Nur Jazlan disappointed with PM's reaction to Ismail

Malaysian anti-terror unit nabs Isis leader in Kuala Lumpur

 

A 45-year-old commandant of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis) was detained by the Malaysian Police Counter Terrorism unit in Kuala Lumpur on January 31.

Intelligence sources said the man from the Middle East who arrived here mid-January was detained at a four-star hotel near Bukit Bintang.

They said the arrest was a result of cooperation between Malaysian police and other foreign countries that have vouched to tackle the terror group from widening its influence abroad.

Police have yet to release more details of the operation, saying keeping the identity of the suspect anonymous is vital until the entire operation was completed.

They also seized a large amount of money from the suspect along with his fake passport.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar in a statement today confirmed the arrest, but did not link the terrorist to any group.

Aabout 59 Malaysians are officially known to have joined Isis.

More than 65 have been arrested by police either on their way to Syria and Iraq or on their way back since the start of last year. – February 7, 2015.
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Paedophiles will overrun Kelantan if hudud introduced, says G25

Paedophiles will overrun Kelantan if it implements hudud as the Islamic law is open to abuse and rejects using scientific evidence to prove crime, says a spokesperson for the group of eminent Malays, or G25.

Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin (pic) said since it would be difficult to prove crimes like adultery, rape of children and adults will abound.

"This is the nature of PAS's hudud," she said.

Farida said Kelantan's hudud rejected the use of scientific methods such as DNA testing and fingerprints, instead requiring the evidence of four witnesses of the alleged crime.

"They are using evidence used in the 12th century to prove adultery, pushing out scientific methods.

"They are asserting that is the only way to prove the crime of adultery, which does not make sense," she said, adding that PAS leaders travelled in cars and planes but did not want to accept scientific evidence.

She added that Prophet Muhammad had also told his people about the importance of acquiring knowledge.

"The Prophet said that we should go in search of knowledge even up to China.

"If hudud is implemented in Kelantan, paedophiles will abound in the state,” she said.

Farida added that the structure of society was not suitable for the implementation of hudud.

She said Islamic scholars were of the view that many conditions needed to be fulfilled before the Islamic law can be introduced.

"We need a just society, a smaller gap between the rich and the poor. But here, even among the Malays, there is a divide.

"The problem is that the ustaz in the villages are spreading the message that hudud is God's law which cannot be questioned," she said at a forum on economic freedom and globalisation today.

The forum was organised by think tank Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs.

PAS's plan to implement hudud in Kelantan has been strongly opposed by its Pakatan Rakyat coalition partner DAP.

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday urged PAS to table the proposed amendments to the Shariah Criminal Code Enactment 11 at the Pakatan presidential council meeting tomorrow before taking it to Parliament.

But Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob responded by saying that the Islamic enactment can only be tabled at the state assembly sitting or Parliament as it is under embargo.

"However, we have discussed at the technical committee state, which included legal experts, lecturers and NGOs including parties within Pakatan.

"So this Sunday, we cannot table the enactment, the next stop is Parliament," he said after the Friday sermon in Kota Baru. – February 7, 2015.


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Abim opposes Negri's 'divorce then convert' idea

 

Muslim NGO Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim) has opposed Negri Sembilan's plan to enforce a requirement for converts to Islam to first settle their divorce with the non-Muslim spouse.

"Abim oppose the said suggestion and instead repeat our stand that the syariah court should open its doors to non-Muslim couples to be heard and tried.

"The requirement for both parties to be Muslim (before going to shariah court) in the state enactment should be amended first," said Abim secretary general Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz in a statement today.

Citing the lengthy divorce process, he said the suggestion to make it mandatory for converts to first end their marriage with their non-Muslim spouse at the civil courts, would be an "obstacle to the individual to embrace Islam immediately".

Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Mohamad Hasan said this week the suggestion was made to put an end to post-conversion issues with the non-Muslim partner.

The Negeri Sembilan law is the first attempt to provide solutions for interfaith custody disputes which continue to be a problem in the country.

One example of a couple embroiled in such tussle is S Deepa and Izwan Abdullah (above), who were married according to Hindu rites in 2003.

Izwan embraced Islam‎ in 2011, then converted his two children, including the six-year-old, allegedly without Deepa’s knowledge.

Divorce can be a lengthy process

Muhammad Faisal pointed out that many lengthy divorce processes, apart from alimony and the custody of the children, had many "disputed" cases which can prolong for years.

"So, the would be convert will be 'forced' to disregard his plans for years just to settle the divorce case first."

He added that it will get complicated when the spouse who wish not to convert is against the divorce.

"We are worried that this will be taken into account by the civil court judge on the principle of the civil divorce, whereby a change in religion would not necessarily be grounds for divorce.

"If this happens, will the person who wish to embrace Islam be prevented to convert according to the state law, which, clearly goes against freedom of religion as enshrined in the federal constitution?" he asked.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Human Rights Society (Hakam) president Ambiga Sreenevasan said the Negri Sembilan ruling is a good beginning and praised the state ruler for agreeing to it.

"It is a fantastic first step and they (Negeri Sembilan) have shown leadership which the federal government should have done," she told journalists in Kuala Lumpur today.

However, Ambiga cautioned that the details of the new rules must be scrutinised first to ensure that it will work as intended.

Change the Constitution too, says Hindraf

Hindu rights movement calls on Malay rulers to follow Negeri example.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: The federal government should amend the Constitution to clear up an ambiguity about the meaning of the word parent, the Hindu-based movement Hindraf said today.

Hindraf chairman P. Waythamoorthy said the ambiguity in Article 12 and Article 121.1.A allowed any parent who converted to Islam to forcefully convert their children also without the consent of the other spouse.

Judges had not been willing to give a logical interpretation to the meaning of “parent”, he said.

Waythamoorthy applauded an initiative of Negeri Sembilan to require would-be Muslim converts to first obtain a divorce before conversion, and urged other Malay Rulers to follow the bold steps of fellow ruler in Negeri Sembilan “who acted in the interest of all his subjects”.

Hindraf Makkal Sakthi began more than 10 years ago as the Hindu Rights Action Force, a coalition of Hindu-based NGOs, to counter the demolition of Hindu temples and shrines across the country, and came to prominence in 2008 with a massive public protest on the streets of Kuala Lumpur. Its leaders were accused of terrorism and detained under the Internal Security Act.

Kula: Make NS conversion law for all states

Federal government challenged to follow up 'divorce first' initiative

FMT

GEORGE TOWN: The DAP wants the federal government to compel all states to emulate Negeri Sembilan by enacting its proposed “divorce first, convert later” law.

The federal Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 should be amended, to provide a final and long term solution on the issue of religious conversions within marriages, said DAP national vice-chairman M Kula Segaran.

He urged the federal government to introduce a Bill in parliament for the Federal Territories as well. (Islamic affairs are administered by state governments, and by the federal government in the Federal Territories.)

“The challenge is for other states to implement a law similar to the one proposed by Negeri Sembilan,” he said. He urged the prime minister, Najib Razak, to take the lead and advise the states to enact a similar law to bring certainty to the ongoing endless family fights in the courts on conversion issues,” said Kula.

The Negeri Sembilan government has announced plans to amend the state religious enactment to make it mandatory for any married person wanting to embrace Islam to first divorce his or her spouse if the latter remains a non-Muslim, and for the newly converted person to make a statutory declaration that he or she is now a Muslim.

Kula hailed it as a step in the right direction. He said the federal government had failed to put into effect a 2009 Cabinet decision to ban unilateral conversions of minors to Islam.

“Najib should now do what ought to have been done,” said Kula, also the Ipoh Barat MP, in a statement here today.

He said that although Section 51 of the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act allowed the non-converting spouse to file for divorce, this provision had been abused by the converting spouse by converting the children without the consent or knowledge of the other spouse.

Police protecting 04 Gang? Probe into ex-MP’s tweet

Gobalakrishnan to be called up about remark about Indian police in Penang.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: Former member of parliament N Gobalakrishnan is to face a police investigation after alleging that Indian members of the Penang police were protecting the 04 Gang in drug activities.

He made the remark over Twitter on Friday evening, Bernama reported.

The Inspector-General of Police, Khalid Abu Bakar, responded on Twitter today, saying the comment was a serious allegation against the force, and would be investigated.

Gobalakrishnan, former MP for Padang Serai, would be asked to assist in the investigation, he said.

The former MP confirmed that he had tweeted on the issue from his account @Ngobalakrishnan. He would not comment further.

The 04 Gang is said to be among 46 dangerous secret societies involved in drugs and armed robberies in Kedah, Penang, Johor and Kuala Lumpur. It also goes by the names Tiram Sasi in Johor, Sungai Way Sugu (KL), Green Line Samy and Prai Bala (Penang), Langkap Sasi (Perak), Selvam (Batu Gajah), Ragu (Ayer Tawar) and Sudha (Sitiawan).

In August 2013, a Nazi swastika, the numerals 04 and the letters RIP (“rest in peace”) were found spray painted on the walls of a police beat base and the district police headquarters in Banting, Selangor, two days after five people, said to be gang members, were shot dead by police in Penang.

Anwar: 60% win for Pakatan if they jail me

Ahead of crucial court verdict, opposition leader sounds a warning to Barisan Nasional

FMT

GEORGE TOWN: Just days before a crucial court verdict, Anwar Ibrahim fired a warning salvo today with a bold prediction that Pakatan Rakyat would score a 60% victory at the next general election if he was to be jailed by the Federal Court on Tuesday.

Speaking at a pasar malam rally in Sungai Dua here, part of his pre-verdict national road show, Anwar said he would not be cowed by threats of conviction and imprisonment neither would he be lured by money.

“Lawan tetap lawan,” he said. He would stay put without fear and would not flee the country.

“I won’t run away. I will stay and fight for Penangites, Malaysians and the country. No amount of money can buy me out. Don’t threaten me with jail and conviction. I will not compromise and never surrender,” he said.

“If I go to jail again, we win over 60% (votes),” Anwar predicted. (In 1998 he was sentenced to six years’ jail for alleged abuse of power. Two years later he was convicted and sentenced to jail for alleged sodomy with his driver, which was overturned on appeal in 2004.)

Pakatan secured nearly 52% or 5.489 million of the total popular vote, at the 2013 general election. However, the opposition coalition failed to secure a majority of seats in Parliament because of differences in seat distribution.

Barisan Nasional secured 133 of the 222 parliamentary seats, with only 48% of the popular vote or 5.220 million of the total votes cast; Pakatan and its allies clinched 89 seats.

On Tuesday, the Federal Court will deliver its verdict on Anwar’s final appeal to overturn a conviction for sodomy with a young male aide in 2008, for which he has been sentenced to five years’ jail.

Maintaining his innocence against the sodomy charge, Anwar said he should win his appeal and be a free man on Feb 10 if the Federal Court based its judgment on law, facts, truth and evidence. “But I will be found guilty if the law was not observed,” Anwar told the crowd.

He questioned Barisan Nasional whether sending him to jail would resolve issues such as corruption, cronyism, nepotism, poverty, depreciation of currency and an economic meltdown.

Malaysia’s flawed democracy

Syerleena Abdul Rashid - The Malaysian Insider

According to The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index, only 12.5% of the world’s population in under governments that practice “full democracy”. The EIU index further identifies that only 24 countries are “ull democracies” whereas 52 countries are regarded as “flawed democracies”. Malaysia, our great nation, is one of these countries.

Flawed democracies are defined as countries that even with the presence of free and fair elections,therein lay considerable drawbacks and limitations that magnifies the inadequacy of present political systems.

Although basic liberties or rights are recognized, they may sometimes only exist in theory and may not be practiced or applied.

A good example would be how Article 10 in our Federal Constitution guarantees freedom of speech, assembly and association: (a) every citizen has the right to freedom of speech and expression; (b) all citizens have the right to assemble peaceably and without arms; (c) all citizens have the right to form associations; but reality paints a grim picture of how such freedom have been greatly curtailed under the pretext to preserve peace and order.

The term democracy comprises of two Greek words, demos (people) and kratis (power), which simply denotes the idea of “people power” where citizens are given the authority to create governments, laws and regulations.

Additionally, the very same citizens have the power to see certain governments come to an end.

An ideal and true democratic government provides its people with excellent education, good healthcare, affordable housing and present equal opportunities to all. Under this concept, democracy simply recognises that all women and men are created equal and should live in safe environments – away from conflict, devastation and disorder.

Unfortunately for Malaysians, there are those within the ruling regime and several elected leaders who do not believe in that understanding of democracy.

Who can forget Minister of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan’s suggestion that our country is at “greater risk of greater polarisation of race should local government election is mandated,” or PAS president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang, who warned Malaysians that if such elections were to be held, our country could see another May 13.

Most recently, Nik Abduh Nik Aziz shared his skewed view on democracy by affirming that “elections were neither the only way to obtain justice nor guaranteed to eliminate inequality”. He added that Islamic democracy was far superior to modern democracy – the one subscribed and sanctioned by modern society, but fell short in delivering full details on what defines or constitutes as Islamic democracy.

They believe that their brand of democracy works best in our society. The type that limits civil liberties, freedom of expression and speech, restricts social mobility and consents to institutionalised racism or in this case, reinforces Malay supremacy.

They simply fortify conservative philosophies camouflaged as modern democratic practices that are in line with docile Malaysian society, which is already by itself, highly contradicting and confusing to the well-learned Malaysian.

The ruling elite flaunts this brand of democracy which they claim offers protection to all. However, the average Malaysian realises that there is a certain fallacy to such claims.

The gap that exists between theory and practice has produced a divided social structure that favours one ethnicity more than the other(s) – where although all Malaysians are created equal, some are more equal than others.

Our government asserts the supremacy of one religious denomination, while disregarding what is enshrined in our Federal Constitution. This simply, does not provide the best basis for democracy to prosper neither does this encourage the development of public spirit nor does it support the nurturing of a more mature political culture – one that instills a strong sense of responsibility and social empowerment.

For most Malaysians, realising the limitations we, as a society, are made to endure under the guise of democracy is never an easy thing to digest. The average citizen understands democracy as an ideology where people get to vote for who they want or who they feel can best serve them and their community.

In another sense, democracy also stresses on personal freedom, liberty and choice.

It is based on the concept of majority rules; however, that isn’t the case for Malaysia. The result of GE13 was a huge wake up call for the nation which left many of us wondering “Is our country truly democratic at all?”

We know that the ruling regime failed to garner the popular vote and are nothing more than a minority government that simply cannot represent how a majority of Malaysians feel or think; thanks to gerrymandering and our flawed electoral system, the present administrators are not fitted with knowledge, compassion or insight needed to helm a nation and steer it into much needed social progress and economic prosperity.

Life in a democracy simply guarantees the unfettered development of the spirit and the unhampered expression of the mind. It does not thrive on the suppression of wisdom nor thought but encourages free thinking and discussions.

There must not be any Gestapo like rule – no ISA, no Sedition Act, no sudden disappearances in the dead of night, no death in custody and by all means, Malaysians must never be threatened for expressing our opinions on matters that we feel strongly about, such as questioning the competency of present leaders and half-baked policies that only may only be advantageous to our country’s elite.

Given the flawed democracy our country now complies too, as Malaysians, we need to understand and scrutinise these flaws in order to rectify the system, in hopes that, one day, our country too, can join the ranks of nations that profess and practice full democracy.

Whatever, or however, we choose to define democracy, there is without a doubt, that the democratic system simply promotes egalitarianism, social equality and opportunities that do not repress or suppress its citizens.

Democracy, even with all its defects and flaws as observed by local critics, still guarantees a better allocation of opportunities to the common woman and man. – February 6, 2015.

EPF Declares 6.75 Percent Dividend For 2014

Tan Sri Samsudin OsmanKUALA LUMPUR, Feb 7 (Bernama) -- The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) with the approval of the Minister of Finance, Saturday announced a dividend rate of 6.75 per cent for the year ended Dec 31, 2014.

The 6.75 per cent dividend amounted to a total payout of RM36.66 billion where RM5.41 billion was required to pay every one per cent of dividend rate for 2014.

This was 10.53 per cent higher compared with RM4.91 billion paid for every one per cent dividend rate for 2013, in tandem with the rise in contributors' savings said EPF Chairman Tan Sri Samsudin Osman in a statement.

"Despite uncertainties in both the domestic and global markets, our result in 2014 out performed what we had achieved in 2013. It is worth mentioning that our global investments had contributed 33 per cent towards our total income for 2014 despite being only 23 per cent of our total assets.

"No doubt the end of 2014 had been challenging for the EPF due to the slump in the global oil prices.

"The weakening of the Ringgit in the fourth quarter added further uncertainty. However, our prudent diversification approach had given us the edge and resilience to weather the economic conditions, particularly in the global markets," he said.

Samsudin said in order to correspond with the Fund's objectives to preserve and add value to members' savings, the EPF aims to provide at least a return of two (2) per cent above inflation over a three-year rolling period.

The RM39.08 billion gross investment income for financial year ended Dec 31, 2014 was an increase of 11.66 per cent compared with RM35 billion in 2013.

The 2014 gross investment income was mainly driven by Equities in domestic and global markets covering both emerging and developed countries.

The asset class recorded an investment income of RM22.91 billion in 2014, up 17.37 per cent compared with RM19.52 billion in 2013, and contributed 58.63 per cent to the total gross investment income in 2014.

Almost half of the income of the equity investment is derived from EPF's global portfolios.

The majority of the EPF's investment assets were placed in low risk fixed income instruments as this asset class provided a stable stream of income in the long run.

Samsudin said members can view the 2014 dividend announcement via EPF's Facebook page at "Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja", Twitter at KWSPBuzz and on YouTube at KWSP Malaysia.

The EPF account statement for the crediting of the 2014 dividend is available online via i-Akaun at myEPF website (www.kwsp.gov.my). Alternatively, members can obtain their statement via EPF Kiosks or visit any EPF branches starting Sunday(Feb 8).

--BERNAMA

For rakyat’s sake, Ambiga pleads for truce

 

For the sake of the people, NegaraKu patron Ambiga Sreenavasan has made a plea for a ceasefire, calling on all stakeholders to rise above politics.

She said leaders from the government, opposition and civil society should set aside their differences and come together to immediately deal with four urgent issues confronting the country.

They are:

• The devastation floods, indiscriminate deforestation and the reconstruction efforts.
   
• Weakening economy and the search for realistic solutions.
   
• Racial and religious tensions.
   
• The unprecedented dengue menace.

“I will call these our ‘immediate concerns’. There are more but we should start with these,” she said in a speech at a function to honour Tunku Abdul Rahman and national laureate A Samad Said in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.

Moratorium on Sedition Act

The former Bar Council president also proposed that several compromises be undertaken by the government as an act of good faith, which included a moratorium on strengthening the Sedition Act.

She said the moratorium should also include all charges brought and pending under the same legislation.

Ambiga also suggested that a moratorium be imposed on the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which is to take effect on April 1.

The other compromises put forth are to ensure freedom of the press, a moratorium on logging and deforestation, independent inquiry panels be established in one form or the other to determine how the environmental crises have arisen.

“These compromises will immediately inspire the confidence of the rakyat in the proposed solution and will enable parties to work more effectively with each other.

“It will remove the atmosphere of doom and gloom that prevails because people are afraid to speak their mind. We cannot make the people live under this fear anymore. They have enough on their plate as it is. They have a right to live with peace of mind,” Ambiga said.

Stressing that it is a “plea” and not a “demand”, she implored all who are in a position to do so, to consider this suggestion and to implement the proposal by agreement.

“This means setting up four joint task forces to address each of the immediate concerns. I will call this Projek Rakyat,” she added.

Give people hope

Ambiga said if those in the government, opposition and NGOs open their minds to this, they would be demonstrating not leadership, but statesmanship.

“You will be giving people hope. You will lift people out of the melancholy that pervades all conversations about our future.

“This is the moment to act. Let this moment turn into a momentum to rebuild and recapture the soul of this nation. The government cannot be expected to do this alone.

“Let the rakyat help. Let them be empowered by allowing them to participate. Let us work together.  For now, let us give our political differences a rest until the elections. Let us be happy and let our future be secure,” she added.

Ambiga said the country is now facing many challenges, which are a direct result of allowing financial success to override everything else of real value, including basic constitutional rights and the nation’s institutions.

“Once these became vulnerable, whether to abuse of power or corruption, the destructive path was set.

“The economy is cause for concern. Our ringgit continues to slide, oil prices are falling, 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) is looking fragile, GST is coming, household debt is rising and people are really worried.

“We additionally have the problem of the fabric of society being ripped apart by the few who seek to divide us.

“The recent floods were the latest in a line of disasters. Look at Cameron Highlands as well.  All this has been caused by the disrespect we have shown to our environment and by uncontrolled corruption,” she added.

Unity forged in calamity

However, Ambiga pointed out that the calamity in the east coast saw Malaysians of all walks of life rushing to help the victims.

She said the race or religion of the victims and volunteers alike did not matter one bit.

“We had transcended all our differences in a humanitarian crisis. I am reminded of a saying ‘It is the hour of trial that makes men great, not the hour of triumph’.

“This was an hour of trial and it brought out the best in Malaysians. We saw the same goodness come forth with the crisis of MH370, and MH17,” she added.

Ambiga also recalled photographs during the recent floods which showed a minister carrying an old lady who was a flood victim, army, police, volunteers and NGOs helping with packing, washing and cleaning, a Sikh squad who dropped supplies in remote areas, especially for the Orang Asli who were neglected and a menteri besar helping to clean the streets.

“These pictures tell us something. They tell us that in a crisis we can rise to the occasion,” she said.

“That we can put aside our differences for the greater good. That in our hour of trial, we can be great.”