PM letter: Top polytechnic and STPM Indian students denied scholarships and university places. Only 0.33% Indian students allowed in 86,000 Polytechnic places. 0.02% finally make it to university.

NO.6, Jalan Abdullah, Off Jalan Bangsar,
59000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: 03-2282 5241 Fax: 03-2282 5245
Website: www.humanrightspartymalaysia.com
Email:info@humanrightspartymalaysia.com

Your Reference :

In Reply :

Date : 28th June 2010

YAB. Dato Seri Najib Razak

Prime Minister of Malaysia

Block Utama Bangunan Perdana Putra,

Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan,

62502 Putrajaya. By fax no: 03-8888 3444 E-Mail: najib@pmo.gov.my

YAB Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim,

Menteri Besar Selangor,

Pejabat Menteri Besar Selangor,

Tingkat 21,

Bangunan Sultan Salahuddin,

Abdul Aziz Shah, By fax No: 03-5519 0032

40503 Shah Alam, Selangor. E-Mail : khalid@selangor.gov.my

Re: Top polytechnic and STPM Indian students denied scholarships and university places. Only 0.33% Indian students allowed in 86,000 Polytechnic places. 0.02% finally make it to university.

This morning Uhmamaheswary Teruvengedam (No KP: 861025565142) and Kuganesh Kuppusamy (No KP: 880325086489) of Polytechnic Port Dickson walked into our office. Their friend Dineshwari Palayappan (No KP: 881130055548) could not make it as she has been hospitalized for suspected dengue fever. Top student Uhmamaheswary had scored 3.45 CGPA points in her diploma course at Polytechnic Port Dickson. Her mother is a single parent and has four other siblings to feed by working as an unskilled factory worker earning RM 800 per month. Her mother was herself denied skills training or higher education by UMNO during her student days. And now this UMNO segregation is hitting her daughter and intended to also hit all her future generation. Her mother cannot afford to send her overseas or to a private university.

The above is only the tip of the iceberg in higher education. In almost every expect of life, by the very same racist, religious extremist and supremacist policy UMNO discriminates and marginalises the Indian. PKR, DAP, PAS, NGOs simply watch silently this ‘blood letting’.

The weak among the Indians simply give up life and attempt suicide. The suicide rate among the Indians is 600% above the rate among the Malay community.

Compliments to the UMNO led One Malay-sian government with two education systems. Welcome to Malay-sia the world’s most racist and supremacist country in the world.

Malaysia remains the world’s last remaining apartheid regime, the last was South Africa which ended it’s apartheid system some 21 years ago in 1989.

Umhamaheswary could not control her tears when relating her family poverty and hardships and how hard her mother has to work to put them to school. There goes Umha’s ambition of graduating to become an accountant. What is wrong in dreaming to become an Accountant Mr. Prime Minister?

Umha’s coursemate Kuganesh a/l Kuppusamy scored 2.79 CGPA and was also rejected a place in all the 20 public universities in Malaysia. So was his other course mate Dineswary Palanyappan and thousands of deserving Diploma and STPM students. For any Malay Muslim student 2.00 CGPA points would be sufficient to qualify them into any university. But not for these sixth generation Malaysian born Indian students with even 3.45 CGPA. This is just the tip of the iceberg of top and high achieving Indian STPM and Diploma students being denied a place in local public Universities and given scholarships and PTPTN loans. (Copies of their rejection letters is enclosed herewith).

Kuganesh tells us that it is because of this (racist and supremacist UMNO) policies that Indian youths are going astray and getting involved in crime and gangsterism etc.

Kuganesh asks is it wrong to dream of becoming an Accountant.

Both Kuganesh and Umha tell us that out of the 15 Indian students at Polytechnic Port Dickson out of the total 4,500 students ( a mere 0.33%) only a mere one or 0.02% finally made it to the public university.

For the Malay Muslim and other native students the sky is the limit for them as up to 99% of the 86,000 places in the 27 public Polytechnic and an estimated 95% of the 847,000 places (NST 7/8/08, page 16) in the 20 public universities are for Malay muslims. This is on top of the 200,000 places in UITM which is exclusively for the Malay Muslims (UM 22/ 11/2009 at page 25).

Save an except for some poor Chinese students, the rest or an estimated 99% are exclusively for only Malay Muslims. The Malaysian Chinese who control 70% of the Malaysian economy may not need these Polytechnic and University places as many can afford to go to private universities locally and overseas. The poor Chinese have the cash rich Chinese Guilds and Associations to help them.

For the Malay muslims and the natives the sky is the limit in terms of education for them. The rich Indians (a mere 1%) also sent their children overseas or local private Universities. This segregates and excludes only the Indian poor from the nation higher education policy of One Malay-sia with two education policies.

So who speaks for these poor Indian students? PKR? DAP? PAS? Indian elite? NGOs? MIC? PKR, DAP and PAS Indian mandores? UMNO’s print and electronic media?

All odds are stacked up against these poor Indian students.

The writing on the wall is very very clear indeed for the Malaysian Indians – if you are the very top brains (top 1%) or your parents are rich, have their EPF savings or other savings or can sell their land or house, then UMNO wishes you all the best to study at local private universities or overseas.

But if you are form an average, low income earning, poor or hardcore poor Indian, you are doomed!

Many youths get drawn into the world of crime. They are rebelling against the system, against the discrimination and marginalisation. It is their way of getting back at Malaysian society. They end up using their ‘untapped intelligence’ in crime and 95% of the Malay-sians shot dead by the police are the Indians. 60% of the Malaysian occupants in prisons are Indians when they form only 8% of the population ie about 70%, disproportionately over represented in prisons.

We hereby urge your goodselves to wipe out the tears of these poor Indian students and grant them their due places in the public universities. We estimate 2,271 Indian top achievers have been denied places in matriculation, universities as well as JPA loans this year alone!



______________

P.Uthayakumar

Secretary General (pro tem)

Vincent Tan blames bookies, Pakatan for anti-betting drive

(The Malaysian Insider) He also told gaming industry analysts that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) was to blame for the Najib administration’s backtracking, and alleged that illegal bookmakers had spent between RM100 million and RM300 million to smear his attempt to introduce above-board football betting.

Illegal bookmaking activities in Malaysia are estimated to be worth up to RM20 billion a year.

Tan (picture) said this at a luncheon with about 40 gaming analysts, where he was also said to have shown them a Finance Ministry letter dated Jan 13, 2010 that gave him conditional approval for the licence.

However, sources who saw the letter said the conditions made no mention of the government having to first gauge public support and that they had essentially been fulfilled.

A Berjaya Corp press statement released earlier today said the company was extremely disappointed at the government’s decision not to re-issue the licence “despite having granted its approval for the re-issuance of the same” — a phrase which was underlined for emphasis.

Berjaya Corp reported that the government had last month re-issued the licence to Tan-owned Ascot Sports Sdn Bhd after the original licence was cancelled by the previous Abdullah administration.

The gaming, property and hospitality group had told Bursa Malaysia in a May 12 filing that it intended to acquire Tan’s 70 per cent stake in Ascot for RM525 million. The tycoon’s son — Datuk Robin Tan Yeong Ching — would have retained control of his 30 per cent stake.

Tan had first obtained the licence in 1987 but had “asked the government to take it back” when the venture was unsuccessful while retaining the right to get the licence back.

His most recent attempt to revive long-suffering Ascot — which posted a loss of RM4.6 million at the end of 2008 — ran into a concerted hail of criticism from opposition parties who managed to turn the issue into a national talking point on the back of apparent anti-gambling sentiment.

Tan-controlled Berjaya Corp had planned to offer football betting services through the telephone and at selected Toto outlets nationwide.

It is understood that the tycoon had spent a considerable sum in preparation for the start of play in European football leagues this August.

The licence itself is said to be worth RM10 million, an amount which was refunded to Tan following the government’s capitulation to public opinion on Friday.

Sources said Tan had used the money to obtain a bank guarantee worth the same amount as a first-right-of-refusal claim, and suggest that he is biding his time until conditions are more agreeable before attempting to launch the football betting service again.

It was also revealed during the get-together with analysts today that after Ascot’s licence was withdrawn in 1990, RM8 million in licence fees was refunded to the company by the Finance Ministry and that it was also given compensation of RM10.9 million for sports betting equipment by the Totalisator Board.

Tan’s meeting with gaming analysts from both buy and sell sides this afternoon is seen as a move to repair his company’s image after Berjaya Corp shares were battered today at the start of trading.

Trade was resumed at 10am after a one-hour suspension on trading following Berjaya Corp’s announcement that it was calling off plans to acquire Ascot.

As at 4pm Berjaya Corp’s share price was down 14 sen from its opening price to RM1.22.

Najib's ex-aide Nasir Safar goes scot-free

By Rahmah Ghazali - Free Malaysia Today,

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak today defended an inflammatory speech that his former aide Nasir Safar made last February, in which he called Indians beggars and Chinese women whores.

“He was not referring to the local Chinese and Indians,” he told Parliament in a written reply to Gobind Singh Deo (DAP-Puchong).

Najib also said the government had decided against prosecuting Nasir despite scores of police reports alleging that he had committed sedition.

He suggested that Nasir’s apology and resignation from his position as special aide to the prime minister were punishment enough for the indiscretion that prompted a large section of his audience to walk out.

Not long after the incident, fugitive blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin dragged Nasir into further controversy by alleging that he was one of the last persons to see Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibu alive.

Few people had heard of Nasir until last Feb 2, when a large number of participants walked out of a closed-door seminar in Malacca while he was speaking.

They alleged that he had insulted Malaysian Chinese and Indians in a talk that was supposed to promote Najib’s national integration project, billed as 1Malaysia.

They told reporters that he had said Chinese women came to Malaysia to “sell their bodies” and had described Indian immigrants as beggars.

Investigated for sedition

The incident became a major news item on the Internet and the Prime Minister’s office promptly announced that Nasir had quit his position.

Several of those who walked out of the session lodged police reports, and Malacca police subsequently announced that they had investigated the incident under the Sedition Act and submitted a report to the Attorney-General.

In his written statement in Parliament today, Najib said it would be difficult to prove that Nasir’s outburst was seditious.

“Besides,” he added, “the suspect apologised openly” on Feb 4.

“He said he had no intention to make such seditious [statements] or insult other races in the country.”

Furthermore, he said, Nasir was referring only to foreigners who had migrated to Malaysia in search of work.

No plot to oust MB, says Anwar

By Rahmah Ghazali - Free Malaysia Today

KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim has finally settled the issue of some PKR MPs who allegedly teamed up to oust Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, saying that there was never such a plot.
Speaking to reporters in Parliament today, the PKR de facto leader claimed that he had never heard of the MPs – said to number about 15 - making such a demand as reported in the media recently.

“I have met the MPs many times. I have also gone through (the media reports) but seriously, there was no discussion at all among the MPs to make such a demand (remove the menteri besar),” he said.

According to him, he would have known if such a plot existed. But he said that the matter was never raised.

“I was never aware of it. As far as I’m concerned, any demand to oust the menteri besar has to go through me as I have a little influence in the party.

“But this was never the issue. The only issue brought up was how the Selangor government could implement effective programmes for the people,” he said.

PKR came under the glare of publicity last week when vice-president and Anwar’s protégé Azmin Ali tendered his resignation as a board member of the Selangor State Corporation Development (PKNS), which is helmed by Khalid.

It was rumoured that Azmin acted to express his displeasure over the way Khalid is running the state. Many members have also claimed that the menteri besar did not consult party leaders when it came to policy decision-making.

Another rumour soon surfaced claiming that the 15 PKR MPs have teamed up with Azmin to plot the downfall of Khalid. But Azmin has denied it.

Khalid needs to 'share the burden'

Anwar also rubbished claims that Khalid was replaced following criticism that the menteri besar has been unable to woo grassroots support despite having led the state for more than two years.

According to him, it was Khalid who asked for the change because he has a lot of work to do to meet the expectations of the people.

“He said his burden is heavy as he has to take care of both the state and party in Selangor. He was afraid he could not fulfil the expectations of the people.

“That was why he asked that his party position be given to someone else,” said Anwar.

Anwar, who initially disagreed with Khalid's request, said he finally accepted it when Khalid repeatedly informed him that he could not be expected to do both jobs.

“He needs to share the burden and he needs someone to tackle the political programmes.

“I think he is keen on making sure he runs the state,” he said.

Anwar also said PKR does not emulate Umno-style administration.

“It used to be like Umno where the menteri besar usually heads the party in the state, but not necessarily now,” he said.

MACC officers may face arrest in London

So there you have it. The MACC officers, PI Bala, and Bala’s three lawyers will all be in London next week. But instead of Bala’s statement being recorded will we see the MACC officers being marched off to jail instead?

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin
MACC is due to record Private Investigator P. Balasubramaniam’s statement on Monday 5th and Tuesday 6th July 2010. The venue is the Holiday Villa in London. According to Berita Harian and The Star, the event has already been confirmed and Bala and his three lawyers are scheduled to be in London during that period.

The latest, however, is that MACC has written to Bala’s lawyers to inform them that the lawyers will not be allowed to be present when Bala’s statement is recorded. The lawyers are adamant that they be present and will not back down on the issue. If MACC also does not back down then assume that the entire session is going to be aborted.

Maybe this is what they want. They don’t really want to take Bala’s statement because they are worried about what he is going to say. Bala is also going to bring all sorts of documents, which include evidence of the money he was paid to change his Statutory Declaration and come out with the SD2 to reverse what he said in SD1.

I have spoken to a group of British lawyers about this and they are planning to be at the Holiday Villa on the morning of Monday 5th July to challenge MACC on point of law.

MACC can’t quote Malaysia’s Anti-Corruption Act or Official Secrets Act and impose these laws on British soil, the British lawyers told me. In Britain, every person, even a witness, has the right to legal representation. It is against British law for MACC to forbid Bala’s lawyers from being present while his statement is being recorded.

Anyway, Bala is giving his statement voluntarily. There is no summons or warrant issued against him. Bala is not compelled to give his statement if he does not wish to and there is nothing MACC can do. “So why play hard ball?” asked the British lawyers.

Furthermore, Britain has the Freedom of Information Act. So MACC can’t use Malaysia’s Official Secrets Act to challenge Britain’s Freedom of Information Act, added the British lawyers.

If MACC wants to conduct an illegal operation in London then we shall have to bring this matter to the attention of the British police and get the MACC officers arrested and charged, the British lawyers said.
This is Britain and not Malaysia, which practices the law of the jungle, added the lawyers. The MACC officers can’t disregard the law and push it’s weight around in Britain like they do in Malaysia. They will find themselves in trouble with the law if they try that.

So there you have it. The MACC officers, PI Bala, and Bala’s three lawyers will all be in London next week. But instead of Bala’s statement being recorded will we see the MACC officers being marched off to jail instead?

I think I will hang around the Holiday Villa with my camera next Monday just to witness the fun. And I am sure many Special Branch officers from Bukit Aman will also be there with their cameras to take shots of me as well. By the way, I will be the person wearing a French cap, American jeans, Polo shirt, holding a Japanese camera, and with a Cuban cigar in my mouth.

Now that is what I call globalisation.

Privatising rubbish collection: Who benefits?

By KW Mak | The Nut Graph

(© bucklava | Flickr)

THE federal government wants to privatise rubbish removal services under the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) and have local councils focus purely on enforcement. Technically, the federal government cannot legally force a local government to enter into a privatisation contract. A contract’s signatories would have to be representatives from the government entering the contract itself.
However, one way to compel privatisation of a service would be through Section 165 of the Local Government Act. This section states that the state authority, also known as the state exco, may transfer a local authority’s function to the state’s chief minister or menteri besar. This can be done if the state deems that such a function would be in the public’s interest. However, such a transfer can only be done by a gazetted order. The order must also be presented to the state’s legislative assembly and will continue to be in force unless the state assembly annuls it.
This means that the only way to take away a local council’s power from performing its functions — one of which is rubbish removal — is through the state government’s direct and publicly announced (via gazette) intervention.
Making the impossible possible
Of course, politicians make a habit of making the impossible legally possible, with all the right packaging attached to it.
Back in 2007, Parliament passed the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act. This essentially allows the federal government to privatise rubbish removal services with the option to bill the house owner, the occupier, the local authority, or any other person to whom the services are provided.

Simplified diagram of what could happen (picture of woman thinking © Klearchos Kapoutsis | Flickr)

Since a house owner already pays assessment tax to the local council, and since it is the local council’s function to provide rubbish removal services, it is most likely that the federal government would bill the local council for the services.
Now, there is a clause at the introduction of the Act that states that the law would only come into affect when the minister in charge of solid waste management (presently under the Housing and Local Government Ministry) publishes the order in a gazette.
I suspect the only reason this law wasn’t implemented straightaway was due to the logistical nightmare of taking over rubbish removal services from all local councils. However, we must also realise that the federal government has had three years to put in place the necessary framework to carry out the privatisation exercise.
Practicality
So, now that we have an inkling of how the federal government may be implementing the privatisation of rubbish removal services, let’s look at the practicality of the privatised system.
The contractor providing the rubbish removal services signs their contract with the federal government. The local council, however, is tasked with paying the contractor whereas ratepayers are the consumers of the service.
Residents will never see this layer of bureaucracy nor will they care if their complaints to the local council are misdirected since the service providers are not answerable to the local council.
Additionally, the local council will probably be required to pay a lump sum figure without being able to deduct payment for services not rendered, since the contract is between the federal government and the contractor.
Conspiracy
Of course, the local council could just as easily request for a license to be issued to it to continue having the rights to manage its own rubbish removal services.
Except that Section 70 of the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act allows for the federal government to take over the entire operations of a license holder if it deems it necessary.
That, of course, is another matter entirely and totally unrelated to the issue of the federal government’s intention of privatising rubbish removal services under the 10MP. Or is it?

Court orders water documents revealed

(Malaysiakini) The federal government has seven days to disclose the contents of the audit report and water concession agreement entered between it, the Selangor government and Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas).

This follows a landmark ruling at the High Court today allowing the documents – which were classified by the government as being under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) – to be made public.

The decision was made by judicial commissioner Hadhariah Syed Ismail, who ruled the government’s refusal to disclose the reports did not consider the expectation of members of the public who are adversely affected by the decision.

“The respondents’ decision to allow the privatisation of water service and arbitrary increase tariff, and at the same time invoking the OSA, is disproportionate to the aims of the Act.

“It is also counter to the principles of good governance, accountability, transparency, and (that) the interests of rakyat should come first,” she said in her judgment.

Hadhariah ruled that since the government has failed to fulfill those principles, the court is compelled to do so.

Hadhariah made the ruling in the judicial review case brought by Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud (right) and 13 others against the Energy, Water, and Telecommunications Ministry, the Selangor government and the federal government.

The plaintiffs’ lawyer Ang Hean Leng, said this is a landmark judgment as it recognises the right of the public to have documents revealed out of public interest.
Syed Shahir and the other plaintiffs, which include Klang MP Charles Santiago and parents acting on behalf of their two children not of legal age, filed the application in January 2007.

They wanted the disclosure of the Concession Agreement dated Dec 15, 2004, between the federal and Selangor governments and Syabas.

They also sought the audit report justifying an increase of 15 per cent in the water tariff.

The plaintiffs also sought:

• a declaration that the applicants and general public have access to the audit report and agreement;

• alternatively, a declaration that those documents are public documents and are not official secrets documents;

• an order of certiorari to quash the decision by the respondents in denying access to such documents; and

• a mandamus order to compel the minister to disclose the contents of such documents.

JC not persuaded

Hadhariah in her 19 page-judgment also said she was not convinced such disclosure would be detrimental to national security or public interests.

“In fact, I was of the opinion that the truth is the contrary,” she ruled.

Hadhariah also said there must be a reasonable explanation why a document must be classified as “rahsia” (secret).

She also said she agreed with the applicants’ contention that the fact that the audit report was presented to the cabinet was not sufficient to justify protection under the OSA.

“It also cannot be in the spirit of OSA, to extend protection in cases where the government believes there will be public discussion and criticisms against the government’s action,” said the judicial commissioner.

Hadhariah said having read the audit report herself, she concluded it contains information relevant to the concession agreement, in particular the issue of raising the water tariff.

Saying that she could foresee public discussion and criticism against the government, the concession agreement and audit report should have been released in tandem as the report made certain comments and reference to provisions and concessions in the agreement.

“The disclosure will serve the public interests in keeping the public informed of the working of the government, as well as promote discussion on public affairs,” she said.

“In this era of transparency, accountability, and priority is given to the needs of the rakyat… it is only fair for such documents to be made public. I am of the view the court should lean in favour of the aggrieved party in matters involving public interest,” said Hadhariah.

She also said the concession agreement should be a public document as it was executed with public interest in mind and therefore it is in the public interest also that it should be disclosed.

“What could possibly go wrong if what the public wants to know is whether the deal was a win-win situation or a one sided agreement benefiting one party only?
“Until and unless the agreement is disclosed to the public, it would cause anxiety to the public wanting to know such matters that affect their basic needs.”

Najib: Affirmative Action Takes A New Route In NEM

By Zakaria Abdul Wahab

SINGAPORE, June 28 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he did not promise to do away with the affirmative action with regard to helping the Malays and Bumiputeras when he introduced the New Economic Model (NEM) for Malaysia.

"I did not promise to do away with it. I promised a new approach," he said during an exclusive interview with Singapore-based Channel News Asia (CNA) which was aired here Monday night.

Najib said the whole notion of the NEM was to have a fair and balanced society, and this economic model had been practically accepted by all Malaysians.

The question now was how to get Malaysians there and how do they want to achieve it, he told CNA's Malaysian bureau chief Melissa Goh who conducted the interview in Kuala Lumpur.

The prime minister said: "We want to get there but it has to be through a different route."

Thus, Najib said affirmative action under the NEM would be more market-friendly, more merit based, more transparent and based on needs.

He said there was enough wealth, enough room and latitude in his country for Malaysians to benefit from the government policies.

Asked when the government would likely stop giving out subsidy, Najib said the government needed to fine tune it first before it could gradually be phased out.

"I use the word gradual because we need the people's buy-in... because subsidy is a very sensitive issue," he said, adding that the government had to convince the Malaysian public that this was good for them in a long term.

"The only problem is that people look very much over the short term horizon, and they don't look at the long term horizons," Najib said.

The prime minister said the subsidy issue depended a lot on the public buying-in, and also for the government to come up with some social safety nets for those who were poor or vulnerable groups.

"So we are working at it but I did not promise overnight to do away with subsidy," Najib added.

The recently warm bilateral relations with Singapore and the settlement on the outstanding Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) land issue here, Najib said the KTM land settlement was a major breakthrough as it had been said by some people as "a thorn between our bilateral ties which was left unresolved for almost 20 years."

"I decided that we should put our minds to it and resolved a major outstanding bilateral issue because that will give us a strong foundation," Najib said, adding that it was also a signal to Malaysians as well as Singaporeans that they wanted to move forward, to deepen and to strengthen their existing ties.

The prime minister said: "We should not be emotional, we should not carry the baggage anymore but we should move forward, and with the sense of confidence, we can benefit from this new enthusiasm in terms of bilateral ties."

KP Samy Video

KP Samy: MIC president's daily misleading Indians

By G Vinod - Free Malaysia Today

KUALA LUMPUR: Sacked MIC central committee member KP Samy today lashed out at a local Tamil daily for branding a gathering on July 4 at Dewan Hamzah, Klang as an anti-Barisan Nasional event.

“Tamil Nesan carried a quarter-page advertisement on June 24 and June 26 urging Indian Malaysians not to take part in the gathering, calling it an anti-BN gathering.

“The advertisement is misleading and we want to know who placed the advertisement in the first place and why Tamil Nesan saw it fit to accommodate it,” said Samy.

“We had clarified earlier that the gathering will be a dialogue session to get into the bottom of Indian Malaysians' problems and there will be no character assassinations of anyone at the event.

“I have lodged a complaint with the Home Ministry on the matter and I hope the ministry will take action against Tamil Nesan for misleading the public,” added Samy.

Tamil Nesan belongs to MIC president S Samy Vellu's family. KP Samy and several other sacked MIC leaders had previsously launched anti-Samy Vellu campaign (GAS) to remove the veteran leader from the party. They are now embarking on a new platform to highlight the plights of the Indian community in this country.

Threatening the police

Samy also said that apart from the advertisement accusing his group of being anti-BN, the Selangor MIC has also threatened to bring 5,000 people to the gathering.

“Based on the Tamil Nesan advertisement, people will see that the 5,000 MIC people are attending an anti-BN gathering, which will work in favour of the opposition.

“We urge Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak in his capacity as the BN chairman to advise MIC accordingly as Tamil Nesan is owned by Samy Vellu,” he said.

Samy also slammed Selangor MIC information chief L Siva Subramaniam for allegedly threatening the police to take action against the July 4 Klang gathering, failing which his people will gate-crash the event.

“I will lodge a complaint with the Inspector-General of Police on the matter and I will leave it to the police to act against Siva Subramaniam who threatened the police,” he added.

PKR buying time with Selangor changes

By Zainal Epi - Free Malaysia Today

KUALA LUMPRU: PKR is buying time when it made the changes in the Selangor line-up, with PKR vice-president Azmin Ali taking over as the party's new Selangor chief from incumbent, Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim.

According to party insiders, the decision to separate party matters from state administration is to allow both leaders – Khalid and Azmin – to function according to their capabilities.

“It was also a move to ‘cool down' the resentment against Khalid’s administration among the Malay MPs and assemblymen in the state,” said a party insider.

Another insider said the spat between Khalid and Azmin dated back to 2008 when Khalid was appointed menteri besar after the general election.

At that time, there were talks that Khalid was just an interim leader as Azmin, favoured by party de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, would take over soon.

However, with problems plaguing Khalid’s administration in the early years, Azmin was kept away to allow Khalid to solve them.

Party insiders said the arrangement was that Azmin would take over the reins of the state government once Khalid had ironed out the various thorny issues.

But this did not materialise as economic and political challenges and internal dissession kept PKR in a state of constant turmoil.

Besides, its other partners in the state are also not having a smooth time. Selangor DAP is entangled with the federal authorities such as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission over various issues, while PAS has to contend with two camps in the state.

Selangor PAS chief Hasan Ali is said to be heading one camp while the other is led by Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad. The former is believed to be keen to get out of PKR dominance while the latter does not mind playing second fiddle to PKR since he is on the same side as Anwar.

Gloomy background

Given such a gloomy background, the PKR leadership seems to be contented with just letting Khalid overcome these challenges before handing the state with a “clean slate” to Azmin.

However, with the next general election looming, PKR MPs and assemblymen are rushing against time to deliver their promises to their constituents.

Party supporters are in need of projects to survive after having financially supported the elected representatives and more money is needed for the coming polls.

Fellow politicians are in a fix as to how to finance the next electoral battle since there are no more funds flowing in.

Khalid, it seems, is running the state in a business-like manner which does not benefit party supporters in anyway and this is not good politically.

On the other hand, Azmin, a political strategist and politician by nature, knows how to take care of the supporters and voters but since he is not helming the state, he is handicapped as far as filling up the supporters' cofffers is concerned.

Party insiders described the decision to appoint Azmin as Selangor PKR chief as one of buying time until the next general election since the party is not in good shape.

In fact, PKR is in a bad shape all over the country made worse by Anwar's sodomy trial, said one party insider.

“Whatever the outcome of the (sodomy) case, PKR is not strong to face the next general election

“There are already talks that two or three more PKR assemblymen might jump ship and remain independent in the coming months,” he said.

“When this happens, PKR may just slide into oblivion in Pakatan Rakyat while PAS and DAP take on the leading role in the state.

PI Bala's London date with MACC

By FMT Staff

SHAH ALAM: Private investigator P Balasubramaniam, whose two statutory declarations have caused ripples in the Altantuya Shaariibuu case, will meet with representatives from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) next Monday at Holiday Villa in London’s Baywaters district.

According to his counsel, Americk Sidhu, Bala will be be giving his statement involving the murder of Shaariibuu, a Mongolian model-cum-translator.

“We are scheduled to meet with MACC officials at 10am at Holiday Villas in Leinster Gardens, Baywaters next Monday.

“As requested by MACC, Bala will bring along the documents linked to the investigations,” Americk said.

As late as Friday last week, Bala had refused to meet with MACC after the commission imposed restrictions on his lawyers.

Americk said MACC investigating officer Abdul Rahman Bachok had said in an e-mail dated June 21 that the commission would not allow Bala’s lawyers to be present at the questioning.

But Americk disagreed with the conditions imposed, stating that Bala had a right under the constitution to have his lawyers present during investigations and that “that right over-rules any protocol instituted by MACC”.

Last Saturday, Americk was taken by surprise when MACC investigations director Mustafar Ali reportedly said that three officers from the commission’s nvestigations department would go to London to record Bala’s statements.

Mustafar reminded Bala to bring all his documents.

“We’ll be there, now that Mustafar has been magnanimous in allowing the presence of (Bala) lawyers during the questioning as was reported in the Star on June 26,” said Americk.

RM5 million offered

Balasubramaniam created controversy on July 3, 2008, when he distributed a sworn deposition in connection with Altantuya’s murder.

His statement alleged links between Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s close friend Abdul Razak Baginda and the deceased.

The next day, the private investigator retracted his statutory declaration and subsequently left the country with his family.

On Oct 27 last year, in the presence of three prominent lawyers, Balasubramian came out of hiding and reaffirmed that his first statutory declaration was true and that he was offered RM5 million to retract it.

In the no-holds-barred interview, he named businessmen Deepak -- who is said to be an associate of Rosmah Mansor, the prime minister's wife -- as the person who met him at a Rawang restaurant and made the cash offer.

He also claimed that Najib’s brother Nazim offered him RM5 million to retract the first statutory declaration, a charge which the prime minister has rubbished.

MACC had already recorded statements from Nazim and Deepak.

NS is ours for the taking, says state PKR chief

By Faizal Ezzany - Free Malaysia Today

SEREMBAN: Negri Sembilan is ripe for the taking provided Pakatan Rakyat shows good governance in Selangor, Penang and Kedah, said state PKR chief Kamarul Bahrin Abbas.

Commenting on the recent "G15" debacle in Selangor, he said a key factor which will convince voters is an effective and efficient PKR administration and election machinery.

"We must also ensure that the party machinery is shipshape from top to toe and show good governance (in other Pakatan states) and efficient administration of PKR,” said Kamarul Baharin.

In the March 8, 2008 general election, the opposition coalition made significant inroads in Negri Sembilan, which was once considered a BN fortress.

The Pakatan coalition won 15 state seats to BN’s 21. BN wrested five parliamentary seats in the state compared with Pakatan’s three.

Kamarul Bahrin, also the Teluk Kemang MP, said the mood among the people was changing and they were becoming comfortable with Pakatan and found its leaders easier to approach.

“Pakatan coalition leaders here are always present whenever and wherever there are people programmes and DAP, PAS and PKR leaders are ever willing to resolve issues.

“We are seeing real support on the ground and it is not surprising that membership in the parties is increasing," he told the inaugural state Pakatan convention here yesterday.

No to control by one race

He said the coalition cannot afford to be complacent, and its leaders must collectively work towards winning the hearts and minds of the nation's multiracial community.

“We have come together under one banner with the common aim of changing the political dominance of the current BN government, which is controlled by one race.

“The people have seen the difference and are thirsting for more.The Pakatan coalition in Negri Sembilan has matured since the 2008 election.

“We are focusing on our commonalities and leaving the differences to BN,” he said.

Pope deplores abuse raid on Belgium church HQ

Pope Benedict XVI adresses the crowd during his Sunday Angelus prayer at the Vatican.

 

(CNN) -- A raid at the headquarters of the Catholic Church in Belgium by police investigating child abuse was "deplorable," Pope Benedict XVI said Sunday.

The pope expressed his "closeness and solidarity in this moment of sadness, in which, with certain surprising and deplorable methods, the searches were carried out" in a letter to the head of the Belgian Bishops Conference, Andre Joseph Leonard.

Police were searching for documents related to allegations of child abuse, a spokesman for the Brussels prosecutor said Thursday.

The Vatican said Friday it was shocked by the raids, alleging that two cardinals' tombs were violated in the raids in the town of Mechelen.

"We also express our regret at some of the infringement of confidentiality, that those victims on whose name the raid were conducted have the right to," the Vatican said in its statement Friday.

The Vatican also reaffirmed its "strong condemnation of any sinful and criminal abuse of minors by members of the Church" and cited "the need to repair and confront such acts in conformity with the law and teachings of the Gospel."

Police raided the headquarters of the Belgian Catholic Church and searched for important documents in relation to their

investigation into the abuse of children by church figures, prosecutor's spokesman Jean Marc Meilleur said on Thursday.

The Catholic Church faces allegations of child abuse by clergy across at least half a dozen countries, including the pope's native Germany, as well as Belgium, Ireland, Austria, the Netherlands and the United States.


CNN's Caroline Paterson and Hada Messia contributed to this report.

Sports betting: 'Let’s hear it from the Cabinet'

By FMT Staff

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s announcement revoking his decision to legalise sports betting is still “unofficial”, according to anti-gambling movement GMJ.

GMJ chairman Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid said this was because the decision was arrived at after an Umno supreme council meeting and not a decision made by the Cabinet.

Azmi said while the movement welcomes Najib’s decision, it, however, must be announced clearly to the public that it was a decision made by the Barisan Nasional government and not just Umno.

He was commenting on Najib’s announcement on Friday night that the government would not be issuing the sports betting licence to Ascott Sports Sdn Bhd.

Najib, who is also Umno president, said the decision was agreed upon unanimously by members of the Umno supreme council.

“We accept the Najib's decision but it must be announced as a Cabinet decision and not made by one political party alone,” Azmi said yesterday.

He said that although Najib had rescinded his earlier decision on gambling, GMJ will not dissolve itself but would instead continue to voice its objection to the vice.

July 3 rally to continue

This, he said, was because the revoking of the licence was a “small decision” when compared to the reality of a rapidly expanding industry in the country.

“We, GMJ, will continue to object to any form of continued gambling activities because the Prime Minister’s decision is only a small part of a bigger issue of an expanding industry.

“We will consolidate GMJ at national and state levels and develop more aggressive campaigns to educate the public on the vice and will continue to do so until we achieve our objectives,” he said.

As such, Azmi added that the July 3 anti-gambling protest by GMJ will not be cancelled.

“The only difference now is that the July 3 rally will not have a procession. We will still go ahead with the handing over of a memorandum to the Yang diPertuan Agong.

“We will still have leaders of NGOs and political parties speaking out on the issue,” Azmi said, adding that GMJ expected some 10,000 people to join the demonstration.

Relieved women

Meanwhile, Najib’s announcement has eased the concerns of women in the country.

Said a woman spokesperson for Pakatan Rakyat’s anti-gambling secretariat (Sendi), Salbiah Abdul Wahab: “It’s a huge relief to hear the announcement.

“We were concerned for the women whose husbands have a tendency to gamble. Legalising gambling during the World Cup would have made it worse.

“For those whose spouses are habitual gamblers, it would have been suicidal. Most affected would be the women and children.”

Lawyer’s presence now hurdle to MACC quizzing PI Bala

KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 — The presence of P.Balasubramaniam’s lawyer in his highly anticipated questioning by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has turned into a stumbling block.

Bala’s lawyer Americk Sidhu said the MACC has objected to the presence of his lawyer when they interview the former policeman who claims of a conspiracy in the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu in 2007.

The interviews have been set for July 5 and 6 in London.

Yes, we are in the final stages of negotiation at the moment.

"All has been agreed accept the MACC will not allow our lawyer to be present when they are interviewing the subject,” Americk said in a text message to The Malaysian Insider.

“We do not agree to this so we should know the outcome by next week,” he added, saying the venue for the interview has been booked for July 5 and 6.

Americk said Bala was waiting for the MACC officers to turn up in London to conduct the interview which he himself requested early this year.

He added the MACC did not agree to its request for a video transcript of the questioning.

“They don’t agree, but if one of our lawyers is present in the interview, then that lawyer can record longhand everything that is said so that would solve the problem of no recording allowed,” Americk said.
Grab a Celcom Blue Bear(TM) and stand to walk away with RM10,000!

The MACC had said last May that it was ready to question Bala.

They were receptive then to recording the interview but since have changed their minds, says Bala's lawyer.
Bala disappeared in 2008 after issuing two contradictory statutory declarations about the conspiracy.

Gambling: It’s in Malaysia’s genes

By Lim Teck Ghee - Free Malaysia Today

COMMENT The cabinet decision not to issue a sports betting licence to Ascot Sports Sdn Bhd is the right one but it was made for the wrong reasons. According to prime minister Najib Tun Razak, the reason for not legalizing sports betting was “the impact it will have from the perspective of religion and politics.”

To get a proper perspective of the issue, it is necessary to get off the religious and political high horse and acknowledge that we are a nation that loves the occasional flutter. And also let us admit that there’s nothing wrong with gambling so long as it is not taken to extreme lengths and becomes a pathological, compulsive or destructive habit.

In a sense, all of life and the various decisions that we make are gambles. Although it may be too much to say that we all have gambling in our genes, scientists have been debating on the extent to which gambling is a manifestation of human behavior for a long time – at least during the last 200 years or so.

In an article, ‘Human Behavior and the Efficiency of the Financial System’ (February 1998) Robert Schiller, the noted financial economist, wrote that “a tendency to gamble, to play games that bring on unnecessary risks, has been found to pervade widely divergent human cultures around the world and appears to be indicative of a basic human trait.”

Further he pointed to studies that estimated that 61% of the adult population in the United States participated in some form of gambling or betting in 1974. They estimated that 1.1% of men and 0.5% of women are “probably compulsive gamblers,” while an additional 2.7% of men and 1% of women are “potential compulsive gamblers.” These figures are probably much higher today.

Similar numbers are recorded in all the highly developed countries whose status the country aspires to. All the countries that our elite regard as role models whether in the East or West, North or South take a liberal position on gambling or gaming as it is sometimes referred to.

Dr Mahathir: Nation’s No. 1 gambler

Even if we do not view gambling as part of normal human behaviour, it has certainly been part of Malaysian culture and politics – not only of the Chinese or non-Malay communities but for the majority of the country’s inhabitants, especially amongst the elite and leaders.

When Dr Mahathir Mohamad stated that he would have approved the sports betting licence for his long-time buddy Vincent Tan, he was being unduly coy and modest in leaving out his own addiction to trying to beat the odds.

In fact, gambling has long been a part of Dr Mahathir’s strategy to make Malaysia a developed nation. It is well known that Mahathir in his first year as prime minister gambled in the tin market with disastrous results. Speculating in tin caused Malaysia – then the world’s leading tin producer – about RM660.5 million in losses.

This staggering loss does not appear to have cooled off the gambling habit of our prime minister at that time. Using Bank Negara money, Mahathir speculated in currency, principally on the British pound which resulted in an even bigger multi-billion ringgit loss when the sterling collapsed in 1992. Estimates of this loss have placed it at over RM30 billion.

The details of Mahathir’s super high stakes betting which went dreadfully wrong have been given some attention in Barry Wain’s book, ‘Malaysian Maverick’. It could be that it was this content rather than any other part that led the Malaysian authorities to think twice about permitting the book’s distribution in the country.

In Mahathir’s defence

In the former prime minister’s defence, it may be pointed out that some analysts see his ill-timed gambles as part of his attempt to take on Western economic dominance. On a more personal note, it should also be pointed out that he was not betting his own money – only the nation’s money. Also that whatever gains that could have been made would have gone into the national treasury – or at least one expects that was the honorable intention.

Finally, as part of the mitigating factors, it may be noted that Mahathir was engaging in a national pastime.

Gambling takes place everywhere in the country – as raffles where prizes are given in the form of goods, services or cash; on golf courses as friendly bets between fellow golfers; as part of sales promotional services where you make a purchase on your credit card in the hope that you may end up with a free vacation; and in the stock market where it is glorified as speculation.

In short, it is part of our national culture though it has not yet been enshrined into our national cultural policy.

Despite the poor track record of our former prime minister in gambling and this latest decision by the current prime minister, let us approach the subject rationally.

It is important that this refusal to grant the gambling licence is not a precedent leading to religious norms being further imposed on the population – not only on the larger gambling issue but also on other facets of life and behaviour targeted by killjoys and hard-line religious zealots who are determined to show off their lily white credentials.

Also, by closing the door on sports betting (temporarily, I hope), let’s hope it does not open the Pandora’s box of religious and political taboos to extend to other aspects of entertainment, relaxation and culture that are part of the life of modern society everywhere in the world – everywhere that is except for a few nations that continue to deny their nationals their full freedoms and rights in the name of ‘piety’ and ‘moral virtue’.

Future policy on gambling licences

The right way for the prime Minister and his Cabinet to handle this – and all future gambling issues – is not to deny Malaysians the right to spend their money as they please but to ensure that lucrative gaming licences such as the sports betting one are given to recognized charities and non-profit organizations and not to cronies.

Various religious or ethnic groups are of the view that they should not partake of such “tainted” money. These groups are of course entitled to this view and should refrain from sharing or taking any part in the “dirty” profits associated with gambling. But there is no reason why the other communities that make up 1Malaysia should be made to toe the strict religious line.

In fact, given the limited resources of the government and the perennial financial constraints in funding schools and other projects for minorities, it makes sound economic sense to tap this source for the national good.

There are many good practices that we can emulate such as the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s non-profit gambling operations and the casinos in the United States that are operated by the native Indian communities on Indian reservation lands and where the employment opportunities and profits accrue to the marginalized communities.

For a start though, let’s not show the red card to legalized sports betting prematurely.

Lim Teck Ghee is the director of Centre for Policy Initiatives. This article first appeared at CPI website.

Nasihat tentang PMR

Oleh Shanon Shah | The Nut Graph
NAMPAKNYA cadangan untuk memansuhkan Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah dan Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) menimbulkan debat yang hangat. Lihatlah saja surat dari seorang pembaca kepada Kak Nora yang baru saya temui:
Assalamualaikum Kak Nora,

Angelina Jolie (© Chris_natt | Flickr)

Saya tengah stress yang tidak terhingga, Kak Nora. Umur tak sampai 15 tahun pun sudah ada uban, nasib baiklah muka saya lebih ayu bila bertudung. Tahun ini saya akan menduduki PMR. Entah kenapa, saya sungguh cemas. Seolah-olah saya PMS sepanjang tahun. Lebih teruk daripada abang saya setelah mengetahui kepincangan pasukan bolasepak Perancis pada Piala Dunia Fifa tahun ini.
Kenapa, kak? Kenapa manusia perlu menghadapi peperiksaan? Kenapa tak mansuhkan saja PMR dan ujian-ujian lain di Malaysia? Why, kak, why? Saya nak rambut saya hitam kembali sepertimana rambut Angelina Jolie dalam filem Salt.
Kembar tak seiras Angelina Jolie
Kampung Pandan

Waalaikumussalam adik Angelina “PMS” Jolie,
Mula-mula sekali, akak berdoa semoga rambut adik sentiasa cantik, hitam dan sihat. Tapi janganlah adik mengidolakan sangat si Angelina Jolie dalam Salt — itu rambut palsulah, dik.
Akak memang faham tentang isu stress di kalangan murid-murid sekolah sekarang tentang pelbagai ujian and penilaian yang perlu dihadapi. Jangan kata budak PMR, bila akak tengok budak-budak Darjah Satu sekarang pun akak sudah sayu. Akak tidak faham kenapa mereka perlu membawa beg sebesar-besar alam ke sekolah. Yang mengheret beg di atas jalan semuanya nampak macam jemaah nak pergi umrah. Yang menggalas beg di atas bahu pula akak tengok macam Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

A bird has two eyes? Two kidneys? Two hatchlings? (© Felix Neumann | Flickr)

Dan akak sudah tidak faham dengan apa yang mereka pelajari di sekolah. Baru tempoh hari akak menjenguk kerja rumah anak saudara akak yang belajar Darjah Tiga. Soalan matapelajaran Sainsnya bertanya, “A bird has two ______.” Anak saudara akak menjawab: wings. Tapi cikgu memangkah jawapannya salah! Jawapan betul ialah “legs”! Jadi sekarang akak pun sudah keliru. Kalau jawab burung ada sepasang sayap, salah. Kalau jawab burung ada sepasang kaki pula, betul. Jadi akak sekarang manusia atau burung? Wallahua’lam.
Jika sistem kita mengutamakan soalan dan jawapan peperiksaan seperti ini, sudah tentulah ramai yang akan berkata, “Mansuhkan saja kesemuanya.” Tapi sekarang masalahnya ialah soalan peperiksaan yang ada tidak masuk akal, dan jawapannya bergantung kepada hafalan semata-mata. Kalau kita memperbaiki mutu topik-topik yang diuji dan soalan-soalan yang ditanya dalam peperiksaan di sekolah rendah dan menengah, mungkinkah ini juga satu penyelesaian yang berkesan?
Akak beri contoh sikit. Tapi jangan terjezut ya. Akak dari zaman purba — zaman akak, tiada PMR, tapi ada Sijil Rendah Pelajaran (SRP). Dalam banyak-banyak subjek yang akak ambil, akak memang ingat dengan dua subjek — Bahasa Malaysia dan Sains Paduan.

(© yuvi panda | Flickr)

Cikgu BM akak ketika itu memang jelas bosan dengan kerjayanya. Masuk kelas, disuruh kami mengambil nota sahaja. Bila tulis karangan, kena ikut formula. Bila jawab teks pemahaman, kena ikut formula. Akak pula murid yang skema dan cuba mengikut formula yang diajar oleh cikgu. Tapi akak sendiri tidak faham apa yang akak tulis atau baca, sehinggalah akak tidak mendapat keputusan yang baik untuk SRP. Sebaliknya, budak-budak yang mampu mengupah guru tuisyen semuanya skor. Sebab itulah, akak nekad bahawa akak tidak lagi akan bergantung kepada apa-apa formula apabila menulis. Sehinggalah akak menjelma sekarang sebagai penulis kolum nasihat yang ikhlas lagi nakal.
Tetapi untuk matapelajaran Sains, dik, lain pula. Cikgu akak ketika itu sungguh kelakar dan kreatif. Bila dia ajar tentang fotosintesis, dia suruh kami membalas pantun tentang proses tersebut. Bila membuat eksperimen di makmal, dia akan berceloteh tentang asal-usul eksperimen tersebut dan akan memberitahu kami tentang penemuan-penemuan saintifik yang bersejarah. Walaupun dia tegas, memang jelas bahawa dia mengambil berat tentang setiap seorang muridnya. Dan kami sekelas memang skor untuk SRP.
Dua soalan akak di sini ialah: Adakah ujian SRP itu adil untuk rakan sekelas akak bagi matapelajaran BM? Atau adakah memang tidak berguna kami mengambil matapelarajan BM? Adakah ia adil untuk matapelajaran Sains? Atau mungkinkah ujian untuk Sains tidak perlu bagi kami, kerana kami sememangnya berjaya menghayati semua yang diajar?
Untuk generasi adik sekarang, apa sebenarnya yang ting tong? Sistem peperiksaan? Sukatan pelajaran yang dikendalikan oleh kementerian? Kualiti dan kuantiti tenaga pengajar? Adakah masalah ini akan dapat diselesaikan dengan memansuhkan sistem penilaian yang sedia ada?
Tapi akak tidak bercita-cita untuk menjadi ahli falsafah murahan di sini. Adik sekarang menghadapi tekanan mengulangkaji untuk PMR. Biar akak berikan tips ulangkaji untuk beberapa matapelajaran yang tertentu:
Sains:

1. Binatang apa yang ada kaki di atas kepala?

Matematik:

1. Kembangkan (a+b)ⁿ

Bahasa Malaysia:

1. Bulatkan penggunaan ting tong yang SALAH:
   1. Ghafar membunyikan loceng di pintu depan rumah Raju: “Ting tong!”
   2. Pasukan Perancis kecundang dalam Piala Dunia Fifa akibat terlalu banyak ting tong dalaman.
   3. Siakap senohong, gelama ikan duri. Bercakap ting tong, lama-lama mencuri.
   4. “Nanti aku ting tong engkau semua!” kata mak nyah tersebut kepada kumpulan lelaki yang menyerangnya.

English:

1. How many agony aunts does it take to change a light bulb?

Jawapan:

Kutu! (© suneilbasu | Flickr)

1. Kutu
2. (a+b)ⁿ = (   a   +   b   )   ⁿ = (       a       +       b       ) ⁿ
3. C.  Ungkapan yang betul ialah: “Siakap senohong, gelama ikan duri. Bercakap ting tong, nanti cepat berahi.”
4. Dua jawapan yang boleh diterima ialah:

A1: Only one, but the light bulb has to really want to change.
A2: None. The bulb will change itself when it is ready.
OK, dik, semoga berjaya dan sukses selalu!
Salam ikhlas dan nakal,
Kak Nora.

UMNO’s Opportunistic Ulama

by M. Bakri Musa

Like his predecessors Abdullah Badawi and Dr. Mahathir, Prime Minister Najib Razak endlessly proclaims Malaysia to be an Islamic state. Now with 40 young ulama joining the party, Najib must feel that his assertion to be the truth. He could not be more wrong.

Yes, ulama play a central role in an Islamic state. In his book, The Fall and Rise of the Islamic State, Noah Feldman attributed the longevity and eminence of earlier Islamic states to the critical role of the ulama and scholars.

The Islamic governing principle is simple. Rulers are to govern according to God’s law, as stated in the Quran and elaborated in the hadith (sayings and practices of Prophet Muhammad, s.a.w.). The central tenet is, “Command good and forbid evil!” As long as the ruler fulfills this obligation, his power and authority are legitimate and deemed divinely-sanctioned.

It was a tribute to their political skills and intellectual prowess that those early scholars were able to formulate from the Quran and hadith a set of laws – the Shari’a – that today still governs the everyday lives of Muslims, even those not living in Islamic states. At its time the Shari’a represented a quantum leap in the recognition of basic human dignity and rights. As Feldman noted, “For most of its history, Islamic law offered the most liberal and humane legal principles available anywhere in the world.”

The central precept of the Shari’a is that all, rulers and the ruled alike, are governed by it. No one, not even the sultan, is exempted. That is the rule of law at its core.

The ulama’s other major contribution was that they exerted the necessary checks and balances on the powers of the rulers. It was the scholars, not the rulers, who determined what was “good” or “evil.” A ruler had to abide by the decisions of the ulama, for not doing so would mean deviating from God’s law, a sure route towards de-legitimatizing the ruler’s authority.

These two central elements (fidelity to the rule of law and institutionalized checks and balances on the powers of the rulers by the ulama) accounted for the remarkable success and endurance of those early Islamic states.

The absence of both is what dooms many so-called Islamic states today, or indeed any state. Show me a backward society, and I will show one that has no respect for the rule of law and without an institutionalized system of checks and balances. This is true not only in the Islamic World but also elsewhere. Sadly, Malaysia is fast headed there.

The most “Islamic” state today is Iran. There the clergy class has assumed absolute power; there are no checks and balances. Criticizing the mullahs is viewed as criticizing Islam; they thus effectively put themselves above the law. Those who view Iran as the model Islamic state obviously missed the essence and beauty of Islamic principles of governance.

UMNO’s Ulama

As for the 40 ulama joining UMNO recently, the charitable part of me would like to believe that this was a noble move on their part, an attempt at emulating their illustrious ancient predecessors. That is, they saw the excesses of UMNO and felt compelled to step in to save a venerable institution by providing much-needed checks and balances.

Alas that was not the reason, at least not the one stated by their representative, Fadlan Othman, a junior academic at a local university. His primary reason for joining was to “proselytize from within, for the benefit of UMNO members whom I feel are ripe to have their knowledge, religiosity and spirituality uplifted.” (“Tujuan utama kami memasuki UMNO adalah untuk berdakwah dari dalam, untuk kebaikan ahli-ahli UMNO yang kami rasakan amat subur untuk proses peningkatan ilmiah, keagamaan dan kerohanian.”)

Well, at least he read UMNO members well. I would have been satisfied if he had a more modest goal, like trying to make UMNO and its members more honest and less corrupt.

I am heartened that the announcement of the ulama joining UMNO coincided with the party’s rescinding its earlier decision to legalize sports gambling. If the two were indeed related, then that certainly was a good beginning. Now if as the result of their joining the party, UMNO would also declare “money politics” and corruption haram, then they truly are on the path of rehabilitating the organization and its members.

The realist in me however, saw something else; a bunch of folks with otherwise unpromising careers spotting an opportunity to advance themselves. I see no difference between them and the many not-too-talented young Malays who, unable to advance on their own prowess, sought the patronage of UMNO.

UMNO is inundated with lawyers who cannot draw up a coherent contract and engineers more adept at building a bridge with more water flowing over than under it. This latest crop of recruits is no different. Google their names and their meager scholarly output becomes apparent. As for their khutba (sermons), that too are canned, produced by a committee at headquarters.

Just as these ulama are using UMNO to advance their careers, so too is UMNO exploiting them to enhance the party’s tarnished Islamic image, what with its unwise earlier decision to allow betting in sports. These ulama are there to sanitize UMNO. “Whitewash” is the more appropriate term.

These ulama ought to be reminded that exploitative relationships, personal as well as political, rarely endure.

The game that UMNO is engaged in and where these ulama are only too willing participants is a very old one. Throughout history, locally and elsewhere, the powers-that-be had successfully co-opted willing ulama. Ulama, like other mortals, can be bought; only the price varies. For some, the promise of a steady salary, government-issued car and quarters would do it; for others, an impressive title. However, whether the price is a penny or a pot of gold, a hooker is still a hooker.

Prime Minister and UMNO President Najib Razak is certainly well attuned to these corrupt relationships. Consider his bald statement during the recent Sibu by-election, “You help me, I help you!”

In Malaysia, the market for ulama is saturated. Seen in that light, their eagerness to join UMNO is understandable. They are certainly doing themselves some good, at least in this world, but whether they are also doing the community any good is another matter.

These political ulama, whether in UMNO or PAS, are a far cry from those illustrious earlier ones for whom the prophetic saying, “Scholars are the heirs of the Prophet!” was apt. Likewise, today’s Islamic states, Malaysia included, are a far cry from those earlier ones, which Feldman describes as “so Islamic that they did not need the adjective to describe themselves.”

No wonder Malaysian Prime Ministers from Mahathir to Najib are obsessed in calling Malaysia an Islamic state. They have to, for Malaysia has nothing to show for it but the label.

NGOs call for sex education

The Star

PETALING JAYA: Many teenagers are having sex and this calls for an urgent need to introduce sex education in schools, said leaders of several non-governmental organisations caring for children.

Shelter Home executive director James Nayagam, who has been assisting pregnant teenagers for 30 years, said no amount of campaigning and counselling would prevent teenagers from experimenting with sex.

“A comprehensive sex education will be a better source of information than their friends,” said Nayagam, adding that preventing unwanted pregnancies and abandoned babies was its ultimate goal.

He had come across cases where girls had sex when they were having their periods, as they wrongly assumed they would not get pregnant this way.

James also assisted a 14-year-old who had three abortions, all of them in back lane ‘‘clinics’’. She had since moved in with an aunty.

Dr Hartini Zainudin, the general manager of the Nur Salam halfway house for single mothers and children in Chow Kit asked: “Which is the bigger problem? Us being shy to teach our kids about sex, or having to deal with rising cases of abandoned babies?”

OrphanCARE president Datuk Adnan Mohd Tahir said sex should be a topic to be discussed openly with the youths to help them obtain more accurate information.

Christine Alphonse, a counsellor at the Ti-Ratana Welfare Society’s welfare home, said youths should also be taught about the consequences of having sex – and if they were prepared to handle issues such as unwanted pregnancies.

In Petaling Jaya, Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abd Jalil said a 2004 survey on 1,700 young adults ages between 13 and 24 showed more than 50% of the respondents did not know in detail about the functions of reproductive organs.

“Teenagers lack information and access to birth control methods. Many teenagers are also not taught about ways to deal with peer pressure and how to say ‘no’ to sex before they are ready,” said Women, Family and Community Development Minister.

Between 2005 and 2009, the police reported 407 cases of child abandonment, nationwide.

“The statistics up till April 2010 recorded 24 cases. The statistics are increasing every year,” said Shahrizat in response to a report in The Star on Saturday about the higher number of teen pregnancy recorded by the Welfare Department.

Shahrizat said her ministry would propose to the Government to include Social and Reproductive Health (SRH) as part of the co-curriculum programmes in primary and secondary schools.

Selangor Swap

I suppose I’m unlikely to successfully avoid talking on the topic, so let’s see.
I’m going to be honest and say that my first reaction to the switch was a bit weird.
Having two somewhat parallel chains of command is not really the way I would go about things.
What are the implications regarding competing interests in the state? The signal it sends to PAS & DAP?
I have never been a fan of the Star, and I daresay today’s headline is misleading, but to cry bloody murder and expect them to have treated this issue kindly and with kids gloves is perhaps not the most… reasonable. What would one expect, after all?
I might not agree 100% with every single point, but I think much of what Kian Ming wrote today is relevant and not too far off the mark. Note his ending.
Sigh.
All that said, I suppose the deed is done.
I aspire to sufficient humility to say that maybe the bosses have it right.
Who knows? Maybe this will really take a whole bunch of headaches of the MB’s hands, allowing both men to thrive and focus on the areas best suited to them.
Wallahu’alam.
Update: some info via @niknazmi: @NatAsasi @rastom @tianchua @elizabethwong @triciayeoh in UK parties at constituency level, constituency chairman and MP is always different

'Pakatan will suffer without Indian votes'

By Athi Shankar - Free Malaysia Today

GEORGE TOWN: Pakatan Rakyat will not capture its holy grail – the federal government – if the coalition continues to lose Indian support in the next general election, a long-serving DAP member warned today.

Pahang deputy chairman J Apalasamy, a DAP member since 1970, warned that Pakatan indeed could well lose its state governments in Selangor, Penang and Kedah if Indians drift away from the coalition.

He warned that Pakatan could also lose its current parliamentary one-thirds strength if the coalition fails to initiate immediate and effective steps to regain the fast-dwindling Indian support.

“Pakatan can ill-afford to lose Indian votes and dream of capturing Putrajaya with just Chinese and Malay votes.

“Without Indian support, Pakatan would suffer severe electoral losses in the next polls, including being dislodged as state governments, let alone capturing Putrajaya,” Apalasamy told FMT.

He warned that Pakatan's task of regaining Indian support would become even more complicated with the inevitable entry of the Human Rights Party (HRP) led by former ISA detainee P Uthayakumar in the next general election.

Based on campaign experiences in recent by-elections in Bagan Pinang and Hulu Selangor, he said that Indian voters were slowly and surely moving away from Pakatan.

According to him, incompetence and inefficiency of Pakatan elected representatives and state governments to address pressing Indian issues have frustrated the community.

Deeply perturbed

Apalasamy noted that the Kampung Buah Pala demolition was a major event that has shaken the Indian community's confidence in Pakatan governance.

He said other major issues were destruction of Ladang Batu Pekaka Hindu cemetery in Kuala Ketil, Kedah, Pakatan states’ indifferent attitude to resolving the landless status of Tamil schools, Hindu temples and cemeteries.

He said Indians were also deeply perturbed by the persistent practice of Indian “mandore” politics ala Barisan Nasional in Pakatan.

Thus, he said the frustrated Indian voters were discarding Pakatan.

Given that BN was the only alternative available, he said Indian voters were seen returning to the coalition fold.

“But truth is, they are not keen to return to BN.

“They are frustrated with Pakatan's performance,” claimed Appalasamy.

But the most frustrating part, he said, was Pakatan's blatant arrogance, ignorance and negligence to check the downslide.

“Many Pakatan leaders seemed to be contented with Chinese and Malay support, and don’t want to acknowledge the importance of Indian votes.

“The Pakatan state governments could actually check the slide by implementing comprehensive policies in the respective states to address and resolve pressing major Indian issues.

“But the problem is that the state governments and Pakatan elected representatives, even those in power, have chosen to turn a blind eye to the issues to safeguard their selfish interests,” said Appalasamy.

He slammed Pakatan Indian elected representatives for failing to champion the Indian cause within the coalition to protect their built-up multi-racial facet.

“To them, Indian issues don’t come into Pakatan multi-racial agenda, unlike Chinese or Malay issues,” he said.

Unwarranted public quarrel

Since the country’s first general election in 1959 until the last one in 2008, Indians were traditionally BN backers.

However, in the 2008 general election, inspired by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), the Indians moved away from BN and voted en bloc against the ruling coalition.

Some election observers noted that the Indian vote swing has contributed to BN's worst electoral showing.

Indian votes helped the Pakatan coalition capture four state governments in Penang, Kedah, Selangor and Perak and deny BN its traditional parliamentary two-thirds majority. (BN recaptured Perak via defections early last year.)

Appalasamy pointed out that Pakatan could even lose all if the coalition continued to underestimate and undermine Indian votes.

He rebuked Pakatan leaders, especially Indian elected representatives, for picking up unwarranted public quarrel and political squabbles with Hindraf/HRP.

If wisdom were to prevail, he said Pakatan should have forged close ties with Hindraf/HRP for a win-win situation.

Instead, he said that Pakatan leaders preferred “to eat the same hands that fed them with Indian votes in the last election”.

“Pakatan leaders are committing political suicide.

“Their continued hostility against Hindraf/HRP will only benefit BN,” he said.

He suggested that Pakatan set up national and state-level Indian bureaus to carry out the Indian agenda within the context of the coalition's multi-racial concept.

“The bureau would collect and provide grassroots feedbacks across the country.

“It can propose policies to Pakatan to resolve Indian issues and win over the community,” said Apalasamy.

'Ignorant' Pak Lah courts flak from Hindraf

By Athi Shankar - Free Malaysia Today

GEORGE TOWN: The Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) has slammed former premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi of being “naïve and ignorant” for suggesting an end to secular human rights practices.

Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy rebuked Abdullah for failing to understand the basic perspective of human rights.

He said it was “shocking and appalling” that Abdullah claimed that secular human rights practices be abandoned because their principles contradicted religious virtues and values.

“The former premier was talking gibberish in criticising secular human rights as hedonistic and comparing it with human rights in the form of Islam,” he told FMT.

He said religions would create a society based on a deep sense of moral responsibility and justice to preserve human dignity.

But he noted that without practical recognition of basic individual rights and civil liberties, all talks of human dignity would remain empty verbiage.

Waythamoorthy said demolition of temples, unlawful conversions, restraints on freedom of speech, and manipulated state actions against certain segments of society were major violations of human dignity and religious obligations.

“However, these violations were prevalent during Abdullah’s premiership,” he said.

Abdullah said this week that secular human rights practices should be discarded as they would eventually lead to the irrelevance of spirituality, divinity and morality.

He claimed that many did not realise that the concept and practice of human rights movements based on the philosophy of humanism, secularism and hedonism were enemies to religions.

Abdullah said this when speaking at a seminar on religion and human rights organised by the Malaysian Institute of Islamic Understanding, which he presides.

'How could this man become PM?'

Waythamoorthy, however, argued that human rights, whether secular or religious, emphasised on individual dignity and level of self-esteem that secured personal identity.

“Human rights would promote human community to co-exist,” he said.

While the pursuit of human dignity was universal, he said its forms were designed by religions, cultures and traditions.

He chided Abdullah for placing more importance on abstractions like state, political and religious ideologies at the expense of human dignity.

Waythamoorthy said the main task of a state and its leaders was to protect the rights of citizens.

“They should not divide and diversify human rights and its dignity by bringing religion into the same equation with human rights,” he said.

He said Abdullah should realise and recognise that secular human rights were imperative social conditions necessary to uphold and enhance human dignity.

“Hindraf wonders how a man with so much antagonism towards secular human rights could have led the country,” he added.

Tevez shines as Argentina oust Mexico

Argentina have set up another FIFA World Cup™ quarter-final against Germany after overcoming Mexico 3-1 at Johannesburg’s Soccer City Stadium. Carlos Tevez emerged as the hero with a brace of goals, while Gonzalo Higuain was also on target as Diego Maradona’s Albiceleste set up a rematch against their 2006 conquerors.

The Mexicans ultimately proved no match for their clinical South American opponents, yet it all started so promisingly for Javier Aguirre’s side, with Carlos Salcido rattling the crossbar with a stunning long-range drive after just eight minutes. There was another lucky escape for Argentina just a minute later, when Andres Guardado drilled in a shot from the edge of the box that spun away from the far post just as the net looked set to bulge.

Maradona’s side were hardly lacking in attacking menace themselves, however, and Lionel Messi soon embarked on one of his trademark elusive runs before attempting a chip over Oscar Perez that the Mexico keeper judged well. Messi’s hunt for a goal at South Africa 2010 continues, but it wasn’t long before the Barcelona talisman played a key role as another of Argentina’s star forwards opened his tournament account.

Carlos Tevez might have thought his chance had gone when Perez raced out to block bravely at his feet, but Messi was quick-witted enough to return the ball towards goal, where the Manchester City striker was waiting to head home. Breaking the deadlock enabled Argentina to take a firm grip on proceedings, and within seven minutes that hold was strengthened as Mexico reached for the self-destruct button.

Quite what Ricardo Osorio was thinking when he played a square pass to the feet of Gonzalo Higuain is unclear, but it was a gift the Real Madrid striker readily accepted, coolly dragging the ball around the grounded Perez before side-footing into the empty net for his fourth goal of the tournament.

Even with the best part of an hour remaining, it was difficult to envisage Mexico finding a way back into this match, and Argentina could have been out of sight altogether by half-time had Higuain not headed wastefully wide with the goal at his mercy. Maradona’s men are capable of scoring at any time though, and from any situation – as Carlos Tevez proved six minutes into the second half.

The Albiceleste No11 benefited from a fortuitous break 25 yards from goal, but there was no luck involved in what followed, with Tevez lashing an unstoppable drive into the top-right-hand corner for one of the goals of the tournament. Mexico must have realised the game was up at this stage, but it was to their credit that they continued to attack with conviction, and they should have pulled a goal back on 63 minutes when Javier Hernandez headed over when it seemed easier to score.

The Manchester United-bound youngster made amends with 19 minutes remaining, however, brilliantly turning Martin Demichelis on the edge of the box before rifling a stunning left-foot shot into the roof of the Argentinian net. It would prove scant consolation for the crestfallen Mexicans, but while El Tri return home with their dreams dashed, Argentina can begin plotting revenge against some familiar foes.