Najib trying to win Indians over -- clan by clan

By JK Jayan - Free Malaysia today

COMMENT Realising the importance of marginal Indian votes which decide the fate of many parliamentary and state seats, Najib Tun Razak, since becoming prime minister, has embarked on a mission to directly approach the community in a systematic and calculated manner which seems to be producing the desired results.

He first visited the Batu Caves temple and followed up with another visit there during Thaipusam, hailed as the first by a Malaysian prime minister after a gap of almost 30 years.

His next target was the Indian business community. He made a grant of RM2 million to the Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI) for training Indian businessmen when he attended one of its functions.

The Sri Murugan Centre, which had become an important vehicle to propel the Indian community on the educational front, was his next target and he donated RM1 million for its activities after attending its anniversary celebration.

On the political front, he cunningly took the powerful and popular “Makkal Sakthi” slogan away from Pakatan Rakyat by directly supporting the formation of the Makkal Sakthi party by RS Thanenthran, a former stalwart of Hindraf. Najib even attended the inauguration ceremony of the party.

Riding on clannish sentiments

Understanding the strong clannish sentiments within the Indian community in Malaysia which prevails even today, Najib lately has been going around to each and every clan-based Indian organisation, listening to their grouses and wishes and providing them with handouts for their activities.

He attended a function organised by the Sikh community in 2009, telling them that his government stood for all communities, all races and all religions and that he was there to recognise the contribution of the Sikh community in the development of Malaysia, and naturally won the hearts of those present. He also made a substantial amount in grant for the association’s activities.

On Sept 19 this year, he attended a lunch gathering with the Malayalee community organised by the All Malaysia Malayalees Association, again promising them with land and financial aid for their activities. It is estimated that about 7,000 people attended the function.

On Oct 8, Najib turned his sights on the Telugu community by attending their international conference and again promising them to fulfil their requests. He also extended financial support for their activities. A 10,000-strong crowd cheered and supported him. He did not miss the golden opportunity and delivered a powerful and inspiring speech, saying that he thanked the contributions of the Telugu community and advised them to approach him directly to solve their problems.

Such moves by Najib seem to have produced the desired results. Now, these powerful Indian clan associations and their leaders had become frontline flag-carriers for Barisan Nasional and were expected to play a key role during the next general election by carrying the message of what had been done by the BN government for their respective clan movements.

Because these functions presided by Najib were attended by ordinary people from the Indian community, they were thrilled with the presence of the prime minister himself which had never happened in the past. Najib’s simple and direct-to-you approach had won the hearts of many Indians involved in these clan associations.

MIC weakened in the process

This approach, however, had weakened MIC, which until 2008 was seen as the sole political party within BN representing the interests of the Indian community.

Before Najib, any Indian NGO and clan association wishing to approach the country’s prime minister had to do so through MIC, a party dominated by the Tamils. Although every clan was well represented in MIC, the key positions were always held by Tamils.

One MIC source said that some senior leaders in MIC were worried about the latest developments because the power and influence wielded by MIC had now been snatched away by the BN leadership. At the next general election, it would be difficult for MIC leaders to trumpet that they were the sole defenders and representatives of the Indian community in BN.

“What Najib should be doing is to politically strengthen the Indian-based political parties such as MIC and PPP rather than strengthening the Indian NGOs and clan-based associations. It may not produce the desired results.

“They may not be able to deliver the crucial Indian votes because members of these Indian organisations also come from other opposition parties such as DAP and PKR. They gather only because of clan sentiments. When it comes to political decisions, they may vote differently” said a MIC leader.

“There is also the thinking -- ‘let’s demand and get whatever we want’ -- because until the general election, BN will do everything to get the much-needed Indian votes” he added.

However, not all in MIC felt the same way.

“Let’s face it. MIC and PPP have lost the support of the Indian community as evidenced by the results of the 2008 election. By taking the direct approach, Najib has revived the fortunes of these parties and laid the foundation for these parties to work on the Indian votes.

“It is for MIC now to put in more effort to follow up on what Najib is doing or already done. At the end of the day if the Indian support towards BN increases, the beneficiary will be MIC and they should be thanking Najib for that,” said an MIC divisional leader.

One political analyst summarised the situation succinctly.

“It is true that some Indian votes will shift from Pakatan Rakyat to BN because of Najib’s approach. However, whether it will be significant to win back the seats lost by BN in the last general election is something else.

“When Malaysians, irrespective of their racial background, go to the ballot boxes at the next general election what will be foremost in their minds is whether they want BN back again or a change of government. That is what will determine the fate of BN and not Najib’s direct approach or the government aids granted to NGOs and associations,” he told FMT.

JK Jayan is a veteran political observer.

The proof that some of our our ministers are not here to serve the people!!

By Senior Doctor

As a SENIOR DOCTOR, I HAVE WITNESSED HOW RACISM AND RACIAL PREJUDICES HAVE CREATED A DARK lacuna IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH. It is incredible the extent of damage these racists can go to cause harm and damage to one's career and family. My intention was to bring this serious matter to the Minister of health.

I have been calling the Minister’s office since the last three weeks and every time, I am directed to speak to one of his private secretaries. I am told he has about 3 PAs. What is most disappointing is that his PAs seem to behave as if they are the Minister's boss. There is no courtesy or manners whatsoever. They just pick up the call and say, "I am very busy" and slam the phone down. A couple of times other staff gave me a PA’s handphone number and it is the same story. Every time he picks up, he just rattles away ”I am very busy!!" and slams the phone.

What annoys me is this. If the PA to the Cabinet Minister refuses to allow anyone to see the Minister however serious the matter is, and if he continues to give the impression that he is too busy, then why is he in the employment of the said Ministry? The Minister is there with a purpose. I am now told the PAs only assist MCA members and I heard some terribly nasty remarks about them which I hope is not true.

On the contrary, let me explain something else. My family and I made an appointment to bring this to the attention of the Law Minister, Dato Seri Nazri. We were delighted and shocked to see his reaction. The response from his staff and the Minister himself was simply magnificient.

We received a written appointment in less than a week. He appeared extremely intelligent, smart, and smeone who truly cares and someone who understands the LAW. There was not the slightest iota that he was a Malay and we are Indians. He was just a truly Malaysian leader!!

My wife, my son and I enjoyed every moment of our time spent with the YB. He was sympathetic about the racial prejudice that befell us since the last 22 years and promised to refer this to the cabinet. He did, and we were advised by his staff to see the Minister of Health in person. Instead, we were just given the runaround and they never bothered and simply acted as if they were too busy for us. For someone like me who is a senior citizen, having served the public for the last 30 years, and here you are when we go back to them for a serious matter, they treat us with no respect, courtesy nor the slightest decency.

I hope somebody can give an explanation.
In short let me say this. Dato Seri Nazri is indeed a rare breed of UMNO Politician. He has the intellect, the style of a refined and well balanced leader. We need people like him around for the next 25 years and can I can confidently say he is indeed a rare breed!! He is definitely an inspiration to our sons and daughters!!

Hipokrasi UMNO Dalam Memperjuangkan Bangsa

Dari Tv Selangor

Pengakuan Presiden Umno, Datuk Seri Najib Razak bahawa hak istimewa orang Melayu sudah ‘terkunci kemas’ dan tidak boleh digugat tanpa perkenaan Majlis Raja-Raja Melayu adalah bukti jelas bahawa parti itu tidak mampu membela orang Melayu.

Perkara ini dinyatakan Ahli Parlimen Lembah Pantai, Nurul Izzah Anwar dalam satu kenyataan akhbar bagi mengulas ucapan dasar Najib pada Perhimpunan Agung Umno 2010 di PWTC hari ini.

Menurut Izzah, kunci ini juga mendedahkan fitnah politik Umno yang mengatakan bahawa parti itu Melayu dan Melayu itu Umno adalah tidak benar sama sekali.

Kerana kunci ini terletak di tangan Raja-Raja Melayu yang sebenarnya adalah Raja-Raja kepada semua rakyat Malaysia.

“Fitnah politik Umno ini hanya digunakan untuk menguntungkan golongon Umno yang kecil dan memiskinkan rakyat jelata yang ramai seperti yang didedahkan oleh Ketua Pemudanya sendiri di mana setelah 53 tahun Merdeka, 60 peratus orang Melayu luar bandar masih dilanda kemiskinan,” katanya.

Mengulas berkenaan tekad Najib yang mahu terus mempertahankan Putrajaya, Izzah sebaliknya berkata, tekad ini menjadi panggilan keramat untuk rakyat membebaskan Putrajaya daripada Umno.

“Sudahlah dan cukuplah kerana tiba masanya semua Raja dan rakyat memegang kunci ini dan bukan Umno yang menjadi pemfitnah dan hipokrit perjuangan bangsa,” jelasnya.

Dalam kenyataan itu juga, beliau turut menyatakan azam dan tekad jika Pakatan Rakyat mentadbir negara ini. Adalah menjadi tanggungjawab Pakatan Rakyat untuk membuka ruang-ruang baru yang akan mensejahterakan semua rakyat dan mendemokrasikan negara yang berbilang kaum ini.

Kunci ini juga mesti membuka kontrak politik baru dimana undang-undang anti-demokratik seperti Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri(ISA) dan Akta Universiti dan Kolej Universiti(AUKU) dan sebagainya mestilah dihapuskan segera.

“Kunci ini juga menentukan bahawa undang-undang anti-demokratik ini tidak lagi diperlukan kerana hak Melayu telah dikunci kemas melainkan undang-undang anti-demokratik bukan sahaja untuk mengunci tetapi merantai rakyat untuk kepentingan Umno sahaja,” katanya.

NEM stillborn?

Malaysia’s Development Strategy Revisited (4)
by Dr. Mohamed Ariff*

New Economic Model Up Against Formidable Challenges

The structural change agenda presents formidable challenges. The kinds of skills that the new paradigm demands cannot be provided by Malaysia’s archaic education system, which needs a complete overhaul. At the same time, the country is suffering from a serious brain drain caused by both push and pull factors. The importance of a truly independent judiciary cannot be exaggerated: anecdotal evidence suggests that Malaysia’s tarnished judiciary and gutter politics are among the push factors. Seen in these terms, the brain drain is largely a manifestation of frustration that has led some people to vote with their feet.

All this calls for bold structural changes, including institutional reforms encompassing everything from education to the judiciary, backed by governance reforms to strengthen fiscal discipline, transparency and accountability. Nothing short of a holistic approach will set the Malaysian economy far enough or fast enough on a true development path. The politics of policy making, however, may hobble the reform process.

Indeed, there are ominous signs that the New Economic Model may be stillborn. The powerful vested interests that have thrived on the rent seeking put in place by the New Economic Policy will resist reform tooth and nail. The all-inclusive ‘1Malaysia’ concept propagated by the Najib administration and the exclusive New Economic Policy caucus promoted by ultra-Malays simply cannot mix, each being antithetical to the other.

This paradox cannot be resolved by cosmetic changes to win over diehard supporters of the New Economic Policy or increase the appeal of the 1Malaysia concept. Inclusiveness, meritocracy and competitiveness must be the hallmark of the New Economic Model if it is to fly. If it fails to take off, the lofty 1Malaysia initiative will be reduced to an empty slogan.

The 10th Malaysia Plan relies on Private Investment

Unfortunately, the Tenth Malaysia Plan for 2011–2015 does not echo the inclusive sentiments espoused by the New Economic Model. The plan, which targets GDP growth of 6 per cent, looks somewhat similar to the preceding Ninth Malaysia Plan for 2006–2010 in terms of fund size (RM230 billion), sectoral allocation and strategy, albeit with different goals.

The assumption in the Tenth Malaysia Plan that private investment will grow at an annual rate of 12.8 per cent to energize GDP growth is questionable given that private investment slowed to 2 per cent under the Ninth Malaysia Plan. FDI trickled in at a snail speed of 1 per cent per annum during 2006–2009, a far cry from the 9 per cent growth seen before the Asian Financial Crisis.

According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), there was a massive 81 per cent drop in FDI inflows to Malaysia in 2009 alone. Although it was a bad year for nearly every country in the region (the notable exception being Singapore), the other countries fared much better, with Thailand, Viet Nam and Indonesia registering significantly smaller drops of 30.4 per cent, 44.1 per cent and 44.7 per cent respectively. What is more, the Philippines attracted more FDI than Malaysia for the first time ever, while Vietnam overtook Malaysia as a favoured destination for FDI.

The dramatic drop in inflows in 2009 cannot be dismissed as an aberration given that a downward trend had been evident for several years. Nor can it be explained away by the observation that FDI was in short supply. The fact remains that Malaysia is losing out to its competitors as it seeks to attract increasingly scarce FDI funds. One cannot help but wonder if foreign investors are voting with their feet.

The Tenth Malaysia Plan expects the private sector to be in the driver’s seat, but this assertion alone is unlikely to entice the private sector, especially foreign investors, when there is no strategy to dislodge distortions in the market place related to the New Economic Policy. As Albert Einstein remarked, it is madness to keep doing the same thing over and over again while expecting a different result.

The New Economic Policy is an addiction for some, redundant for some others and unjust for the rest. Like the legendary Gordian knot, the New Economic Policy cannot be loosened but must be cut. Apparently, no one in the corridors of power in the country has the gumption to do away with it, because they all owe their jobs to the current set-up. All this, one must hasten to add, does not constitute an argument against affirmative action per se.

Umno General Assembly Continues With Debate On President's Speech

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 (Bernama) -- The 2010 Umno General Assembly continued today with six more delegates, including from Puteri Umno and Umno Overseas clubs, taking the floor to debate the president's opening address.

This will be followed up 28 more delegates debating on economic, religious and educational issues.

This year's assembly will also provide, for the first time, a hall for delegates to perform their Friday prayers which will be at Dewan Tun Razak 4, Level 4, Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC).

The five-day assembly, which started on Tuesday night, saw a simultaneous launching of the Wanita, Youth and Puteri Umno wing assemblies by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Umno Deputy President.

Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak opened the assembly Thursday.

MACC top gun upset over all that wasted effort in court

The Star

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy commissioner (operations) Datuk Mohd Shukri Abdul has voiced his disappointment over the commissions failure to win some high profile corruption cases recently.

He said MACC had worked very hard to collect evidence to bring those accused to justice but sometimes their efforts went to waste.

“This gives the public a negative perception of our agency, as though we are not taking matters seriously,” he told reporters at the MACC headquarters yesterday.

Shukri said most witnesses were reluctant to co-operate with MACC because they did not want to risk their relationships with family members, subordinates or business partners.

Of the average 10,000 cases reported every year, he said only half could be probed and eventually only about 200 could be brought to court.

“Singapore and Hong Kong have a 90% conviction rate while Indonesia and China have almost a 100% rate. In those countries, the evidence adduced in court is strong enough and guarantees conviction,” he said, adding that Malaysia only had a 68.1% rate.

Shukri said the MACC should not be the only one carrying the burden, adding that all had a part to play.“The judicial system should also look into the issue. Minor things like differing statements by the witness like which hand did the accused take the money in can cause a problem.

“What is more important is whether there was corruption or not,” he stressed.

Asked about the role of polygraph examiners or experts trained to operate lie detectors, he said that they were only used during the investigations process and were not applicable in court.

“We will try to work with former MACC officials who are now practising law to help our cause.”

French protesters clash with police

France has witnessed another day of confrontations as protestors blocked key sites and clashed with police amid calls by unions for further nationwide protests over plans by the government to raise the retirement age from 60 to 62.

The country's senate is expected to vote on changes to the pensions system on Friday, but Al Jazeera's Jacky Rowland, reporting from Paris, the capital, said that the main constituents of the bill have already been passed.

Youths meanwhile have been clashing with riot police in several cities.

A schoolgirl was taken to hospital on Thursday during clashes with police outside a high school in the central city of Poitiers.

Police in Lyon fired tear gas when a group of around 200 high school students tried to join a demonstration organised by the CGT, the country's main union.

Five youths were arrested in Nice after stones were thrown at police during a demonstration outside a high school.

Unions said 35,000 people took to the streets of the southern city of Toulouse on Thursday, although officials put the figure closer to 8,000.

At least 4,000 high school students marched through the capital, with student union leaders vowing to continue protesting despite half-term holidays which start on Friday.

Student protests

Rowland said that the presence of youths on the streets may decrease as the holidays approach.

"Opposition to these reforms has seen many young French citizens go to the streets along with the powerful unions, but numbers may steadily decline," she said.

Between 3,500 and 5,000 students took to the streets of the southwestern city of Bordeaux, carrying banners such as: "We would have burnt this reform but there's no petrol left."

Activists blocked access to Marseille airport for several hours before being cleared by police, causing tailbacks of several kilometres.

Troops have also been sent in to clear rubbish from the streets of the Mediterranean port where collectors are on strike.

"By taking the French economy, businesses and daily life hostage, you will destroy jobs," Nicholas Sarkozy, the French president, said on Thursday.

He also accused trade union leaders of undermining France's fragile economic recovery.

"We can't be the only country in the world where, when there's a reform, a minority wants to block everyone else. That's not possible. That's not democracy," said Sarkozy.

The president also vowed tough action against rioters.

Government 'intransigence'

Bernard Thibault, the head of the CGT union, said that faced with government "intransigence", there was "no reason to stop these protests" and "we recommend further action from next week".

"We have to continue with the most massive actions possible," he told local radio.

Unions are to meet on Thursday to decide on holding further mass rallies, possibly on Tuesday, a week after the last main protest.

More than a million people took to the streets then, the sixth day of action since September, to protest against the unpopular plan to raise minimum retirement from 60 to 62 and full pension payments from 65 to 67.

Workers in key sectors have been on strike for more than a week to against protest the reform, which the government says is essential to reduce France's public deficit.

Unions and political opponents say it penalises workers.

Source:Al Jazeera and agencies

20101021_101021_in_parliament_03.avi.s.mp4

Hindraf appeals to Manmohan Singh to take up plight of Malaysian ethnic Indians (Press Trust of India)

London, Oct 20 (PTI) Ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’’s visit to Malaysia, the leader of a prominent Hindu rights group today appealed to him to take up the issue of "serious human rights violations" of the ethnic community with his Malaysian counterpart.

"We would like to make an appeal to him to raise with his counterpart, the Prime Minister of Malaysia (Najib Razak), issues relating to the serious Human Rights violations of the Indian Malaysians," Chairman of Hindraf (Hindu Rights Action Force) P Waytha Moorthy said in a statement here.

Singh is due to visit Malaysia beginning October 26. "Inspite of our continuous and vocal representative to the Government of Malaysia on the serious Human Rights violations these issues are not getting tangible policy responses," Moorthy said.

There is a distinct and serious socio-economic problem with the Indian community in Malaysia and all socio economic indicators clearly show this, a growing underclass, stagnant share of wealth in the country, increasing involvement in crime of Indian adolescents, he added.

"We make this appeal to the PM of India on the basis of the historical and cultural affinity between the Indian communities here and the people of India," he said.
Hindraf appeals to Singh to take up plight of ethnic Indians
—————————————————————————————————————–

Will the Indian PM raise the issues of Human Rights violation against the minority Indians in Malaysia.

Dr,Manmohan Singh is due to visit Malaysia beginning the 26th of October. We, from Hindraf and the Human Rights Party, our political wing welcome him warmly to Malaysia.

As he makes this visit, we would like to make an appeal to him to raise with his counterpart, the Prime minister of Malaysia, issues relating to the serious Human Rights violations of the Indian Malaysians. We have presented Dr.Singh with our 2009 Report on Human Rights and Minorities Rights Violation in New Delhi at the time of Pravasi Conference in January 2010.

In spite of our continuous and vocal representation to the Government of Malaysia on the serious Human Rights violation these issues are not getting tangible policy responses. There is a distinct and serious socio-economic problem with the Indian community in Malaysia. All socio-economic indicators clearly show this – a growing underclass, stagnant share of wealth of the country, increasing involvement in crime of Indian adolescents, staggering statelessness among the Indian poor estimated to be more than 300,000 people, shrinking educational opportunities, shortest life spans among the 3 major ethnic groups, dropping educational performance, significant underemployment and a significant section of the Indian community needs rehabilitation due to the effects of the mass push-out from the plantations to the urban centers without any state adjustment programs in the last 30 years.

We make this appeal to the PM of India on the basis of the historical and cultural affinity between the Indian communities here in Malaysia and the people of India.

Just as during the Indian national freedom movement a significant section of the Indians in Malaya took on a spontaneous and highly charged role in the Indian National Army. They gave money, their life savings, their jewels and many, their lives in the construction of the ill-fated Siam railway. The Indians here saw a moral and compulsive responsibility. Now we urge the same kind of response back from the Government of India to the people of Indian origin here in Malaysia.

In the context of a modern and growing India, India wields significant influence in the region and in Malaysia. We urge the Indian Prime Minister, by raising these issues with his counterpart, to contribute to an improvement to the lives of the 2 million Indians in Malaysia. Out of these actions based on a moral responsibility, India will be seen to be more than just India Inc. We certainly believe that India can play this role without violating any of the norms and intricacies of International diplomacy.

P.Waytha Moorthy

Chairman

HINDRAF

20.10.2010

HINDRAF & HRP: Tamil Schools are our future

Between 2008 and 2010 there has been vast development in Batu Kawan with new housing estates, double storey shop lots, huge mosque and school. Here we are precisely zooming into new buildings for all type of schools except the usual Tamil schools. Below are the pictures of the new schools in Batu Kawan, Penang.





Without the signage one could easily identify that those are schools. Palace like Malay schools and multiple story Chinese schools are easily noticeable. Now the question raise is where is the Tamil School? If you drive pass Batu Kawan probable you would not be able to find the Tamil school that easily. Why? Look for yourself …

…yes it the Tamil School. Could you believe it? A used 40’ container is the so called Batu Kawan Tamil School. The hot and stuffy condition inside the container is unbearable. How can a living soul allow this kind of humiliation to happen to our community and worst still behave or pretend as though nothing has happened?
Why is it that only Tamil schools need to face such a dilemma in getting the government fund? Why is it that it is always neglected by the UMNO government or Pakatan government? Is it that Pakatan or UMNO and their administration are having a attitude problem or are they sidelining Tamil schools and Indians as a whole?
The education ministry is now questioning the enrolment in the Tamil School and since the figure is low they are reluctant to build a new building even though a land has been year marked for a new Tamil school.
Now looking at the above schools where would one register their child. Obviously at schools which looks like Palace with luxurious look and not at schools that are build in hot and stuffy containers. This is what the Education Ministry is expecting. This is what we call systematic ethnic onslaught. The enrolment in Tamil schools will decline and the government will use this excuses to deny a new building for Tamil School. Eventually the land which was year marked for Tamil school will be taken away and probably will be used for building a Tadika Permata, new surau or another new mosque.
Once if you close or destroy Tamil Schools, the language will die and eventually the race will die. This is what we call ethnic onslaught.

Hindraf & HRP meets parents of Batu Kawan Tamil School

The far sighted of Hindraf and HRP is battling this ethnic onslaught and appealing to residents of Batu Kawan to sign up the signature champion which was launch to protect our Tamil schools. You may contact Mr. Annadurai @ 017-4107244 for further details. We need more than 800 signatures to save the future of Batu Kawan Tamil School. Ground work has been re-energized by HRP Perai Team and we need the support of every resident especially Tamil school students, ex-students and parents residing at Batu Kawan area to throw their support for this noble cause.
K.Maran
Human Rights Party
Penang Information Chief

Five People Detained Over Girl's Murder

IPOH, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- Police have detained five people including two youths to help in the murder and rape of a girl in Teluk Intan on Saturday.

Perak police chief Datuk Zulkifli Abdullah said two youths aged 16 and 17 years were detained Wednesday night while three others were detained on Sunday.

"We are trying to find concrete proof and identify the culprit behind the murder," he told reporters after attending Ipoh police headquarters monthly gathering here Thursday.

Zulkifli said the three suspects were remanded until Oct 24 while the youths were still being investigated for the student's murder.

The nude body of Divya Barathi Murali,16, was found on Oct 17 in Ladang Rubana, Teluk Intan, one day after she was reported missing by family members.

_______________________________________________________________________
Two more detained over Divya Barathi rape-murder case

By IVAN LOH, The Star

IPOH: Police have detained two teenagers to assist investigations into the murder of 16-year-old student M. Divya Barathi.

The two youths from Teluk Intan, aged 16 and 17, were picked up on Wednesday.

Perak police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Zulkifli Abdullah said police believed one was a student and the background of the other was still being investigated.

Speaking to reporters after a special monthly gathering here Thursday, he said a remand order would be obtained soon on the duo to facilitate investigations.

Police have also not ruled out the possibility that more than one individual was involved in the case.

The naked body of SM Horley Methodist student Divya Barathi was found in a drain near Ladang Rubana palm oil estate in Teluk Intan on Saturday.

Police confirmed that the girl was also raped.

Apart from the two teenagers, three other suspects are still in remand over the case.

One is a palm oil estate worker at Ladang Rubana while the other two were unemployed. All three, in their 20s, were being remanded until Sunday.

DCP Zulkifli urged the public to come forward if they have information on the case.

PAS picks Dr Zulkefli for Galas

GUA MUSANG, Oct 22 — PAS picked Gua Musang deputy chief Dr Zulkefli Mohamad as Pakatan Rakyat candidate for the November 4 Galas vote.

Dr Zulkefli was the Gua Musang parliamentary seat candidate in Election 2008, losing to Tengku Razaleigh, who has been appointed as the election director for this highly anticipated by-election, the 13th since the general election.

The announcement was made by Kelantan mentri besar Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat last night. Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was also present.

Nomination is slated for October 26. Both nomination and voting days are the same as for the Batu Sapi by-election in Sabah.

The seat became vacant following the unfortunate death of PAS’s Che Hashim Sulaima from cancer on September 27.

In Election 2008, Che Hashim beat BN’s Mohd Saufi Deraman by a margin of 646

Delegates declare victory over Malay rights

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 — Delegates received well Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s call for the end to race debates, but at the same time they kept up demands for privileges, on day one of the Umno assembly today.

The Umno president’s policy speech was also seen as a sign of victory by the delegates that the constitutional position of the Malays cannot be questioned.

“Umno Youth would like to thank the prime minister, for voicing out the concerns of the younger generation. Datuk Seri had given the assurance that no matter what happens, the special rights of the Malays would continue to be upheld,” said Umno Youth representative Megat Zulkarnain Omardin.

The Umno Youth national executive committee member also took the opportunity to question the authorities for not taking action against those responsible for raising sensitive issues.

“There are 16 cases of insult against the Malay Rulers, the national anthem, and false news but only three cases are being pursued while the rest have been classified ‘no further action’,” said the Gombak Youth chief.

Megat Zulkarnain described the DAP as traitors and called for a mechanism to take action against them.

“The DAP openly attacks and question our rights, yet they feel comfortable because at the same time they are protected. These are people who are willing to sell the interest of the race and religion for political expediency,” he said.

When opening the Umno general assembly Najib had called for an end to the race debates saying that the special position of the Malays is part of the social contract agreed before independence as an exchange for citizenship for the non-Malays.

He stressed that the issues are enshrined in the Federal Constitution and cannot be amended without the consent of the Conference of Rulers.

At the same time, Najib also called on the Malays to be prepared for a new era of race relations and to compete in a more meritocratic environment.

“Do not forget to defend the rights of the Malays, because it is the Malays that put us here as their leaders,” Kuala Lumpur delegate Datuk Mustafa Kamal Yusoff told the assembly.

The Seputeh Umno chief also urged government to ensure that the government-linked companies (GLC) continue to give preferential treatment to Bumiputera businesses.

“I hope the government will look at our GLCs for small projects. If the GLCs are fair I am sure they will get what they deserve,” said Mustafa.

Meanwhile Perak representative Datuk Samsudin Abu Hassan condemned the opposition for what he described as an attempt to hijack Najib’s 1 Malaysia.

“In promoting equality and fairness, certain parties have claimed that 1 Malaysia will not become a reality if the Malays continue to be accorded with special rights,” said Samsudin.

“The rights of the Malays and other races are guaranteed by the constitution. They cannot be bargained,” he added.

Mega tower will affect PNB unit trust holders, says Mahfuz

Mahfuz: Whether we want it to or not, it will involve money from these schemes and the value of returns of its investments which should be paid out as dividends to unit trust holders... this is their money.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 — A Pakatan Rakyat (PR) backbencher told Parliament today that Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) would likely have to scrimp on dividends paid out to its unit trust holders to fund the RM5 billion 100-storey Warisan Merdeka tower.

In his debate speech on Budget 2011, Datuk Mahfuz Omar (PAS-Pokok Sena) said dividend payments could be affected although PNB had claimed that money for the project would come from profits made through private investments.

“I would like to remind PNB that the total value of its unit trusts from Amanah Saham Nasional Bhd (ASNB), Amanah Saham Bumiputera, Amanah Saham 1 Malaysia and others, is RM115 billion.

“Meaning that PNB’s profits is actually profits made from its investment of the RM115 billion,” he explained.

PNB is Malaysia’s biggest fund management company and operates a number of unit trust schemes.

He added that it was doubtful that PNB had a larger fund other than that collected through the unit trust schemes.

“I would like to stress here that this means it will directly and indirectly involve money from the unit trust schemes.

“Whether we want it to or not, it will involve money from these schemes and the value of returns of its investments which should be paid out as dividends to unit trust holders... this is their money,” he said.

Mahfuz told a press conference later that it was “unfair” to use public money to construct the 100-storey tower, which many have predicted would eventually turn into a white elephant.

The PAS MP added that it was redundant for the government to build the iconic tower with its sights set on turning Kuala Lumpur into a world-class city when even Naza TTDI, the property arm of Naza Group, had already expressed its intention to construct a similar tower, touted to be 100-storey high or more.

Last December, it was reported that Naza TTDI would build an iconic tower on a 25ha site near the proposed Matrade Centre here.

However, the tower’s height was yet to be finalised and the group’s managing director SM Faliq SM Nasimuddin was quoted as saying that it would depend on the amount of investments it could secure.

“If they get the land, they will build it and this means we will have one tower already,” said Mahfuz.

He pointed to the current property glut in the country and how Malaysia would have an excess of 115 million square feet of office space by the year 2014.

“This is excluding the PNB tower and Naza’s tower. So now we have an excess of office space although demand has dropped significantly,” he noted.

Mahfuz added that even Menara Citibank had lowered the rental rate for its office space from its original over RM7 for each square feet to between RM6 and RM6.50.

“This lowering of rate shows that the demand has dropped so much that they were forced to do it,” he said.

Mahfuz also suggested to House earlier to form a special parliamentary committee to study the matter as well as to examine all proposals by the government for the construction of mega projects.

“These mega projects should go through an approval process before they are started. If all committee members agree with the projects then they can be approved,” he said.

Indian prime minister to start three-day visit to Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will start a three-day official visit here starting Tuesday, to reciprocate the visit by Najib Tun Razak to India, in January.

Wisma Putra said in a statement here today that Manmohan will be accompanied by his wife, Gursharan Kaur, and a 16-member official entourage.

For the past 53 years, both countries (Malaysia and India) have enjoyed an excellent relationship and at the core of this warm and friendly relations are the long-standing people-to-people contact and close historical and economic links.

"The visit will mark yet another milestone in the development of Malaysia-India bilateral relations while reinforcing mutual trust, confidence and understanding both countries.

"Furthermore, the visit will also allow both prime ministers to follow up on the agreements and understandings achieved during Najib's visit to India," Wisma Putra said.

During the visit, Manmohan will be accorded an official welcoming ceremony at Dataran Perdana in Putrajaya, followed by a meeting where they are expected to discuss issues related to bilateral, regional and international relations.

They are also scheduled to witness the signing of several government-to-government agreements and memorandums of understanding.

Manmohan and his wife would also have an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah at Istana Negara.

One of the highlights of the visit would be the joint launching of the “Little India” in Brickfields by both prime ministers.

Najib and his wife, Rosmah Mansor will host an official dinner in honour of their guests at Seri Perdana, Putrajaya.

Wisma Putra said Najib and Manmohan are also scheduled to officially inaugurate the first meeting of the Malaysia-India CEO Forum, while the Indian premier is scheduled to deliver a lecture at the Khazanah Global Lectures.

- Bernama

English essential for learning maths and science

By Nick Rogers - Free Malaysia Today

COMMENT After reading through numerous articles and letters to editors about abandoning the PPSMI (Teaching of Science and Mathematics in English) policy, it seems to me that too many people have misconstrued the issue as an either-or situation.

Arguments have been put forward about the need to protect local identity from linguistic colonisation through the use of Bahasa Malaysia (BM). But this line of reasoning is seriously flawed.

Rather than usurping an existing identity, content-based language instruction, such as the teaching of maths and science in English, actually invites learners to see their own identities in a new light.

While encouraging learners to identify with a foreign culture, it also raises their awareness of their own culture. One offshoot is that learners develop a sense of shared citizenship through openness of mind and the dispelling of stereotypes.

In this respect, it promotes the democratic values of understanding, tolerance and pride in cultural diversity while bolstering local identity.

Equally misguided is the argument about so-called information overload.

“Not only do some students have problems in maths and science, but now there is the added difficulty of dealing with these subjects in English. Will they be able to cope?” So goes the cry of bewildered parents.

As well as they did before, if not better. That is my reply. For one of the most important advantages of learning subjects like maths and science in English is the enhanced development among students of broader cognitive strategies and skills.

The subject-language duality inherent in these modules requires a macro-micro approach to teaching, which is reflected in higher levels of student achievement.

Incremental feeding

The incremental feeding in of discrete items and technical chunks of subject-language matter into the learning spiral, combined with students’ top-down processing schemata, helps them to learn more effectively and efficiently. They fathom out the process and find answers for themselves using English as the medium of communication.

This inductive approach to learning encourages student activity and the result is reflected in a much deeper grasp of the concepts being taught, as opposed to the shallowness of information apparent through rote learning and spoon-fed instruction.

And as most of us have probably experienced, we mentally process and learn things much better once we have discovered them on our own.

Since we have appropriated that knowledge for ourselves, we find it much easier to recall it from memory. Furthermore, the acquisition process itself becomes transferable to other areas of learning.

To cap it all off, the use of English helps develop mechanisms which students will eventually acquire to naturally oil the wheels of spoken discourse.

This is true of any culture and is manifested in such things as turn taking, openings and closings and adjacency pairs. It guides the way to relevant and culturally acceptable contributions, leading to greater student fluency and autonomy.

Beacon of illumination and hope

With maths and science forming the cornerstone of the education system in Malaysia’s aspiration to raise itself to the status of a developed nation, the need to master English in these fundamental disciplines has never been more abundantly clear.

The use of information and communication technology to study these two subjects also clearly underscores the critical need for the use of English.

It gives Malaysian students access to a huge repository of technical knowledge written in the world’s lingua franca and will, of course, enhance their international career prospects, putting them on at least an equal footing with their foreign counterparts, be they in nearby India or Singapore or further afield in the US or in Europe.

I must admit that I had to suppress a chuckle when I recently read about someone mentioning Japan, South Korea, France and Germany as examples of countries that have succeeded on the economic front without letting the English language take a dominant place in their societies.

I beg to differ. Having worked in all of these countries or been indirectly involved with them with the exception of South Korea over the past 20 years, I can confidently say that while they uphold their languages as natural treasures, seemingly impervious to the slings and arrows cast upon them by the English language, the underlying reality is grossly different.

In France, for example, a recent education reform bill has just ushered in the teaching of English to children at kindergarten level across the nation, spawning the use of the English as the lingua franca beginning with toddlers and continuing right up to and even beyond tertiary education.

Indeed, since 1992, many state schools have been running history, geography, science and maths classes in English from their equivalent of Form 3 as part of the French-European Education Development Programme.

Germany is even more advanced in this regard. It has been promoting bilingual forms of education from kindergarten upwards for more than 40 years. It is also not uncommon for English to be used as the working language of major corporations in written as well as spoken form for internal and external communication.

Japanese myth

Casting our eyes eastwards also explodes the myth that Japan is insular in its approach to foreign cultures and languages. Since the 1960s, the interest in learning English has blossomed tremendously, culminating in 2002 in the creation of a national policy on English to enable the Japanese to communicate well in English in order to accommodate globalisation for the current and future generations.

When all is said and done, wherever one looks, be it east, west, north or south, the needles of the educational compass all clearly point in the same direction: that of the increasing importance and predominance of English at all levels of society across the planet.

Given such a sweeping movement, one may well ask what right we have to buck this worldwide trend, particularly where the education of our offspring is at stake.

Seen in this light, the either-or aspects of the issue evaporate into the cold light of clinical logic. And the clarity of using English to teach science and maths shines forth like a beacon of illumination and hope.

Nick Rogers is a highly experienced academic, language instructor and corporate trainer. He has worked in the education field in Europe, Asia Pacific and the Indian Ocean Rim Zone for more than 20 years.

Jonson's last roll of the political dice

By Stephanie Sta Maria - Free Malaysia Today

PETALING JAYA: Former PKR communications director Jonson Chong has decided to cast the dice one last time. And if the outcome is not in his favour, he will put a full-stop to politics.

Chong's reformist path unfolded in 1999 when he joined the now defunct Parti Rakyat Malaysia. Four years after PKR was launched, his political career showed signs of taking off when he was appointed Youth strategy director.

A year later, he moved up the ladder to assume the post of deputy secretary-general and subsequently that of communications director, which he held for another year before handing it over to Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

When the party elections came around, Chong showed no interest in contesting for any posts but had “half-jokingly” challenged his followers on Twitter to nominate him for vice-presidency.

“I told them them that if they nominated me, I would be (deputy presidential aspirant) Zaid (Ibrahim's) running mate,” he told FMT. “And if those nominations came from Gombak, Batu, Petaling Jaya Selatan or Kelana Jaya, I would accept them.”

None of those four divisions threw their support behind him. Instead, his two nominations came from Sabah's Putatan and Labuan divisions.

“I have no idea why they nominated me,” he said. “Maybe the supporters wanted to give me a chance or maybe mine was the only name recognised on the list. Maybe (vice-president) Jeffrey (Kitingan) likes me. I really don't know.”

Chong's initial reaction was to let it pass. He, however, changed his mind after recognising an opportunity for him to spell out the issues on which the election is based.

“If I win I'll give my best to the party in terms of speaking my mind, speaking the truth and speaking for justice,” he promised. “And if I lose – which I expect – I'll accept the members' decision and wish the new leadership well. And then I'll probably leave the party.”

“This should not be construed as a lack of loyalty but an acceptance of the fact that I have been in politics for more than 10 years. Maybe this is not the best vehicle for me to do the kind of good that I want to do.”

Here are excerpts from the interview:

On gaps within the party

Putrajaya is not the end but the means to the end. And the end is justice, proper economic management, better education policies and so forth. PKR must have what it takes to get to the starting point and that starting point was not 2008. People think that we won in 2008 but we didn't. BN lost.

In order to get to Putrajaya, we need to hit the ground running with top-notch leaders, technocrats and captains of industries. We need to identify professional and independent people to lead the judiciary, police force and the army. Surely we don't expect the current crop of leaders in all these institutions to follow the orders of a new government. But even before that, we must have the right people within the party to start thinking that way which we're not seeing right now.

The party also needs to be properly managed. I have sat in political bureau meetings where the discussions are unfocused and there are no solid follow-up procedures in place to ensure implementation.

These are very basic things but sometimes it's the basic things that we tend to overlook. I know politicians don't want to talk about it, so empower the administrative people to handle it. I've always felt that the secretary-general, the treasurer-general and the information chief should be technocrats, professional managers or administrators and not politicians. Either that or ensure that their deputies are non-politicians.

On his chances of winning

We have to acknowledge that the culture of this political party still remains within the realm of old politics which is about knowing each other or holding ceramahs. I'm not doing that. Not because I think it's wrong but because I have family commitments and a lack of resources. I also relate better in smaller groups instead of large crowds. So people on the ground won't know me as well as they do the other candidates and are likely to skip my name on the ballot paper.

On his first step if elected vice-president

Get more buy-in from our members by involving them more in the party. We have 400,000 members but how many of them are active? How many of those members' skills, talents and abilities have we tapped? We don't have orientation programmes.

We don't have programmes whereby we allow them to volunteer to be in our sub-committees, be it on policy-making or research. All those in the sub-committees are appointed and new members since 2008 have no opportunity to get involved. If they want to, who do they contact? If you don't get your members' involvement in what you're doing, they will not have a commitment to what the organisation is doing. I can do this by bringing in ideas that will garner more public support.

On the future deputy president

Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail is like Cory Aquino. She is the symbol, the strength, the loyalty behind Anwar Ibrahim. But it is not all about Anwar. It is about the people. The name of the party is Parti Keadilan Rakyat not Parti Keadilan Anwar Ibrahim. The elephant in the room that no one wants to talk about, including Anwar, is: what if he goes to jail? This is why the focus of this entire election is on the number two position.

If it's going to be Azmin Ali, good! He will be more dynamic than Syed Hussin Ali. If it's going to be Zaid Ibrahim, good! He's going to have different ideas. If it's Mustafa Kamil Ayub, good! He's still someone different and younger.

The (confused) way forward

Umno does not know what it is getting itself into. It had better tone down that race riot rhetoric lest it backfires on them. If they think the Indians and Chinese are going to react like they did in 1999 -- they reluctantly voted for Barisan Nasional out of fear -- then Umno is going to be in for a surprise.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

(The Star) - Feisty Sabah delegate Hamidah Mumamad Jafar called for support for bold moves to curb cases of baby-dumping, such as setting up a school for pregnant mothers and providing more baby hatches.

The Putatan Puteri Umno division chief said the Government should fully support innovative approaches as the growing number of baby-dumping cases was alarming.

“Setting the school and the baby-hatch provided a lifeline for pregnant unwed mothers and their babies.”

“Sex education in schools is also a must to prevent young girls from being involved in premarital sex,” she said, to the applause of the more than 700 delegates.

Johor Baru Puteri Umno chief Azura Mohd Afandi wants the Information Ministry to curb television shows and commercials that could lead people astray from the right religious paths.

“Horror films and commercials deemed too sexy for young viewers might lead to deviant teachings.”

“For example, commercials on sanitary pads are openly shown on TV and this could influence the young to get involved in social ills,” said Azura, urging the ministry to increase shows that teach good values and religious practices.

Kedah delegate Azifah Abdul Rahman supports the continued use of the Internal Security Act against those who threaten the country’s security.

She said: “The Act is needed, especially as there are those who dare question the Malay rights.”

***********************************

Kedah delegate Azifah Abdul Rahman wants the government to retain the Internal Security Act. This is so that those who threaten the country’s security, especially those who dare question the Malay rights, can be detained without trial.

Questioning Malay rights is considered a threat to national security. So those who question it need to be detained without trial, reckons this delegate to the Umno general assembly.

This is the simple way that the Umno delegates look at things. But then don’t simple-minded people always look at things from this simple perspective? If they open their mouths; detain them without trial. This will stop people from talking and questioning.

Johor Baru Puteri Umno chief Azura Mohd Afandi considers horror films as the main cause of deviant teachings. How a horror movie can lead to deviant teachings was not explained. Nevertheless, the fact that Malays believe in black magic, witch doctors, ghosts, ghouls, zombies, walking dead, vampires, and whatnot, probably lends weight to this argument.

What was also not explained is the fact that Malays believe in black magic, ghosts and whatnot since way back, long before the invention of television. Was it television that ‘poisoned’ the minds of the Malays and caused them to believe in rubbish and that led them to deviant teachings? If so how come they were already ‘led astray’ and believed in ‘deviant teachings’ long before there was even such a thing as television?

This delegate also wants the government to ban advertisements on sanitary pads, which leads to social ills. If Malaysians were to see advertisements of sanitary pads on television they would turn into immoral people.

Sabah delegate Hamidah Mumamad Jafar wants schools for pregnant mothers and more baby hatches to be set up. This will help reduce the cases of baby dumping, argues this delegate. How that would work was never explained. They dump babies to hide the fact that they were pregnant. Would they want to go to a school for pregnant girls/women where they would ‘advertise’ the fact that they are pregnant?

Introducing sex education into schools is also a must to prevent young girls from indulging in premarital sex, argued this same delegate. So, if girls and boys get to learn about sex, they would certainly not indulge in premarital sex, is how this logic is presented.

How does that sound logical? If you learn about it in school then you will not do it? Does this make sense to you?

Actually, if you really want to prevent premarital sex then the proper way would be to introduce chastity belts. All unmarried girls from the age of 10 should be forced to wear chastity belts and on the day they get married their husband is given a key to unlock the belt.

Of course, those who marry at the age of 40 would need to wear the belt for 30 years before they can see it removed. And those who never get married would need to wear the belt until the day they die.

Another way would be to ban girls from the age of 10 from leaving their house unless escorted by a male member of the family. Girls and women must also be banned from driving and their face should be totally concealed so that no boys or men can get to see their faces. This is the practice in some other Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia also bans entertainment films on TV. (At one time they banned television totally). You only get to see the news and religious programmes. This would prevent, as Azura Mohd Afandi said, people from straying from the right religious paths.

And of course, the internet is the main source of ‘deviant teachings’ that lead people astray from the right religious paths. In fact, the internet is worse than television. So, to protect people and prevent them from becoming immoral, the internet must certainly be banned.

If this still does not work and if unmarried girls/women still get pregnant, then Malaysia can introduce the law of stoning to death, like how some countries practice. You get pregnant and you die (even if your are raped, like how some countries decree). And you die at the hands of hundreds of people who will throw stones at you until you no longer breathe.

Premarital sex is evil. Getting pregnant before you are married is evil. So Malaysia has to find ways in preventing all this from happening, how drastic the measures may seem. The future of Malaysia rests on ensuring that no one goes around bonking and gets pregnant before they are married.

Okay, maybe abuse of power, wastage of public funds, corruption, extrajudicial killings, manipulation of the legal system, violating the Federal Constitution of Malaysia, election fraud, institutionalised discrimination, and many more are also evil. But those are not crucial and need not be discussed at the Umno general assembly. We must focus. And the focus is on how to reduce or eliminate ‘illegal sex’.

Warnings are also being issued by the top Umno leadership that blood will flow on the streets if Umno were to get kicked out of office. Malaysians are being told to be wary of May 13 Version 2, that may happen if Umno does not retain power.

They did the same thing in 1999. The Prime Minister then, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, went live on television to warn Malaysians that if Barisan Nasional were to lose its two-thirds majority in Parliament then chaos will rein.

A Barisan Nasional without a two-thirds majority in Parliament will be a weak Barisan Nasional, said the Prime Minister. And a weak Barisan Nasional will not be able to guarantee the safety and security of its people. In 1969, the ruling party lost its two-thirds majority in Parliament, the Prime Minister reminded us. And what happened after that? There was rioting on the streets and many people died.

So, don’t let 1999 be a repeat of 1969, warned the Prime Minister.

And it worked. Many people, in particular the non-Malays, did not vote for the opposition. They sheepishly admitted that they support the opposition but voted for Barisan Nasional because they were scared of the race riot that the Prime Minister promised would happen.

But that was back in 1999. In 1999 the people were scared. But in 2008 many voted for the opposition and no race riot happened. This was because 50% of the Malays also voted for the opposition, as Umno admitted. And the anti-Umno Malays far outnumber the Umno Malays.

Umno could not even get 100 Malays onto the streets of Kampong Baru in the aftermath of the 2008 general election. But the opposition can get 50,000 Malays onto the streets any time. So, if the handful of Umno Malays want to start trouble, they will have to face tens of thousands of other Malays.

No, if riots do start it will not be a la 1969. The next riot, if it happens, will be Malays facing Malays. The Indians and Chinese need not participate in this May 13 Version 2. They can just stay at home or go to Singapore or Thailand for a short holiday. Let the Malays handle this matter.

The Indians and Chinese need not fear anything. Dr Hatta Ramli has already issued a challenge. PAS will form a human shield. The Malays from PAS will emerge in great numbers to face those Umno Malays who want Indian and Chinese blood. As Dr Hatta said, “Over our dead bodies.” The Umno Malays would first have to slaughter all the PAS Malays before they can reach the Indians and Chinese.

And let me assure you: many other Malays not from PAS are also issuing this warning. The Indians and Chinese are our brothers and sisters. And if the Umno Malays want to harm them then they will have to first deal with the non-Umno Malays.

And this is because the non-Umno Malays are Muslims first and Malays second. This is what Islam demands of Muslims -- to be Muslims first and last while racism is haram or forbidden.

And in Islam justice must prevail and the non-Muslims must be protected even to the extent that Muslims go to war with Muslims to protect the life of the non-Muslims. This is Islamic justice. And in Islamic justice no one must be persecuted or discriminated against because of his or her race.

So, is it not good that PAS is an Islamic party? Notwithstanding the fact that there are some in PAS who aspire to see Malaysia transformed into an Islamic State (which can never happen unless PAS wins more than two-thirds of the seats in Parliament), an Islamic party like PAS is good for the non-Muslims because this party upholds Islam, which means the non-Muslims receive protection against persecution and discrimination.

Umno does not know what it is getting itself into. It had better tone down that race riot rhetoric lest it backfires on them. If they think the Indians and Chinese are going to react like they did in 1999 -- they reluctantly voted for Barisan Nasional out of fear -- then Umno is going to be in for a surprise.

Today, the Indians and Chinese have faith in their Malay brothers and sisters. They know that May 13 Version 2 being bandied about by Umno is not going to be a Malay versus non-Malay incident like back in 1969. May 13 Version 2 is going to be a Malay-versus-Malay affair with the non-Malays standing on the sidelines as mere spectators.

And if you think this is not so then go ask the non-Umno Malays in Pakatan Rakyat. Hear it from their own mouths. And they will tell you exactly what I have just said.

Honour social contract: Mahathir

(Bernama) -- Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said there will be no dispute over rights if Malaysians continue to honour the social contract agreed to by leaders of the various communities.

"We had a formula which had worked very well for 50 years. Why do you want to change it? Why do you want to cause tension between races?" he added.

He was commenting on the presidential address of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at the Umno General Assembly here, where he said that the special rights of the Malays were enshrined in the Federal Constitution and should not be questioned.

Dr Mahathir said that Najib's assertion on the position of the Malays was a timely reminder to the people of the agreement among the leaders of the various races and which had been upheld throughout the years since Independence from the British.

The former Prime Minister said it was important for the people to adhere to what was enshrined in the Federal Constitution and which could not be amended without the consent of the Rulers.

Dr Mahathir said that people who tried to amend the constitution did not appreciate what was involved.

He believes that any attempt to amend articles related to the rights of the Malays was bound to cause racial tension.

Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said that there had been confusion in discussions over the issue.

"But today, the Umno President had made clear (what the issue was about)... and there is no reason why anyone should raise matters to frighten or ridicule."

He feels that Najibm has, with his "enlightening Speech", helped to stop any quarrel over the issue.

MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the social contract should not be discussed further because it is based on what is enshrined in the constitution.

However, this may cause a bit of controversy among the young who feel that they as Malaysians have a right to debate the matter.

"But I myself feel that if at all the issue is discussed it should be in close forum because of the sensitivities involved," he added.

Chua said that all Malaysians regardless of race or religion should heed the reminder from the Prime Minister and take into consideration the interests and claims of the various communities to preserve stability and solidarity.

MIC President Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said Najib's speech was not only an inspiration to Umno but had also given Barisan component parties new spirit to work together.

"And we can show opposition parties that Barian Nasional is still strong and will become stronger," he added.

Gerakan President Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the constitution should be looked at in a balanced way, incorporating the rights of all communities, and not be confined to certain articles.

"What is important is that he (Najib) stressed that we share the future based on the concept of 1Malaysia and this is the aspect that we must continue to work at to send a positive and constructive message for all groups and levels," he said.

PPP President Datuk Dr M. Kayveas said the speech was holistic and aimed not only at Umno members but all Malaysians.

He added:"While we want to defend the rights of our own communities we should at the same time defend the rights of all Malaysians based on the concept of 1Malaysia."

Just about enough for a ‘VP’ doggie biscuit?

I view with incredulity Zaid Ibrahim’s latest unkind salvo against Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), which I sometimes think he forgets is the party he currently belongs to and is in running for Deputy President. It is very irresponsible and even malicious for him to suggest that PKR seems to be a one issue party – keen only to champion Anwar Ibrahim and his ongoing trial.
This myth he knows is not true and is something that we normally only hear from UMNO-BN politicians. Over the last decade or so, PKR has grown tremendously and has played a major part in forging the Pakatan Rakyat alliance while espousing its true multi-racial brand of progressive politics, leading to the Pakatan Rakyat’s Common Policy Platform which we believe will pose a strong challenge to the BN in the next general election.

I am further shocked that Zaid has suggested that by defending Anwar, the party is unable to defend the rakyat. Again, very UMNO-BN-like criticism as he knows very well that the party has a good track record in defending the rakyat on various issues concerning civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.

I am sure Zaid is well aware that securing justice for Anwar does not merely mean providing the best legal defence but involves a campaign outside court to expose the Government’s manipulation of key institutions to persecute political opponents. Again, this statement that Anwar has received the best legal defence and therefore there is nothing else to do – certainly seemed very UMNO-BN-like, and certainly appalling coming from a PKR leader.

The implication of Anwar’s trial if he does not know is that Anwar’s current and previous trials represent all that is wrong with UMNO-BN’s brand of sham democracy – one that enables the government of the day to make use of all the state machinery including the judiciary, police, AG’s Chambers and even hospitals to manufacture false evidence and implicate political opponents.

In case Zaid has forgotten, Anwar has spent six years’ imprisonment on trumped up charges, and is once again facing the same fate. Surely it would be extremely unkind and ungrateful of PKR to suddenly abandon Anwar just when the party is becoming a major political force in the country.

I am certainly at a loss to understand Zaid’s campaign strategy as he seems bent on publicly and continuously criticising the party and its leadership (which I must remind he is also part of) instead of strengthening the party, and championing the party’s policies, processes and issues including that of UMNO-BN’s persecution of Anwar.

Released by:

R Sivarasa

Mahathir Yang Terus Fobia

Oleh MOHD RASHIDI HASSAN | rashidi@harakah.net.my

BEKAS Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad nampaknya masih terus fobia dengan kehadiran bekas Timbalannya, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim dalam politik negara.

Fobianya Mahathir seolah-olah beliau sentiasa dihantui bayang-bayang Anwar, walau ke mana beliau pergi.

Sepatutnya pada usia extra emas seperti sekarang ini, bekas Presiden Umno itu harus banyak berehat dan meluangkan masa dengan anak cucu cicit. Tidak perlu hirau politik negara.

Baru-baru ini pun bekas PM itu dimasukkan ke sebuah hospital di Australia kerana keadaan kesihatannya tidak stabil. Ingatkan bila beliau dalam keadaan tidak sihat, beliau akan berhenti bersuara.

Namun, nampaknya Mahathir ini kata orang Utara jenis ‘ketegaq’ (keras kepala). Tidak hirau sakit demam, tidak hirau usia dah lanjut, masih hendak campur urusan politik juga.

Dalam satu sesi dialog pada program forum antarabangsa baru-baru ini, Anwar yang sudah dipecat, dipukul dan dihumban dalam penjara sejak 12 tahun lepas, masih menjadi ‘ulam’ beliau.

Katanya, keputusan mengheret Anwar ke muka pengadilan atas tuduhan meliwat kira-kira 12 tahun lalu merupakan satu tindakan tepat dan bukan konspirasi.

“Sebagai seorang yang rasional mustahil kes Anwar ini hasil daripada konspirasi. Kes Anwar membabitkan institusi kehakiman dan di dalam institusi ini, konspirasi sukar dilakukan kerana kita terpaksa berhadapan dengan banyak pihak.

“Kita bukan sahaja terpaksa berhadapan dengan satu dua orang tetapi lebih 100 orang. Antaranya hakim, pendakwa, polis, saksi-saksi dan mangsa. Ini bukan kerja mudah kerana banyak pihak yang akan terlibat,” katanya pada sesi soal jawab itu.

Dakwanya, sepanjang 22 tahun memimpin negara, beliau tidak pernah sekali mempelawa hakim hadir untuk majlis-majlis rasmi sama ada di kediamannya atau di tempat lain kecuali Ketua Hakim Negara.

“Saya faham kedudukan hakim dan etika yang harus mereka patuhi. Sebagai hakim mereka perlu bebas daripada dipengaruhi oleh mana-mana pihak termasuk golongan pemimpin kerana akhirnya mereka yang akan membuat keputusan bagi satu-satu kes,” katanya.

Bagi penulis, ironinya, mengapa selepas 12 tahun Anwar dipecat dan selepas tujuh tahun Mahathir bersara, beliau masih terpaksa mempertahankan tindakan memecat Anwar?

Bagaimana mungkin Mahathir boleh menafikan campur tangan beliau dalam urusan kehakiman negara. Semua orang tahu walaupun Ketua Hakim Negara dilantik oleh Yang di-Pertuan Agong, tetapi ianya adalah di atas nasihat Perdana Menteri. Dalam logik mudah, PM yang berkuasa melantik Ketua Hakim.

Isu Mahathir campur tangan dalam kehakiman bukannya baru. Rakyat tidak lupa bagaimana beliau terbabit dalam konspirasi memecat Tun Salleh Abas pada tahun 1988 yang lalu.

Kes Tun Salleh adalah satu isu besar yang merosakkan sistem kehakiman negara, sehingga menyebabkan rakyat meragui keadilan mahkamah kita. Ini berlaku zaman Mahathir menjadi PM.

Jika pada waktu itu (1988) pun beliau sudah campur tangan, apakah tidak mungkin tahun 1998 beliau tidak campur tangan? Dah tua-tua begini usahlah Mahathir hendak nafi. Budak-budak sekarang sudah cerdik.

Dalam kes Anwar secara spesifik. Bagaimana Mahathir boleh mengatakan beliau tidak ada konspirasi dan tidak campurtangan, sedangkan Peguam Negara, Tan Sri Mohtar Abdullah (arwah) dan penggantinya, Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, duduk di bawah ketiak PM?

Ketika Anwar dibawa ke mahkamah selepas beberapa hari ditahan dan diseksa, dipukul sehingga lebam mata, Mahathir beriya-iya mendakwa Anwar memukul diri sendiri untuk meraih simpati rakyat.

Akhirnya terbukti melalui satu suruhanjaya, didapati Ketua Polis Negara, Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Noor (ketika itu) yang memukul Anwar.

Ketegaqnya Mahathir ketika itu Allah sahaja yang tahu. Beliau beriya-iya mendakwa Anwar memukul dirinya sendiri, bila didapati sebaliknya, sedikit pun beliau tidak mahu meminta maaf.

Isu itu sudah lama berlalu, penulis sekadar mencatat sedikit rentetan sahaja.

Seterusnya, selepas Anwar dibebaskan pada November 2004, beliau tidak pernah menyerang Mahathir, malah enggan memburuk-burukkan bekas ketuanya.

Walaupun banyak kepahitan dialami Anwar, akibat daripada gelagat Mahathir, Anwar cuba ‘berjiwa besar’. Beliau enggan bertelingkah dengan orang yang sudah bersara. Biar banyak mana salah bekas PM tersebut, biarlah rakyat yang menghukumnya.

Namun bekas PM itu masih enggan duduk diam. Beliau terus menyerang dan mempersalahkan Anwar, di mana sahaja platform yang beliau sempat bersuara.

Mengapa Mahathir fobia sangat? Mengapa alergi sangat dengan Anwar? Khabarnya begitu fobia Mahathir dengan Anwar sehingga beliau enggan hadir ke majlis makan malam sempena 50 tahun Parlimen di PWTC, 15 Oktober lepas.

Pada majlis itu Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin menjadi tetamu VVIP. Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi hadir, Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak hadir, semua VIP dan sebahagian besar bekas Ahli Parlimen turut hadir. Entahlah mungkin juga masa itu Mahathir tidak sihat.

Oleh itu, jika Umno-BN semakin lemah, semakin ditolak rakyat, bukan semuanya 100 peratus kerana Anwar. Ada salah Mahathir, ada salah Abdullah Badawi dan ada juga salah Najib.

Apakah semua ini disuarakan kerana Mahathir bimbang, jika Pakatan Rakyat menerajui Kerajaan Persekutuan nanti, beliau akan disumbat ke dalam penjara?

Usahlah fikir macam itu, beliau dah terlalu tua, kesian juga kita kepadanya.

Sepatah komen Anwar sewaktu sembang-sembang sambil menunggu lif di Parlimen dengan penulis, dalam nada berseloroh, “Orang tua ini tidak habis-habis menyerang saya, nanti kalau dikata nyanyuk, marah pula.”

Kata-kata spontan Anwar itu disambut gelak besar rakan-rakan Ahli Parlimen yang berada di situ.

The 100-storey Najib Tower

This is extract of speech by Lim Kit Siang at the first of two consecutive 2,000-plus-people Wisma Penang DAP fund-raising dinners held at PISA on Monday, 18th October 2010.

Other speakers on the first-night Wisma Penang DAP fund-raising dinner were DAP Secretary-General and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, Deputy Chief Minister and MP for Batu Kawan, Professor P. Ramasamy, DAP Penang State Chairman, State Exco and MP for Tanjong Chow Kon Yeow and DAPSY chief and MP for Rasah Anthony Loke.

Speakers for the second-night Wisama Penang DAP fund-raising dinner, also held at PISA on Tuesday 19th October 2010, apart from Lim Guan Eng, Chow Kong Yeow and Lim Kit Siang were DAP National Chairman and MP Bukit Gelugor Karpal Singh and DAP Wanita DAP chief and MP for Bukit Mertajam Chong Eng.

Pelajar UKM dan kakitangan terlibat himpunan agong Umno

Gambar di atas merupakan gambar yang dipetik dari sebuah akhbar arus perdana tempatan yang merakamkan raptai perasmian Mesyuarat Agong Umno.

Dalam gambar tersebut dengan jelas dibulatkan ialah pelajar UKM. Difahamkan melalui maklumat yang diperolehi mesyuarat agong Umno memang biasa melibatkan pelajar universiti yang dibayar elaun secara harian.

Kali ini dengan jelas gambar yang tersiar dalam media arus perdana ini merakamkan keterlibatan mereka. Dipercayai sekumpulan pejajar dari UKM serta kakitangan turut terlibat.

Ini menunjukkan bukti jelas bahawa AUKU itu hanya alat untuk pertahan regim pemerintah dengan memandulkan terus minda warga universiti di Malaysia. AUKU mengekang warga universiti khususnya pelajar dari terlibat dalam politik, namun bila ia melibatkan politik parti regim penguasa maka AUKU hilang kukunya.

Bukan sedikit mahasiswa yang diambil tindakan kerana hanya disyaki terlibat menyokong idea parti selain regim penguasa. Menteri Pengajian Tinggi, Mohamaed Khalid Norden harus tampil memberikan penjelasan ini.

Perkembangan ini seharusnya menjadi pemangkin untuk warga universiti untuk bangkit menentang AUKU. Hanya dengan kuasa mampu memusnahkan AUKU.

Kepada semua warga universiti, bangkitlah. Kepada yang berani nyatakan desakan dengan terang, Mansuhkan AUKU! atau sekurang kurangnya asas yang harus dilakukan pastikan diri anda dan teman-teman daftar sebagai pengundi berdaftar dengan SPR dan bila tiba masa humban regim penguasa hipokrit ini.

1MDB in two massive projects

While the controversy over the megalomaniacal 100-storey tower is still swirling, many seem to be unaware of two other massive property development projects in the pipeline.

• 1MDB is bringing in Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Development Co to jointly develop a RM26 billion financial district on a 36ha plot in Jalan Tun Razak.
• 1MDB will also partner Qatar Investment Authority in another huge project on the present RMAF Sungai Besi land.

Three questions come to mind.
First, what is so special about these property development projects that they have to be developed jointly with foreign partners? What extra value can they bring in that local developers can’t? That’s the question posed by The Edge business weekly of 11 October.
Second, aren’t we adding even more commercial space to add to the property frenzy? And now we are going to have a 100-storey tower as well?
Third, the whole 1MDB entity is shrouded in secrecy. What exactly is the state of its finances since it morphed from the Terengganu Investment Authority? Remember ValueCap anyone?

AGONG’S CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY TO PROTECT 12 MILLION NON MUSLIM MINORITY INTEREST AND HAS NO VETO POWER

MEDIA STATEMENT. 21st October 2010.
RE: 1)RESPONSE TO DATO NAZRI’S STATEMENT IN MALAYSIAKINI 18TH OCTOBER - “MUSLIM CONVERSION LAW REFORM HIT DEAD END”
2) AGONG’S CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY TO PROTECT 12 MILLION NON MUSLIM MINORITY INTEREST AND HAS NO VETO POWER TO HINDER PARLIAMENTARY AMENDMENTS.
3) UMNO BEHIND THE CONSPIRACY TO OPPRESS MINORITY RACES
4) RULERS ARE DUTY BOUND TO ASSENT TO CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS IN MALAYSIA’S PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY.

HINDRAF is shocked and surprised with UMNO’s legal mouthpiece the de facto Law Minister’s statement that the Muslim conversion Law reform proposals have hit a dead end for the following reasons;

1) The sultans feel they need to protect the Muslim subjects and Islam religion because it was their duty
2) The Sultans were not convinced that amendments to certain Islamic laws would not overlap with their duties as guardians of the Islamic faith in their states.

Malaysia practices Parliamentary democracy and the Yang Dipertuan Agong is merely a figure head and does not have the power to veto any amendments or Acts of Parliament passed by the Dewan Rakyat. Religious freedom in Malaysia is enshrined in Article 11 of the Malaysian Constitution not by the State Islamic enactments or the State Rulers. The Constitutional amendments proposed has nothing to do with the role of the Rulers in protecting the rights of Muslim subjects and the Islamic religion instead it is about providing equal protection to Non Muslims and their interests in Malaysia.

This whole religious saga was brought about by UMNO in its 1988 amendments to the Federal Constitution which added Article 121 1 (A) which recognised the existence of the Muslim Syariah Courts which is meant to be an inferior court to the civil High Courts. A close scrutiny of the Parliamentary Hansard on the amendments proposed and the statement by ex Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad in Parliament clearly prove that the intention of Parliament was Syariah Court was to adjudicate on Islamic family and property matters. However the Syariah Courts have crossed their boundaries and jurisdictions and usurped on the powers and duties of the Civil High Courts.

The amendments are necessary as the Civil High Courts have abdicated their powers and refused to adjudicate matters touching especially conversion disputes involving Non-Muslim families.

The current deadlock affects almost 12 million non-Muslims in Malaysia’s 26 million populations. The Yang Dipertuan Agong and state Rulers are equally responsible and duty bound to protect the rights and interests of non-Muslims under the Federal Constitution.


From Nazri’s statement it appears that the Ruler’s conference fail to comprehend that The Yang Dipertuan Agong is also duty bound to the second limb of Article 153 of the Federal constitution as the minority’s interest also need to be safeguarded in the current polarized state of affairs between the Muslims and the non Muslims.

In no instance do these proposals diminish the rights of neither a Muslim nor their obligation but rather to ensure the minority rights are not neglected in contrary to Federal constitution on unreasonability and installation of fear through religion as we have seen at a rampant stage in Malaysia of late.

As Rulers, it is undisputable fact they have the natural duty to safeguard and protect the Islamic faith. However if the current situation warrants the Rulers intervention to safeguard the non-Muslims against unlawful and unconscionable practice of Islamic authorities and Courts, then there should be no reason why the Rulers should be reluctant to act.

The consensus requested by way of amendments to clarify the Minority Rights will no doubt weather the storm of the currently strained race relation in Malaysia and enhance the position of the Rulers that they are indeed concerned with the second limb of Article 153 and provide equal protection to their almost 12 million non- Muslim subjects.

As for the UMNO & PAKATAN state governments, it is obvious that they are trying to do the balancing act to ensure their vote counts in their typical political manner whereas the public continues to suffer in silence. By pushing the buck to the Rulers does nothing but only undermine the faith of the people how ineffective they have become when the public’s interest is in stake.

This is indeed a very good opportunity for the Rulers’ Conference to show that they are equally concerned to ensure justice; reasonableness and fair play is afforded in their role as the rulers for the each and every Malaysian.

P.Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
HINDRAF.
21.10.2010

Human rights groups: Video shows torture in Indonesia

Jakarta, Indonesia (CNN) -- A thin man with graying hair lies on his back, completely naked on a dusty road. His legs and arms are bound and his body suddenly contorts in pain. A man stands above him and pushes a smoldering piece of wood against his genitals.

He cries out in pain, but it doesn't stop his tormentors.

"Where did you put the weapons? Show us where the weapons are!" demand the men, one of whom is wearing military fatigues.

A few feet away, a younger man is lying in a similar position but clothed. The same group of interrogators move over to him, hold a knife under his nose and then repeatedly slap his face. They also ask him questions about weapons and the whereabouts of rebels.

The scenes were recorded on a cell phone in Indonesia, fueling shock and condemnation from human rights groups around the world who believe the video is possible evidence of Indonesian armed forces torturing those seeking independence from Indonesia.

The video is "the latest reminder that torture and other ill-treatment in Indonesia often go unchecked and unpunished," said Donna Guest, the Asia-Pacific deputy director for Amnesty International.

CNN obtained a copy of the video from an international nongovernmental organization, but the network has not verified its authenticity.

Indonesian military spokesman Aslizar Tanjung told CNN that there is an "intensive investigation" being launched regarding the video.

"We need to verify the authenticity of the time, place and activity of what is shown in the video," he said. "The soldiers are trained and educated according to the standards of procedures. They should be aware of their duties, responsibility, [and] provided with knowledge of human rights, of what they can and cannot do in the field.

"Hopefully, the investigation won't take too much time so we can soon clarify to the people what really happened. So far this is only an allegation that there is a certain group who did the torture. We need to legally prove it."

The video is believed to be from the Indonesian province of Papua, nearly 3,500 kilometers [2,175 miles] east of the capital, Jakarta. Papua has long had a low-level insurgency that demands independence from Indonesia, saying the government is trying to take its land to steal resources.

Papua is home to the largest gold mine in the world, operated by the U.S.-based Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, but members of the freedom movement say locals have not received fair economic benefits from any of the mining operations on their homeland.

The indigenous Free Papua Movement was established in 1965 to push for secession. The group disputed the terms under which Papua became a part of Indonesia that year.

Human rights groups say that while they haven't determined the authenticity of the video, they have clues that the tormentors are members of the Indonesian armed forces.

For example, the weapon being used in the video appears to be a standard military issue and the questions posed by the interrogators are consistent with those of Indonesian security forces, said Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Asia division.

"There is a lot of circumstantial evidence that would lead us to believe that this may be the security forces but we can't authenticate that," Robertson told CNN, adding that that's one of the many reasons a complete investigation is needed.

However, the group is concerned that the government will let the case linger without a resolution.

"The major concern is that this is going to be another whitewash, that this is going to be an internal military investigation similar to many others that we have seen," Robertson said.

Another video surfaced this year showing another gruesome scene that is also believed to have taken place in Papua. It shows a disemboweled man, who has been identified as Papuan political activist Yawan Wayeni, in the jungle.

Men in police uniforms are seen sitting and standing near Wayeni as he suffers. The uniformed men taunt him, saying, "You are never going to get freedom as long as the soldiers are here."

Wayeni is barely audible, but says "freedom." He eventually dies from his wounds.

Police denied allegations that they disemboweled him, saying he was injured in a firefight. No officer was disciplined in that incident.