Investigative Blogging. The thing about pro-Umno bloggers like A Voice and Big Dog is they don't just go after PAS, PKR or DAP; eg [Nik Aziz Hipokrit, Nov 15] and [Is Khalid Ibrahim in another favor-for-cash with Lim Kin Hong? Nov 6] but half the time they blog against BN and Umno.
Their seemingly concerted effort re Nor Mohamed Yakcop, the Minister in the PM's Department, has raised eyebrows.
NEXT CHANGE: Revelation on Nor Mohd Yakcop's folly on Pantai by Another Brick on the Wall, Nov 13
PM Najib should cut NMY's pay by Zakhir Mohd, Nov 12
Something's bru-ing, I tell you.
p.s. And the "original" SIL is back in the news, vs Azmin Ali re RM9 million shares the PKR man allegedly bought.
General November 14, 2009 21:50 PM
Khairy Wants Explanation From Azmin Over RM8 Million Shares Purchase
SEREMBAN, Nov 14 (Bernama) -- Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said on Saturday Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president Azmin Ali should explain an allegation over the purchase of RM8-million worth of shares raised by Malaysian Indian Youth Development Foundation chairman S.A. Vigneswaran.
"It is not wrong to buy shares, but an explanation is necessary as to how the purchase was financed. He must have an answer and an explanation, and we are waiting for the explanation," he said.
Khairy spoke to reporters after he had launched a consumer campaign to cultivate one's own vegetables to save cost, organised by the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca), at the Taman Tuanku Ja'afar community hall in Sungai Gadut near here.
He was asked to comment on the allegation by Vigneswaran on the purchase of shares worth RM8 million involving three individuals, including Azmin, in the early 1990s as reported in several newspapers on Saturday.
Khairy, who is the Member of Parliament for Rembau, said he hoped that Azmin would not remain silent as the matter was associated with his credibility.
"The Barisan Nasional (BN) government has been accused of many things. As such, it is not wrong if we ask for the same form of accountability to be applied by the opposition leaders," he said.
On Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim appointing PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the economic advisor to the state, Khairy said this showed the inability of the Selangor government to manage its own economy and having to appoint someone from outside.
In KUALA LUMPUR, Azmin denied that he bought the shares saying that the statement by Vigneswaran was planned to tarnish his name.
"It is baseless. I believe that the document claimed by Vigneswaran has been manipulated by certain quarters to link me and my wife.
"The statement is slanderous, done with bad intention and politically motivated to destroy my reputation as Gombak Member of Parliament and PKR vice president," he said in an email to Bernama.
Azmin said he had instructed his lawyer to take appropriate action against the statement.
-- BERNAMA
The Bernama report made no mention of how Khairy's own purchase of ECM-Libra shares turned scandalous just a couple of years back. I found what I was looking for - A Voice's posting Khairy. Khairy on the Contrary [July 30, 2007] when bloggers were called monkeys - and a verse from his twisted and thwarted nursery rhyme:Khairy, Khairy, quite contrary,Many have not forgotten the ECM-LIbra shares purchase and the merger with Avenue a little later. Nor Mohamed Yakcob was the Minister of Finance 2 then. A Voice and Big Dog have stacks in their blog's archives about Khairy's shares in ECM-Libra. I give you two links Khairy Must first give penerangan on ECM-Avenue merger, Part 1 and Part 2. Yang lain tu, Google sendirilah.
How does your politics grow?
With Nori belle and ECM Libra debacle
And monkey callings all in a row.
Sunday, 15 November 2009
Pro-Umno bloggers fairer? - Rocky's Bru
Police murder Indian in Penang
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A 37-year-old man was shot dead in a car by the police in Weld Quay, George Town this afternoon.
Penang police chief Deputy. Comm Ayub Yaakob said the suspect was believed to be the leader of the ‘Deva Gang’, categorised as a ‘notorious robbery gang’ by the police.
He said a raiding party from Bukit Aman had been trailing the suspect, who was travelling in a black Perodua Myvi, from Bukit Jambul in Bayan Baru for about 20 minutes along the Jelutong Expressway.
Upon reaching the junction of Nordin Street Ghaut, he said the police car swiftly blocked the suspect’s car.
“A gunfight ensued when the suspect fired twice from his car the policemen.
“The suspect was however killed when the police returned fire,” summed up Ayub, adding that the incident happened about 3.50pm.
He also said a pistol HK 9mm and a Singapore identity card were recovered from the suspect’s car, which has a Kuala Lumpur registration number plate.
He said initial investigation revealed that the suspect had came from the federal capital to kidnap a person in Penang.
“He was foiled by the police,” Ayub alleged.
Today’s killing has happened just four days after police came under fire for killing five persons – aged 17 and 24 – during a shootout in Taman Klang Utama.
www.malaysiakini.com/news/
In the Monday’s killings, the police justified their act claiming that the deceases were part of a robbery gang ‘PCO Boy’.
www.malaysiakini.com/news/
Previously Bukit Aman police have claimed that ‘Deva Gang’ was a “brotherhood” formed at the Simpang Renggam detention centre 10 years ago.
The gang alleged gang leader Deva, who was at the time detained for alleged involvement in violent crimes and robberies, had allegedly formed the gang with two others he met at the centre.
The police had claimed that after roping in fresh blood after their release, the Deva Gang started its notorious crime spree and were allegedly behind at least 14 cases of armed robbery, luxury-car hijacking and murder in Penang, Perak, Selangor and Klang Valley.
Police have also linked the gang with the recent RM8.24 million cash-in-transit robbery outside a shopping centre in Cheras on May 18.
However, the shootout has not gone down well with the Human Rights Party leader P Uthayakumar.
He wants the government to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry immediate to probe into all the killings carried out by the police under the current Inspector General Musa Hassan reign.
He also called on Pakatan Rakyat MPs to table and support an emergency motion at the on-going parliamentary sitting to protest and stop the cold blooded killing spree carried out by the police in the name of crime-busting.
www.malaysiakini.com/news/
“The parliamentarians are duty bound to safeguard the people interests.
“Pakatan MPs should condemn these cold blooded murders by the police with total disregard to rule of law and natural process of the justice system,” he told Malaysiakini.
www.malaysiakini.com/news/
Uthayakumar also slammed the attorney general chambers for regularly failing to prosecute the police for such cold blooded murders.
He cited A Kugan’s case as an example where the AG Gani Patail only charge one policeman for the deceased’s death in custody although internal probe had revealed that at least 21 people were involved.
Tamil daily warned over shooting reports - Malaysiakini
The Home Ministry has issued a warning letter to vernacular daily Tamil Nesan over its reporting on the killing of five suspected armed robbers by the police last week.
The ministry has accused the MIC-linked daily of playing up racial sentiments in its coverage of the police shooting in which all five suspects - all Malaysian Indians - had died on the spot.
Tamil Nesan' managing director S Vell Paari told Malaysiakini that the warning letter was sent to his office late yesterday.
"The letter was issued to Tamil Nesan in regards to our coverage on the gunning down of five young Indian men in Klang by police," he said.
He said that the ministry had felt that Tamil Nesan's reports on the matter could provoke others and may affect the harmony in the country.
He added that the letter also noted that a MIC Youth statement published in the daily on the shooting was provocative.
"The letter warned is that our publishing licence can be revoked if we continued publishing such articles," he added.
Doing our duty as a community paper
Vell Paari however defended his daily, which was established in 1924, in their coverage of the issue.
"We only carried out what transpired over an event and a press statement from MIC's Youth wing, which is part and parcel of newspaper role in this country.
"I'm also baffled on how news published by us can provoke the Indians when almost all the other mainstream media carried the same news, giving similar importance and using similar vocabulary.
"It is also being hotly debated in various blog sand online networking sites like the Facebook," he said.
Vell Paari also said that as a daily newspaper catering for the Indian community, Tamil Nesan has the right to publish news on matters affecting the community, just like how other dailies do for their own communities.
"As far as Tamil Nesan is concerned we have maintained a status of fair comment and have only published what had happened that day. Nothing more and nothing less," he stressed.
Police under fire
In the shooting incident on Monday (Nov 9), the police killed suspected criminals aged between 17 and 24 - and allegedly from the 'PCO Boy' gang - in Taman Klang Utama on Monday.
The police claimed that the five were responsible for a spate of robberies and defended the shooting.
"When police officers shoot, they do not shoot to kill, but rather they shoot to stop the deadly force threat," said CID director Mohd Bakri Mohd Zinin in a statement the following day.
However the police action came under a spotlight with many quarters accusing the police of being trigger-happy. Many had also questioned as to why such police shootings always included people from the Indian community.
Arising out of the latest police killing, a sister of one of the victims had attempted suicide by drinking paraquat on Thursday. She had also forced her four children to consume the poison.
The ministry has accused the MIC-linked daily of playing up racial sentiments in its coverage of the police shooting in which all five suspects - all Malaysian Indians - had died on the spot.
Tamil Nesan' managing director S Vell Paari told Malaysiakini that the warning letter was sent to his office late yesterday."The letter was issued to Tamil Nesan in regards to our coverage on the gunning down of five young Indian men in Klang by police," he said.
He said that the ministry had felt that Tamil Nesan's reports on the matter could provoke others and may affect the harmony in the country.
He added that the letter also noted that a MIC Youth statement published in the daily on the shooting was provocative.
"The letter warned is that our publishing licence can be revoked if we continued publishing such articles," he added.
Doing our duty as a community paper
Vell Paari however defended his daily, which was established in 1924, in their coverage of the issue.
"We only carried out what transpired over an event and a press statement from MIC's Youth wing, which is part and parcel of newspaper role in this country.
"I'm also baffled on how news published by us can provoke the Indians when almost all the other mainstream media carried the same news, giving similar importance and using similar vocabulary.
"It is also being hotly debated in various blog sand online networking sites like the Facebook," he said.
Vell Paari also said that as a daily newspaper catering for the Indian community, Tamil Nesan has the right to publish news on matters affecting the community, just like how other dailies do for their own communities.
"As far as Tamil Nesan is concerned we have maintained a status of fair comment and have only published what had happened that day. Nothing more and nothing less," he stressed.
Police under fire
In the shooting incident on Monday (Nov 9), the police killed suspected criminals aged between 17 and 24 - and allegedly from the 'PCO Boy' gang - in Taman Klang Utama on Monday.The police claimed that the five were responsible for a spate of robberies and defended the shooting.
"When police officers shoot, they do not shoot to kill, but rather they shoot to stop the deadly force threat," said CID director Mohd Bakri Mohd Zinin in a statement the following day.
However the police action came under a spotlight with many quarters accusing the police of being trigger-happy. Many had also questioned as to why such police shootings always included people from the Indian community.
Arising out of the latest police killing, a sister of one of the victims had attempted suicide by drinking paraquat on Thursday. She had also forced her four children to consume the poison.
Indian subscribers not important for Astro? (Malaysiakini)
I notice that Astro has now opened the said home viewers’ contest to all Malaysians regardless of age - a welcome move. Thank goodness for the media which gives Malaysians a platform to air their legitimate concerns.
Even more significant is that opinions and views expressed are taken note of by those concerned. On behalf of all Malaysians, ‘keep up the good work!’
The complaints made by the writer about Astro’s Indian programmes are true.
It is however disheartening to note that Astro is continuing its below par service to Indian subscribers. Customer satisfaction does not seem to matter to Astro It’s mantra is ‘profits, first, customer last, Indian subscibers of no consideration’.
Therefore, not surprisingly, the worst treated are the Indian subscribers. Most of the their complaints have not been remedied.
Information on programmes to be shown continues to be not always available. The chanel guide on screen, too, is also not available. The strange thing is that at times the ‘on screen channel guide’ is available for English, Chinese and Malay programmes but not for Indian programmes. Can Astro please explain why it is discriminating against its Indian subscribers?
Even during Deepavalli , proper information was not available for Channel 211. Can you be more unkind than this?
The Christmas season is fast approaching. Astro, please remember that a proportion of the Indian population in Malaysia. is Christian. Please screen some quality and new shows and not repeats as you have been wont to do.
No re-screening of films such as ‘Kulanthai Yesu, ‘Annai Velangkanni’, and ‘Punitha Anthoniyar’, please. They have been screened over and over again.
The printed channel guide which is paid for by the subscribers tends to be late. Subscribers have to ring up Astro quite a few times before we receive it. My October issue arrived on the 21st of the month. To make matters worse, it was not very accurate.
The Information Ministry should immediately take up these issues with Astro. Astro stop your discriminatory policies against Indians!
IS ANWAR making a secret pact with NAJIB?
By Wong Mun Chee
The latest warning by RPK on the possible fall of the Pakatan government in Selangor in January 2010 is not a matter to be taken lightly by the rakyat, let alone those politicians. UMNO only needs 16 ADUN seats to take control and currently only 15 with that traitor Badrul Hisham having sworn his allegiance to UMNO. Looking at the 15 ADUN seats of PKR, 8 ADUN of PAS, the BN government does not need much to cut a deal.
Now look at my conspiracy theory.
Jeffrey Kitingan & Zaid Ibrahim seems to be at a tangent elsewhere stressing importance on real differences and actual reforms rather than the rhetoric according to their party leader’s sentiment from the three opposition coalition partners to maintain their status quo. I am not a judge of the opposition’s sincerity but do applaud Jeffrey & Zaid Ibrahim that they are considering and are able to engage any segment that foresees a better future for the nation.
It appears they are able to identify and seek what is actually lacking by way of performance and indentifying what is for the goodwill of the public rather than being naturally played down in their importance for what the coalition partners need to serve themselves.
Look at the opposition in power in their respective states - many grouses and yet there is no actual real change and reformation for the community as a whole.
Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim, without any doubt having been an UMNO man, has suffered his share of glorious days and later his inglorious days over the last decade. He seems to be the charismatic leader that we the public aspire for to lead us.
Here again, I wonder. Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been very silent for the last four months except for his court dates that are constantly postponed due to the various applications by his lawyers and the usual rhetoric. Fair enough, you need to exhaust all available remedies to seek what is just and fair, as nothing has been transparent in Malaysia whether it is BN or opposition.
Without doubt, the judicial system is incorrigible. Yet what we have here is a clear cut sodomy trial on Anwar, similar to history repeating itself. Naturally it is unjust for the defendant not being provided with evidence that could cause the defendant’s case to be ambushed.
Section 24 of the newly passed DNA bill is fallible as something should not be conclusive proof when other overriding factors need to be considered (human errors i.e. passing of the evidence from the hospital, the environment and the gate keepers). If it is conclusive then where is the basis of innocence until proven guilty? If such is the case then why do we need a judiciary system?
I do agree that we live in a climate of UMNO distortion and manipulation but what baffles me is why Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been assuaging the importance of Jeffrey Kitingan & Zaid Ibrahim against the tide of the public’s need or support.
I don’t know whether a deal has been sealed, but definitely something is amisse here. Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim, along with the other coalition leaders, should come outright and deal with public conscience mavericks such as Jeffrey & Zaid and for that matter HINDRAF if the purpose serves the public rather than treating them as a hindrance to their own needs.
Is Anwar making a pact with Najib? Only Anwar can answer this question.Something is missing in the jigsaw puzzle of the opposition’s moves. Let’s get it straight and move ahead for the community.
The world of politics is enigmatic. Today you are the angel and tomorrow you can be the devil. So Anwar, come out straight and tell us, are you making a secret pact with Najib in the Bolehland of Malaysia for your own survival?
This is not a story you or I want to hear
By Naragan
Seetha could not take the grief of her little brother Surendran’s death. Surendran was shot dead by the police on the 8th of November. In her grief, she decided to take her life and those of her 4 children yesterday morning.
At about 8.30am she gave everyone Paraquat to drink, telling her children that they will be able to meet their Uncle if they all drank the medicine. All of them drank it. Their lives are now in limbo as I write this article. They are all in the ICU.
Can you imagine Seetha’s state of mind that she should make such a decision. Not only her life but all her little ones as well. Can you imagine?
It pains me to even think about the state of her mind as she was giving them all the poison. Can I ever imagine doing this myself – what would ever make me do such a thing. You kill the people you love and take your own life when you feel it is totally the end of the road, that there is no more hope or purpose to living. Is this what Seetha had in her mind at that fateful moment?
I do not know enough to write about the exact circumstances. But some facts are undeniable. The attempted suicide here happened due to circumstances of poverty. Seetha’s husband is a lorry driver. Her father is a Security Guard. She was a housewife. This is so typical of the Indian poor. Security Guards and Lorry Drivers are all they can aspire to. Surendran was 24 years old like so many others of his age group who fall victim to crime.
How did Surendran get involved in crime – what took him there. For young Indian men who do not see much upward mobility in a life as a lorry driver or as a security guard (that is all that is available to them for their academic accomplishments in the Apartheid Malaysian system), crime seems to be an answer. Young as they are, they are oblivious or just plain unthinking about the incumbent risks and this is where they end up.
I cannot but conclude that this is really a crime committed against this family and against so many others like them. This story is not about Surendran’s crime or about Seetha’s attempted suicide but about the racist UMNO regime’s crime of causing the literal obliteration of Seetha’s family. You may accuse me of being mad, of being totally foolish to say this, to assign blame willy nilly. Audacious as my blaming may be, give me an alternative explanation for this repeating pattern in these problems.
It is so blatantly clear to me that it is UMNO’s policy of continuing the total neglect of the Indian poor that leads the Indian poor to this end. They pay no attention to this problem. They are in total denial. They just do not care. They sentence these Indians to a life of deprivation and abandonment.
Why does the UMNO regime not acknowledge this line of reasoning and open up opportunities for young Indians in this high risk group? There are thousands of development programs that the UMNO regime administers in the country – why do they not open them up and allow these young men into that
mainstream?
My answer is plain and simple. It serves UMNO no purpose to do that. In fact, the opposite effect serves them a better purpose. As more Indian young men go crime’s way, they are all condemned one way or another to the dregs of Malaysian society to be finally disposed off like this. End of story for UMNO, no more problem. UMNO has divided up this country for that; the result being such tragedies.
Why does Seetha for her part see this as the end of the road? What is her background? How does she see this world? What is her state of knowledge? What is she looking at being a mother of 4 at the age of 31 and a wife to a lorry driver? Lorry driving is back breaking - long hours, away from home for long stretches, a low social status. What is the implication of all this to her? What does her brother mean to her? Is she not entitled to a luxury of some love for a little brother, no matter that he may be all wrapped up in crime now? I do not have answers to all these questions but having been through life myself I can venture some guesses. It comes back to the same answer. Seetha has been denied an even shot at life.
I hope Seetha and her little ones come through over the next few days. What this means to the rest of us is that we have to wake up from our slumber and start asking some real hard questions. It is time that the likes of Seetha get what is their due.
Young, better educated face obstacles joining Umno, says Dr M
KOTA KINABALU, Nov 14 — Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said it is not true that the young generation is no longer supporting Umno, it is just that they are facing obstacles to join the party.
He said that because many of them were highly qualified, they were not accepted as branch members because some of the existing branch leaders feared that their position might be in jeopardy.
“Now many Malays have (university) derees and this is a challenge to the branch heads. They fear that they may be toppled and replaced by those with better education.
“Once they have gained the post of branch heads, they refuse to let go. That’s why if there are people with slightly better qualifications or are graduates, they won’t be allowed into the branch,” he said at a gathering organised by the three Umno wings in Sabah, namely the Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings.
Dr Mahathir said if they were to look at the opposition party, PAS, they were previously represented only by the ulama, but today they had engineers, doctors and others with high qualifications.
He said the dilemma faced by Umno now was that participation in the party was no longer seen as a struggle for the people and country like the past leaders who had fought for the country’s independence, the struggle today was to secure position and gain power
He said this had led to money politics coming into play every time there was a party election whether at the divisional or Supreme Council level. — Bernama
Deva Gang leader killed, police confirm identity
PENANG, Nov 14 — The man who was gunned down by the police at Gat Lebuh Nordin here yesterday, was the leader of the notorious Deva Gang which was linked to a spate of multi-million ringgit armed robberies in the Klang Valley.
Thomas Victor, 37, also known as Selladurai or ‘VT’, was killed while enroute to planning a kidnapping in the state.
Penang police chief Datuk Ayub Yaakob said the gangland chief succumbed to gunshot wounds on the chest in the 3.50pm incident.
He said the police mounted a manhunt for Victor’s three accomplices who had gone into hiding after he shot dead.
“Based on the post-mortem report, it was confirmed that the dead man was the leader of the Deva Gang, who was wanted by the police for committing crimes while using firearms,” he said.
Ayub was speaking to reporters after officiating the Island Glades community police beat in Jalan Tembaga here today.
Apart from being involved in various criminal activities, the police chief said Victor was also detained at the Simpang Renggam detention centre under the Emergency Ordinance.
Ayub said that initial police investigations revealed that the Deva Gang had planned to execute a kidnapping at an undisclosed location.
“However, the plan went awry when Victor was killed in a shootout with the police, forcing the accomplices to go into hiding,” he added.
Three years ago, police investigations revealed that the Deva Gang was involved in multi-million ringgit armed robberies in the Klang Valley.
In April last year, the gang robbed a money-changer outlet at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and escaped with RM3.45 million.
Five months later, it robbed a security van in Kajang and got away with RM1.8 million. — Bernama
MCA TO BRIEF DIVISIONAL LEADERS OF THE GREATER UNITY PLAN TOMORROW
The MCA is expected to brief its 191 divisional leaders of the Greater Unity Plan (GUP) initiated by MCA President Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and Deputy President Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek tomorrow at MCA Headquarters.
Each division is represented by 5 leaders, namely Divisional Chairman, Deputy-Chairman, Secretary, Wanita Chief and Youth Chief.
The briefing will show whether the divisions are acceptable to the plan.
It will also be an indication whether the second EGM planned by Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai on 28 November 2009 will need to proceed, which has expressed the calling of fresh polls to resolve the present leadership crisis.
But whatever happens, the MCA need to realise that they are a laughing stock among Malaysians and if this crisis prolongs it would very detrimental to the MCA and Chinese community in Malaysia. MCA is the second largest political party within the Barisan Nasional, which is the ruling party of the Federal government.
“Give a person a fish…
By Anil Netto,
… and you feed him for a day;
Teach a person to fish…
… and you feed her for a lifetime.”
Teach them to cook…
… and they could turn out to be chefs!
Check out this meaningful project with a difference.
I think projects like this are more empowering than cash handouts (though of course such handouts do have a place in times of emergency or disaster or in alleviating immediate hardship), don’t you think?
Speaking of which, the Gabrielites have been doing some wonderful work as well in the Monfort Centres in Shah Alam, Sabah and Malacca. From what I hear, employers often grab their graduating students, many of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Perhaps politicians could learn a thing or two from these centres about projects that really empower people instead of overly relying on cash handouts to alleviate poverty. Wouldn’t it be great if there were more such projects and centres around the country?
Do you know of any other initiatives that empower people?
Bar Council launches it's MyConstitution campaign
Malay MailWITH the recent launch of MyConstitution Campaign, Malaysian Bar Council wants you to participate!
Officiated today at the Bar Council by Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Liew Vui Keong, Constitutional Law Committee chairperson of Bar Council, Edmund Bon Tai Soon stressed that the "MyConstituition campaign is a campaign for the rakyat, by the rakyat."
"The MyConstitution campaign, or Kempen Perlembagaanku is about, and for you - the rakyat. If people question what this campaign is all about and what we're trying to achieve out of this, the answer would be the campaign aims to bring the Federal Constitution to every Malaysian.
"The Federal Constitution is the supreme law of the land and it is above any other law in this country. In fact, it is the Federal Constitution that determines how all other laws are made and we would like to launch this campaign with the existence of a MyConstitution guidebook to bring distributed to Malaysians. We would like you to join us, we want your participation," he said.
In his speech, Bon also shared with the Press that the Federal Constitution doesn't spell out each and everything that can or cannot be done, but provides a general direction or blueprint for how things should be done, as well as what is allowed in general and what is not allowed in general.
"The Federal Constitution is a complex legal document, and very few Malaysians understand it. Thus, this campaign is going to simplify it for you. So that you can learn about the Federal Constitution - regardless of whom you are in society," he said.
Meanwhile, Datuk Liew commended and expressed that the great benefit of a written constitution is it's much easier for all to discover - especially for the first time.
"Its existence is not for mere expediency. As long as you know how to read, you can pick up a copy of our Constitution, and read it for yourself. You do not need anyone to tell you what it says or spells out. A good constitution does not split hairs or dabble in semantics - it's either black or white, this or that. No in-betweens or ambiguity," he said.
Liew also added: "You will also find in our constitution basic concepts that we take for granted about our country, these are all written down to avoid any misinterpretations."
Last Wednesday, Malay Mail reported that two-year nationwide MyConstitution Campaign has been planned and is ready to be launched by the Constitutional Law Committee (ConstiLC) to help the man-on-the-street better understand the Federal Constitution.
In the report, it was reported that the main aim is to educate Malaysians on the role, functions and content of the Federal Constitution, citing that "at the moment, the awareness among the public is low and this is what needs to be changed."
In his speech, Bon also shared with the Press that the Federal Constitution doesn't spell out each and everything that can or cannot be done, but provides a general direction or blueprint for how things should be done, as well as what is allowed in general and what is not allowed in general.
"The Federal Constitution is a complex legal document, and very few Malaysians understand it. Thus, this campaign is going to simplify it for you. So that you can learn about the Federal Constitution - regardless of whom you are in society," he said.
Meanwhile, Datuk Liew commended and expressed that the great benefit of a written constitution is it's much easier for all to discover - especially for the first time.
"Its existence is not for mere expediency. As long as you know how to read, you can pick up a copy of our Constitution, and read it for yourself. You do not need anyone to tell you what it says or spells out. A good constitution does not split hairs or dabble in semantics - it's either black or white, this or that. No in-betweens or ambiguity," he said.
Liew also added: "You will also find in our constitution basic concepts that we take for granted about our country, these are all written down to avoid any misinterpretations."
Last Wednesday, Malay Mail reported that two-year nationwide MyConstitution Campaign has been planned and is ready to be launched by the Constitutional Law Committee (ConstiLC) to help the man-on-the-street better understand the Federal Constitution.
In the report, it was reported that the main aim is to educate Malaysians on the role, functions and content of the Federal Constitution, citing that "at the moment, the awareness among the public is low and this is what needs to be changed."
Young Generation Support Umno - Dr Mahathir
KOTA KINABALU, Nov 14 (Bernama) -- Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said it is not true that the young generation is no longer supporting Umno, it is just that they are facing obstacles to join the party.
He said that because many of them were highly qualified, they were not accepted as branch members because some of the existing branch leaders feared that their position might be in jeopardy.
"Now many Malays have (university) derees and this is a challenge to the branch heads. They fear that they may be toppled and replaced by those with better education.
"Once they have gained the post of branch heads, they refuse to let go. That's why if there are people with slightly better qualifications or are graduates, they won't be allowed into the branch," he said at a gathering organised by the three Umno wings in Sabah, namely the Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings.
Dr Mahathir said if they were to look at the opposition party, PAS, they were previously represented only by the ulama, but today they had engineers, doctors and others with high qualifications.
He said the dilemma faced by Umno now was that participation in the party was no longer seen as a struggle for the people and country like the past leaders who had fought for the country's independence, the struggle today was to secure position and gain power for themselves.
He said this had led to money politics coming into play every time there was a party election whether at the divisional or Supreme Council level
He said that because many of them were highly qualified, they were not accepted as branch members because some of the existing branch leaders feared that their position might be in jeopardy.
"Now many Malays have (university) derees and this is a challenge to the branch heads. They fear that they may be toppled and replaced by those with better education.
"Once they have gained the post of branch heads, they refuse to let go. That's why if there are people with slightly better qualifications or are graduates, they won't be allowed into the branch," he said at a gathering organised by the three Umno wings in Sabah, namely the Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings.
Dr Mahathir said if they were to look at the opposition party, PAS, they were previously represented only by the ulama, but today they had engineers, doctors and others with high qualifications.
He said the dilemma faced by Umno now was that participation in the party was no longer seen as a struggle for the people and country like the past leaders who had fought for the country's independence, the struggle today was to secure position and gain power for themselves.
He said this had led to money politics coming into play every time there was a party election whether at the divisional or Supreme Council level
Pas Members Must Abide By Party System And Practice, Says Nasaruddin
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 (Bernama) -- PAS Youth chief Nasaruddin Hassan Tantawi on Saturday advised party members to respect and abide by the party system and practices to maintain the good name of the party.
"A system has been made, so members have to follow whatever conditions set by the party," he told a news conference at the party headquarters here.
Nasaruddin was commenting on a statement by PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali yesterday that the party did not practice the bai'ah that involved divorcing the wife 'talak tiga' (on three counts) for breaching the loyalty pledge as revealed by Khalid Samad.
Nasaruddin opined that the bai'ah issue was raised by certain people who wanted to discredit PAS as a party which champion Islam and also to portray PAS as a party which discriminated women.
"There are claims saying PAS does not treat women fairly, but we have proven to them that there are women leaders in PAS. There are also those who have been appointed as senators," he added.
"A system has been made, so members have to follow whatever conditions set by the party," he told a news conference at the party headquarters here.
Nasaruddin was commenting on a statement by PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali yesterday that the party did not practice the bai'ah that involved divorcing the wife 'talak tiga' (on three counts) for breaching the loyalty pledge as revealed by Khalid Samad.
Nasaruddin opined that the bai'ah issue was raised by certain people who wanted to discredit PAS as a party which champion Islam and also to portray PAS as a party which discriminated women.
"There are claims saying PAS does not treat women fairly, but we have proven to them that there are women leaders in PAS. There are also those who have been appointed as senators," he added.
Rais Describes Anwar's Appointment As An Economic Gimmick
KUALA KLAWANG, Nov 14 (Bernama) -- Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim has described the appointment of PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the Selangor state economic advisor as a mere economic gimmick.
Rais, who is also the Member of Parliament for Jelebu, said the economic gimmick "could sometimes be sold, but most of the time it is not saleable".
He said the question was what could Anwar offer to the Selangor government because he had not achieved anything when he was in charge of the federal coffers.
Rais said this to reporters after closing the Sekolah Kebangsaan Putra (SKP) open day and the education awareness campaign for the Orang Asli in the Jelebu District at SKP, Simpang Durian, near here on Saturday.
Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim yesterday appointed Anwar as the Selangor state economic advisor.
Rais said Selangor had a strong economy and Anwar's appointment was certainly a political gimmick to show that the PKR could survive in a new field with a new image.
Rais, who is also the Member of Parliament for Jelebu, said the economic gimmick "could sometimes be sold, but most of the time it is not saleable".
He said the question was what could Anwar offer to the Selangor government because he had not achieved anything when he was in charge of the federal coffers.
Rais said this to reporters after closing the Sekolah Kebangsaan Putra (SKP) open day and the education awareness campaign for the Orang Asli in the Jelebu District at SKP, Simpang Durian, near here on Saturday.
Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim yesterday appointed Anwar as the Selangor state economic advisor.
Rais said Selangor had a strong economy and Anwar's appointment was certainly a political gimmick to show that the PKR could survive in a new field with a new image.
Saturday, 14 November 2009
Azmin denies RM9 million shares allegation, to take legal action
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 — PKR vice president Azmin Ali today dismissed allegations that he and his wife owned more than RM9 million in shares as baseless and called the attacks disgusting lies propagated by his Barisan Nasional (BN) enemies.
He also said that legal proceedings would be started against those who were making the accusations against him.
Former MIC Youth chief SA Vigneswaran, who is also Malaysian Indian Youth Development Foundation chairman, had made the accusations yesterday.
Vigneswaran had claimed Azmin and his wife had bought the shares worth more than RM9 million when he was an aide to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was then an Umno Deputy Prime Minister.
“I have not seen the documents alleged by Vigneswaran but I believe the documents have been manipulated to involve my wife and me,” he said in a statement issued today.
He claimed that his family had been the subject of such attacks since 1998. In that year, Anwar was sacked as DPM and from Umno after allegations that he committed sodomy first surfaced, sparking Malaysia’s worst ever political crisis which was the genesis of the reformasi movement and the formidable Pakatan Rakyat (PR) alliance.
“I was sought by the police, Anti-Corruption Agency and also the Inland Revenue Board as part of a probe into my assets.
“The same excuse was used to arrest and detain me on Sept 16, 1998 until Sept 22, 1998.”
Azmin expressed regret today with what he called BN’s evil attacks.
“I have directed my lawyer to take legal proceedings towards those who have made such statements and those who have reported such lies.”
Following Vigneswaran’s allegations, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said today that Azmin should explain the allegation.
“It is not wrong to buy shares, but an explanation is necessary as to how the purchase was financed. He must have an answer and an explanation, and we are waiting for the explanation,” Khairy said.
Doubts surface over reasons for Seetha’s suicide bid
By Neville Spykerman - The Malaysian Insider
KLANG, Nov 14 —Were domestic problems the real reason why R Seetha attempted to kill herself and her four children with weed killer on Thursday?
Police are now investigating other reason that could have led the 33-year-old housewife to kill herself and her children aged between three and nine years old, which her family attributed to grief over the death of her younger brother who was among five suspects shot dead by police last Sunday.
While he still laments that police should have attempted to arrest those shot dead, including Seetha’s 24-year-old brother Surenthiran, Kapar MP S Manikavasagam, believes domestic problems could also be a factor.
“I still believe the police should have arrested the man but I cannot blame them for the attempted suicide.,” said the PKR politician who yesterday threaten to take to the streets should Seetha die.
The fact she tried to also kill the children because of her grief does not make sense and is unacceptable, said DAP’s Charles Santiago, who visited the family at the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital yesterday.
Santiago however said the case still highlights the plight of the marginalised Indian community.
Meanwhile, the New Straits Times today reported that Seetha has brought the weed killer from her home in Gemencheh, Negri Sembilan and hid it in her bag when she came for the funeral in Kampung Perepat, Kapar on Monday.
Quoting sources, the daily also reported that the housewife had longstanding family problems, was depressed and was on medication for a stomach ailment.
However, Human Right Party and Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P Utayakumar, who yesterday said he would bring Seetha’s body to parliament if she dies, has dismissed the news report as ‘misinformation’ by police.
“If I were them, I would do the same thing to divert blame,” said the former ISA detainee.
He said no matter what Seetha’s condition was, the death of her brother must have pushed her over the threshold.
When contacted, Klang police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohamad Mat Yusop confirmed they were looking at other angles and possibilities as to why Seetha attempted to kill herself and her children.
He said the condition of the mother and her children remains unchanged at the hospital.
“We are hoping they recover,” he added.
Refugee standoff in Indonesia eases
A group of Sri Lankan asylum seekers have agreed to leave an Australian custom's ship and go to a detention centre in Indonesia, partially easing a standoff which began last month. The 22 men were among a total of 78 ethnic Tamils on the Oceanic Viking anchored off Bintan island near Singapore. The men left by ferry for an immigration detention at Tanjung Pinang, local police intelligence chief Zainal Arifin said. However, the majority of those who remain still refuse to leave the Australian ship that plucked them from the sea in Indonesia's search-and-rescue zone last month. The asylum seekers, who have already had their refugee claims accepted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, have been assured of rapid resettlement, Foreign Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said. Asked if resettlement would be in Australia, Faizasyah said: "I believe so." He added that the Oceanic Viking had been granted permission to stay in Indonesian waters for another week with the remaining asylum seekers on board. Australian reply Australian media had reported an agreement had been reached for the refugees to leave the ship in return for resettlement in Australia within four to six weeks. Immigration Minister Chris Evans earlier told Sky News said he thought his country would accept the refugees. "I would expect us to be taking the larger proportion of the group. We're hopeful some will start to come off soon. I don't expect them all to come off at once but we will hopefully see some movement in the next day or so." The standoff has caused a political headache for Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who has been under pressure over increasing arrivals that have seen more than 1,600 boat people this year seeking asylum from countries such as Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. Indonesia has expressed annoyance at talk in Australia of an "Indonesia Solution" to the crisis that would see Australia pay its northern neighbour to temporarily host more Australia-bound asylum seekers. Indonesia, which sprawls across 17,000 islands to Australia's north, has been a key staging point for migrants being taken by people smugglers on the perilous sea journey to Australia. |
PKR Selangor MB: 97 Tamil schools, no state land granted
Selangor Indian EXCO Mandore hands over peanuts RM 160, 000.00 to 3 NGOs’ (read one NGO) and washes his hands from granting land to all 97 Tamil schools in Selangor. We have written to PKR Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid to stop his Indian EXCO Member from playing any further peanuts “wayang kulit” and to get to the point by granting land to all 97 Tamil schools in Selangor. But being an ex UMNO man this Selangor MB inherits the UMNO mindset and mentality by using his Indian EXCO Member to divert attention away from the real issue. “LAND FOR ALL 97 TAMIL SCHOOLS IN SELANGOR”.
Umno stalwarts named in lopsided deals
SHAH ALAM: Top politicians including former Agriculture Minister Tan Sri Sanusi Junid and former Executive Council member Datuk Abdul Rahman Palil were directors of companies involved in lopsided projects in Selangor, according to declassified documents marked secret by the previous administration.
The companies entered into joint venture projects with the Selangor Agriculture Development Corporation that brought little benefit to the people and and even less revenue to the state.
The documents showed former Mentri Besar Dr Khir Toyo claiming that the reforestation projects would bring in a revenue of RM800 million within 20 years, but so far the projects have contributed barely RM500,000 to the government coffers.
The projects were supposedly initiated to find a balance between physical development and the environment in Selangor.
Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim (picture), who used provisions under the Officials Secret Act to declassify the documents, said they showed a pattern in which joint-venture projects were awarded to the same people, albeit in different companies.
He said some of the projects were given to dormant companies which did not have the expertise to carry out reforestation. Furthermore, they were awarded without any tenders called.
Four joint venture projects mentioned in the documents were signed between 2001 and 2007 and involved almost 11,000 hectares at the forest reserves in Bukit Tarek, Rantau Panjang, Sungai Jeloh and Bukit Belata.
The parcels of land were leased to the companies for between 50 and 60 years for several projects, including reforesting the areas with commercial trees such as teak, sentang and rubber.
Nothing was done to stop the joint ventures although several parties had raised concerns over the questionable deals.
Khalid said Selangor would have been better off without the one-sided reforestation projects, which he described as a “huge” loss to to taxpayers.
He remarked that the showed why a Freedom of Information law was important to prevent misuse of power by politicians.
More wives = less adultery and prostitution?
RAWANG, Nov 14 — Don’t marry young virgin girls; marry single mothers or widows instead. This was a suggestion made recently by a Kelantan state official to would-be polygamists.
But the idea drew flak from some critics, who said instead that more efforts should be made to reduce divorce rates and assist single mothers.
The issue of polygamy is being hotly debated now, with the controversial Kelantan official’s suggestion and the emergence of a Polygamy Club founded in August by the wife of a polygamist.
Hatijah Aam, 55, said she started the club with the aim of curbing social ills such as prostitution and adultery. It has 300 members.
“After sharing the same man for 30 years, we are like sisters,” Hatijah told The Straits Times. Sitting beside her, Noraziah Ibrahim, 52, the younger wife of Hatijah’s husband, smiled.
Noraziah met Hatijah’s husband after her own partner had died.
“She had children to feed. Can you imagine? She needed help,” said Hatijah.
The two are married to 72-year-old Ashaari Muhammad, patriarch of a clan spawned from five marriages — he has since divorced one wife, while another died in a car accident while on a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in 2003.
Of his 38 children, 19 sons and four daughters are also polygamists. Ashaari has 200 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
“Some people think polygamy is bad, but it is actually a beautiful thing,” said Hatijah.
Most Malaysians remember Ashaari as having led a deviant Islamic sect that was banned in 1994 because of his claims that he was able to absolve sins, and that an Islamic messiah from the east would appear ahead of a prophesied doomsday.
Ashaari suffered a stroke in 2003, and is now unable to speak. His third wife was not present at the interview as she was tending to him.
The family’s story is just one example of polygamous marriages in Malaysia.
Muslim men are allowed up to four wives under Islamic law. Critics say the practice is cruel and has been distorted from its original purpose.
The practice was prevalent during Prophet Muhammad’s era to provide for the many widows and orphans, as a consequence of men dying in frequent wars.
Activists say most modern polygamists in Malaysia marry younger women and neglect their first wives.
While Hatijah’s family seems to be living harmoniously, rights groups argue that most polygamous families suffer abuse and jealousy.
Sisters in Islam (SIS), a non-governmental organisation which upholds the rights of Muslim women and campaigns against the practice, says polygamy is not a solution to prostitution.
“Marriage — whether polygamous or not — cannot be a cure-all for an issue as complex as sex work,” SIS programme manager Masjaliza Hamzah told The Straits Times.
“Society should stop seeing marriage as the one-stop answer to the issues and concerns faced not only by women sex workers, but also single mothers, widows and older women.”
She quoted verses from the Quran which discourage polygamy, and pointed out that although Prophet Muhammad practised it, he did not allow his son-in-law to marry another woman unless he divorced the Prophet’s daughter.
Only 2.8 per cent of Muslim marriages here are polygamous.
Different states also have varying criteria for would-be polygamists.
Kuala Lumpur requires a written consent or views from existing wives. In Perak, a man’s promise to treat wives fairly is sufficient.
Hanafiah Hamzah, a 53-year-old television cameraman, said strangers look down on him for having more than one wife. “Society looks down on polygamists. People always think it is for the sex,” he told The Straits Times.
Hanafiah married his first wife, who is now 47, two decades ago. Seven years later, he married his second wife, now 36.
While both wives are cordial to each other, he admits it is not easy.
“You cannot be fair to both of them. If a wife or a child is sick, who do you go to?
“If my friends say they want to be polygamous, I always tell them, you better not. My first wife never used to complain, but now she gets frustrated easily. It is my mistake,” he said.
Masjaliza said there is some stigma attached to the practice: “People don’t wear it like a badge of honour. There is a level of discomfort. Maybe people are ashamed.”
Indeed, while some top leaders in the ruling Umno and the opposition PAS have more than one wife, most of them attend official functions accompanied by only one wife.
But this is not deterring Hatijah, who is branching out Polygamy Club to Indonesia.
The government has warned that the club could be a ploy.
The family has been ‘trying very hard to deceive the public’ into reviving the banned religious cult through religious, business and social activities, Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz, director-general of the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia, told the New Straits Times. — Straits Times
Outcry over police shoot-out in Klang
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 — Opposition MPs and activists are demanding that an investigation be held into the police shooting of five Indian crime suspects this week after the sister of one of the dead men tried to commit suicide.
The fatal shooting of the five members of the PCO Boy gang in Klang on Sunday triggered an outcry by Indian politicians including former Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders.
Police killings were among the reasons for Hindraf’s massive street protest in 2007, and helped swing Indian sentiment tremendously against the Barisan Nasional (BN) in last year’s general election.
It remains a volatile issue. Six days ago, police shot dead the five they said were responsible for at least 10 armed robberies around Klang Valley since last year.
Selangor Criminal Investigations Department chief Hasnan Hassan was quoted as saying that the men, aged between 24 and 30, had been known to injure their victims. Police also seized a semi-automatic Remington .45 pistol, five swords and a machete.
MIC vice-president S. Subramaniam yesterday urged police to review their procedures when dealing with suspects. “The incident of shooting suspects is damaging the image of the police force,” he told reporters.
But the opposition is going one step further — it wants an investigation. Opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP) MP Gobind Singh Deo wants the government to make it mandatory for an inquest to be held in all cases of deaths caused by the police.
“I can see no reason for the police to be afraid of an open inquiry if they have nothing to hide in these incidents,” he said in a statement yesterday.
DAP MP for Klang Charles Santiago also said the police have come under fire one too many times for abusing their power. He said media reports had stated that at least 39 people were killed by police in shoot-outs last year.
P. Uthayakumar, recently released from detention for leading the Hindraf protest, also demanded action. He cited a 1999 government statistic that 1.3 persons are shot dead by police every week, and claimed that up to 90 per cent of the dead in the last two years were Indians.
The shooting stirred even greater controversy after the sister of one of the dead suspects tried to kill herself and her four children two days ago.
R. Seetha, 33, fed weedkiller to her children, aged between three and nine, and then drank it herself. Her family said she was distraught over the death of her brother Surenthiran, 24. Her husband Manimaran said his wife was extremely close to her brother. All five are still in hospital.
Police have defended the shooting, saying it did not have a “shoot to kill” policy. Federal Criminal Investigation Department director Bakri Zinin said in a statement four days ago that the shooting took place after a high-speed car chase and the suspects fired shots as they tried to force the police off the road.
“When police officers shoot, they do not shoot to kill; they shoot to stop the deadly threat,” he said.
The government has yet to respond. The controversy can be politically sensitive as the police force is a powerful organisation which gives most of its support to the BN.
But Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will also want to hold on to hard-won gains in support from the Indians.
From a low 30 per cent when he took office in April, it has risen to over 65 per cent, according to recent surveys. Last month, a public outcry forced the authorities to charge a police constable with causing grievous hurt to suspected car thief A. Kugan, who died in custody early this year. — Straits Times
Najib: What I like about Bush
SINGAPORE, Nov 14 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday praised former United States president George W. Bush for his staunch support of free trade, and urged other leaders to do the same.
“I have been saying privately, but I might as well say it publicly, that the thing I liked about President Bush’s foreign policy is that he was very pro-free trade,” he said at a panel session at the Apec CEO Summit 2009.
“Frankly I don’t like the other policies, but I like his policy on free trade.”
Najib said yesterday he hoped that the US and other countries could bring the Doha Round of trade liberalisation talks to a successful conclusion to help sustain the economic recovery.
“Apec in Singapore is a wonderful opportunity for us to make a very strong political statement that we will resist protectionism,” he said.
“I hope the same message will be repeated here in Singapore, and I hope the world leaders will see to it that the Doha Round will be completed next year,” he added, to applause from the 1,200 business
Najib said that other than a rejection of protectionism, there must also not be any premature withdrawal of stimulus measures until there was real recovery led by the private sector.
His comments came amid fears about protectionist pressures fuelled by growing joblessness and the fragility of the global economic recovery.
Specifically, there was concern among Apec members about the Obama administration’s attitudes towards free trade, in the light of its “Buy American” policy and the strong domestic pressure to protect American companies and jobs.
At the forum, Najib also said he wanted 5 per cent economic growth next year for Malaysia, higher than the official forecast of 3 per cent.
“I’m not happy with 3 per cent — I want 2 more per cent next year and beyond,” he said.
For countries like Malaysia, he said, the old paradigm of “manufacture in the East, consume in the West” no longer worked.
His government is working on “new growth model strategies” for Malaysia to achieve the higher growth, which are expected to be unveiled by the end of the year. — Straits Times
Selamatkan Tok Guru
By Sheih kickdefella
Sekali lagi saya merayu agar pimpinan parti PAS, pegawai-pegawai tinggi Kerajaan dan juga akar umbi untuk segera selamatkan Nik Aziz. Janganlah biarkan legasinya berakhir dengan sesuatu yang tidak manis.
Sungguh sedih bila Kafir Quraisy Malaysia yang menyelamatkan Nik Aziz dan bukannya Parti yang disayanginya.
Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz tidak bercadang ke Mekah pada tahun ini. Memang tiada perancangan tetapi Tuan Guru yang kita sayangi telah dipujuk oleh Menantunya, Abdul Ariffahmi Ab Rahman untuk ke Mekah kerana Ariff bercadang ke Mekah pada tahun ini.
Tiada orang lain yang memecahkan berita pakej RM65,000 satu kepala ini melainkan Ariffahmi sendiri yang memberitahu “Ana pergi ke mekah tahun ni, gi dengan pakej VVIP” kepada setiap orang yang tidak tahu dia akan ke Mekah.
Apabila Tuan Guru menerima pujukan menantunya, berkembanglah cerita bahawa kepergian Tuan Guru dengan peruntukan PMBK tetapi lama kelamaan tersebar bahawa ianya ditaja menerusi seseorang yang mendapat projek-projek Kerajaan Negeri Kelantan.
Yang mengejutkan bila Tuan Guru yang ikhlas itu mengaku kepada wartawan pada 10 November 2009 bahawa memang benar kepergiannya di taja oleh orang luar.
Sekali lagi saya menyeru kepada Ariffahmi supaya melepaskan jawatannya sekarang, seperti yang pernah saya nasihatkan kepadanya, “anta sudah banyak mencemarkan nama baik Tok Guru, cukuplah.”
Kenapa mesti Kafir Quraisy yang terpaksa memimpin Tuan Guru supaya keluar dari kontroversi. Di mana dia yang kasih dan sayang pada Tuan Guru kita?
Seedless Slogans
By Augustine Anthony
People love seedless fruits. It is convenient for our consumption. The value of the fruit ends the moment it enters our digestive system. But a fruit with seeds can maintain continuity if placed in the hands of a creative and resourceful owner.
Just imagine if we pick up the seed and visualize the beginning and the end of what the seed can become, we will see many things that the mind had not thought or perhaps had taken for granted. We will begin to see the seed becoming a shoot, a little plant, then a tree after which it will bear fruits and we get to enjoy the fruits. More fruits mean more seeds and more seeds mean more trees and the cycle continues. Of course we can expand this simplistic explanation into a complex and endless discourse. But in short, in the miniature seed we are able to glimpse the continuity of a grand scheme of things.
Play the concept forward and then play it backward, play the idea from the seed to the fruit and fruit to the seed. We will see nothing but harmony and purpose. The seed has a purpose for which it must grow as a tree to bear fruits and the fruits have a purpose to produce more seeds and the end result is continuity of purpose.
Empty Slogans
Like seedless fruits, empty slogans are also a convenient item for consumption which will experience its death pang without any hope of continuity the moment the shout is over. If a meaningful national slogan cannot be expanded into grand scheme of things, it will become a disservice to a nation as it turns hope into a mirage and a vibrant society into a mass in a state of inertia that will soon see its distant surrounding overwhelming it. Lip service has the capacity of turning the greater population into a cynical lot.
An idea called democracy
An idea is a seed with a grand scheme of things with continuity in mind. Today the world over, we hear the rejuvenated shouts of democracy echoing in every corner. At its inception the idea was to give power to people and that people themselves should decide what is best for them.
The Greeks started it. The Romans experimented on it. The French Philosopher Montesquieu debated it (the concept of separation of powers is an integral part of democracy). We now have Congressional and Parliamentary Systems. To safe guard the realization of “Power to People”, creative and resourceful thinkers had put in place various mechanisms for compliance. Inventive people know too well that without instruments exacting obedience, people in general will tend to abuse anything that is designed for a common good.
The sacred position of common good necessitates instruments outlining the obligations of all who form and become inclusive of a collective voice called a society. Documents outlining the contractual relationship between People and the State, which we now understand in our country as the Federal Constitution, had become imperative with room for expansion and improvisation. The effective adherence and commitment to the Constitution is made possible by various administrative institutions with the introduction of separation of powers to safe guard that sacrosanct citizen and state relationship.
Now a forward or backward reading of democracy and “power to people” in which ever way will reflect harmony and purpose. And because of this unity, there is hope for modification, improvement and enhancement of the concept. There is room for remodeling and there is space for improvisation in an ever evolving society.
Society and Evolution
A society consisting of living beings is endowed with a self generating pattern of evolution. It is constantly changing. It needs to remodel itself and that can only be done effectively by adaptation and improvisation and this is where the slogans are introduced to spark an innovative idea for a renewed beginning. A slogan with an intended grand scheme of things can give birth to a vision of harmony and purpose very much like the seed and the fruit.
A slogan is a spark as well as an impetus. It ignites and remains a flame.
Trivializing Slogans
Reformasi
What is Reformasi apart from being a wonderful slogan?
Does this seed have a greater purpose for reformation to survive or continue? Right thinking members of society ask what this movement intended to achieve by the very shout of this slogan. Can we visualize this seed turning into a grand scheme of things with comprehensive policy safe guards that will allow room for experiments and improvements?
In hearing the shouts of Reformasi, people would generally think that it is intended to bring reformation to the people which encompass a positively altered way of thoughts that will pave the way for the restructuring of the unworkable system of governance that is pulling this nation down.
After more than ten years from the first clenched fist of Reformasi, we see that many associated with this movement struggling with basic issues like unethical party hopping, corruption, mediocrity and the propagation of distrust among the ethnically divided fragile cooperation. Racial and communal political patriotism and championing are still deeply rooted in many within this movement.
As this slogan is only a sub slogan of the main slogan of democracy, one expects that this slogan will compliment and supplement democracy but sadly the basic ideas of good governance which is part of democracy whether of a state or a political party, still elude many within this slogan. No wonder we hear less and less of the shouts of Reformasi nowadays.
Is Reformasi dead? Or is there a renewed direction to this slogan.
Change
What is Change? Is it not obvious that a change can be for better or worse? A mere sloganeering with word such as “change” does not define an idea with a grand scheme of things in mind.
The fact is reformasi is a form of change but more importantly a change in a positive sense. Thus the slogan change is in effect an outdated slogan going back to reformation. In fact reformation is a superseding theme for the slogan called “Change”. Reformation is an improvised positive term for change, applicable in an advance, clean and efficient system of governance.
Between Change and Reformasi, there is confusion and we are regressing even in sloganeering.
A slogan that screams change must have reformation in mind otherwise sporadic whispers “that the only change that is taking place is the change of heart of many who feel that they are terribly short changed”, might become loud and boisterous shouts.
If there is one reformation that our society must desperately and urgently embrace, then it must be the reformation with renewed mindsets of our people that free us from the very system that has a terrible grip on all our actions and reactions. Look around and see how feudal and patriarchal our society has become.
1Malaysia
What is the grand scheme of things by the utterance of this 1 Malaysia?
Is it one nation with one identity called Malaysians where there is no place for race based society and congregation, one language spoken by all where none will be a stranger in a crowded promenade, one education system where there will be no distrust and suspicion, one judicial system where there will be no confusion and confrontation, one financial system that streamlines our financial prudence, one system of governance where all will have equal opportunity, appraisal, recognition and occupancy. One vision, one struggle, one goal, one dream and one unwavering hope, not of Malaysia for Malaysians, but Malaysians for Malaysia our motherland?
A simple visualization of this slogan gives many skipped heart beats in exhilaration. Can this nerve tingling excitement translate into an endless euphoria in the collective contemplation of the entire nation?
That endless euphoria is only possible when and if the author of this slogan visualizes and sets in motion an agenda in anticipation of the harvest time.
Upshot
When we elevate our focal point from Malaysia for Malaysians to Malaysians for Malaysia, we reach a higher consciousness where our collective conscience will discard its greedy consumerism enslaved by scarcity mindset and embrace the splendor of conservationism.
Barren lands will turn into vibrant ecosystems, polluted rivers will become pristine waterways and the air will be ours to breathe deep.
Not possible? Think again.
Premier Seeks His Mandate in Malaysia
By PATRICK BARTA | Wall Street Journal
SINGAPORE — The pace of social and economic reform in Malaysia is likely to slow over the coming months but the country remains committed to opening its heavily regulated economy to more competition in the long term, Prime Minister Najib Razak said Friday.
In a rare private interview, Mr. Najib said that steps he has taken since assuming power in April, including relaxing rules for foreign investment in business services and tourism, are “quite unprecedented” for Malaysia.
But more dramatic overhauls, including major restructuring of a race-based political system that reserves ownership of much of Malaysia’s economy for ethnic Malays, will likely have to wait.
“For the next few months, we want to deliver what we have promised” rather than focus on big new reforms, he said. Short-term efforts will include achieving “performance indicators” announced by the government this year to curb crime and improve government services and infrastructure — a program Mr. Najib hopes will further bolster the popularity of his government.
“I need the political support, I need the political base” if more dramatic reform is to be achieved, said the premier, who was chosen for the post by his predecessor, and installed by his party.
Like many emerging economies in Asia, Malaysia has seen its export-oriented economic model — it is Asia’s third-most trade-dependent economy after Hong Kong and Singapore — suffer badly over the past year. Growth contracted sharply in the first half of the year, and while there have been signs of a recovery, Malaysia’s position as one of Asia’s manufacturing hubs faces increasingly tough competition from China and Vietnam, where wages are often cheaper.
Malaysia also faces rising political discord after years of stability, with deep dissatisfaction over its affirmative-action program. Established in the 1970s to help put 30% of the economy in the hands of ethnic Malays, who make up 60% of Malaysia’s 27 million people, the program has left many ethnic Chinese and Indian residents feeling disadvantaged.
Dissatisfaction, led by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, spread last year, and the governing National Front coalition — which has ruled Malaysia since 1957 — lost its long-held two-thirds majority in Malaysia’s parliament. That forced former Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to accelerate a handover of power to Mr. Najib, his deputy.
The soft-spoken, British-educated son of Malaysia’s second prime minister surprised many investors by moving quickly to placate critics, despite having a reputation as a defender of Malay privilege.
Mr. Najib’s government relaxed rules requiring companies to allocate 30% of their equity to Malays when listing on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange, and eliminated the need for foreigners to take ethnic Malay partners in certain sectors such as health and tourism.
“I read the signals from the last general election, and a responsible government has to respond,” Mr. Najib said in the interview Friday, held between meetings at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Singapore. “I’ve made necessary changes,” he said.
But the changes didn’t include politically sensitive industries such as air travel, utilities and retail, and some investors have argued the government needs to force more competition.
The changes so far are “just PR spin,” says James Chin, a political-science professor at the Malaysian campus of Australia’s Monash University. “My impression is that this guy wants to do reforms but he cannot until he goes to an election and gets an election mandate.”
Mr. Chin says he suspects Mr. Najib will call an election next year if the economy recovers, though he isn’t obliged to do so by law until 2013.
Mr. Najib said he agrees Malaysia needs to take bolder steps eventually. He said he is planning to unveil a new economic plan to diversify the local economy. While he declined to say exactly what it would entail, he said Malaysia needs to boost the role of services and encourage more domestic consumption to reduce over-reliance on exports.
He said he would also like to promote niche industries such as Islamic finance, which now accounts for a sizable part of the country’s banking assets.
The government will also aim to rein in its sizable spending on consumer subsidy programs next year, potentially freeing up cash for more productive investments, he said. Malaysia allocates nearly $200 million a year subsidizing the price of sugar, for instance.
The government is working with a local bank to create “smart cards” that will allow it to direct subsidies only to low-income consumers who need them, he said, while redirecting government assistance away “from people who drive Ferraris.”
Whether these additional steps will be enough to appease investors is uncertain.
Mr. Najib’s ideas are “a good start,” says Ed Teather, an economist at UBS in Singapore, especially the bid to cut subsidies. “The concern is that the promises of the government aren’t always followed through on.” He says he believes Malaysia’s growth will rebound to 6% next year before easing to 5% the following year — lower than what some economists think Malaysia must maintain to significantly increase living standards.
Mr. Najib said he also intends to rein in corruption, which has long been an issue of concern for foreign investors. Corruption “is a problem,” Mr. Najib said, but added, “it’s a problem of many countries.”
The country’s progress on that front, he said, may well be judged on how it handles a few high-profile cases working through the system, including one in which a former transport minister and another top executive are accused of committing fraud during the development of a debt-ridden port and industrial facility. A parliamentary committee recently recommended that police and other authorities pursue investigations against the officials.
Mr. Najib said he would support prosecutions of the officials, if the investigations indicate such prosecutions are warranted. But “we cannot rush into it,” he said.
—Celine Fernandez contributed to this article.
Fitnah Barisan Nasional Semakin Kencang
KENYATAAN MEDIA
Kenyataan bekas ketua pemuda MIC, Vigneswaran yang mendakwa saya dan isteri memiliki saham bernilai RM 8.5 juta dari tahun 1992 sehingga tahun 1994 adalah tidak berasas sama sekali. Saya belum melihat dokumen yang didakwa oleh Vigneswaran tetapi saya percaya dokumen itu dimanipulasikan oleh pihak-pihak tertentu untuk mengaitkan dengan saya dan isteri saya. Semenjak tahun 1998, saya dan keluarga sering menjadi sasaran fitnah bertujuan untuk mengaibkan saya dan keluarga. Saya diburu oleh pihak berkuasa seperti polis, Badan Pencegah Rasuah dan juga Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri untuk menjalankan siasatan mengenai perolehan harta saya. Malahan, alasan yang sama digunakan untuk menangkap dan menahan saya pada 16 September 1998 sehingga 22 September 1998. Saya telah memberikan kerjasama penuh kepada pihak berkuasa termasuk butiran lengkap aset kami.
Saya merasa kesal kerana apa yang berlaku hari ini menunjukkan Barisan Nasional tidak akan berhenti dari melancarkan serangan fitnah yang jahat untuk mengganggu keamanan dan ketenteraman saya dan keluarga. Saya melihat tindakan jijik yang terancang ini adalah untuk mengaibkan dan mencemarkan nama saya dan isteri. Kenyataan berunsurkan fitnah dan berniat jahat itu jelas mempunyai motif politik bertujuan merosakkan reputasi saya selaku Ahli Parlimen Gombak serta Naib Presiden Parti Keadilan Rakyat.
Saya dengan ini menafikan sekeras-kerasnya tuduhan yang dilemparkan oleh Vigneswaran. Saya telahpun mengarahkan peguam saya untuk bertindak segera prosiding perundangan yang sewajarnya terhadap pihak yang membuat kenyataan dan melaporkan kenyataan fitnah tersebut.
AZMIN ALI
The al-Aqsa Mosque
The Malaysian media is totally dependent on the so-called wire services (Reuters, AP, AFP, etc) for foreign news. As a result there has been no report on the Israeli desecration of the al-Aqsa mosque and the beating up of Palestinian Muslims who wanted to pray there.
I don't think the Malaysian media is deliberately blacking out news which are not in favour of
What
These are the people whom we had sympathised with because the Nazis of Germany tried to wipe out. Now they are the ones doing the very thing they, or their forebears had suffered from in the past.
Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim
The Singapore Straits Times on Tan Sri Khalid contains one error.
Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim was not the CEO of the (Malaysian) Government investment vehicle Permodalan Nasional which "pulled off an infamous dawn raid" on the London Stock Exchange by taking over
The officer involved with the raid was Dato' Desa Pachik, the first CEO of Permodalan Nasional.
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