Tuesday 13 January 2015
'Raped and forced to give blood to jihadi captors': Yazidi sex slave held by ISIS with her baby reveals how they forced girls to give transfusions to keep wounded fighters alive
- First Yazidi sex slave to bravely reveal her identity exposes horror of ISIS
- Hamshe describes being held captive by jihadis with her young baby boy
- The 19-year-old was seized after her husband was murdered by militants
- She says: 'They forced Yazidi girls to give blood to wounded fighters'
- BBC Arabic investigation finds pioneering activist tracking hundreds of kidnapped victims
A pregnant teenager who was captured by Islamic State militants has revealed how girls are being forced to give blood transfusions to keep their attackers alive.
Hamshe – who is understood to be the first Yazidi slave to reveal her identity – has told of how sickening Islamist jihadists have been using the blood of captured women and children for wounded fighters in the battlefield.
The 19-year-old, who also has a baby with her husband who is believed to have been murdered by militants, was held captive for 28 days before she escaped.
She said: 'When each of them took a Yazidi girl, one of them took me to his house and locked me inside a room and told me 'I will not give you food or water if you refuse to marry me'.'
'They forced the Yazidi girls to donate blood to IS wounded fighters. Which God allows these acts?'
Dressed in all black and wearing a headscarf while slumped on a dirty floor in Iraq, she described how she managed to run away from her captors while holding her baby.
'One night my baby was crying from thirst. I knocked at the door and saw all the guards sleeping outside. I took a bottle of water from them and I ran away with my baby and walked for four hours', she said.
She said she came across an Arab man who took her into his home and looked after her for three days. She added: 'Then they drove me to a Peshmerga checkpoint in Barda Rash. I was at the checkpoint for 7 hours. Then my brother came and took me back home.'
Her mother added: 'I couldn't imagine that my daughter will come back. We thank God for that. Our family is destroyed. The Yazidi community has been destroyed.
'This tragedy has done us enough damage for the rest of our lives.'
Speaking of the moment she was captured by IS militants and moved to a different location in Iraq, Hamshe added: ‘I can never forget when they separated men and women from each other. It was very painful to witness women and girls being taken as a war spoils.
‘Each IS fighter was holding the hand of a Yazidi girl and took her for himself. It was harder than facing death.’
Her plight – and that of many others – is revealed in a new documentary, Slaves of the Caliphate, which will screen on BBC Arabic tonight.
Read more:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2906312/I-raped-forced-blood-jihadi-captors-Yazidi-sex-slave-held-ISIS-baby-reveals-forced-girls-transfusions-wounded-fighters-alive.html
Central Command’s Twitter Account Hacked…As Obama Speaks on Cybersecurity
By Kim Zetter
Twitter and YouTube accounts belonging to the military’s US Central Command were hacked on Monday. Hackers supportive of the terrorist group Islamic State, also known as ISIS, took credit and issued a warning to the US military.
“AMERICAN SOLDIERS, WE ARE COMING, WATCH YOUR BACK. ISIS,” the hackers tweeted through the account for the US Central Command, which is the military command for the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. The tweet included a link to a statement that read in part:
“While the US and its satellites kill our brothers in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan we broke into your networks and personal devices and know everything about you,” it read. “You’ll see no mercy infidels. ISIS is already here, we are in your PCs, in each military base. With Allah’s permission we are in CENTCOM now. We won’t stop! We know everything about you, your wives and children. U.S. soldiers! We’re watching you!”
The group also replaced the Twitter profile image with an image of a person wearing a black and white keffiyeh, and the text CyberCaliphate and “i love you isis.”
Forty minutes after the first hacked tweet, Twitter suspended the account.
According to news reports, the hackers also posted images of spreadsheets that purported to contain the home addresses and other contact information for retired US Army generals and other images purporting to be US military maps and plans. The Pentagon appeared to confirm the authenticity of the information, telling reporters that the exposed information was not classified and that the images came not from the government but from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
ISIS threatened Twitter last year, after the social networking site deleted an account it was using to publish videos showing the beheading of journalist and aid workers in the Middle East. In this case, it’s likely that the person responsible for maintaining CENTCOM’s social networking accounts was probably hacked, giving the hackers access to the Twitter and YouTube accounts.
The hack on Monday coincided with an address President Obama was giving about cybersecurity and identity theft at the Federal Trade Commission. His speech, meant to bolster cybersecurity legislation that the White House wants Congress to pass, called for better data protection and better disclosure about breaches. The White House hopes Congress will pass a bill that would require companies to notify customers within 30 days if their personal information is stolen in a breach. The president cited the recent hacks at Target, Home Depot and Sony as primary reasons why Congress should pass the Personal Data Notification and Protection Act. The bill would help unify a multitude of state breach laws that currently exist. Lawmakers have tried for nearly a decade to pass a federal bill to replace the patchwork of state laws, but have repeatedly failed, in part because either the laws didn’t go far enough or went too far.
Twitter and YouTube accounts belonging to the military’s US Central Command were hacked on Monday. Hackers supportive of the terrorist group Islamic State, also known as ISIS, took credit and issued a warning to the US military.
“AMERICAN SOLDIERS, WE ARE COMING, WATCH YOUR BACK. ISIS,” the hackers tweeted through the account for the US Central Command, which is the military command for the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. The tweet included a link to a statement that read in part:
“While the US and its satellites kill our brothers in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan we broke into your networks and personal devices and know everything about you,” it read. “You’ll see no mercy infidels. ISIS is already here, we are in your PCs, in each military base. With Allah’s permission we are in CENTCOM now. We won’t stop! We know everything about you, your wives and children. U.S. soldiers! We’re watching you!”
The group also replaced the Twitter profile image with an image of a person wearing a black and white keffiyeh, and the text CyberCaliphate and “i love you isis.”
Forty minutes after the first hacked tweet, Twitter suspended the account.
According to news reports, the hackers also posted images of spreadsheets that purported to contain the home addresses and other contact information for retired US Army generals and other images purporting to be US military maps and plans. The Pentagon appeared to confirm the authenticity of the information, telling reporters that the exposed information was not classified and that the images came not from the government but from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
ISIS threatened Twitter last year, after the social networking site deleted an account it was using to publish videos showing the beheading of journalist and aid workers in the Middle East. In this case, it’s likely that the person responsible for maintaining CENTCOM’s social networking accounts was probably hacked, giving the hackers access to the Twitter and YouTube accounts.
The hack on Monday coincided with an address President Obama was giving about cybersecurity and identity theft at the Federal Trade Commission. His speech, meant to bolster cybersecurity legislation that the White House wants Congress to pass, called for better data protection and better disclosure about breaches. The White House hopes Congress will pass a bill that would require companies to notify customers within 30 days if their personal information is stolen in a breach. The president cited the recent hacks at Target, Home Depot and Sony as primary reasons why Congress should pass the Personal Data Notification and Protection Act. The bill would help unify a multitude of state breach laws that currently exist. Lawmakers have tried for nearly a decade to pass a federal bill to replace the patchwork of state laws, but have repeatedly failed, in part because either the laws didn’t go far enough or went too far.
Authorities want girls’ help in K-Pop band ‘hugs and kisses’ probe
Local religious authorities have asked for the three tudung-clad Malay girls, who were seen behaving in an improper way on stage with a K-Pop band, to come forward over the controversy, The Star Online reported today.
The three had been seen in a YouTube clip getting hugs and kisses from members of the K-Pop band B1A4 at a mini-concert held at the Live Centre in Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur on Saturday night.
Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) said today that the three K-Pop fans will be able to assist in its investigations.
The Star Online quoted Jawi director Paimuzi Yahya as saying that the actions of the women and band members went overboard, as it was against Islamic teachings and offended the sensitivities of the Muslim community.
"The Jawi enforcement division has opened an investigation under Section 29 of the Syariah Criminal Offences ( Federal Territories ) Act 1977 (Act 599 Indecent Acts in Public Places.)
"Those who are involved are asked to come forward to help in the investigation," he said in a statement today.
According to The Star Online, Paimuzi explained that the particular Act can be enforced against people who behave indecently and in contravention of Islamic law in a public place, and is punishable with fines of not more than RM1,000 or six months jail or both.
The three-minute video clip of the B1A4 stars hugging and kissing the female fans on stage went viral on social media yesterday, drawing much criticism from viewers.
The Star Online also reported that TGM Events, the organiser of the mini-concert have since expressed their regret over the incident and declared that the three Malay girls had willingly stepped onto the stage. – January 12, 2015.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/authorities-want-girls-help-in-k-pop-band-hugs-and-kisses-probe#sthash.WU2rKuVH.dpuf
What about the real culprits behind the indelible ink fiasco, asks PKR
After whistleblower Major Zaidi Ahmad's dismissal from the Armed Forces, PKR and election watchdog Bersih 2.0 want to know what has been done to penalise the real culprit – the company that supplied the controversial ink that washed off easily, leading to claims that the May 2013 general election results were compromised.PKR's Rafizi Ramli told The Malaysian Insider that even if the contract for the supply of the ink was given to a government crony company, the supplier should have delivered the right product.
"Even if the company that supplied the ink was a crony (of Putrajaya), the least they could have done is to make sure that the ink was indelible," the Pandan MP said.
"And if Major Zaidi was punished for merely stating the truth, then a more severe or harsher punishment should be given to those who are responsible for the whole mess in the first place."
Rafizi, who is PKR secretary-general, had revealed in Parliament last year that the indelible ink contract was given to a Mohamed Salleh Mohd Ali, who is closely linked to country’s leadership and the Election Commission’s (EC) top officials.
He said Integrated Challenger Malaysia Sdn Bhd, one Mohamed Salleh’s companies, not only secured the contract to supply the ink but also T-shirts and caps for GE 13 in May 2013. Salleh, he had said then, was a “pro” at conducting direct negotiations with the government. He had even secured contracts from the Defence Ministry.
The PKR lawmaker had earlier revealed that his investigations showed that the contract for the ink supply was given to a company owned by a Singaporean who had no expertise on the matter.
He also disclosed that the company did not have the capital for the job and had met a Kampung Baru businessman to acquire a RM7 million loan.
Rafizi further demanded the resignation of the entire EC as the public had lost confidence in it.
He told The Malaysian Insider that the EC officials who had chosen Integrated Challenger as the ink supplier should also be hauled up.
"Until today, no one has been held accountable for the supreme wrong that happened. No one in the EC has been hauled up or punished for selecting this company to supply the ink."
He said after GE 13, even the EC had admitted it had made a mistake in ordering the substandard ink.
"In that sense, I cannot understand why someone is being penalised for stating the plain truth, which was reinforced by the thousands of reports nationwide about the ink," Rafizi said.
"Contrastingly, the punishment given to Major Zaidi and his subsequent sacking from the military gives the impression that one will penalised for stating the truth."
Zaidi, 45, was yesterday dismissed from the Royal Malaysian Air Force after 26 years of service for breaching two standing orders by giving a media statement without the consent of the Defence Ministry, and for leaking confidential information without the consent of the Armed Forces Council.
The gist of his media statement was the indelible ink used in the general election washed off easily, thus allegedly compromising the integrity of the polls.
"The politically motivated conviction and punishment, I believe, is to send a signal to the public that if you tell the truth that puts the ruling government in a bad light, you will be penalised," Rafizi, who is also PKR vice-president, said.
"Major Zaidi is one of the brave ones who dared to come forward to tell the truth."
Election watchdog Bersih 2.0 also highlighted the fact that despite Zaidi's efforts, no action has been taken against the EC to date.
"No one from the EC has ever had to account for this sham. Nothing has ever come from the hundreds of police report lodged against the EC over this, except for this particular one, which resulted in punishment for the whistleblower instead of the wrongdoer," it said in a statement.
"Major Zaidi has played his role as a citizen to highlight the biggest scandal among the irregularities that marred the 13th general election. For that, he has paid a heavy price, while Malaysia, too, has lost a fine soldier."
Bersih said it was "extremely disappointed" with the verdict, adding that the army man had only lodged a report over the failure of the indelible ink as he did not want the elections to be marred.
"Bersih 2.0 knows how committed Major Zaidi is as a citizen, a family man, and a soldier. It is precisely because of his personal, professional and societal commitment that he lodged a police report over the failure of the indelible ink during early voting in the 13th general election.
"He also wanted to protect the military’s image from being tarred alongside that of the EC – because, to him, keeping silent would be complicit to the farce being perpetuated on the people.” – January 13, 2015.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/what-about-the-real-culprits-behind-the-indelible-ink-fiasco-asks-pkr#sthash.IfFiwWo0.dpuf
Perkasa: G25 the real racists and extremists
Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali has denied claims
made by the group of ‘eminent Malays’ (G25), who said that the NGO
comprises extreme and religious fanatics.
He instead shot back at the group, denouncing them as the "real" extremists and racists who were hiding behind the label of ‘moderation’.
“The group of ‘eminent persons’, as well as the liberals and moderates, are the real extremists and racists.
“They are shrouding behind such a stand to hide their extremist and racist agenda from being revealed and ridiculed by the majority of Malaysians,” Ibrahim Ali said in a lengthy statement today.
He
added that the attack on Perkasa was to divert the attention of the
public from the main purpose of the NGO, which is to “defend the
sanctity of Islam, uphold the federal constitution, the sovereignty of
the Malay rulers and the socio-economical welfare of the indigenous
(bumiputera) people”.
“The attack on Perkasa was also done as a reverse psychology strategy, to wage a psychological war by implying Perkasa as extremist and racist.
“They (the G25) are ignorant about the goals of Perkasa, which is to defend the rights of the indigenous people and the federal constitution,” Ibrahim Ali stressed.
The G25 became prominent when it wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak last month, urging for the voice of moderation and asking him to show leadership in the wake of intolerant voices from right-wing groups such as Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) and Perkasa.
He instead shot back at the group, denouncing them as the "real" extremists and racists who were hiding behind the label of ‘moderation’.
“The group of ‘eminent persons’, as well as the liberals and moderates, are the real extremists and racists.
“They are shrouding behind such a stand to hide their extremist and racist agenda from being revealed and ridiculed by the majority of Malaysians,” Ibrahim Ali said in a lengthy statement today.
He
added that the attack on Perkasa was to divert the attention of the
public from the main purpose of the NGO, which is to “defend the
sanctity of Islam, uphold the federal constitution, the sovereignty of
the Malay rulers and the socio-economical welfare of the indigenous
(bumiputera) people”. “The attack on Perkasa was also done as a reverse psychology strategy, to wage a psychological war by implying Perkasa as extremist and racist.
“They (the G25) are ignorant about the goals of Perkasa, which is to defend the rights of the indigenous people and the federal constitution,” Ibrahim Ali stressed.
The G25 became prominent when it wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak last month, urging for the voice of moderation and asking him to show leadership in the wake of intolerant voices from right-wing groups such as Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) and Perkasa.
Altantuya murder: D-Day for Azilah and Sirul
Malaysiakini revisits the case, which made domestic and international news, and saw two police personnel being sentenced to death without the motive being established.
Rewind to 2006
A beautiful woman was blown up with explosives in the middle of a jungle, and the blood trail led to the doorsteps of some powerful personalities, including the then deputy prime minister.
Najib
Abdul Razak’s close associate Abdul Razak Baginda (left) was charged
with abetting the murder of the Mongolian national, but he was later
acquitted without his defence being called, while Najib went to the
extent of swearing, in the name of God, that he had no links to the
matter.It was a case that spawned numerous conspiracy theories, which even linked the brutal murder to the procurement of two French submarines when Najib was defence minister.
Abdul Razak was the owner of Perimekar Sdn Bhd, the company entrusted by the government to purchase and maintain the two submarines. The purchase and alleged kickbacks from the deal are still subjects of an investigation by the French authorities.
The political analyst had admitted having an affair with Altantuya, but his defence was not called after the prosecution completed its case in the High Court in Shah Alam in 2008, on the grounds of Abdul Razak's sworn affidavit filed during his bail proceedings being accepted by the court.
The
prosecution raised eyebrows when it decided not to file an appeal over
Abdul Razak's acquittal after the 14 days given to file a notice had
elapsed.The police also cleared Najib of any wrongdoing.
Two police special operations officers were convicted of the murder that took place between 10pm on Oct 19 and 1am on Oct 20, 2006, at a secluded forest in Puncak Alam, near Shah Alam.
Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri and Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar were, in April 2009, sentenced to death by the High Court inShah Alam for the murder of Altantuya.
Misdirections found
However, the Court of Appeal found several misdirections by trial judge Mohd Zaki Yasin and ordered the two to be released from prison in August 2013.
The misdirections included the non-calling of Najib's aide de camp, DSP Musa Safri, the questions pertaining to the phone data of Azilah's handphone and the Musa’s alibi, as written in a police station diary that stated he was in Bukit Aman during the incident.
Furthermore, there was inconsistency in the testimony of the police witnesses and to add further mystery was that the blood found on an unidentified shoe inside Sirul's car was not confirmed as coming from the deceased.
Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail had, in his reply to the appellate court judgment, said DSP Musa was irrelevant to the prosecution's case against the two police officers.Then came a stunning claim. During the proceedings in the High Court, in the Court of Appeal and in the Federal Court, Sirul, the second accused, stated that he was made a scapegoat in order “to protect their plans”.
His lawyer Kamarul Hisham Kamaruddin said his client was being framed, that evidence was allegedly planted by the police in Sirul's house and car.
Sirul's car and house keys were in the possession of the police when he was accompanying then prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to Pakistan, where he was eventually arrested.
Karpal promised to call Najib and Musa
Despite the findings of the Court of Appeal, Altantuya's father Shaariibuu Setev's lawyer, the late Karpal Singh, had promised to call Najib and DSP Musa to answer.
This was after Shaariibuu had filed a RM100 million suit against the government following the death of his daughter. This case is still pending, till the outcome of the prosecution's appeal against the acquittal of the two police officers.
Besides
this, the past two years had also seen Abdul Razak's former private
investigator P Balasubramaniam's widow A Santamil Selvi filing a RM1.9
million suit against Najib, his wife Rosmah Mansor and seven others,
after the (late investigator) and his family had to live in exile in
India following revelations made in an explosive statutory declaration
(SD).The suit also saw senior lawyer Cecil Abraham named as one of the defendants, where the partner in the Zul Rafique and Partner law firm is being subjected to disciplinary proceedings before the Advocates and Solicitors Disciplinary Board over his alleged involvement in drafting the second SD, which retracted the claims made in the first SD.
However, Santamil's suit was struck off by the High Court in Kuala Lumpur last month, without it being brought to a full trial.
Against this backdrop of many twists and turns, the fate of Azilah and Sirul is to be revealed by the highest court in the country tomorrow.
K-Pop bands are secret Christian crusaders, says NGO
Isma carries an article on its website saying Christianity is to blame for the molestation of young Muslims girls at a K-Pop concert Saturday.
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: Just when you taught it couldn’t get worse… it does!
An article appearing on Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia’s (Isma) official website now claims that Christianity was behind the lecherous acts that took place in full view of the public, and captured on video, when members of K-Pop band B1A4 allegedly “molested” three young tudung-wearing Muslim girls at a concert.
The article relayed the arguments put forth by A Karim Omar, the secretary-general of Pertubuhan Muafakat Sejahtera Malaysia (Muafakat), another Muslim NGO.
In the article, Karim made a series of unsubstantiated claims about how K-Pop bands were in reality Christian activists masquerading as pop artistes.
Karim was quoted as saying that the majority of K-Pop artistes were gospel singers when younger. He also claimed that “some people say” the K-Pop genre was an evolution of Korean Contemporary Christian Music (KCCM) that began in the 70s before gaining popularity.
He added, “Apart from that, a random survey shows that over 80% of K-Pop artistes are Christians (regardless of whether male or female).
“The rest are Atheists, Buddhists or those who believe in animism.”
Offering his theory that K-Pop bands were part of the dark agenda of Christian evangelists that were out to lead young Muslims astray, Karim also noted that since 2006, South Korea became the second highest exporter of Christian missionaries after the United States, ousting the United Kingdom that occupied the spot before.
The posting of the article on Isma’s official Facebook page has so far garnered 614 “likes” and 227 shares with 107 Facebooks users venturing to offer their opinions on the subject.
The concert that started out innocently enough has now been blown out of all proportion with the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) taking offence at seeing young Muslim girls being kissed on the forehead and hugged from behind, in what they deemed as the equivalent of being “molested”.
KUALA LUMPUR: Just when you taught it couldn’t get worse… it does!
An article appearing on Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia’s (Isma) official website now claims that Christianity was behind the lecherous acts that took place in full view of the public, and captured on video, when members of K-Pop band B1A4 allegedly “molested” three young tudung-wearing Muslim girls at a concert.
The article relayed the arguments put forth by A Karim Omar, the secretary-general of Pertubuhan Muafakat Sejahtera Malaysia (Muafakat), another Muslim NGO.
In the article, Karim made a series of unsubstantiated claims about how K-Pop bands were in reality Christian activists masquerading as pop artistes.
Karim was quoted as saying that the majority of K-Pop artistes were gospel singers when younger. He also claimed that “some people say” the K-Pop genre was an evolution of Korean Contemporary Christian Music (KCCM) that began in the 70s before gaining popularity.
He added, “Apart from that, a random survey shows that over 80% of K-Pop artistes are Christians (regardless of whether male or female).
“The rest are Atheists, Buddhists or those who believe in animism.”
Offering his theory that K-Pop bands were part of the dark agenda of Christian evangelists that were out to lead young Muslims astray, Karim also noted that since 2006, South Korea became the second highest exporter of Christian missionaries after the United States, ousting the United Kingdom that occupied the spot before.
The posting of the article on Isma’s official Facebook page has so far garnered 614 “likes” and 227 shares with 107 Facebooks users venturing to offer their opinions on the subject.
The concert that started out innocently enough has now been blown out of all proportion with the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) taking offence at seeing young Muslim girls being kissed on the forehead and hugged from behind, in what they deemed as the equivalent of being “molested”.
Mixed reactions from MIC leaders on new measures
MIC's attempt to stop some leaders from holding press conferences in the building unfair, undemocratic and regressive.
FMT
PUTRAJAYA: MIC’s immediate changes which are being implemented at the party headquarters have received mixed reactions from its leaders and a political analyst.
MIC Youth chief C Sivarraajh said the move by the party to stop some leaders from holding press conferences in the building was unfair, undemocratic and regressive. Describing the decision as irrelevant, he said this could lead to more protests from MIC members.
“Those who have been shut out are members of the MIC, including key office-bearers and these leaders are recognised by the Registrar of Societies (ROS) like the Youth and Wanita chiefs. This is unlike the secretary-general (Datuk G. Kumaar Aaman) whose post is not recognised by ROS which has ordered re-election for the CWC and three vice-president posts,” he told Bernama yesterday.
Besides that, Sivarraajh said, the Youth and Wanita wings and their leaders, unlike the CWC, were recognised by ROS and barring them from using the party headquarters as a place for press conferences, would be like shutting the door on them.
Yesterday, Kumaar Aamaan introduced immediate changes that are being implemented at the MIC headquarters that will, among others, see only the party’s national leaders allowed to hold official press conferences there. These leaders are the MIC president, deputy president and vice-presidents, as well as secretary-general and treasurer-general.
Sivarraajh claimed that the post of the new “secretary-general” who was issuing the gag orders, was invalid since ROS had declared their election as null and void, and had ordered the party to hold re-election.
“At the same time, the president wants to practise greater democratisation and to hold election at all levels of the party, while the new ‘invalid secretary-general’ is resorting to authoritarian measures to shut out elected officials,” he said. Echoing similar sentiment, former MIC strategic director S Vell Paari has asked Kumaar Aaman to stop issuing statements as party secretary-general, claiming that the latter’s appointment was “unlawful”.
“Any policy matter that relates to the rights of MIC members must be decided at an emergency general meeting (EGM), not at the whim and fancy of Datuk Kumaar. I have no right to interfere in any statement made in his personal capacity, but if he continues to do so as an MIC office-bearer, then I will seek legal redress for acting to the detriment of the party,” he said.
However, MIC Kuala Ketil branch chairman S Subramaniam congratulated Kumaar Aaman for making the right decision to ensure that only bona fide persons could enter the MIC building.
“This is not the time to cry out who is right and who is wrong. Our party is supreme. I look forward to more innovative changes to bring betterment to the party and our community,” he told Bernama yesterday.
Universiti Sains Malaysia’s School of Social Sciences senior lecturer, Assoc Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said Palanivel must clear the air on the secretary-general’s appointment, so that whatever statements issued would not be questioned to avoid further friction within the party.
“If the appointment is invalid, then perhaps any statement should only come from either the president or deputy president to ease tension between the factions,” he said.
- BERNAMA
PUTRAJAYA: MIC’s immediate changes which are being implemented at the party headquarters have received mixed reactions from its leaders and a political analyst.
MIC Youth chief C Sivarraajh said the move by the party to stop some leaders from holding press conferences in the building was unfair, undemocratic and regressive. Describing the decision as irrelevant, he said this could lead to more protests from MIC members.
“Those who have been shut out are members of the MIC, including key office-bearers and these leaders are recognised by the Registrar of Societies (ROS) like the Youth and Wanita chiefs. This is unlike the secretary-general (Datuk G. Kumaar Aaman) whose post is not recognised by ROS which has ordered re-election for the CWC and three vice-president posts,” he told Bernama yesterday.
Besides that, Sivarraajh said, the Youth and Wanita wings and their leaders, unlike the CWC, were recognised by ROS and barring them from using the party headquarters as a place for press conferences, would be like shutting the door on them.
Yesterday, Kumaar Aamaan introduced immediate changes that are being implemented at the MIC headquarters that will, among others, see only the party’s national leaders allowed to hold official press conferences there. These leaders are the MIC president, deputy president and vice-presidents, as well as secretary-general and treasurer-general.
Sivarraajh claimed that the post of the new “secretary-general” who was issuing the gag orders, was invalid since ROS had declared their election as null and void, and had ordered the party to hold re-election.
“At the same time, the president wants to practise greater democratisation and to hold election at all levels of the party, while the new ‘invalid secretary-general’ is resorting to authoritarian measures to shut out elected officials,” he said. Echoing similar sentiment, former MIC strategic director S Vell Paari has asked Kumaar Aaman to stop issuing statements as party secretary-general, claiming that the latter’s appointment was “unlawful”.
“Any policy matter that relates to the rights of MIC members must be decided at an emergency general meeting (EGM), not at the whim and fancy of Datuk Kumaar. I have no right to interfere in any statement made in his personal capacity, but if he continues to do so as an MIC office-bearer, then I will seek legal redress for acting to the detriment of the party,” he said.
However, MIC Kuala Ketil branch chairman S Subramaniam congratulated Kumaar Aaman for making the right decision to ensure that only bona fide persons could enter the MIC building.
“This is not the time to cry out who is right and who is wrong. Our party is supreme. I look forward to more innovative changes to bring betterment to the party and our community,” he told Bernama yesterday.
Universiti Sains Malaysia’s School of Social Sciences senior lecturer, Assoc Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said Palanivel must clear the air on the secretary-general’s appointment, so that whatever statements issued would not be questioned to avoid further friction within the party.
“If the appointment is invalid, then perhaps any statement should only come from either the president or deputy president to ease tension between the factions,” he said.
- BERNAMA
Kit Siang rubbishes DPM’s ignorance of FBI letter
Lim Kit Siang says it is impossible that Muhyiddin Yassin did not know about the letter Zahid Hamidi sent the FBI when it was dominating the news.
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: DAP elder statesman Lim Kit Siang warned in a statement on Monday that no Malaysian would believe that the Deputy Prime Minister and the other Cabinet Ministers did not know about the Zahid-Phua-Shafee-Khalid quadrilateral tangle, as it was the Biggest Show in Malaysia in the new year, making national and international news every day, putting in the shade other scandals and disasters like the multi-billion ringgit 1MDB scandal and the 2014-2015 worst floods catastrophe in living memory in Malaysia!
“This being the case, Muhyiddin and the rest of the Cabinet Ministers should explain why they had failed their public responsibilities and duties in failing to raise the Zahid-Phua-Shafee-Khalid quadrilateral tangle in last Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, especially if the Ministers care for the interests and international reputation of the country!,” said Lim who is also DAP Parliamentary Leader and Gelang Patah MP.
Lim reiterated the many questions on the issue:
“Zahid’s letter was clearly in defence of Phua,” said Lim. “Who objected to it being used in open court proceedings? Zahid, the Attorney-General, the Police or the Prime Minister himself?”
“Now we know it was definitely not the Deputy Prime Minister or the other Ministers!
Can Malaysians have answers from the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the IGP on this infamous Zahid-Phua-Shafee-Khalid quadrilateral tangle?”
Lim reiterated that he wants to know from Muhyiddin why he had failed to raise the issue in last Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting.
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: DAP elder statesman Lim Kit Siang warned in a statement on Monday that no Malaysian would believe that the Deputy Prime Minister and the other Cabinet Ministers did not know about the Zahid-Phua-Shafee-Khalid quadrilateral tangle, as it was the Biggest Show in Malaysia in the new year, making national and international news every day, putting in the shade other scandals and disasters like the multi-billion ringgit 1MDB scandal and the 2014-2015 worst floods catastrophe in living memory in Malaysia!
“This being the case, Muhyiddin and the rest of the Cabinet Ministers should explain why they had failed their public responsibilities and duties in failing to raise the Zahid-Phua-Shafee-Khalid quadrilateral tangle in last Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, especially if the Ministers care for the interests and international reputation of the country!,” said Lim who is also DAP Parliamentary Leader and Gelang Patah MP.
Lim reiterated the many questions on the issue:
- Why did Zahid contradict the police version to FBI about Phua without seeking police agreement or even knowledge, and why did he act arbitrarily and undiplomatically in circumventing the Foreign Ministry?”
- Why was Zahid’s letter withdrawn in the Nevada District Court in Las Vegas after Putrajaya objected to it being used in Puah’s defence?
- Why had the Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak kept his silence until now, and why is Muhyiddin only showing interest and concern now?
“Zahid’s letter was clearly in defence of Phua,” said Lim. “Who objected to it being used in open court proceedings? Zahid, the Attorney-General, the Police or the Prime Minister himself?”
“Now we know it was definitely not the Deputy Prime Minister or the other Ministers!
Can Malaysians have answers from the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the IGP on this infamous Zahid-Phua-Shafee-Khalid quadrilateral tangle?”
Lim reiterated that he wants to know from Muhyiddin why he had failed to raise the issue in last Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting.
Zaid: Instead of waging jihad, do as the Jews did
Zaid Ibrahim tells Muslims that a better way to defeat the West is by building better economies and wealthier countries.
FMT
PETALING JAYA: Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim gave some hard-hitting advice to Muslims and their preachers, saying that a cleverer way to defeat the West and their ideals of freedom of expression was to follow in the footsteps of the Jews.
Zaid said that Jews, rather than wage holy wars and continuously complain about being persecuted throughout history, took it upon themselves to control banking and finance instead while “quietly” controlling media and establishing highly-regarded institutions of higher learning.
He said, “They believed that the West could only be conquered by money and education, and now the Chinese are following the same formula successfully.”
He said this in reference to the recent Paris killings, adding he was sure Muslims leaders would “sugarcoat” their condemnation of it because ultimately they felt “the victims were asking for it”.
“None will condemn the acts unconditionally,” Zaid said although Muslims did have a choice in how they wished to react to constant persecution.
He argued, “Muslims have a choice: to respond to these insults the way Christians, Jews and people of other faiths do—which is to ignore them or to litigate—or they can follow Al-Qaeda and Boko Haram and go all out to kill and destroy.”
He blamed Muslim leaders and preachers for conditioning the minds of other Muslims with “outdated teachings” that emphasised on “killling and defending their faith” rather than of living with others of different religions and values, in peace and harmony.
“Muslims must remember they live in a world that allows freedom of expression for individuals.
“In the West, they take personal freedom seriously, just as PAS leaders in Kelantan take hudud seriously,” Zaid said, adding, “…the West has this crazy belief about freedom of expression and individual rights” that Muslims must learn how to handle with a degree of calm and not by committing atrocities such as they did in Paris, Africa and Pakistan.
He also said, “Muslims must learn to cope with the challenges of the modern world and modern values. I suggest Muslims in Malaysia and elsewhere be willing to grow up and learn to live with this imperfect world in harmony with others.”
Saying it was time to put “anger and emotion” aside, Zaid added, “They can fight those who disagree with them with the Sedition Act and whatever laws they control, but unless Muslims are properly educated and have money and know-how, they will only know how to destroy but not to rebuild.”
FMT
PETALING JAYA: Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim gave some hard-hitting advice to Muslims and their preachers, saying that a cleverer way to defeat the West and their ideals of freedom of expression was to follow in the footsteps of the Jews.
Zaid said that Jews, rather than wage holy wars and continuously complain about being persecuted throughout history, took it upon themselves to control banking and finance instead while “quietly” controlling media and establishing highly-regarded institutions of higher learning.
He said, “They believed that the West could only be conquered by money and education, and now the Chinese are following the same formula successfully.”
He said this in reference to the recent Paris killings, adding he was sure Muslims leaders would “sugarcoat” their condemnation of it because ultimately they felt “the victims were asking for it”.
“None will condemn the acts unconditionally,” Zaid said although Muslims did have a choice in how they wished to react to constant persecution.
He argued, “Muslims have a choice: to respond to these insults the way Christians, Jews and people of other faiths do—which is to ignore them or to litigate—or they can follow Al-Qaeda and Boko Haram and go all out to kill and destroy.”
He blamed Muslim leaders and preachers for conditioning the minds of other Muslims with “outdated teachings” that emphasised on “killling and defending their faith” rather than of living with others of different religions and values, in peace and harmony.
“Muslims must remember they live in a world that allows freedom of expression for individuals.
“In the West, they take personal freedom seriously, just as PAS leaders in Kelantan take hudud seriously,” Zaid said, adding, “…the West has this crazy belief about freedom of expression and individual rights” that Muslims must learn how to handle with a degree of calm and not by committing atrocities such as they did in Paris, Africa and Pakistan.
He also said, “Muslims must learn to cope with the challenges of the modern world and modern values. I suggest Muslims in Malaysia and elsewhere be willing to grow up and learn to live with this imperfect world in harmony with others.”
Saying it was time to put “anger and emotion” aside, Zaid added, “They can fight those who disagree with them with the Sedition Act and whatever laws they control, but unless Muslims are properly educated and have money and know-how, they will only know how to destroy but not to rebuild.”
It is the armed forces and the Najib government which had been dishonoured by Major Zaidi’s conviction and the travesty of justice in sacking him for standing up for the truth
By Lim Kit Siang Blog,
Major Zaidi Ahmad “dishonourably discharged” from the armed forces by a court martial for blowing the whistle about the washable “indelible ink” in the 13th General Elections?
How can a person be “dishonourably discharged” for doing an honourable thing, as speaking and standing up for the truth in a nation that cherishes truth and moral values?
It has been said that justice is truth in action. In Major Zaidi’s case, we see truth in action being penalized, making the court martial proceeding a travesty of justice and blot on the moral conscience of the country.
It is the armed forces and the Najib government which had been dishonoured by Major Zaidi’s conviction and the travesty of justice in sacking him for standing up for the truth.
Major Zaidi did not tell any lie or falsehood when he revealed that the indelible ink used in the 13th General Election could be washed off.
Bersih has rightly pointed out that “”Nothing has ever come from the hundreds of police report lodged against the Election Commission over this except for this particular one, which resulted in punishment for the whistleblower instead of the wrongdoer”.
The Election Commission owes in particular Major Zaidi Ahmad a duty of full recompense, as Major Zaidi Ahmad had neither told a lie nor a falsehood.
The fault is not Major Zaidi Ahmad but must be fully and absolutely borne by the Election Commission.
The Election Commission should fully compensate Major Zaidi Ahmad for all the monetary losses in remuneration and pension entitlements as a result of the unjust decision by the court martial today.
At this moment of national moral crisis in the country, when lies, falsehoods, chicanery and dishonesty seem to rule the roost in public life instead of honesty, probity and industry, Malaysia needs more Major Zaidis at all levels of government instead of drumming them out of public service.
If there is any case where the Defence Minister or even the Prime Minister should intervene to ensure that Major Zaidi can continue his sterling service in the military, this is the one.
Is Hishammuddin or Najib capable of such greatness?
Major Zaidi Ahmad “dishonourably discharged” from the armed forces by a court martial for blowing the whistle about the washable “indelible ink” in the 13th General Elections?
How can a person be “dishonourably discharged” for doing an honourable thing, as speaking and standing up for the truth in a nation that cherishes truth and moral values?
It has been said that justice is truth in action. In Major Zaidi’s case, we see truth in action being penalized, making the court martial proceeding a travesty of justice and blot on the moral conscience of the country.
It is the armed forces and the Najib government which had been dishonoured by Major Zaidi’s conviction and the travesty of justice in sacking him for standing up for the truth.
Major Zaidi did not tell any lie or falsehood when he revealed that the indelible ink used in the 13th General Election could be washed off.
Bersih has rightly pointed out that “”Nothing has ever come from the hundreds of police report lodged against the Election Commission over this except for this particular one, which resulted in punishment for the whistleblower instead of the wrongdoer”.
The Election Commission owes in particular Major Zaidi Ahmad a duty of full recompense, as Major Zaidi Ahmad had neither told a lie nor a falsehood.
The fault is not Major Zaidi Ahmad but must be fully and absolutely borne by the Election Commission.
The Election Commission should fully compensate Major Zaidi Ahmad for all the monetary losses in remuneration and pension entitlements as a result of the unjust decision by the court martial today.
At this moment of national moral crisis in the country, when lies, falsehoods, chicanery and dishonesty seem to rule the roost in public life instead of honesty, probity and industry, Malaysia needs more Major Zaidis at all levels of government instead of drumming them out of public service.
If there is any case where the Defence Minister or even the Prime Minister should intervene to ensure that Major Zaidi can continue his sterling service in the military, this is the one.
Is Hishammuddin or Najib capable of such greatness?
DPM Calls For Probe On Eric Paulsen Over Allegation On Friday Sermons
PUTRAJAYA,
Jan 12 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has
urged the authorities to investigate Lawyers for Liberty executive
director Eric Paulsen over his statement accusing the Malaysia Islamic
Development Department (Jakim) of promoting extremism through the Friday
sermons.Muhyiddin, when asked to comment on Paulsen's remarks against Jakim on Twitter, said Paulsen's action must be dealt with appropriately.
"The relevant authorities should investigate Paulsen's statement and appropriate action be taken as many non-Muslims do not understand what Islam really is.
"Islam is not an extremist religion, (and) since when have our people (Malaysians) acted extraordinarily? Islam is the most moderate religion," he said.
Muhyiddin was speaking at a news conference after viewing the situation on the first day of the 2015 school session at Sekolah Kebangsaan Cyberjaya and Sekolah Menengah Cyberjaya, here, today.
He said the allegation of Friday sermons being deviated should not come about at all as the sermons do not ony revolve around the Islamic way of life but also societal and humanity issues.
"Perhaps Paulsen does not know this at all or has not learned about Islam," he said.
Paulsen had made the statement accusing Jakim of spreading extremism every Friday (through the sermons) on his Twitter page on Jan 9.
Following Paulsen's offending remarks, Umno Youth today made a report against him at the Putrajaya district police headquarters, here.
The report was lodged by the movement's Religious Bureau chairman Azmir Yuzaimi Mohd Yunos, who said that police should take stern action against Paulsen as this was not the first time he had made a seditious statement on his Twitter page.
"He had many times before this made provocative remarks against Islam but after being criticised, the criticism just died like that.
"This time, we want real stern action taken against him so that he does not repeat his misdeed," he said.
Paulsen had removed his offending statement from his Twitter page after being slammed by various quarters.
However, last Saturday, Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar confirmed that police would investigate Paulsen under the Sedition Act 1948.
Lawyer Paulsen arrested for sedition - Malaysiakini
Lawyer for
Liberty (LFL) director Eric Paulsen was arrested for sedition at
Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur today, believed to be linked to his tweet accusing the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) of promoting extremism.He is arrested under Section 4 of the Sedition Act and taken to the Dang Wangi police station, LFL co-founder Latheefa Koya told Malaysiakini.
This was confirmed by police chief Khalid Abu Bakar in a tweet at 9.40pm today.
"We expect police to keep him overnight. We are on standby for the remand tomorrow," Latheefa said when contacted.
LFL said that about 20 police personnel arrested Paulsen.
"It is unnecessary and a waste of police resources," it said in a tweet.
This is because Paulsen had earlier agreed to co-operate with the investigation by presenting himself at Bukit Aman tomorrow, it said.
Police took Paulsen to his firm Daim & Gamany in Petaling Jaya to seize his laptop, Padang Serai MP and LFL co-founder N Surendran said.
In a 10.55pm update on Faceboook, LFL campaign coordinator Michelle Yesudas said police also seized Paulsen's mobile phone.
"Outrageous and horrific for this to happen to a human rights lawyer over a tweet.
"Clearly another red herring to confuse people between the man-made institution of Jakim and the sanctity of religion," she said.
Paulsen last Friday tweeted that Jakim is promoting extremism every Friday.
"Government needs to address that if serious about extremism," he wrote on Twitter, but he later deleted the tweet.
Jakim produces Friday prayer sermons published on the Jakim website and read out in mosques in the Federal Territories.
'Anti-Islam'
Among those who condemned the tweet include PAS Youth deputy chief Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi who said it was anti-Islam.
Paulsen (right)
today also lodged a police report over a death threat made against him
through Twitter and instant messenger application WhatsApp.In a statement yesterday, the human rights lawyer criticised police for acting against him after pressure from "pro-Umno cybertroopers".
IGP Khalid said police will probe Paulsen for sedition after pro-Umno bloggers trained their guns at the lawyer over his tweet.
Khalid also posted a picture of DAP's Kampar MP Ko Chung Sen, claiming that the latter too will be probed for calling for Islamic civilisation studies be scrapped.
But the photograph with Ko's supposed quote was edited and the MP flayed the IGP for not following his own advice to not spread false information.
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