'Hidup Mahathir' hampir cetuskan pergaduhan

650 Germans have joined Isis jihad: minister

DPA/The Local

So far about 650 people have travelled from Germany to the war zones in Iraq and Syria to fight for Isis, Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière said on Thursday evening.

Speaking on the Maybrit Illner TV talk show, de Maizière said that the trend in Germany – of ever more people travelling to the Levant to fight for the radical Islamist fighters there - was similar to those in France and Belgium.

Only in Britain has the number fallen back, he said.

The security services know “a great deal about” the Islamist scene in Germany and the 650 Isis recruits have been “very clearly identified,” said the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) politician.

There are also more than 1,000 high risk individuals who “we know pretty exactly”, he said.

The number of people travelling to the Middle Eastern war zones has been rising for several months.

In mid-January, de Maizière told the Bundestag (German parliament) that 600 people had travelled to the region to join Isis.

The Interior Minister was responding to comments made on Thursday George Hans Maaßen, the head of Germany's internal security service, the Bundesamt für Verfassungsschut.

Maaßen said he wished he knew more about the Islamist scene in Germany, complaining of his dependence on other countries' intelligence services - including Britain's GCHQ - and the internet.

“It is amazing how much some people give away about themselves on the internet – as much as pictures of kidnappings in Syria that they participated in as witnesses,” Maaßen told the Südwestpresse on Wednesday.

“The number of of people travelling out there has gone up, and likewise the number of those coming back has,” he said.

“And with that the number of people who have battle experience and know how to handle weapons has also risen.”

Saudi Court Sentences Gang Rape Victim to 200 Lashes And Custodial Sentence

By A.B. Sanderson

The victim of a violent gang rape has been sentenced by a Saudi Arabian court to 200 lashes and six months in jail for the crimes of speaking to the press and indecency.

According to Sharia Law, a Saudi Arabian woman must be accompanied by a male guardian at all times in public, something the 19 year old victim did not obey when she went to meet a friend, according to website Live Buddhism.

While in a car with a student friend, retrieving a picture, two men got into the vehicle and drove them to a secluded area. She said she was raped there by seven men, three of whom also attacked her friend.

The Shi’ite Muslim woman had initially been sentenced to 90 lashes after being convicted of violating the Kingdom’s religious diktats on segregation of the sexes, where woman are treated as second class citizens.

After the sentences were handed down following the rape in 2006, which included lenient custodial sentences for the men guilty of the violent crime, the woman’s lawyer appealed to the Saudi General Court. But instead of choosing to overturn the punishments for being the victim of a crime, the court more than doubled her sentence. At the same time, they also roughly doubled the prison sentences for the seven men convicted of raping her, according to Saudi news outlets.

Abdul Rahman al-Lahem, who defended the woman, reached out to the media after the sentences were handed down. The court has since banned him from further defending the woman, confiscating his license and summoning him to a disciplinary hearing later this month.

Saudi Arabia defended the controversial decision to punish the victim, saying that she was at fault for being out without a male friend, something which was met with international outcry.

“The Ministry of Justice welcomes constructive criticism, away from emotions,” it said in a statement.

The statement also said that the “charges were proven” against the woman for having been in a car with a strange male, and repeated criticism of her lawyer for talking “defiantly” about the judicial system, saying “it has shown ignorance.” They also added that the sentence was increased because the victim had spoken to the media. “For whoever has an objection on verdicts issued, the system allows to appeal without resorting to the media,” a statement on the official Saudi Press Agency said.

Politicians from the West reacted angrily to the news, with Jose Verger, the Canadian minister responsible for women, calling it “barbaric” and saying the country would complain to Saudi authorities.

U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said, “I think when you look at the crime and the fact that now the victim is punished, I think that causes a fair degree of surprise and astonishment. It is within the power of the Saudi government to take a look at the verdict and change it.”

UK political activist Angharad Yeo, who is half Saudi and has campaigned against violation of women’s rights at home and abroad. said it “sends a clear message that women are not valued and only seen as a possession.”

The UKIP member described the ruling as “disgusting”, adding that a woman was being punished “because men in Islam are weak and pathetic and hide behind Islam. What message does that send to young women?” she asked.

“You can’t ever protect yourself and your well being is a lottery. Should you be unfortunate enough to be assaulted, expect for it to be your own fault.”

The New York based Human Rights Watch said the verdict “not only sends victims of sexual violence the message that they should not press charges, but in effect offers protection and impunity to the perpetrators.”

Police to record Nurul Izzah’s statement on rally

Nurul Izzah Anwar, daughter of jailed opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, said today that police are expected to record her statement on March 16, under the Public Assembly Act 2012.

Confirming that she had received the "love letter" from the police, Nurul Izzah said she will continue pressing ahead in her cause to free her father and fight for justice for everyone.

"I received a love letter... Checks showed that I am being investigated under the Public Assembly Act, the same Act that (PKR Youth head) Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad had challenged and won. My appointment is on March 16," she said.

Nurul Izzah said today's #KitaLawan rally was important because it symbolizes Malaysians coming together and that we have a vibrant democracy.

"I think it is a very important symbolism, the site that we are standing (in KLCC), shows that Malaysians are more than just about materialistic wealth. We want to show that we have a vibrant democracy," she said.

Police had earlier warned the public not to join today's street protest, which began from 3pm from three points in the city – Central Market, Masjid Jamek and the PAS headquarters on Jalan Raja Laut – before marching to congregate outside the Sogo shopping centre on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

Continuing the march to KLCC, the rally today ended at 6.12pm under the supervision of lawyers and the authorities. PKR claimed to have gathered a crowd of 10,000 in support of Anwar and to call for the resignation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. – March 7, 2015.

MH370 next of kin recall their disbelief at news of missing plane

United in sorrow, the next of kin of crew members on board Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 gathered tonight for strength and solidarity as they recounted the disbelief and terror they felt one year ago upon hearing that the plane carrying their loved ones had vanished.

"Oh My God, oh my God, oh my God, what's going on, what's going on," was the first thing Melanie Antonio said when she first heard the news of the Beijing-bound jetliner's disappearance on March 8, 2014.

Antonio, the wife of chief steward Andrew Nari recalled the shock and the speechlessness she felt that morning.

"They said the flight had lost contact and I said, oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, what's going on, what's going on... seriously that's what I said because I was shocked," she told The Malaysian Insider tonight at the One Year Remembrance of MH370 Cabin Crew Families event in Petaling Jaya.

There were 12 crew members, including the pilot and co-pilot, on board the plane that lost contact with civilian radar over the waters off Vietnam as it headed towards Beijing from Kuala Lumpur. The plane then did an air turn back before flying southwards to the Indian Ocean, where it is believed to have ended, and where a massive undersea search is ongoing.

Kelvin Shim, whose wife Christine Tan was the lead stewardess, said he told himself that what he was experiencing could not be true.

"My first reaction was to feel very scared, and I called my mum. I was telling myself, it could't be me.

He said he was first informed by WhatsApp about a missing plane at around 8.30am on March 8.

"First, I received the information on WhatsApp about an aircraft missing, then later, it was a Malaysia Airlines plane that had gone missing. I knew it was a Beijing-bound flight, but I didn't know how many flights go to Beijing in one day."

"After I saw the WhatsApp, I quickly checked whether the flight number was the same with the flight that she boarded," he said.

With the current search in the southern Indian Ocean expected to end in May, Shim said he hoped the government would continue trying to find the plane.

"If nothing is found, I hope the government would sit down again, analyze all the information, data and continue to search."

"I'm not sure whether they should search other areas. The world is so big, I can understand that you can't simply search everywhere, the search is expensive. You have to depend on correct data, then only you search," he said.

Another spouse of a crew member, Choi Loong Chow, said he last spoke with his wife Goh Sock Lay, at 9.24pm on March 7, before she boarded the plane.

She reminded him to apply for leave from work in April to observe the Qing Ming festival, a time when Chinese clear the graves of their ancestors and pay respect to them.

"That day on March 7, around 9.24pm, she first called me when I had my shower, but I didn't pick up, so she called me a second time at my other phone. She talked in a very rushed manner, saying, Daddy, daddy…I remind you, we need to go back to Malacca for Qing Ming," Choi said.

Jacquita Gonzales, the wife of steward Patrick Gomes said the first thing she did after hearing of the plane's loss of contact was to send him a message.

"That was my first message, Where are you."

"Right now at this time last year, our spouses were preparing to go on the flight, we were having dinner, right now, almost a year ago. My husband was playing with his grandson on the iPad," Gonzales said, adding that the memory was still fresh in her mind.

"[If only we could] just press the rewind button," she said.

The gathering tonight observed a minute of silence.

Gonzales, speaking on behalf of the next of kin of the crew members, then gave a speech thanking several parties, including the Malaysian government, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, then acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor, and Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin, who had headed a committee for the next of kin.

"Thank you to Malaysia and to every other country that has sent us prayers and wishes, to tell us to be strong, and keep the faith," she said, adding that they also thanked the search team of MH370.

Hamzah, who attended the gathering tonight, said he decided to be with the next of kin even though he was supposed to be at an Umno meeting in Perak.

"I realise the importance of someone from the government to assure them that the government will always be with them," he said, adding that he would follow through with the issues raised in the interim investigation report on the plane that is expected to be released on Sunday. As required by international aviation convention, an interim report on any air disaster must be released a year from the incident. – March 7, 2015.

Najib's lawsuit won't silence me on 1MDB

MP SPEAKS I will not be shackled by the defamation suit brought by Prime Minister Najib Razak because I am supported by millions of Malaysians out there who demand good governance, transparency and accountability from the Prime Minister and his Government

My lawyer, Gobind Singh who is also the MP for Puchong, has received the writ served by Dato’ Seri Najib Razak’s lawyers at 4.30pm yesterday evening.

The suit by the prime minister accused me of having defamed him in my speech at a DAP Petaling Jaya Fund-Raising Dinner on November 3, 2014 where I spoke extensively on the “mother of the mother of the mother of all scandals”, 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

This suit is the first defamation suit ever brought by a prime minister against a member of parliament in Malaysia.

It appears that the timing of the suit is coming at a time when 1MDB is facing a massive crisis on all fronts - the inability to service its massive RM42 billion debt, and mounting exposés on fraudulent transactions and even possibly embezzlement billions of ringgit of 1MDB funds.

Hence the suit could have been filed as a strategy to silence me and other government’s critics.

However, I would like to inform the prime minister that if that was the plan, he has failed miserably.

Resolve strengthened

Instead, the suit only strengthened my motivation to pursue, investigate and expose more corruption, abuse of power and incompetence in 1MDB as well as other government activities, knowing that I am on the right track.

I will certainly not be shackled by the suit because I know I am supported by millions of Malaysians who are equally astounded by the sheer audacity of the 1MDB scam.

Like me, they demand good governance, transparency and accountability from the prime minister and his government.

I would like to declare here that I will contest the suit by the prime minister. At the same time, I would like to express my gratitude to the many lawyers who have contacted me to offer their services pro bono.

---

TONY PUA is Petaling Jaya Utara MP.

10,000 throng KLCC to call for Anwar's release

 

Malaysiakini brings you the live reports and up-to-the-minute updates of the Kita Lawan rally in Kuala Lumpur in support of jailed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

LIVE REPORT

[VIDEO] [PHOTOS]

10.54pm: PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil said that Kelana Jaya PKR Youth chief Saifullah Zulkifli, who was arrested earlier, will be sent to the Dang Wangi police station.

Meanwhile, Selangor exco Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad has been asked to go to the Dang Wangi police station at 10am, perhaps for his statement to be taken in connection to today's rally. Nik Nazmi said he will be going there with a lawyer.

8.46pm: Almost all of the rally participants have dispersed and the scene at the venue has returned to normal.

The police, despite declaring the rally illegal earlier this week, took a hands-off approach. The few police officers seen on the streets were helping to smoothen traffic flow.

However, PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil told Malaysiakini that a party leader was arrested near Masjid Jamek at 7.45pm.

Kelana Jaya PKR Youth chief Saifullah Zulkifli was detained by the police in connection to the rally and he was sent to the Jinjang police station.

7.07pm: PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli on Twitter thanks those involved and quips that the authorities will underplay the turnout today.

"If Umno counts (the turnout), a few zeros will disappear. That's why the 10,000 will become 100," he tweeted.

"If 1MDB takes RM42 billion, they think its RM42 million," he said on his Twitter.

6.55pm: About 500 protestors are still at KLCC. A driver in a Nissan car passing by tries to provoke the crowd by waving a baseball bat from the car.

The resting crowd gets agitated and starts chasing the car but is stopped by activist Adam Adli and a few friends.

He holds back one angry protester who is seen chasing the car. After the incident, the situation calms down again.

6.40pm: One of the Kita Lawan secretariat members Mandeep Singh tells Malaysiakini that they have no plans to stay overnight at KLCC.

“Initially, we did not plan to stay overnight here.

“But it’s up to the protesters, if they want to, they can spend the night here,” he says

Semambu assemblyperson Lee Chean Chung concurs that the secretariat did not have such plans.

“Maybe we will do so in other rallies,” says Lee.

6.30pm: Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) executive director Eric Paulsen is in favour of the one-night camp-over at KLCC as suggested by DAP's Hew Kuan Yew.

"As long as rally goers do not damage public property, I think it's fine," he says.

Paulsen, who was among the crowd who marched from Central Market to KLCC, praised Kita Lawan organisers for their efforts in organising the rally.

"Despite misrepresentation of the rally by the police force, I think the people have shown their support by demonstrating peacefully," he told Malaysiakini.

6.07pm: NGO Jingga 13 chief Fariz Musa announces the Kita Lawan rally is officially concluded and that whoever wants to stay on should get candles for a candlelight vigil at KLCC.

The NGO's members stay on to entertain the protestors who are still there while others disperse.

Thus far, no untoward incidents have been observed by Malaysiakini.

6.10pm: PKR Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin gives the last speech and organisers call it a successful day.

Huge crowds are still lingering around, but some have begun to disperse.

There is a mixed reaction to the proposal that the protestors continue to stay overnight at KLCC.

Some tell Malaysiakini that they would not stay as they have other matters to attend to.

Others are more positive, saying they will stay for as long as they have the energy to do so.

PKR Youth communications director Johan Ariff says all will depend on the momentum of the rally.

"If the momentum is good like right now, then maybe we will do this overnight, but where I don't know yet," he tells Malaysiakini.

6.15pm: After his speech, PKR's Subang MP R Sivarasa says there is no problem for the people to stay overnight at KLCC as they are battling oppressive laws.

"The people here are willing to take to the streets to end these oppressive laws that govern us.

"Some don't even mind being arrested, as long as they have made their stand and hopefully (called for) a change for their children and grandchildren," he tells Malaysiakini.

Legally, the lawyer adds, there shouldn't be a problem with the protesters staying overnight as long as they cause no provocation or destroy any public property.

6pm: Activist Adam Adli Abdul Halim reads the 'Sumpah Pemuda' oath (Youth Pledge).

Before that he states: “If Malaysians are not firm, we will be bullied by the government.

“There is only one word when we get oppressed and caught by the authorities, and that is ‘lawan’ (fight back).

“Do we want to retreat? Fellow police officers, you can go home, we know how to take care of ourselves. Go and rest all you want, we will come back here,” he says.

He then reads the oath, saying that they are not doing it for Anwar, but for the oppressed.

“We swear we will continue fighting this corrupt regime.

“We swear that we will continue to move the rakyat forward to continue fighting, in the name of courage, brotherhood, justice."

"Today we 10,000 have come, next week, 100,000 will come," he continues and chants, "Long live the rakyat" and "Reformasi".

5:57pm: Subang MP R Sivarasa addresses the crowd and says the rally today is meant to show the government that people are not satisfied with the judicial system in the country allegedly manipulated by the ruling government.

"Will we stop the struggle of the people and the youth?" he asks the crowd who replied with a rousing response of: "No!"

"This rally is sending a clear message to the judges who have sent Anwar to jail.

"We want to remind the judiciary, we want freedom, we don't want a judicial system that is being controlled (by politicians).

"We will struggle until Malaysia is free and independent," he says, followed with chants of "Free Anwar."

5.50pm: PAS leader Hatta Ramli says the protest has succeeded in being a peaceful one.

"Not one stone has been thrown," he says.

He urges the youth to channel their anger with Prime Minister Najib Razak and the imprisonment of Anwar into votes to be cast at the ballot box.

"We have a future, and I'm sure we have a dream for a better future," he adds.

5.50pm: KLCC - DAP's 'superman' Hew Kuan Yew addressing the crowd urges the ralliers to camp at KLCC for a day.

"Can we?" he asks the crowd, to the response, "Can!"

"But it's up to you all," he adds. Hew has often advocated for rallies to end in camp-ins to send a stronger message.

PAS leader Hatta Ramli then jokes he understands Prime Minister Najib Razak will be sending mattresses to KLCC for them.

"Who wants to stay, please do. I will hold a feast at the end of the month," he quips to laughter from the crowd.

5.35pm: KLCC - The rally has congregated around KLCC. At the main entrance, D'BangsART entertains the crowd with political songs in the face of the rain.

Some in the crowd wave their hands in the air to music and the sound of drums.

One song calls on Najib to step down, and is sung to the tune of Johor's football team 'Luaskan Kuasamu' (Expand your power).

"Oh Najib, oh cheater, we want you to step down. We come, we fight, along with the citizens of Malaysia.

"Fight, fight, we fight until we win. We fight along with the citizens of Malaysia," they sing, as the crowd sings along.

PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad meanwhile says Malaysiakini's estimate of 10,000 ralliers is lower than what he observes.

"To me the figure is conservative. There are many more who have shown up," he says.

He says the rally is a success and hopes the photographs will be widely circulated.

"This struggle is not easy, we have to always try harder and we will not be defeated," he says.

He also thanks the police for their cooperation.

5.30pm: KLCC - More explosions are heard, but so far the crowd has remained calm.

One of the marchers Nicholas Law, 27, tells Malaysiakini that he believes it might be an attempt to intimidate the crowd.

"They might be trying to intimidate us, but so far no one is panicking," he says.

He also brushes off alleged attempts to pit Pakatan partners against one another in the lead up to the rally.

"Everyone is here, so it's not an issue," he says.

DAP's special task unit has been helping to facilitate the crowd's movement in the rear guard, protecting them from crossing into traffic and from blocking roads unnecessarily.

PAS's Unit Amal meanwhile is tasked with ensuring the entire rally's security.

5.10pm: PKR vice president and Anwar Ibrahim's eldest daughter Nurul Izzah says she is "speechless and taken aback" with support  from the people who have turned up today.

"I'm so proud to be a Malaysian and to see so many people turn up for this rally.

"This rally is not just about Anwar, but the people's unhappiness with the Najib regime and how it has affected them.

"Many issues like the impending Goods and Services Tax (GST) and 1MDB have driven the people to the streets," she tells Malaysiakini.

5pm: Jalan Ampang - A steady stream of motorists have queued up behind the marchers.

Traffic however resumes smoothly when the crowd turns into Jalan Ampang, the entrance to which police have barricaded for vehicles.

Along the way, a loud bang is heard about 50 metres to the left of the rear guard.

Momentarily startled by the thundering crack, the crowds quickly realise it's a firecracker and shrug it off and move on.

Some policemen are seen directing the traffic to assist the rally.

5pm:  The crowd of several thousands brave the rain, singing songs and beating drums while marching towards KLCC.

Chants of "Reformasi" and "Undur Najib" fill the air.

One protester is seen carrying an effigy resembling Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak. The crowd is led by groups holding a poster that stretches as wide as two lanes of the road.

4.30pm: As the crowds march towards KLCC,  about 50 supporters are staying back at Sogo because of the rain.

One supporter who did not wish to be named tells Malaysiakini that he will join them once the drizzling has stopped.

"I'm waiting for the rain to stop," he says.

4.30pm Sogo - A group of protesters calling themselves the 'PKR grassroots members club' arrives at Sogo with a banner bearing the face of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The group shouts, “Hidup Mahathir, hidup Anwar” (long live Mahathir and Anwar).

When asked, one of them named Jaz says they want PKR to collaborate with Mahathir as only the former premier can free Anwar.

“Do you think Mahathir is a child? He is capable of doing great things.

“PKR no longer have brave souls after Anwar was incarcerated. Even Azmin has kept quiet.

“As such, only Mahathir is our hope!” Jaz says.

Meanwhile, several PKR members seem uneasy with this group, and yells, “Undur Mahathir” (down with Mahathir).

They ask the group to prove their PKR memberships by showing their PKR membership cards.

Jaz then shows his card and the two groups argue further.

The 'Mahathir supporters' finally leave the area after 30 minutes.

4.20pm: Thunder roars as Kita Lawan and Pakatan leaders address the crowd.

They are speaking at two different spots at Sogo, one on  the mall's sidewalk, and another in the middle of Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

They have begun marching to KLCC.

4.15pm: PKR president Dr Wan Azizah tells the crowd she will convey the message to Anwar Ibrahim that the people have not forgotten him.

"The crowd present here shows how many people care about him. We will never surrender!," she calls out to the crowd of over 10,000, while wearing a poncho to brave the rain.

Alongside her is PAS central comittee member Khalid Samad and her younger daughter, Nurul Nuha Anwar who heads the March 2 Freedom campaign.

4pm: Sogo - Former Bar Council president and Bersih leader S Ambiga addresses the crowd, urging them to fight for Anwar's freedom.

"I am here today to demand the freedom of Anwar. We must fight for his release. We will never surrender!" she shouts.

PAS Youth chief Suhaizan Kaiat then takes the loudspeaker. He says PM Najib Razak will soon step down.

"Najib has too many problems. GST, Altantuya and 1MDB. Najib won't last for long, and soon we will be rid of Rosmah too," he tells the cheering crowd.

3.55pm: Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman - The marching crowd at Masjid Jamek occupy half the road, and traffic moves slowly past while the crowd's chants echo around.

Hatta Ramli and PAS leaders from the HQ arrive at the Sogo junction as chants of "Down with Rosmah" reverberate outside the popular shopping centre.

The roads around Sogo are packed with people as the streams from the other meeting points converge at the final destination.

Dang Wangi police chief Zainol Samah is observing developments from across the street.

3.50pm: Sogo - Among the Pakatan leaders who arrive earlier at Masjid Jamek are DAP Rasah MP Anthony Loke, Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong, DAP Youth chief Teoh Kok Seong and others.

Hulu Kelang PAS assemblyperson Saari Sungib is also present.

Loke says Pakatan will ensure Anwar remains the parliamentary opposition leader.

"Anwar's soul and spirit can never be imprisoned.

"We will send Anwar's voice to Parliament. We will ensure he continues to lead Pakatan to bring BN down," says Loke.

Saari meanwhile says this rally is not a gathering for Pakatan but for the people of Malaysia.

"Keep the fight, we will continue to struggle and reach Putrajaya," he declares.

3.50pm: Bar Council observer N Yohendra says he is pleased with how the rally is proceedings so far.

"So far it has been a peaceful rally. The police have also given the protesters space to speak and walk," he tells Malaysiakini.

Yohendra adds the Bar Council has two teams assigned to watch over the rally and another to handle arrests if there are any.

"We are here to observe and make sure there is no human rights violation," the lawyer adds.

Meanwhile Klang MP Charles Santiago in a statement this afternoon mulls if agent provocatuers have been planted in the rally.

"Deputy inspector-general of police Noor Rashid Ibrahim has warned rally goers of tough action, claiming the gathering is "sedition-laced" and 'unlawful'.

 

"For any assembly to be ‘unlawful’, people have to use ‘criminal force’, as provided for in the Penal Code.

 

"Why is the deputy police chief preempting the use of criminal force by members of the public?

 

"Or could this signal a covert plan or a hidden agenda, with the police being aware of agent provocateurs put in place to instigate rally-goers?

 

"Time and again, there have been speculations that when previous rallies got messy, it was the presence of some initiators who played a big hand in disrupting peaceful gatherings," says Santiago.

3.50pm: Masjid Jamek - A crowd of over 1,500 including those from Central Market are heading towards Sogo.

Many are seen carrying placards and some even wearing red headbands with the words 'Kita Lawan' on them

PKR vice president Nurul Izzah Anwar and PKR's Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad are seen leading the rally despite the increasing rain.

3.40pm: PAS HQ - About 300 led by Hatta Ramli begin moving towards Sogo. They shout, "Free Anwar" and "Step down, Najib".

Some bear "kita lawan" banners and shout "Reformasi" and "Takbir".

PAS' Unit Amal control the traffic that is moving through Jalan Raja Laut.

3.35pm: Sogo -  It has started to drizzle, and many are now seeking shelter underneath the mall's awning. The crowd is now 500 strong.

Two policemen are walking among them, taking notes and photos.

3.30pm: Masjid Jamek - The crowd here has grown to roughly 1,000 although organisers put it at 3,000.

3.20pm: Central Market - The crowd here beings to march towards Masjid Jamek as a drizzle begins to sound of thunder.

3.20pm. PAS HQ - PAS Youth elections director Mohd Sany Hamzan says today is the climax to the call for Anwar's release from prison.

"If we look at the allegations against Anwar, even if you ask a kindergarten kid, he will say it is slander manufactured by Umno-BN," he says.

"Why? Because he has exposed the extent of the corruption in Umno-BN's leadership," he says, adding today the people are responding to the ruling party.

"Step down, Najib. Free Anwar," he says.

PAS central committee member Khalid Samad takes his turn and says this is a peaceful rally to show support for Anwar, the political prisoner.

"What has been done to him is slander to break up and weaken Pakatan.

"We do not accept this, we have to oppose the oppression of the rulers. Malaysians are a sovereign people, we do not support (the government's) cruelty.

"We are here to show our opposition to what Umno-BN is doing.

"We must have courage. What we are doing is to make our country fair and prosperous," says the Shah Alam MP to shouts of "Takbir!"

3.20pm: Sogo - The crowds continue to swell, getting more upbeat with the chanting.

Meanwhile five police officers are spotted across the street from the mall, talking on their radios.

DAP Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng is also here, and assures Malaysiakini that the DAP crowd will be coming from Masjid Jamek.

3.15pm: PAS HQ - Batu MP Tian Chua tells the 100-odd crowd there this is a "historic" days as March 8 was the day Pakatan denied BN its two-thirds parliamentary majority in 2008.

He says today's rally also serves to stir up the spirit of the people shown that landmark year.

"The people have begun to gain awareness of the right to peaceful assembly.

"We are also proud to hold the record of (our rallies) causing no damage to public property, not having ever caused unrest and we have gathered with noble intentions, and shown courage to resist continued oppression," he says.

"We don't want to saddle our grandchildren with a political system that is corrupt. And we have no other way but to work hard to bring BN down."

He reminds the crowd to follow the instructions of PAS' Unit Amal and avoid falling prey to provocation.

He adds Human Rights Commission Suhakam and the Bar Council are observing the rally.

PKR information chief Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh is also present.

3.10pm: Sogo -  The crowd has grown to 400 people, and present is Kelana Jaya MP Wong Chen.

The crowd waves PKR flags, but no PAS or DAP flags are seen.

"(The number of) DAP (supporters) should be okay, and the PAS supporters will be coming from their headquarters," Wong tells Malaysiakini.

Meanwhile a water vendor gets into the spirit mimicking the opposition slogan 'lawan tetap lawan' (keep fighting) shouting, "Minum tetap minum," (keep on drinking) to draw customers.

3.05pm: Central Market - Around 300 in black T-shirts start to gather in front of the building.

Among them are Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah, human rights lawyer Eric Paulsen and Perak PKR Youth chief Zafril Eusoff.

Inside the popular arts and crafts mall it is business as usual and the shopping crowd looks calm, going about their browsing through the shops and wares.

3.03pm: Lembah Pantai MP and PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah has been served notice to attend questioning by Dang Wangi police over the Kita Lawan rally at Sogo that took place on Feb 14.

According to Padang Serai MP N Surendran, police have confirmed to lawyers that the investigation is under section 9(5) of Peaceful Assembly Act.

He said this was despite that this section was declared unlawful by the Court of Appeal in Selangor exco Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad's case.

3pm: Masjid Jamek  - PKR Semambu assemblyperson  Lee Chean Chung addresses the crowd of over 300 at Masjid Jamek LRT station from the top of a truck .

He calls on the crowd to start the march at 3.30pm.

"Let us walk together to Sogo to show its not just the NGOs that are participating at this rally, but the people have gotten down to the streets to express their unhappiness. Reformasi!," Lee screams out on top of his lungs.

2.45pm: Sogo - There is a crowd of at least 300 people gathered outside Sogo now. It is difficult to discern how many are protestors and how just spectators.

Only about 50 people are seen wearing Kita Lawan or Reformasi T-shirts.

Shouts of "Reformasi" and "Hancur Najib" fill the air.

2.30pm: Masjid Jamek - More than 10 members of Pahang Raub Anti-Cyanide gold mining committee are at Masjid Jamek to show their support.

"We are against unfairness and injustice," says one of the group, Hue Soo Lim.

2.20pm: Masjid Jamek - Around 50 members from the #KitaLawan Hulu Selangor division have gathered at Masjid Jamek LRT station.

The members are carrying placards with slogans like 'retreat Najib' and ‘Kita lawan'. The participants in an upbeat mood sing songs calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Cries calling for "reformasi" and "free Anwar Ibrahim" are also heard.

2.15pm: PAS HQ - PKR vice-president Tian Chua arrives at the PAS headquarters. After taking pictures with PKR members, the group shouts "lawan tetap lawan".

2.10pm: Met by reporters, Gopeng MP Lee Boon Chye says they are here to give their support and solidarity for Anwar.

“We want to state our stand on the oppression against Anwar and on economy-related matters such as the implementation of the goods and services tax (GST).

“It is clear that there was a political conspiracy in Anwar's case and the case was used to split Pakatan and to prevent the coalition from reaching Putrajaya."

Lee adds that the rally gives an opportunity to the rakyat to state their stand and that the rakyat are the judges.

2.05pm: PAS HQ -Around 40 PKR members from Perlis and the Gopeng branch have arrived at the PAS headquarters, carrying banners bearing the words “undur Rosmah undur” and “undur Najib undur” (step down Rosmah and Najib).

The group also shouts slogans of “lawan tetap lawan” and “reformasi”.

Also in attendance is Gopeng MP Lee Boon Chye.

1.50pm: Sogo - There is a calm before the storm at Sogo where the Kita Lawan rally will place.

About two dozen protestors have been spotted outside the mall, spread out among crowds of shoppers who are taking shade from the blistering heat, enjoying a show being put on by buskers.

There is no police presence as yet.

1.30pm: At least five thousand are expected to gather in downtown Kuala Lumpur today for the first major protest of 2015, which police have branded as illegal for multiple reasons.

The Kita Lawan protest at Sogo will campaign for the release of jailed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, and for the resignation Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

It is however unclear how much support the Pakatan coalition is giving to the rally.

PAS has not issued a directive for its members to support, while Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has advised his mostly-DAP state representatives they have state duties to perform today and should concentrate on that.

The protest is expected to kick off at 3pm, with participants marching from Central Market, Masjid Jamek and the PAS headquarters in Jalan Raja Laut, towards Sogo, and may last until midnight.

Previous Kita Lawan rallies have resulted in the arrests of activists Adam Adli Abdul Halim, PKR supreme council member Fariz Musa, and PKR Youth Chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

Now minister wants Islamic teams at varsities

After claiming world-class status, Idris wants teams to spread Islamic understanding.

FMT

IPOH: Education Minister II Idris Jusoh, who recently courted controversy by claiming world-class status for Malaysian universities, is now stepping into another possible quagmire.

In the midst of a raging public debate about Islamic prosleytisation and the distribution of free copies of the Quran, Idris has now proposed that Islamic understanding teams be set up at colleges and unversities “to monitor and provide a thorough understanding of the religion to students”.

He said the team was also aimed at preventing the spread of extremist ideology, especially those of the Islamic State militant group, among university students.

“The ministry will ensure the spread of tasawwur Islam and wassatiyah as promoted by the prime minister,” he said, according to Bernama. “Actually, the prime minister has implemented the wassatiyah concept by using a shariah index so that we fully understand Islam,” he said at a Chinese New Year event here.

Idris also urged university vice-chancellors to constantly monitor their students to ensure they were not influenced by Islamic State ideology, Bernama quoted him as saying.

Two weeks ago, Idris found himself in the midst of controversy by claiming that the rising number of foreign students showed that Malaysians were on par with universities in the west. After being taken apart by opposition politicians, among others, he held to his remark by pointing out to the new rankings of Malaysian universities on a higher education index.

His latest suggestion puts him squarely in the midst of the debate about the place of Islam among the multi-racial communities of Malaysia.

MP: Najib should step down for full 1MDB probe

Chin Tong urges Cabinet to act, after Muhyiddin puts up a strong challenge.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: Najib Razak has been urged to stand down as finance minister so that a full independent investigation may be carried out into the troubled 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong said members of the Cabinet should demand that the prime minister relinquish his finance portfolio.

He said the statement by Najib’s deputy, Muhyiddin Yassin, had put up a strong challenge to Najib by calling for an investigation by the Public Accounts Committee and not wait for the Auditor-General, who has been ordered by Najib to verify 1MDB’s accounts.

“It is the clearest indication of an impending challenge to Najib’s premiership by Muhyiddin,” said Liew. Muhyiddin’s statement alone was sufficient to move for Najib’s removal, he said.

Muhyiddin had said the Auditor-General should audit freely and independently up to 2009 when 1MDB began; the Public Accounts Committee should begin investigations without waiting for the Auditor-General; that 1MDB must not be bailed out, questioning the proposed disposals of lands such as that of the Tun Razak Exchange and Bandar Malaysia which were obtained at very low price.

Govt servants want retirement age raised to 62

Civil services union points to higher retirement age in developed countries

FMT

KEMAMAN: Government servants are asking for the retirement age to be raised to 62.

Cuepacs, the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Service, wants the government to consider extending the retirement age for civil servants.

Its president Azih Muda said the proposal should be considered by the government in light of the country’s economic uncertainty about becoming a developed nation.

“Today, we can see that most countries have extended their retirement age to 65, such as Thailand, Singapore, Sri Lanka, European countries as well as the United States, and our country, which is heading towards becoming a developed nation should take similar steps.

“The government has to bear high costs to produce officers who are committed and experienced through training, so they have the expertise, experience and knowledge… like lecturers, most of them only receive their doctorates (PhD) at the age of 55 to 56, so after spending thousands for a PhD, should they retire just after five years of service,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after officiating the 2015 Flood Disaster Relief Mission organised by Cuepacs and Angkasa, which was also attended by Terengganu Angkasa liaison secretary, Mohamed Yusoff and Terengganu Cuepacs chairman Mohammed Idris Maliki here today.

– BERNAMA

Why police presence at EC public hearing, asks DAP

Sarawak DAP has accused the Election Commission (EC) of breaking its rigid “closed door” rule in the public objections to its proposed redrawing of the electoral boundary in Miri with the presence of four police personnel, believed to be from the Special Branch Unit.

DAP Senadin branch chairperson, Eunice Lim questioned why the cops were allowed to take part but barred the public and media from the series of hearings in Kuching and other major towns in the state.

“Why were the SB officers allowed inside the hearing?” she asked.

“Their presence create a sort of fear to those who were making their presentation,” Lim said, referring to an incident last Thursday.

“I did not realise their presence when I was making my presentation,” she said.

“We only came to know about it when my colleague (Piasau assemblyman Alan Ling) spotted the officers sitting with the EC officers before making his own presentation.”

Lim said when Ling asked the EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof on the matter, he appeared, "from his body language, to be quite surprised".

She claimed that what was more surprising was when the EC chairman replied: "What's wrong with that?”, implying that the four were indeed police officers.

Ling then posted the matter on his Facebook page and further stated that with the police presence, the EC should also allowed the public to listen to the inquiry.

“So my question now is, what is wrong with allowing the public to come in and hear the inquiry?

“Is this a form of intimidation towards the presenters? The whole proceeding is not friendly at all," he said.

Meanwhile, following this incident, Lim said her elected colleagues to Parliament and the state legislative assembly would raise the matter in the two legislatures for answers.

The Parliament convenes next week while the state legislature is expected to sit in May. – March 7, 2015.

Umno Must Make Thorough Preparation, Planning To Win 14th General Election

IPOH, March 7 (Bernama) -- Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the party must make thorough preparation and planning if it wishes to win the 14th general election.

Najib, who is also Prime Minister, said this was because the political approach that could be accepted by the people at present was no longer rigid politics but new politics.

"But this does not mean the old politics cannot be practised, some politics of development, needed by the people is the core to the old politics that still needs to be implemented by us.

"We must do what needs to be done," he said when speaking at the closing of the Perak State Umno Convention and simultaneous opening of Umno branches conference 2015 at Indera Mulia Stadium here Saturday night.

He said the voters' point of view now was different from those in the past.

"So we must practise new politics...we cannot assume that if we have given an allocation, the problem is already solved.

"Today if we say the new generation must be thankful to Umno, maybe their reception may not be like before because it seems we are claiming our rights.

"On the contrary, if we tell, if they think rationally, there is no party with better agenda than Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) and this is not due to sentiment but a guaranteed future for the country at the state or national level," he said.

He also said Umno needed to adapt itself with the new political environment as currently social media was already regarded as mainstream media and the existing mainstream media such as print media had become second choice.

Umno leaders must avoid from becoming warlords as it would distance the grassroots from the party.

As such he urged them to practise openess and a willingness to go down to the grassroots besides being humble in order to be well accepted and liked.

"I cannot imagine Malaysia without Umno, especially Malays and Muslims. The answer will make the Malays destitutes in their own country.

Hence he urged Perak Umno members to fully support Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, who is also state Umno Liaison Committee chairman.

Earlier Perak Umno Convention Committee chairman Datuk Saarani Mohamad said 10 resolutions were approved.

Among them are programmes to increase membership and voters, strengthening of party machinery, branch auditing, engaging young voters and loyalty to leaders and Umno's struggle.