Jaya was raided, because of reports of Muslims being proselytised.

In each of these cases, no Muslim has been produced, as evidence of their conversion to Christianity. The perpetrators have not been prosecuted for spreading seditious rumours. No apology has been forthcoming.

Muslim preachers and politicians should leave the non-Muslims alone. Enough damage has been done to their communities. They threaten to burn their holy books. The authorities take years to approve the building of a church or temple. They grab the OA or indigenous peoples’ lands and deny them their rightful place in society. Their social and political dues are withheld, their identities removed, their culture and language downgraded, and when they die, their bodies are confiscated.

The actions of these religious zealots, makes one ashamed to be Muslim.

Mariam Mokhtar is "a Malaysian who dares to speak the truth.”

- See more at: http://www.theantdaily.com/Main/Religious-conversion-rears-its-ugly-head-again#sthash.5Z0PQKox.dpuf

Let them lie, we’ll fight with facts and figures

PM reminds Gerakan delegates not to fall for the many lies Pakatan Rakyat tells.

SHAH ALAM: Prime Minister Najib Razak reminded Gerakan delegates not to fall for the lies opposition politicians routinely spread about the Barisan Nasional.

Touching on this tendency for tall tales, Najib said Pakatan Rakyat did this to cast doubt on the government’s ability and to dilute the support it enjoyed.

He made reference to the 40,000 Bangladeshis that Pakatan Rakyat alleged had been flown into the country to cast votes in favour of BN’s political candidates in the last general elections.

Attributing the loss of Chinese votes to this pack of lies, he expressed his disappointment that many believed it to be true, and voted for the opposition instead.

Najib noted that although it sounded humorous on hindsight, that lie about the phantom voters cost the government dearly.

Najib also attacked DAP for failing to fulfil their promises to the people. He cited the lack of affordable housing in Penang and the island’s dwindling investments.

Alluding that things were much better under the late Lim Chong Eu and former chief minister Koh Tsu Koon, Najib reminded the delegates that there was no need to be frightened off by Pakatan Rakyat as their arguments were based on fabrications while BN relied on facts and figures.

The PM also heaped praise on Gerakan president Mah Siew Keong for biting the bullet and winning the Teluk Intan by-election against a young DAP hopeful.

Saying he had full faith in Gerakan for fighting fair and square and making a comeback at the next general elections, Najib told Gerakan to hatch an even better plan to recover Penang from DAP.

He said this when speaking to Gerakan delegates at the party’s 43rd annual general meeting.

Why PM’s speech caused laughter

Kit Siang says Najib's address to Gerakan delegates showed how shallow he was.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Najib Razak displayed his “shallowness” when he said Chinese voters rejected Barisan Nasional because they believed allegations that the government brought in phantom voters to ensure victory in the last general election, DAP strongman Lim Kit Siang said today.

In a press release commenting on Najib’s speech at the Gerakan conference this morning, Lim noted that the delegates laughed when the Prime Minister remarked that the opposition’s “spin” about 40,000 imported Bangladeshi voters was one of the reasons for the drop in Chinese votes for BN.

“It is shocking that the Prime Minister could believe and repeat the canard,” he said.

“It is to the credit of the Gerakan delegates that they laughed at Najib’s tall tale as it is not only unbelievable, but reflects a shallowness which does not befit a Prime Minister.”

He urged cabinet ministers from Gerakan and MCA to “disabuse Najib of the canard” and make him admit that BN lost 52% of the popular votes in the election because Malaysians in general had become disillusioned over a “whole spectrum” of government policies.

Referring to Najib’s frequent calls for moderation in his international speeches, Lim also urged the Chinese members of the cabinet to persuade Najib to be “consistent and committed to the cause of moderation in national policies” and that he should start with the prosecution of Perkasa President Ibrahim Ali for his threat to burn Bibles.

He also referred to Najib’s statement about the five areas of priority for Malaysia as a member of the United Nations Security Council, the first of which was “to advance moderation globally”.

“Malaysia cannot effectively or credibly advance moderation globally when moderation is in retreat domestically,” Lim said.

“Freedom of speech, expression of opinion have degenerated to a stage where moderation can be persecuted and prosecuted as sedition by Najib’s attorney-general.”

For the sake of Malaysia’s credibility as a member of the Security Council, he said, Najib “should add a sixth priority and elevate it as the second most important priority item for Malaysia – to advance moderation domestically as otherwise its campaign to advance moderation globally is dead even before it could get off the launching pad.”

If only Putrajaya’s words ever come true

If only...

* Words count for something in Malaysia, then the cloud of pessimism that envelopes the country would long be gone.

But words have a hollow sound here, especially when they emanate from higher the political ladder.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak rightly said that political leaders must lead the way with moderation. And then came the letdown.

He said Barisan Nasional and Umno leaders rejected all forms of extremism. Really? Is Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi still a member of Umno? What about Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin?

What about the collection of Umno division chiefs who have pressured the authorities to use the Sedition Act as a dragnet to silence legitimate dissent in "moderate" Malaysia?

Extremism takes many forms. Some extremists use explosives to make a point, others use race and religion to divide and rule, and cling to power.

If BN and Umno truly believed that Malaysia is a multiracial and multi-religious country, then it would not provide coverage for the likes of Perkasa, Isma and the increasing number of small but incendiary government-friendly NGOs.

If BN, Umno and Najib truly rejected extremism, then it would not use some cockamamie reason not to haul up someone who threatened to burn the holy book of another religion.

Words must count for something whether the venue is the United Nations, the Gerakan AGM or a ceramah in a kampung.

If only...

* Gerakan would grow some spine, it would not be skirting with irrelevance across Malaysia. Their delegates today roared in approval at PM Najib's speech and a couple of their leaders grumbled about the caustic remarks and racist tones in social media.

Nothing happens in a vacuum. Nothing. Datuk Nicol David did not become a world champion by sitting around doing nothing. Malaysia did not become football also-rans by chance.

The heady cocktail of incompetence, lack of grassroots development and the weak mental strength of our football players have all contributed to the disgrace on the pitch.

Similarly, the angry comments by Facebook users, on Twitter and other social media platforms did not happen by chance.

It is the result of a slow boil over a laundry list of issues, from endemic corruption to plunder of the country's resources, world-class joke of an education system, hollowing out of once-trusted institutions and hopeless politicians.

Malaysians are frustrated over the direction the country has been going for some time now.

They feel a need to vent, to shout and be heard. They would love if their elected representatives could feel the pulse of the nation and carry the message of despair to Putrajaya.

Instead, they have apologists for a decrepit and depraved system.

Instead, they have politicians more interested in keeping their YB status, having a bodyguard, a driver and all the perks of public office. – October 19, 2014.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/if-only-putrajayas-words-ever-come-true#sthash.SAS7mzSY.dpuf

Najib To Raise IS, Ebola Threats In Discussions With US, Australia - Zahrain

From Roslan Ariffin

JAKARTA, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- Various pressing global issues including the spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and the threat posed by the Islamic State (IS) militant group (IS) are expected to be the main topics of discussion in the meetings between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak with United States Secretary of State John Kerry and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott here tomorrow.

The three leaders are in the Indonesian capital to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Indonesia's new president Joko Widodo or more popularly known as Jokowi.

Malaysia's Ambassador to Indonesia Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim said the four-eyed meetings between the Prime Minister and the two leaders were expected to be held after the swearing-in ceremony of Jokowi as the republic's seventh president.

"There are also expected to be discussions on the conflict in Syria and Iraq while other topics such as trade and human trafficking are also on the agenda," he told the Malaysian media here Sunday.

Najib is among 18 foreign dignitaries and nine heads of government scheduled to attend the historic ceremony which will be held at 10am in the front of the People's Consultative Council ( Majlis Permusyawaratan Rakyat) building here. The council is Indonesia's highest constitutional body.

Najib, who is accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, arrived here this afternoon together with officials from the Prime Minister's Department and the Foreign Ministry.

Zahrain said in the meeting with the Australian Prime Minister, Najib would also touch on the bilateral cooperation, which is also expected to be discussed during the APEC summit in Beijing, China next month as well as the Asian Summit to be hosted by Australia in Brisbane.

The Malaysian Government now views seriously efforts to curb the militant issue following the disclosure by the Malaysian Police recently about the involvement of local students believed to have been recruited by IS in Malaysia to fight in Syria.

There are three militant groups in which Malaysians in Syria are involved - the IS, Jabhat Al Nusra and Ajnad Al Sham.

Last Wednesday, the Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the police had identified the individuals who are the main movers in recruiting locals to join militant groups in Syria.

As many as 14 individuals have been arrested, including three people suspected to be the prime movers responsible for recruiting, sponsoring and arranging the departure of Malaysians to Syria to join the IS.

So far, 37 people have been detained, believed to be involved with the group.

EVD, a haemorrhagic fever disease which has killed thousands of people in several countries in Africa,has now spread to other nations. The Malaysian is monitoring the situation closely although there has been no cases of EVD detected so far in Malaysia.