Friday 6 February 2015
‘I’m Muslim, I love Hindus’ campaign will destroy Islamic faith, ISMA claims
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 — An “I’m Muslim, I love Hindus” campaign by the Young Interfaith Peacemaker Community of Indonesia (YIPCI) is a veiled attempt at pushing for religious equality in Muslim-majority Malaysia, Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (ISMA) has alleged.
ISMA information chief Mohd Hazizi Ab Rahman took issue with a photograph of a YIPCI representative, who appears to be a Muslim female clad in a headscarf, holding up a placard that read “I’m a Muslim, I love Hindus” — saying that this could erode the faith of Muslims in the country.
The photograph, which appears to be have been taken during the Thaipusam celebration here on Monday, has since gone viral on social media.
“The conviction of Muslims — that Islam is the only true religion is being blamed as the reason behind racial discord and the cause of disharmony,” said Mohd Hazizi in a statement published yesterday on Ismaweb.net.
“The baseless accusations have been successful in convincing a group of Muslims to feel guilty and to be apologetic over something that does not exist and to get involved in campaigns that could destroy their faith,” he added, referring to the Indonesian group’s interfaith initiative.
Indonesia is home to the world’s largest Muslim population, with over 200 million of its people subscribing to Islam.
Mohd Hazizi said that such campaigns,which claimed to push for multi-religious harmony are largely backed by foreign funders to convince Muslims that other religions are equal to Islam.
He did not provide evidence to back up his allegations.
Mohd Hazizi said it was “strange” to launch such a campaign as Muslims have been the target of insults and persecution by non-Muslims in many countries worldwide.
“It is strange that there is the ‘love other religions campaign’ targeted at Muslims, when, in reality, Muslims are the victims of religious hatred in Palestine, Myanmar, France, Netherlands, in the African continent and other countries,” he said.
He also claimed the ongoing campaign in commemoration of the “World Interfaith Harmony Week” to convey ones’ love for non-Muslims “has serious implications on one’s faith” as it would cause Muslims here to question their religious beliefs.
“Muslims involved are advised to refer to experts on Islam, so that such action can be avoided in future,” said Mohd Hazizi.
ISMA’s assertions, made ahead of Indonesian leader Joko Widodo’s maiden visit here as president today, could add to the thorny issues testing bilateral ties with Malaysia.
Even activists are pressing for Ismail Sabri’s resignation
Some 49 activist groups today demanded the resignation of Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob who had gone on a racist rant against Chinese businesses, saying it was an irresponsible move on the part of the minister to play on racial sentiments.They said the agriculture and agro-based industries minister targeted Chinese traders, who only play a minor role in the final price of goods and services, instead of explaining the ballooning of prices.
Among the 49 are All Women’s Action Society, Islamic Renaissance Front, Sisters in Islam and Suara Rakyat Malaysia.
"The minister was clearly irresponsible and playing to the racial and religious gallery on a subject of concern to all Malaysians," they said in a joint statement today.
"Condemning traders, or any other business group in the country, on the basis of racial origin and without providing any evidence whatsoever, is playing with fire and will only lead to racial misunderstanding and conflict."
They said their concern was heightened after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak leapt to Ismail's defence and cleared the minister of wrongdoing.
"His position on it is disappointing and unacceptable. Like Ismail, we see the prime minister as pandering to his party’s political supporters; and for failing to ensure that our national interests and unity are protected, not undermined."
Ismail was criticised after he wrote in a Facebook post that Malay consumers had a role in helping Putrajaya fight profiteers by using their collective power to lower the price of goods.
"The majority of consumers are Malay, Chinese are a minority, if the Malays boycott their businesses, they will surely have no choice but to reduce their prices," he said.
After a Cabinet meeting yesterday, the Prime Minister's Department issued a statement defending Ismail, saying the minister had not targeted any specific race with his social media post.
The groups said they were worried of the possible effects of the episode especially when the goods and services tax was implemented in April, resulting in further price hikes.
"This is likely to lead to a new round of finger pointing and scapegoating. If not countered with calm and dispassionate public discussion and analysis, it will only widen the racial division in the country," they added. – February 5, 2015.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/even-activists-are-pressing-for-ismail-sabris-resignation#sthash.iLJcGBuI.dpuf
Say cheese! Ismail and Liow all smiles at KLIA
But later, MCA president Liow Tiong Lai and the agriculture and agro-based industries minister share a laugh while waiting for the arrival of Indonesian president Joko Widodo at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
A photograph of this was posted by Ismail on his Twitter and Facebook accounts.
Also in the gleeful snapshot was Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, who defended Ismail.
"With (Hishamuddin) and (Liow) welcoming the the arrival of Indonesia president Joko Widodo. Hehe," read the tweet.
Liow, however, chose to exercise caution, opting to upload a photograph of himself with the Indonesian president instead on his Twitter account.
Gerakan veep sad cabinet soft on Ismail Sabri
Gerakan vice president Dominic Lau is
disappointed that the cabinet failed to take action against Agriculture
and Agro-based Industry Minister Ismail Sabri for calling the Malay
consumers to boycott Chinese traders.
He was saddened that the cabinet did not make Ismail Sabri to retract his statement and offer a public apology.
He said that it was unacceptable that the Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak was trying to get rid of the issue, merely claiming in a press statement that Ismail Sabri’s statement was not targeting a single race.
"Gerakan agrees that the prime minister reiterates that the government will try its best to protect the interests of all races, but Ismail Sabri’s comment on Facebook had hurt the feeling of the Chinese, particularly those traders who had major contribution to the economy of this country.
"It is hard to quell public anger by merely issuing a press statement by the prime minister," said Lau in a statement today.
Lau pointed out that it was clear that Ismail Sabri (left) was asking Malays to "boycott Chinese traders" in his comment on Facebook.
Thus, he said, the minister should apologise to the community.
"For the time being, we believe that Ismail Sabri was not targetting the Chinese traders but they were mentioned in his Facebook comment. He should apologise to the Chinese community should he abide and accept prime minister’s advice," he said.
In a Facebook post on Monday, Ismail Sabri urged Malay consumers to boycott Chinese traders to bring down prices of goods and services.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister's Office said Ismail Sabri was not targetting Chinese traders alone.
PM Najib had stressed that the BN government will "continue to defend and safeguard the interests of all races", the PMO added.
"Therefore, any disputes which could lead to racial polarisation should not be prolonged as it will bring adverse effects to everyone," the statement read.
Gerakan, too, split on the issue
However, Gerakan public service and complaints bureau chief Lau Hoi Keong has a different opinion with Dominic.
Hoi Keong had earlier lodged a police report against Ismail Sabri’s remark.
When contacted, Hoi Keong said that he personally accepted Najib’s statement as the premier wants to put an end to this issue.
"I can accept the intention of the prime minister as he does not want to see this episode to turn sour," he said.
Hoi Keong (right)
also said that he would not further pursue this matter even if Ismail
Sabri refuses to budge from his position to not apologise.
"I believe that he will not apologise after all and we will not pursue further. Whether he apologises or not, so what? It does not change anything, you cannot retract what you have said," he added.
He hoped that BN will take this as a lesson for not repeatedly play up racial issue in the future.
The despondent tone was echoed by Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang who had scathingly called Ismail Sabri an “imbecile” when the issue first broke out over the weekend.
"Final score: Pakatan 1 - 0 BN," Tan tweeted after PMO issued the statement yesterday.
He was saddened that the cabinet did not make Ismail Sabri to retract his statement and offer a public apology.
He said that it was unacceptable that the Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak was trying to get rid of the issue, merely claiming in a press statement that Ismail Sabri’s statement was not targeting a single race.
"Gerakan agrees that the prime minister reiterates that the government will try its best to protect the interests of all races, but Ismail Sabri’s comment on Facebook had hurt the feeling of the Chinese, particularly those traders who had major contribution to the economy of this country.
"It is hard to quell public anger by merely issuing a press statement by the prime minister," said Lau in a statement today.
Lau pointed out that it was clear that Ismail Sabri (left) was asking Malays to "boycott Chinese traders" in his comment on Facebook.Thus, he said, the minister should apologise to the community.
"For the time being, we believe that Ismail Sabri was not targetting the Chinese traders but they were mentioned in his Facebook comment. He should apologise to the Chinese community should he abide and accept prime minister’s advice," he said.
In a Facebook post on Monday, Ismail Sabri urged Malay consumers to boycott Chinese traders to bring down prices of goods and services.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister's Office said Ismail Sabri was not targetting Chinese traders alone.
PM Najib had stressed that the BN government will "continue to defend and safeguard the interests of all races", the PMO added.
"Therefore, any disputes which could lead to racial polarisation should not be prolonged as it will bring adverse effects to everyone," the statement read.
Gerakan, too, split on the issue
However, Gerakan public service and complaints bureau chief Lau Hoi Keong has a different opinion with Dominic.
Hoi Keong had earlier lodged a police report against Ismail Sabri’s remark.
When contacted, Hoi Keong said that he personally accepted Najib’s statement as the premier wants to put an end to this issue.
"I can accept the intention of the prime minister as he does not want to see this episode to turn sour," he said.
Hoi Keong (right)
also said that he would not further pursue this matter even if Ismail
Sabri refuses to budge from his position to not apologise."I believe that he will not apologise after all and we will not pursue further. Whether he apologises or not, so what? It does not change anything, you cannot retract what you have said," he added.
He hoped that BN will take this as a lesson for not repeatedly play up racial issue in the future.
The despondent tone was echoed by Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang who had scathingly called Ismail Sabri an “imbecile” when the issue first broke out over the weekend.
"Final score: Pakatan 1 - 0 BN," Tan tweeted after PMO issued the statement yesterday.
'Bad people sending grandpa to prison'
With five days left before the Federal Court
announces its verdict that will determine if he is to be incarcerated or
remains a free man, Anwar Ibrahim continues to display a brave front.
He jokes with journalists, telling them not to look glum. "Muram je nampak (all of you look gloomy). I am okay," he said, drawing laughter.
in his speech earlier at the launch of PKR senator Syed Husin Ali's book, Anwar even revealed that he did not wear socks because he was rushing for the function.
As far as the possibility of landing in prison is concerned, the opposition leader quipped that it would provide him with ample time to indulge in books, such as the works of Shakespeare.
However, Anwar admitted that his family are worried, and even his granddaughter has been asking him about his possible imprisonment.
"(Nurul) Izzah's daughter asked me, 'Grandpa, why are they talking about prison?' I told her that bad people are sending grandpa to prison," he said.
Next Tuesday, the Federal Court will deliver its judgement on Anwar’s final appeal against his sodomy conviction and five-year prison sentence.
Like the first sodomy charge in 1998, the opposition leader has claimed that the second was also fabricated by his rivals.
The government has denied this.
Meanwhile, Anwar, when addressing reporters today said he is "praying for the best" and prayed that "sanity will prevail".
Nevertheless, he said he had to be realistic this time around especially since it was easier when he was imprisoned in his twenties and fifties.
"It is certainly not easy when you are approaching your seventies. But that is the price I have to pay for sticking to my principles.
"And however painful it will be, I have to endure it. Hopefully they (the police) won't ill-treat or assault me.
"The current IGP (Khalid Abu Bakar) looks slightly more decent although quite aggressive," he jested.
Apart from reading Shakespeare, Anwar said his friends from all over the world had promised to send him "good, expensive books".
"Other than focusing on my prayers, I can finish a book in one day although the thicker ones would take longer ," he said.
Elaborating further on his wife. PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail's concern over him, Anwar said: "She's worried about my health.This is not just a sacrifice on my part, but on my family as well.
"She (Wan Azizah) is a bit disturbed, but she is ready (for the decision on Tuesday)," he said.
He jokes with journalists, telling them not to look glum. "Muram je nampak (all of you look gloomy). I am okay," he said, drawing laughter.
in his speech earlier at the launch of PKR senator Syed Husin Ali's book, Anwar even revealed that he did not wear socks because he was rushing for the function.
As far as the possibility of landing in prison is concerned, the opposition leader quipped that it would provide him with ample time to indulge in books, such as the works of Shakespeare.
However, Anwar admitted that his family are worried, and even his granddaughter has been asking him about his possible imprisonment.
"(Nurul) Izzah's daughter asked me, 'Grandpa, why are they talking about prison?' I told her that bad people are sending grandpa to prison," he said.
Next Tuesday, the Federal Court will deliver its judgement on Anwar’s final appeal against his sodomy conviction and five-year prison sentence.Like the first sodomy charge in 1998, the opposition leader has claimed that the second was also fabricated by his rivals.
The government has denied this.
Meanwhile, Anwar, when addressing reporters today said he is "praying for the best" and prayed that "sanity will prevail".
Nevertheless, he said he had to be realistic this time around especially since it was easier when he was imprisoned in his twenties and fifties.
"It is certainly not easy when you are approaching your seventies. But that is the price I have to pay for sticking to my principles.
"And however painful it will be, I have to endure it. Hopefully they (the police) won't ill-treat or assault me.
"The current IGP (Khalid Abu Bakar) looks slightly more decent although quite aggressive," he jested.
Apart from reading Shakespeare, Anwar said his friends from all over the world had promised to send him "good, expensive books".
"Other than focusing on my prayers, I can finish a book in one day although the thicker ones would take longer ," he said.
Elaborating further on his wife. PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail's concern over him, Anwar said: "She's worried about my health.This is not just a sacrifice on my part, but on my family as well.
"She (Wan Azizah) is a bit disturbed, but she is ready (for the decision on Tuesday)," he said.
Under attack, Dr M vows to keep firing at 1MDB
The former premier said that he and several others were the victims of deliberate demonisation by bloggers with political motivations.
"The intention is to undermine my credibility. But I will continue to ask where is the money which has been brought back from Cayman (Island)?
"Why is there a need to borrow money to pay debts when you have RM8 billion? Until these and other questions are answered, the questions will keep coming,” he added in his blog post.
Attacking the critics, wrote Mahathir (left) yesterday, fueled suspicions that all is not well with 1MDB.While saying that he is not surprised by this, he said he was caught off-guard by a report by The Star’s on the attacks.
“Usually the mainstream media, and The Star is also one of them, would not report anything that may reflect badly on the “authorities”. But it has done the unthinkable now, although obliquely,” he said.
Mahathir added that 1MDB is one of many reasons he does not support Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
Despite being an Umno member and supporter, he will continue to criticise anything that he believes to be detrimental to the good governance of Malaysia.
“Borrowed money cannot be regarded as wealth. And there are many things done with 1MDB money that are just plain wrong.
“The government should not be indulging in buying and selling shares to make money for itself,” he said.
'Blogger behind attacks'
The Star had published a report on Tuesday quoting The Malaysian Insider saying that a blogger supportive of businessperson Low Taek Jho, was behind the attacks.
According
to the report, several blogs operated by the blogger known only as
“ahrily90” had reportedly been attacking Mahathir, CIMB Group
chairperson Nazir Razak (left), former finance minister Daim
Zainuddin, and owner of The Edge Media Group Tong Kooi Ong among others,
while heaping praise on Low.Mahathir and Daim had been critical of 1MDB while Nazir had expressed reservations about the scheme.
The blogs had also singled out The Edge and The Malaysian Insider’s reports critical of 1MDB, claiming that it is part of Tong’s ploy to crash the ringgit and profit from it. Both The Edge and The Malaysian Insider are part of The Edge Media Group.
Low - better known by his nickname Jho Low - was involved in the setting up of the Terengganu Investment Authority that became the precursor to 1MDB.
He has since denied having ties to the smear campaign and said that he respects Mahathir, Nazir, and Tong, according to The Malay Mail Online.
Mahfuz: ‘Don’t blindly support like a drunkard on toddy’
PAS questions lack of legal action against minister Ismail Sabri for his call to boycott Chinese traders.
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: PAS today accused the government of selective prosecution when it came to Umno leaders, as it questioned the lack of legal action being taken against minister Ismail Sabri after he called for a boycott on Chinese traders.
“If such a statement was given by an opposition party leader, surely the authorities will quickly drag him to court under the Sedition Act,” PAS information chief Mahfuz Omar was quoted as saying in the Malaysian Insider today.
“Don’t blindly support like a drunkard on toddy,” he added, lampooning the press conference held by 92 Umno division chiefs in support of the Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry yesterday.
In a bid to ease mounting racial tension, prime minister Najib Razak made an official announcement yesterday that Ismail’s call for Malays to boycott Chinese traders was directed at all businesses that refused to lower prices and not just the Chinese.
Ismail has received heavy criticism from all sides for being racist and seditious with his race-specific suggestion.
Not buying Najib’s watered down version of Ismail’s call to Malays was MP for Shah Alam Khalid Samad who attacked Ismail as being a “racist” and “stupid”.
“There is no way that the high prices of goods can be blamed on one race… It is stupid and oversimplifying matters. It is as if the prices went up because the Chinese want it to,” he told a press conference at his office in Shah Alam today.
In his message, Ismail had said, “As long as Malays don’t change, the Chinese will take advantage to oppress the Malays.”
Soon after the furore over the statement, Ismail pulled it down from Facebook and issued a clarification saying he meant consumers were the majority and traders the minority, but ending up reverting to his original line of thinking in that all Malay consumers should target the minority Chinese traders.
KUALA LUMPUR: PAS today accused the government of selective prosecution when it came to Umno leaders, as it questioned the lack of legal action being taken against minister Ismail Sabri after he called for a boycott on Chinese traders.
“If such a statement was given by an opposition party leader, surely the authorities will quickly drag him to court under the Sedition Act,” PAS information chief Mahfuz Omar was quoted as saying in the Malaysian Insider today.
“Don’t blindly support like a drunkard on toddy,” he added, lampooning the press conference held by 92 Umno division chiefs in support of the Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry yesterday.
In a bid to ease mounting racial tension, prime minister Najib Razak made an official announcement yesterday that Ismail’s call for Malays to boycott Chinese traders was directed at all businesses that refused to lower prices and not just the Chinese.
Ismail has received heavy criticism from all sides for being racist and seditious with his race-specific suggestion.
Not buying Najib’s watered down version of Ismail’s call to Malays was MP for Shah Alam Khalid Samad who attacked Ismail as being a “racist” and “stupid”.
“There is no way that the high prices of goods can be blamed on one race… It is stupid and oversimplifying matters. It is as if the prices went up because the Chinese want it to,” he told a press conference at his office in Shah Alam today.
In his message, Ismail had said, “As long as Malays don’t change, the Chinese will take advantage to oppress the Malays.”
Soon after the furore over the statement, Ismail pulled it down from Facebook and issued a clarification saying he meant consumers were the majority and traders the minority, but ending up reverting to his original line of thinking in that all Malay consumers should target the minority Chinese traders.
Racist MCA just fishing for Chinese votes, says Isma
Isma attacks MCA for disagreeing with Ismail Sabri’s call to boycott Chinese traders who refuse to lower their prices.
FMT
BANGI: Malay voters were urged today to reject MCA leaders if their party continued to only champion the rights of the Chinese as this proved the coalition partner of Barisan Nasional was racist.
”MCA is willing to cooperate with DAP regarding issues involving the Chinese.
“This means MCA is fighting for only the Chinese, not all Malaysians.
“This proves MCA is racist,” said Haji Aminuddin Yahaya, the deputy president of ISMA in a posting on the NGO’s website today.
He was referring to a retaliatory statement by MCA Youth chief Chong Sin Woon against Ismail Sabri, the minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, who called on Malay consumers to boycott profiteering Chinese traders who refused to lower the prices of their goods.
In his statement, Chong had called Ismail a racist and accused him of acting contrary to the spirit of the Federal Constitution, a view that was shared by DAP leader, Ong Kian Ming who said Ismail’s remarks would divide society along racial lines.
In expressing his dissatisfaction over Chong’s remarks, Haji Aminuddin said Ismail’s suggestion would in fact benefit all consumers and not just the Malays.
He was also of the opinion that Chong’s remarks were made without a clear understanding of the essence nor the context of Ismail’s statement because it was addressed not only to Chinese traders, but to all who showed reluctance in lowering their prices.
“If MCA supports traders who hike up the prices of their goods, it clearly shows they are on the side of Chinese traders who exploit consumers.
“Is this how they fish for Chinese votes?” asked Haji Aminuddin.
FMT
BANGI: Malay voters were urged today to reject MCA leaders if their party continued to only champion the rights of the Chinese as this proved the coalition partner of Barisan Nasional was racist.
”MCA is willing to cooperate with DAP regarding issues involving the Chinese.
“This means MCA is fighting for only the Chinese, not all Malaysians.
“This proves MCA is racist,” said Haji Aminuddin Yahaya, the deputy president of ISMA in a posting on the NGO’s website today.
He was referring to a retaliatory statement by MCA Youth chief Chong Sin Woon against Ismail Sabri, the minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, who called on Malay consumers to boycott profiteering Chinese traders who refused to lower the prices of their goods.
In his statement, Chong had called Ismail a racist and accused him of acting contrary to the spirit of the Federal Constitution, a view that was shared by DAP leader, Ong Kian Ming who said Ismail’s remarks would divide society along racial lines.
In expressing his dissatisfaction over Chong’s remarks, Haji Aminuddin said Ismail’s suggestion would in fact benefit all consumers and not just the Malays.
He was also of the opinion that Chong’s remarks were made without a clear understanding of the essence nor the context of Ismail’s statement because it was addressed not only to Chinese traders, but to all who showed reluctance in lowering their prices.
“If MCA supports traders who hike up the prices of their goods, it clearly shows they are on the side of Chinese traders who exploit consumers.
“Is this how they fish for Chinese votes?” asked Haji Aminuddin.
‘Liow and Wee must quit over Ismail Sabri’
DAP says it's not enough that the Cabinet 'understands' MCA's unhappiness with the 'boycott Chinese traders' remark.
FMT
PETALING JAYA: MCA President Liow Tiong Lai says he has conveyed to the Cabinet his party’s unhappiness over Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s “boycott Chinese traders” remark, but that’s not good enough for the DAP.
DAP’s publicity office today told Liow and his deputy, Wee Ka Siong, to quit their Cabinet positions for failing to demand the resignation of the Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry.
Liow said in a media statement that he had “conveyed the MCA stance on this issue to the Cabinet, and it has been agreed that such comments polarise the community and should cease immediately.
“The stance of MCA as part of Barisan Nasional, a large multiracial coalition, is to uphold the values of our founding fathers and we reject any extreme remarks that could assault the unity of our country.
“The Cabinet understands MCA’s stand on this.”
Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching, in a press statement released this afternoon in her capacity as DAP’s assistant publicity chief, recalled that Liow had publicly vowed to seek justice for Chinese traders.
“According to him, the MCA presidential council unanimously passed a motion to condemn Ismail Sabri’s boycott call because it instigated racial hatred and damaged race relations,” she said.
“However, according to the Defence Minister, the Cabinet did not ask Ismail Sabri to retract his statement nor did MCA ministers ask Ismail Sabri to resign.”
She alleged that MCA was good only at “kowtowing to the big bully, Umno.”
To save their dignity, if they still have any, Liow Tiong Lai and Wee Ka Siong should resign from their Cabinet positions immediately or else stop claiming that they are representing the Chinese community in Malaysia because the Chinese community does not need this type of two-faced leaders.”
Liow is Transport Minister and Wee is one of the ministers in the Prime Ministers Department.
FMTPETALING JAYA: MCA President Liow Tiong Lai says he has conveyed to the Cabinet his party’s unhappiness over Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s “boycott Chinese traders” remark, but that’s not good enough for the DAP.
DAP’s publicity office today told Liow and his deputy, Wee Ka Siong, to quit their Cabinet positions for failing to demand the resignation of the Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry.
Liow said in a media statement that he had “conveyed the MCA stance on this issue to the Cabinet, and it has been agreed that such comments polarise the community and should cease immediately.
“The stance of MCA as part of Barisan Nasional, a large multiracial coalition, is to uphold the values of our founding fathers and we reject any extreme remarks that could assault the unity of our country.
“The Cabinet understands MCA’s stand on this.”
Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching, in a press statement released this afternoon in her capacity as DAP’s assistant publicity chief, recalled that Liow had publicly vowed to seek justice for Chinese traders.
“According to him, the MCA presidential council unanimously passed a motion to condemn Ismail Sabri’s boycott call because it instigated racial hatred and damaged race relations,” she said.
“However, according to the Defence Minister, the Cabinet did not ask Ismail Sabri to retract his statement nor did MCA ministers ask Ismail Sabri to resign.”
She alleged that MCA was good only at “kowtowing to the big bully, Umno.”
To save their dignity, if they still have any, Liow Tiong Lai and Wee Ka Siong should resign from their Cabinet positions immediately or else stop claiming that they are representing the Chinese community in Malaysia because the Chinese community does not need this type of two-faced leaders.”
Liow is Transport Minister and Wee is one of the ministers in the Prime Ministers Department.
Malaysia’s Anwar Faces Sodomy Verdict Next Week
Asia Sentinel
Malaysia’s highest court is expected next week to finally deliver a long-delayed verdict on whether opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was guilty of sodomy in a 2008 case brought by a former aide.
The appeal of the appellate court’s guilty verdict was heard at the end of October in the Federal Court after nine days of arguments. The top tribunal was expected to deliver its verdict at that time but for inexplicable reasons it has been delayed for more than three months. The date for the verdict now is February 10.
In Malaysia’s courts, political cases are rarely if ever decided on their merits. That has been glaringly true of the charges against Anwar. The case has been marred by a long series of procedural errors and a list of suspicious events and rulings. As with a previous sodomy case brought in 1998, the charges against Anwar have been condemned by human rights groups and governments across the world.
Anwar was ordered freed by a high court in Kuala Lumpur in 2011, only to be convicted on appeal in the appellate court in 2013. If he is now convicted in the Federal Court, it would effectively finish his political career at the age of 67. He faces several years in prison and Malaysian electoral law prohibits those convicted of crimes from running for five years after being freed.
A conviction would also throw into doubt the survival of the three-party Pakatan Rakyat coalition, which is held together by little more than Anwar’s leadership and a desire to unseat the ruling coalition by three vastly dissimilar parties – the Chinese socialist Democratic Action Party, the fundamentalist Islamic Parti Islam se-Malaysia, or PAS, and Anwar’s own Parti Keadilan Rakyat, mostly made up of moderate urban ethnic Malays. The parties have been squabbling for months over a variety of issues.
Friends, enemies and in-between
Given the verdict delay, Malaysia’s political tea-leaf readers are trying to figure out what has been going on. It is widely assumed that the top court will take its cues from the leadership of the United Malays National Organization and Prime Minister, Najib Tun Razak. It had been assumed that UMNO wanted the Anwar jailed to eliminate a dangerous political rival. That may not be true any longer, given the complex political drama being played out within UMNO.
The case now has been further muddied by events outside the courtroom, in which former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad – Anwar’s one-time boss – is seeking to bring down Najib.
“More than Najib, the one person who really wants to see Anwar in jail is Mahathir, and Mahathir has been on the offensive against Najib,” said John Malott, a former US ambassador to Malaysia and a severe critic of the government. “So if ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend’, it is in Najib's interest to keep Anwar free to continue to be Mahathir's nemesis. Mahathir's hatred of Anwar is almost pathological at this point. Anwar said he is willing to submit evidence to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission against Mahathir's dearly beloved crony number #1, the former finance minister, Daim Zainuddin. The next general election is a few years down the road, but Mahathir's threat to Najib is real and now. From a legal point of view, it is obvious that Anwar is not guilty.
“And from a political point of view, on balance, it is in Najib's interest to keep Anwar out of jail, so he can continue to keep Mahathir off-balance, and in doing so keep himself in power.”
Court shenanigans
Another question involves Sri Ram Gopal, who acted as Anwar’s lawyer before the Federal Court. The prosecutors and the government are said to have been shocked not just by the effectiveness of Sri Ram's defense, but because it was presented by Sri Ram, who was still a member of the bench at the time of the Appeals Court decision reversing Anwar’s not guilty verdict. A well-informed source told Asia Sentinel that the appellate decision had been written ahead of time, before the hearing was even held.
Anwar, a charismatic speaker, has made the opposition coalition into a strong force in Malaysian politics, winning the popular vote in the 2013 general election although the coalition was kept from taking power via gerrymandered districts and the country’s first-past-the-post electoral system.
What is called Sodomy II was brought by the former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhairy Azlan, in the wake of a strong showing by the opposition coalition in the 2008 general election, which cost the ruling national coalition its two-thirds majority in parliament for the first time since independence.
Court testimony proved that Saiful had consulted with Najib, who was then defense minister, as well as Najib’s wife, Rosmah Mansor and others, prior to bringing the charges. Two hospitals said they had found no evidence of scarring or tearing that would have indicated sexual activity. More than two days went by before Saiful was even examined. Saiful first charged he was raped, but then the prosecution changed the plea to consensual sex of an unnatural nature, a charge brought only seven times in Malaysia’s history. There were also many problems with DNA supposedly taken from the defendant, causing the trial judge to say the evidence was hopelessly tainted.
Saiful also acknowledged meeting secretly twice with Rodwan Mohd Yusof, a senior assistant police commissioner, before the alleged offense took place. Rodwan became famous, or infamous, in Anwar's 1998 Sodomy I trial when he was proven to have illegally removed Anwar's DNA samples from forensic custody and planted them on a mattress allegedly used by Anwar for a homosexual dalliance. To protect the integrity of the prosecution's case, the presiding judge, Augustine Paul, was forced to expunge the entire DNA evidence.
If there is nothing wrong with his Facebook post calling on Malay consumers to boycott Chinese businesses, why has Ismail Sabri deleted the post?
Malay Mail Online today reported that “due to his busy work schedule” the Minister for Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is not expected to give his police statement this week over his controversial Facebook post call on Malay consumers to boycott Chinese businesses.
Yes, Ismail is now very busy basking in the glory of a new “hero” status after political pressure was invoked in the Cabinet, resulting not only in 35 Ministers, but also the two MCA Minister who had been breathing fire and brimstone against Ismail’s racist remarks before yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, to meekly accept that Ismail’s call on Malay consumers to boycott Chinese businesses were actually a very smart call to all traders and not at those of a certain race to reduce prices!
Nobody knows how the two MCA Ministers could square the circle, but clearly they have acquired such superior art of political somersaults not understood by ordinary mortals, including ordinary politicians.
However, if the Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar’s tweet directing a police investigation into Ismail’s Facebook post making the racist call to Malays to boycott Chinese businesses is still to be taken seriously after the Cabinet clearance of Ismail’s Facebook post, shouldn’t the police be investigating the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the entire Cabinet to learn how they could transform Ismail’s racist call to Malay consumers to boycott to Chinese businesses into a call to all traders and not at those of a certain race to reduce prices?
Not only Malaysians, but the world would like to know how the Malaysian Cabinet achieve such a double miracle, firstly transforming a racist all to Malay consumers to boycott Chinese businesses into an all-embracing call covering all races in the country; and secondly, an even bigger miracle, to convert political leaders, like the two MCA Ministers, who were absolutely convinced of the racist nature of Ismail’s Facebook post before the Cabinet meeting, into accepting that Ismail’s posting was not racist at all!
Be that as it may, will the police also investigate Najib and all the other 34 Ministers in the Cabinet as to how they had transformed a racist call into a non-racist call?
Ismail said that he had done nothing wrong in his Facebook post and would not apologise, In fact, he is feted as a national hero – bigger than even the Home Minister Zahid Hamidi.
But if there is nothing wrong with his Facebook post calling on Malay consumers to boycott Chinese businesses, why has Ismail Sabri deleted the post from his Facebook?
Malaysia Airports To Continue To Expand Airport Facilities
KUCHING,
Feb 5 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airports Holding Bhd (MAHB) says it will
continue to upgrade facilities at the airports it manages and operates
in order to meet customers' needs.Managing Director Datuk Badlisham Ghazali said upgrading works include those at the Kota Baharu International Airport (KBIA), Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) and Kuching International Airport (KIA).
"We do not wait until it hits maximum capacity. We will upgrade, that is our job," he told reporters after launching MAHB's Green Day 2015 at the KIA here Thursday.
Badlisham said KKIA and KIA are capable of catering to increased flight frequencies, especially KKIA, which has undergone expansion.
He said Malaysia Airports is also assisting other agencies like the Ministry of Tourism and Malaysian Tourism to promote more international flights to KIA and KKIA.
He said flight frequencies will however depend on the demand from businesses, tourists and leisure and entertainment travellers.
"For the airlines, if there is an increase in demand they will certainly increase their flight frequencies," he added.
He said KIA, which can receive 5.23 million visitors annually, is currently recording 4.1 million visitor arrivals.
Badlisham said the Green Day initiative aims to inculcate environmental awareness among employees while promoting staff camaraderie.
"We must be cautious of the environment especially in flood-prone areas, where our airports are sited at river and sea banks," he said.
Sack minister for being racist, stupid, Khalid Samad tells Najib
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak should sack Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri for being "racist" and "stupid" in asking the Malays to boycott Chinese businesses, says a PAS lawmaker.Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad said such attitude is unbecoming and Najib should just remove the agriculture and agro-based industry minister from government.
“There is no way that the high prices of goods can be blamed on one race... It is stupid and oversimplifying matters. It is as if the prices went up because the Chinese wants it,” he he told a press conference at his office in Shah Alam today. – February 5, 2015
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/sack-minister-for-being-racist-stupid-khalid-samad-tells-najib#sthash.Xdc6eI99.dpuf
'If you know Altantuya's murder motive, speak up'
Those who know the motive behind Altantuya
Shaariibuu’s murder must come forward to safeguard the credibility of
the judiciary and police, said PAS information chief Mahfuz Omar.
He also disputed former police chief Musa Hassan's claim that the motive no longer matters because the "main suspect has been acquitted".
"We question the motive of the murder because the one who had a relationship with Altantuya was Abdul Razak Baginda.
"What links did Sirul and Azilah have with her?" he asked at a press conference at the PAS headquarters.
Political analyst Abdul Razak was acquitted of abetment in Altantuya’s murder without his defence being called, while former police commandos Sirul Azhar and Azilah Hadri were found guilty and sentenced to death.
Sirul and Azilah were assigned as bodyguards to then Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who was a close friend of Razak Baginda.
Speaking to Malaysiakini yesterday, Musa, who was inspector-general of police during the murder investigation appeared to indicate that the two ex-policemen were acting under instructions.
"The main suspect (Razak Baginda) is the one who knows best what happened," Musa said.
Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar earlier said that police investigations had looked into the motive but this was not explored by the prosecution.
Meanwhile, Mahfuz said he would also seek a meeting with the Australian high commissioner to Malaysia to find out the status of Sirul who is now held in that country.
Australian law bars the government from deporting individuals facing the death penalty in their home countries.
"I will call the Australian High Commission to learn of Sirul's status next week because there are things I need explained," he said.
"I hope the government will let Sirul live. I believe he was only acting on orders. Let him live, either in Malaysia or overseas," he added.
Mahfuz earlier visited Sirul’s family in Ipoh, Perak.
He also disputed former police chief Musa Hassan's claim that the motive no longer matters because the "main suspect has been acquitted".
"We question the motive of the murder because the one who had a relationship with Altantuya was Abdul Razak Baginda."What links did Sirul and Azilah have with her?" he asked at a press conference at the PAS headquarters.
Political analyst Abdul Razak was acquitted of abetment in Altantuya’s murder without his defence being called, while former police commandos Sirul Azhar and Azilah Hadri were found guilty and sentenced to death.
Sirul and Azilah were assigned as bodyguards to then Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who was a close friend of Razak Baginda.
Speaking to Malaysiakini yesterday, Musa, who was inspector-general of police during the murder investigation appeared to indicate that the two ex-policemen were acting under instructions.
"The main suspect (Razak Baginda) is the one who knows best what happened," Musa said.
Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar earlier said that police investigations had looked into the motive but this was not explored by the prosecution.
Meanwhile, Mahfuz said he would also seek a meeting with the Australian high commissioner to Malaysia to find out the status of Sirul who is now held in that country.
Australian law bars the government from deporting individuals facing the death penalty in their home countries.
"I will call the Australian High Commission to learn of Sirul's status next week because there are things I need explained," he said.
"I hope the government will let Sirul live. I believe he was only acting on orders. Let him live, either in Malaysia or overseas," he added.
Mahfuz earlier visited Sirul’s family in Ipoh, Perak.
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