POTA Law To Address Threat From Terror Groups - Ahmad Zahid

KOTA BAHARU, March 5 (Bernama) -- The proposed Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) is a law specifically to address the threat from terror groups such as the IS militants, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

A bill is to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat this month to provide for the legislation. The Dewan Rakyat sits for 20 days from Monday.

Ahmad Zahid said the new legislation was a preventive law aimed at anticipating and preventing terror activities and acting against IS members from Malaysia and other nations who come to this country.

"This month, I will table the Prevention of Terrorism Bill in the Dewan Rakyat. Yesterday, the Cabinet was briefed on the draft by the Attorney-General. The draft will be finalised next week," he told reporters after an appreciation reception for personnel of the Department of Civil Defence (JPAM) who were involved in flood relief work.

Ahmad Zahid was asked to comment on the involvement of Malaysians in the IS militant group as well as the latest report of two Malaysians, one from Kedah and the other from Melaka, seen in a video clip showing the beheading of Syrian nationals in the strife-torn country.

Ahmad Zahid said POTA would strengthen existing laws such as the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) and the Prevention of Crime Act (POCA) though SOSMA and POCA were not specifically for prevention of terrorism.

On the video clip, he said the authenticity of the clip was being verified.

"I could see that they were Malay faces but the police anti-terrorism unit, with the cooperation of Interpol, is getting the clip verified.

"Action will be taken, not just confined to existing laws such as POCA, SOSMA and the Penal Code," he said.

Ahmad Zahid said POTA would have provision for the detention of suspects for two years, and the detention period could be extended.

The minister said all quarters should support the new law to address terrorism, including MPs when the bill came up for debate in the Dewan Rakyat.

On another matter, Ahmad Zahid said JPAM, which had over 800,000 permanent and volunteer personnel nationwide, was ready to face natural disasters including floods.

JPAM was targeting up to one million permanent and volunteer personnel over the next two years, and it would acquire more equipment and machinery to make their work more effective, he said.

Ahmad Zahid praised the JPAM personnel for their flood relief and post-flood work.

He also launched 12 high-powered motorcycles for the Kelantan Anti-Smuggling Unit.

I have no intention to interfere with MIC crisis, says Zahid – Bernama

Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid today said that he and the Registrar of Societies (RoS) do not intend to interfere with the affairs of any political parties, including MIC.

He said what was being conducted by the RoS and the Home Ministry was based on the Societies Act 1996 and the constitution of the party itself.

"What is being done is for the leadership and party members to adhere to their constitution which they, themselves, should respect as the constitution is theirs," he said in Putrajaya today.

He was asked to comment on the statement by various quarters in MIC that wanted him not to interfere in the party's latest action to submit an application for judicial review against RoS and its director-general Mohammad Abdullah Razin.

He said political problems should be resolved according to political ways and not through the legal process unless there was no other political solutions.

"I do not expect MIC to be deregistered. However, I thank MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel for holding the central working committee (CWC) meeting and I hope this matter can be resolved," said Zahid.

He also hoped that any disputed issues that was decided by RoS in the official letter sent to Palanivel and his deputy Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam could be looked into as soon as possible.

On February 9, Zahid said the Barisan Nasional (BN) component party must hold a fresh election for all elected posts between April and July this year to avoid MIC being deregistered due to its internal crisis.

The MIC crisis arose due to differences in views after RoS declared the election of the three vice-president posts and 23 CWC posts at the party's general assembly in Malacca in November 2013 null and void.

In a letter dated December 5, 2014, RoS ordered MIC to call for a fresh election for the posts within 90 days.

The conflict within the party worsened after Palanivel, last February 14, requested the RoS to withdraw all its letters as it allegedly contravened the party constitution and Societies Act and threatened to take legal action if RoS did not comply.

Subsequently on February 23, MIC CWC member K. Ramalingam submitted an application for a judicial review against the action and statement made by RoS and its director-general. – Bernama, March 2, 2015.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/i-have-no-intention-to-interfere-with-mic-crisis-says-zahid-bernama#sthash.mdMqSpWP.dpuf

Zahid: AG decides if Anwar can attend Dewan

The Home Minister says his deputy made an incorrect statement.

FMT

PUTRAJAYA: It is the Attorney-General’s Office, not the Home Ministry, that decides whether jailed Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim can attend Parliament, according to Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Speaking at a press conference here, Zahid expressed disapproval of his deputy’s statement yesterday that the Home Ministry could decide on the issue.

“I disagree with my deputy,” he said. “The matter should be referred to the Attorney-General. There’s no need for individual opinions, whether from among ministers or politicians.”

The deputy minister, Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, commenting on a law professor’s statement yesterday, said Anwar must apply through the Prisons Department and Parliament if he intends to attend the Dewan Rakyat. The Home Ministry would then decide on the application, he added.

Wan Junaidi agreed with opinions that say Anwar remains in his status as a member of Parliament pending a decision on the petition for a royal pardon that his family has submitted.

Zahid said the Attorney-General would be the party responsible for interpreting Section 49 of the Federal Constitution and the provisions of related laws.

Home minister sticks up for IGP

Zahid Hamidi tells the public to respect the IGP as he is an institution and not merely a man in uniform.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: Home Minister Zahid Hamidi has cautioned the public against threatening the Inspector-General of Police, saying he was not merely one man in a uniform but represented an institution guarding the security of the nation.

“The question of threatening any public officer should be avoided, because the person appointed is translating their responsibilities,” he was quoted by the Malaysian Insider as saying.

He was referring to an IS-styled group calling themselves Anti-Democracy Sons of Malaysia (AMAD) who uploaded a video onto YouTube Tuesday threatening to kill IGP Khalid Abu Bakar by blowing up his car.

Zahid said the death threat was not only about Khalid per se, but the institution that he represented.

Zahid said, “In this case, the IGP is not a person, he is an institution. Please respect the institution. His main responsibility is to make sure that the element of security is translated in general.

“His position has to be respected. Any statement issued by him is not his personal statement, it is a statement issued by an institution. This must be respected,” he emphasised.

Reacting to the death threat in the video, Bukit Aman’s Special Branch principal assistant director (counter-terrorism division) Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, told The Rakyat Post, “We, the authorities, take this matter seriously and those responsible for the release of the two videos will have serious actions taken against them.”

An earlier video, also uploaded onto YouTube showed three similarly clad men in full face masks threatening to blast firecrackers in front of the nation’s courthouses.

In a statement yesterday, Khalid said he was taking the death threat issued against him in stride as it was common for men in uniform like him to be threatened in the line of duty.

“Such threats do not scare me as the police chief to carry out the tasks entrusted to me. Such threats are common in the life of a police officer in performing his duties,” The Malaysian Insider reported him as saying.

NGOs seek to meet Zahid in bid to oust IGP

With abuse of power and continued repression of freedom of speech seemingly on the rise, a group of NGOs want to meet with Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to demand the resignation of Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar.

This group of civil societies - among them the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0), Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram), Amnesty International, Lawyers for Liberty (LFL), student organisations and Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) - collectively agreed that Khalid's actions have tarnished the image of the police force.

As part of the strategy to oust Khalid as IGP, Bersih 2.0 chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah (left) said that they will "try and meet" with Zahid to discuss the issue.

"We will actually have to strategise whether it (Khalid's resignation) is going to be demanded through a petition or even ask the home affairs minister for a meeting to present our case as to why we need somebody like this IGP to resign," Maria noted during a joint press conference today.

However, she told Malaysiakini that this attempt to meet with Zahid was still under discussion among the group members.

After Anwar Ibrahim was sentenced to five years’ jail for sodomy on Feb 10, activists and opposition members have been hauled up by the police in a sedition dragnet for their respective comments on the PKR supremo’s trial.

Commenting on the arrests, Suaram coordinator Syukri Razab emphasised that they “completely object to the actions of the police” who are abusing their power in the guise of the law.

“It is astonishing that the IGP is so actively monitoring the social (media) pages of opposition leaders and social activists that they are arrested for making criticisms on Twitter and Facebook.

“Is this the standard duty of a police chief?” Syukri asked during the joint press conference today.

In addition, Michelle Yesudas pointed out - on behalf of LFL - that the United States does not use the social media to intimidate its younger generations.

"Twitter is supposed to be a part of a democratic process. Take a look at (US President Barack) Obama for example, who uses Twitter as a tool to reach out to the younger generation, not to silence them."

Meanwhile, PSM secretary-general S Arutchelvan - who was among those arrested - told Malaysiakini that he had been treated very well by the officers at the police station.

According to him, the police had quipped that they were tired of arresting the same people over and over again, and that they wondered when an Umno member would be next.

Zahid urges MIC folk not to drag ROS to court

Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today urged disgruntled MIC members not to consider taking legal action against the Registrar of Societies (ROS) over the latter's directive for the embattled party to hold re-elections.

"I hope no individuals will drag ROS to court over this matter.

"ROS is always open for discussion and any issue can always be settled by talking to them," Zahid said during a press conference in Putrajaya today.

He also insisted that ROS did not "take sides" in the internal MIC battle that has caused a stalemate within the party.

Zahid at a special press conference in Putrajaya today announced ROS has ordered re-elections for all MIC's branches, wings, divisions and central leadership, including one for the president's post in May.

Party president G Palanivel and his supporters had previously disputed the ROS directive for re-elections issued in December, and there had been speculations about the battle being taken to court.

Zahid also stressed that ROS was merely being fair to all the relevant parties from within MIC.

Some MIC leaders have trained their guns on the ROS in the past, accusing the investigation into its party elections to be flawed, and also accusing the government body of being involved in corruption concerning the MIC probe.

"I have personally spoken to both Palanivel and his deputy S Subramaniam. They are both good friends of mine.

"We are not siding with anyone. I was just being professional and helping out since the ROS asked me to do so," he said.

"The ROS is only trying to find the best solutions to this problem," Zahid added.

Zahid: Fresh MIC polls must be held by July

The party's CWC for 2009-2013 will manage the elections.

FMT

PUTRAJAYA: The MIC has to hold fresh elections for all elected posts between April and July to avert deregistration, Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.

He said the decision was made by the Registrar of Societies (RoS) to ensure that the dispute over the election of the party’s office-bearers could be resolved once and for all.

The party’s central working committee (CWC) for 2009-2013, to be known as the Interim CWC, would manage the elections, he told a news conference here.

“The elections for the party branches must be held in April, the presidential election in May and the elections for the divisions in June.

“The elections for the Wanita, Youth, Putera and Puteri wings have to be held between April and June, and those for deputy president, the (three) vice-presidents and the CWC, as well as the general assembly have to be held in July,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid said the failure of the MIC to hold the elections could result in the party’s deregistration under Section 13 of the Societies Act 1966.

MIC leaders, following a meeting with Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional chairman Najib Abdul Razak on February 4, agreed to hold fresh elections as a solution to the crisis in the party.

The crisis had erupted over differences of opinion after the RoS nullified the elections for the three posts of vice-president and 23 CWC posts at the general assembly held in Malacca in November 2013 following complaints of irregularities.

In a letter dated December 5, 2014, the RoS ordered the MIC to hold fresh elections for these posts within 90 days.

Ahmad Zahid said the interim CWC was required to set up an elections committee to manage the fresh elections.

“Only the voter list and branches as of 2012 are eligible for the fresh elections. The 800 branches set up last year are invalid and ineligible. A legalisation process must be carried out to ascertain that only the valid and eligible branches take part in the fresh elections,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid also said the MIC was required to submit a list of all the party divisions and branches within the time frame stipulated by the RoS.

He said the notice of the fresh elections, dated February 6, had been sent to MIC president G. Palanivel and deputy president Dr S. Subramaniam.

He said Palanivel had the authority to make new appointments for posts such as secretary-general and treasurer-general.

On this matter, RoS director-general Mohammad Razin Abdullah said the MIC president could make new appointments if the secretary-general had resigned or died.

“The president can make new appointments, but must get the approval of the 2009-2013 CWC,” he said.

– BERNAMA

Zahid commends Palanivel on fresh party polls decision

IGP plays down police dissent against Zahid

Inspector-general of police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar has accused Malaysiakini of attempting to drive a wedge between the police and Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
 

He said this when asked to respond to Malaysiakini's report today on police officials taking to social media to mock Zahid for sending a letter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Paul Phua, who is allegedly linked to 14K, an international crime syndicate.

 

"You see, I want to call in the Malaysiakini chief editor (for questioning). This (article) is an attempt to instigate the police (against) the minister.

 

"I can't let this go on. If Malaysiakini continues to play this up, I think they are looking for trouble. Don't try to stir things up between the police and the minister. 

 

"Report factual matters only. If there are police officers (who are not happy), let me know who they are. Who were the ones who said this?" asked Khalid.

 

Khalid was speaking to reporters after attending a function in Putrajaya.

 

Earlier today, Malaysiakini reported that several police officials have been openly criticising Zahid for writing a letter to the FBI in support of Phua (left), despite the latter's history with illegal gambling syndicates.

 

Phua has been convicted before in Miri for running an illegal gambling ring in 2004. He is currently facing trial in the United States for similar charges after being arrested last year.

Following this, Zahid wrote to the FBI claiming that Phua had no links with the 14K triad and had previously helped Malaysia on "national security" matters.

Cops watching alleged 'economic saboteur'

On a separate matter, Khalid said cops will investigate The Edge Media group owner Tong Kooi Ong if there is any truth to allegations the tycoon was engaged in economic sabotage.

"If it is true, he must be ready to face the country's laws," said Khalid.

However, Khalid declined to elaborate on whether police had opened investigations against Tong, merely stating that cops will probe any threat to the country's security and prosperity.

Tong (left) has vehemently denied engaging in currency speculation, an allegation levelled against him by an anonymous blogger.

On another matter, Khalid said Malaysian authorities has yet to receive confirmation on whether Zulkifli bin Hir, better known as Marwan, had been killed in clashes with Philippines forces.

"We are relying on the Philippines police department, there has been many reports, some say there was a cut finger but we are waiting for their official report," he said.

Zulkifli, a Malaysian who is among the most wanted terrorists in South East Asia, was reportedly killed by Philippines forces on Jan 25.

44 Filipino commandos were killed in the operation, the heaviest number of single-day casualties in recent history for the country.

The top cop also warned secessionists in Sabah that police will go after them following the arrest of nine individuals in Sabah last night who allegedly distributed pamphlets calling for secession from the federation.

"To those who are inciting the rakyat to support them for Sabah and Sarawak to exit Malaysia, wait for our action," he said.

On the 1MDB probe, Khalid said the investigation is still ongoing.

Another ex-home minister denies sending letter to FBI

I never wrote to FBI, confirms Syed Hamid

 

 Former home minister Syed Hamid Syed Albar says he never wrote any letter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States during his tenure in government.

"During my time, I didn't write any letter to the FBI, " Syed Hamid said after attending a signing ceremony of the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), which he chairs, today.

This comes after another former home minister, Hishammuddin Hussein, also declared earlier this week that he had never issued any letter to the FBI.

Last week, Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (right) defended his action on issuing a letter to the FBI.

In the letter, Zahid explained that the there was no 14K triad in Malaysia and alleged 'kingpin' Paul Phua is not a member of the triad in Malaysia.

Zahid has also declared that it is within his discretion and power to issue such a letter, adding that his predecessors had issued similar letters.

Syed Hamid, who also the former Kota Tinggi MP, was appointed to become the home minister after the 12th general election in 2008.

However, he was replaced by Hishammuddin in 2009 during the cabinet reshuffle.

This was after the notorious ISA detention on Malaysia Today webmaster Raja Petra Kamaruddin, DAP Seputeh MP Teresa Kok and a Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng in late 2008.

Syed Hamid said that he did not write any letter to any agencies when he was the home minister.

“During my time, when I was heading (the ministry), there was no such case and I had never written to agency.

“If it is agency to agency, I am not interested to know as I am a policy guy. So I would leave it to the relevant agency to tackle,” he said.

Nevertheless, he defended Zahid’s action as this is the discretionary power given to the home minister to issue such letter.

Home minister 'ambushed' by unhappy employer

Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s visit today to the Immigration Department was marred with an ‘ambush’ by a disgruntled employer.

Based on a video recorded by KiniTV, the 40-year old man confronted Zahid and other immigration officers to raise his apprehension on the new online system for foreign worker registrations.

The man was heard raising his voice and telling the minister on the involvement of ‘middlemen’ and his concerns on the online system. However it was not clear what they were.

“If you want to catch me, go ahead. I am speaking frankly in front of the minister. (Middlemen) tell me that the immigration wants something; the other (party) also wants something

“Please throw away this bureaucracy. We want to get rid of corruption, stop everything,” the man who wore a chequered shirt, was heard saying.

Zahid however remained calm and collected while a crowd gathered and started recording videos and taking photos of the commotion.

He then told the immigration officers beside him to "listen for yourself" to the man’s queries.

One of the immigration officers then explained the new system was to eradicate corruption.

“That is the reason we have implemented the online law,” the officer said in the recording.

Zahid’s deputy minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaffar, on Jan 19 was quoted as saying by Bernama that the move was implemented to eliminate the “middlemen” culture and overcrowding at immigration booths by foreign workers.

Meanwhile, in the three minute long video, it was also seen that certain parties were trying to stop the public and cameramen from recording the incident.

Afterwards, Zahid was heard telling the media that the purpose of the visit was for him to see with his own eyes on the effectiveness of the new system.

He also admitted that there have been concerns raised by companies that have been operating via counters all this whileon  having to shift online.

Zahid asks Australia to hand over fugitive

Police have "put a formal request in, via the (Malaysian) Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for his deportation" back to Malaysia.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia said Thursday it had formally asked Australia to hand over a former police commando sentenced to hang for the murder of a Mongolian model in a sensational political scandal linked to corruption allegations.

The fugitive, Sirul Azhar Umar, has been detained by authorities in Australia where he apparently fled recently ahead of a court decision last week in Malaysia that upheld his death sentence.

Australian media have said Sirul will not be sent back as Canberra forbids repatriating suspects who face the death penalty, setting up a potential tug-of-war.

Home Minister Zahid Hamidi told reporters Malaysian police have “put a formal request in, via the (Malaysian) Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for his deportation” back to Malaysia.

Sirul and Azilah Hadri, once members of an elite unit that guards top ministers, were convicted of the 2006 killing of 28-year-old Altantuya Shaariibuu, a Mongolian model and interpreter involved in Malaysia’s controversy-shrouded purchase of French Scorpene submarines more than a decade ago.

Her remains were found in a jungle near Kuala Lumpur after apparently being blown up with military-grade explosives.

Malaysian government critics have long alleged Sirul and Azilah were scapegoats in the murder. Sirul has previously suggested he was taking the fall for higher-ups.

Whistle-blowers allege massive kickbacks to high-level Malaysian officials in the $1.1 billion 2002 purchase, and accusations have simmered for years that Altantuya was murdered to keep her quiet.

The issue has clouded the reputation of Prime Minister Najib Razak, who was defence minister at the time of the deal. He became premier in 2009.

Altantuya was a lover of Abdul Razak Baginda — the man in charge of purchasing the submarines and a close associate of Najib’s.

Najib denies any wrongdoing but Malaysia’s authoritarian regime has steadfastly resisted calls for an investigation into the explosive affair.

Sirul had been able to leave the country because an appeals court in 2013 overturned the pair’s initial 2009 conviction, freeing them. But Malaysia’s highest court last week sided with a subsequent prosecution counter-appeal.

Azilah is in custody.

- AFP

300 from China have used M’sia as transit point to join IS

Kuala Lumpur and Beijing view security threat seriously and are committed to curbing menace, says Home Minister.

FMT

PUTRAJAYA: More than 300 Chinese nationals have used Malaysia as a transit point on their way to join the Islamic State (IS) militant group in Syria and Iraq, Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi revealed today.

They had moved on to a third country from Malaysia before entering Syria and Iraq, he said, adding that this was disclosed to him by China’s vice-minister of Public Security Meng Hongwei at a meeting at his office here today.

Ahmad Zahid said Kuala Lumpur and Beijing viewed seriously this security threat and were committed to curbing it in a more comprehensive manner.

“Although there exists an arrangement between Malaysia and China to combat terrorism through counter-terrorism measures, this problem is serious.

“This is because ties exist at the international level between terrorists in China and those in other countries in the South-East Asian region,” he told reporters after Meng had called on him.

– BERNAMA

PAS: Kenapa penjenayah dapat perlindungan k'jaan?

MP to IGP: Fear not, probe if Zahid breached OSA

 

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar must not be rattled and should initiate an investigation against Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

In making the call, a DAP lawmaker also challenged the police chief to file a report against the minister, whom he claimed could have breached the Official Secrets Act (OSA) himself.

Gobind Singh Deo was referring to the letter penned by Zahid (left) to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) regarding alleged Malaysian gambling kingpin Paul Phua.

Among others, the minister had stated that Phua assisted Malaysia in national security matters, but when quizzed on this later, he said the information fell under the OSA and cannot be disclosed.

"According to Zahid, those projects involving national security that Phua allegedly helped Malaysia on are official secrets," said Gobind.

"The minister's letter exposing Phua's identity and that Phua is instrumental to and had helped Malaysia on security projects may itself be an offence under the OSA," he added.

The Puchong MP said Khalid (right) should also look into the credibility of the information that was earlier furnished by his personnel to the FBI on Phua to clear the police’s reputation.

"This investigation should focus if there was indeed any 'big mistake' made by the police in respect of Phua's alleged association with the 14k triad as claimed.

"I am of the view that it is Khalid's duty as IGP to have this matter probed as it involves the credibility of his men," he added.

Gobind, who is a lawyer, emphasised that the issue was a matter of public interest and therefore warranted an investigation.

"The IGP should not be afraid and must do what is necessary to protect his men and matters which are protected by law from irregular, if not unlawful, communication to others," he said.

Zahid had written to the FBI last December to state that Phua was not associated with the Hong Kong-based 14K triad.

This was after the alleged triad link was used to secure a warrant to raid Phua’s hotel room. He was later charged with illegal gaming activities in the United States.

Zahid, who came under fire, said he had penned the letter following a request from Phua’s lawyers.

When the issue erupted, Phua's lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah said the minister's letter was meant to correct a "big mistake" by the Malaysian police regarding Phua.

Since then, police sources have defended their findings and even denied that Phua (left) had assisted them in national security matters.

Khalid, on the other hand, has maintained silence on the issue in order not to jeopardise the court proceedings in the US.

Has Zahid Hamidi been caught red-handed telling another lie?

By Lim Kit Siang Blog

I applaud the Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein for his prompt response and clarification that he had never written a letter stating support for any individual to the US Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) now or during his time as Home Minister.

Hishammuddin was asked about this today, as I had issued a statement last Friday asking previous Home Ministers, in particular Zahid’s predecessor Hishammuddin as well as former occupants of this key post like Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, Datuk Seri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad and Datuk Azmi Khalid to “speak up and clear themselves and to put the record straight” whether they had also written clarification letters to FBI has Zahid had done.

This was because Zahid had made the astonishing claim in his statement last Thursday when trying to exonerate himself from any wrong in his infamous letter to the FBI vouching for the character of alleged gambling kingpin Paul Phua, standing trial in Las Vegas, Nevada for illegal gambling, that previous Home Ministers before him had also written such clarification letters.

Has Zahid been caught red-handed telling a lie, unfairly, unjustly and dishonourably implicating other Ministers whether of this administration or previous regimes?

To be frank, I never believed that previous Home Ministers had behaved like Zahid, writing unilaterally to the FBI, without the knowledge or the police or the Inspector-General of Police at the time, contradicting earlier police reports to the FBI, as well as without the knowledge or clearance from the Foreign Ministry.

This would be the conduct of a disgraceful and shambolic government, with Ministers acting in so indisciplined, wild and arbitrary fashion, betraying and disgracing the national trust imposed on them in their appointment as Home Ministers in the Cabinet.
It is pertinent to note that Zahid used the plural of “Home Ministers” and not the singular, which means more than one, of his predecessors who had penned letters like what he had done.

Hishammuddin has denied.l What about the others – Hamid Albar, Mohd Radzai, Azmi Khalid? Probably, we should go further back which will rope in Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Tun Mahathir Mohamad as previous Home Ministers?

Zahid had already told untruths about the Cabinet having approved his infamous letter to the FBI, as Wisma Putra had clarified the Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Anifah Musa’s statement that the Cabinet only “heard” and not “accepted” Zahid’s explanation.
Zahid should be reminded of the axiom that if a person tells a lie, he would have to tell a thousand lies to cover up the original line – which seems to be the dilemma Zahid has put himself in.

Be that as it may, national interests demand that the whole truth about Zahid’s infamous letter to FBI to vouch for the character of the alleged gambling kingpin must be fully revealed, or Zahid should expect to be impaled on the issue in the March meeting of Parliament.

Ex-IGP turns heat on Zahid over FBI letter

 

A letter to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) concerning alleged gambling kingpin Paul Phua has been the home minister drawing even more flak.

Last week, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi denied any wrongdoing, cited the Official Secrets Act (OSA) and pinned the blame on “pro-opposition” news portals.

While current inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar has chosen to remain silent, his predecessor Abdul Rahim Noor (right) decided to air his views.

Rahim said Zahid should not have written to the FBI, even if just to clarify the status of Phua, a Malaysian facing criminal proceedings in the United States.

Rahim said the police too need not entertain Phua's lawyers' request for the Malaysian government to clarify to the US on whether Phua was a 14K triad member.

"It would have been better if it did not involve the minister. Even the police do not need to write the letter.

"It would have been more suitable for the letter to be written by a lawyer who does not necessarily have to represent the minister as it is merely a request by Phua's lawyers," Rahin is quoted as saying in a Sinar Harian report today.

In the letter dated Dec 18 last year to the FBI, Zahid claimed Phua was not a 14K triad member in Malaysia.

The home minister went on to reveal that Phua had assisted Malaysia on "national security projects" and expressed hope for Phua to return to Malaysia.

No reason to reveal Phua helping gov't

Elaborating on this, Rahim said Zahid had no reason to reveal that Phua was involved in national security matters with the Malaysian government.

"The letter should focus on the main request, which is to explain the existence of the 14K triad in Malaysia and whether Phua is involved with the group.

"But if questions were posed on Phua's cooperation on national security matters, that question should not have been answered as it is none of the US' business," Rahim said.

He said revealing that Phua (left) was working with the Malaysian government would create misconceptions among the people.

In the same vein, Rahim agreed with Zahid's refusal to disclose the exact nature of "national security projects" Phua is supposedly involved in, based on the OSA.

"In the case of Phua, if it is true the government is using his services, we need to shut our mouths as it is considered a top secret," Rahim said.

'Authorities must consult AG Chambers'

Meanwhile, another former police chief Hanif Omar said it was not unusual to "set a thief to catch a thief".

Hanif said the government can also assist informants who are arrested overseas to request for their freedom or reduce their sentence.

However, he said, this would require authorities to refer to the Attorney-General's Chambers and Foreign Affairs Ministry.

While Khalid has declined to comment on the matter in order not to jeopardise the case in the US, sources from the IGP's office told Malaysiakini that the minister did not consult the police before penning the letter.

It was also revealed that Phua did not assist the police on security matters.

Cabinet on Wednesday should uphold the principles of good governance and accountability and declassify information on the “national security projects” involving alleged gambling kingpin Paul Phua which the police knew nothing about

Lim Kit Siang Blog

Zahid Hamidi will become the standing joke in the world for a bumbling and bungling Home Minister so long as he does not come clean and admit that his infamous letter to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) vouching for the character of an alleged gambling kingpin, Paul Phua, standing trial in Las Vegas, Nevada for illegal gambling, was an egregious error of judgment.

Zahid, the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the entire Cabinet should not delude themselves into thinking that the Zahid-Phua-Shafee-Khalid quadrilateral tangle would just disappear into thin air if the Home Minister invokes the Official Secrets Act followed by a blanket of silence on the issue from official quarters.

Zahid is supposed to be one of the smartest political leaders in the UMNO pantheon but he could not have been more foolish and self-destructive in his outrageous “defence” of his infamous letter to the FBI, going against not only the Police, the Foreign Ministry and the national interests but simple common sense!

If Zahid is not prepared to come clean and honest and publicly admit and apologise for his infamous letter to the FBI vouching for the character of an alleged gambling kingpin, the Cabinet at its meeting on Wednedsay must revisit the issue and take a stand which is in accord with national interests.

The Malaysian public are entitled to know whether the Cabinet had approved and endorsed Zahid’s infamous letter to the FBI after Zahid’s explanation, and the invocation of the Official Secrets Act to hide the nature of the “national security projects” involving Phua which even the Police knew nothing about!
The Cabinet should let Malaysians know whether there had been such “national security projects” involving Phua in the past, how many of them and why the Police knew nothing about it.

The Cabinet should in fact decide on Wednesday whether in the interests of upholding the principles of good governance, accountability and transparency, and in keeping with the much-vaunted Government Transformation Programme, information on the so-called “national security projects” involving Phua which even the police knew nothing about, should be declassified and its details made known to the public.

Malaysians are eager to know what could be these “national security projects” involving Phua which even the Police knew nothing about – whether all these “national security projects” happened during Zahid’s 19-month tenure as Home Minister from May 2013 or whether Zahid had inherited the “national security projects” involving Phua from the previous Home Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

Gov't may take Sirul matter to Aussie court

Malaysia may register a case with the Australian courts if the latter refuses to extradite former police commando Sirul Azhar Umno, who is facing a death sentence here.

Deputy Home Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (left) said only the court has the power to decide if Sirul should be sent back or otherwise.

He added the matter would be discussed in detail with inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar and attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail before deciding on the next course of action.

"As for now, the government via the police is still discussing with the Australian authorities to extradite Sirul," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

Wan Junaidi was responding to reports that the Australian law dictates that those facing the death penalty in their home countries cannot be extradited.

Sirul (right) and another former special operations force personnel, Azilah Hadri, were found guilty of murdering Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu nine years ago.

After the Federal Court verdict was delivered on Tuesday, reports surfaced that Sirul, 43, was in Australia and had been overseas for two months.

MP: Current photos needed

Meanwhile, Queen's Counsel Mark Trowell of Australia said that unless Malaysia undertakes not to execute him or commute his sentence to life imprisonment, Sirul would not be sent back.

He also acknowledged that the issued posed a diplomatic dilemma for both nations.

Trowell (left) said that Australian authorities would detain Sirul if found and hold him in a maximum security facility for those awaiting deportation.

In a related development, a DAP lawmaker said the IGP must assure that the photographs of Sirul and Azilah released to the media yesterday were not taken nearly a decade ago.

"The people must know how they look now in case they bump into them, and can help the police if Sirul sneaks back into the country," said Lim Lip Eng.

"It (current photographs) would also help Malaysians in Australia to alert the public and authorities there over the presence of a killer in their midst," he added.

Taking a potshot at Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (right), the Segambut MP asked if the former would pen a letter to the Australian government to "inform and confirm" that Sirul is a wanted criminal and appeal that he be immediately extradited.

Zahid had recently courted controversy over a letter he wrote to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) regarding an alleged Malaysian gambling kingpin, who is facing court proceedings in the United States.