Yob spat in face of poppies girl Beth

A YOUNG yob spat in a girl Army cadet's face as she sold Remembrance Day poppies in a city shopping centre, it was revealed yesterday.

One of the three Asian hoodies — all said to be aged about 12 — took a poppy from a box held by Bethany Holmes and spat on it before spitting into her face three times.

In a separate incident, two teenage girl Army Cadets faced a barrage of verbal abuse for selling poppies — because they were Asian.

Others sellers in Bradford, West Yorks, were threatened and attacked.

Poppy Appeal organiser Barbara Allsopp said: "I feel sorry for the cadets. These yobs should hang their heads in shame."

Bethany's mum, Christine, added: "I want to make them apologise. They are disgusting, the lowest of the low."

Police in the city were studying CCTV in a bid to nail the yobs.

My three reasons for not supporting Pakatan

By Raj Dewi,

I write to inform you all that I have decided not to support Pakatan Rakyat on three very important grounds.

First of all, as a civil servant, my ricebowl is at stake since DAP leader Tony Pua has announced that Pakatan will cut nearly 40 percent of jobs in the civil service.

Opposition Anwar Ibrahim has said it is not true. But DAP and its top leaders have not denied Pua's statement.

Compared with the BN under PM Najib Abdul Razak which has extended the civil servants' tenure to age 60 and gave much monetary benefits to civil servants, DAP wants to sack 40 percent of us!

How can we civil servants support such a party. If what Anwar said is true and what Pua said is not true, then to show their sincerity, DAP must apologise to civil servants publicly, and promise not to field Pua as candidate for the 13th general election.

Otherwise, we will campaign against DAP candidates.

Secondly, PAS is insisting on achieving its Islamic state with the implementation of hudud. Can Christians honestly support Pakatan in view of this.

Even Anwar Ibrahim has publicly supported hudud. It is too risky for Christians to support PAS, unless the party publicly promises that it will not implement Islamic law when Pakatan comes to power.

DAP leaders like Lim Guan Eng has been defending PAS, and keeping quiet on the various PAS actions like banning a cinema in Bangi, and calling for the banning of the Elton John concert.
We cannot support Pakatan as it is too dangerous.

Thirdlly, the credibility of many Pakatan candidates is questionable.
There are still DAP people who object to wearing songkok at official functions, although they are prepared to wear hats and Japanese baseball caps.

When Selangor Assemblyperson Hannah Yeoh wore tudung during Hari Raya, she was attacked by DAP leaders and members.

Also, DAP leaders are not that clean after all, they practise cronyism and nepotism, and some are corrupt too.
DAP says they champion human rights and press freedom, yet Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng bans Malay daily Utusan Malaysia in his state.
How can Christians support these hypocrites. For us, it is better to stay with BN which has shows that it can change and will give us a good life.

Pakatan just talks and never delivers. DAP does not even care for the veteran leaders who build up the party, now that upstarts like Pua have come in and taken over.

For these three important reasons, I urge all Christians to stop supporting Pakatan.
All civil servants should also protest against DAP, especially to kick out Pua, who is out to break our ricebowls.

Malaysia’s economy likely to slow despite earlier boom

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 — Malaysia should brace for a protracted economic slump despite the expected announcement today that its economy has grown by up to 4.8 per cent in the past three months, analysts have warned, as the mushrooming debt cloud from the US and Europe spreads eastwards.
As the country heads into the last six weeks of the year, Bloomberg News reported today that most Asian currencies have been falling in the past three months on concern the nations that led the recovery from the 2009 global recession will falter.

File photo of a weekly night market in Kota Kinabalu. Analysts have said Malaysia should brace itself for a slump despite the recent growth in the economy. — Reuters pic

“It’s part of monetary easing if they let their currencies weaken,” the business news agency reported United Overseas Bank economist Ho Woei Chen as saying. The ringgit has fallen more than five per cent in the past three months while the Thai baht has weakened 3.3 per cent but neither countries have cut their rates even as Indonesia and Australia lowered borrowing costs in this last quarter.
“Probably they are not cutting interest rates that aggressively but letting their currency depreciate,” Ho said, adding he expects Malaysia and Thailand to highlight the risks to growth going forward.
Citing United Overseas Bank Ltd, Bloomberg reported that policymakers throughout the region may allow more weakening to support non-oil exports to Europe and the US, which have been crashing across the board in Singapore.
The republic’s main electronics sector has been battered and dropped by 31 per cent last month compared to the same period last year due to poor demand for disk drives and integrated circuits which plunged more than 50 per cent.
Analysts observed that Malaysia’s growth spurt in the last quarter was due to its strong domestic demand and export before the sovereign debt-crisis deepened in Europe.
Investment experienced a sprint in Southeast Asia’s third- largest economy since the Najib administration last year identified US$444 billion (RM1.37 trillion) worth of private sector-led projects to spur growth, Bloomberg reported.
International Business Machines Corp (IBM), Toshiba Corp and Agilent Technologies Inc are among the companies that have pledged new investments here.
Exports grew at the fastest pace in more than a year in September as companies shipped abroad more electronics and commodities.
But the analysts also warned that the growth could be stunted if the external sectors spilled over into the domestic economy.
“Supply chain disruptions stemming from Thai floods may depress industrial production in the short run,” reported Bloomberg, quoting Daniel Wilson, an analyst at Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. in Singapore.

traffic police bikes file pix

Sarawak traffic police pose a threat to road safety, says an opposition assemblyman.

KUCHING: There’s a nickname for the Sarawak’s traffic police, according to Piasau assemblyman Ling Sie Kiong. They’re called ‘ambush drivers’.

Ling said Sarawak’s increasingly cynical public had begun to describe these cops as such because of the manner in which they carry out their job.

He said ‘ambush drivers’ lurk at dangerous corners of the road and wait for an “opportunity” to pounce on motorists and invite corrupt practices that tarnish the image of the police.

Ling said such actions indirectly affect the reputation of the police and the government.

“There are many complaints about traffic police ambushing drivers at dangerous corners of the roads which has caused panic in some people, especially P-license drivers.

“Is such a practice (ambush) really necessary and is the practice safe, especially when such surprise checks at blind corners might cause accidents due to confusion and negative reactions of some drivers?” he asked.

Ling said road blocks were still an issue in the state.

“I was made to understand that an ‘ambush’ is not considered a road block, but rather a spot check where no barrier is required to be placed as a safety measure.

“The traffic police may have the power to set up road blocks, which is useful in checking crimes like car thefts, but it must be used wisely and safely.

“It should not cause too much disruption to traffic flow,” he said, pointing out that according to Section 78 of the Road Transport Act 1987, a barrier must be placed as a reasonable measure to stop vehicles.

Combating corruption

Ling suggested that the service of the traffic police could be better used for directing traffic during peak

hours and when there is a breakdown in traffic lights.

Ling called on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to consider monitoring those traffic policemen who stand under the tree and issue summons.

He reminded MACC that combating corruption has to start from the top, not from the bottom, as in the motto “leadership by example” which is far more effective in convincing subordinates and followers to go clean.

The public perception now is that the “big fish” is protected from investigation, while only “ikan bilis” were being caught just to show results.

Such half-hearted efforts lack credibility and is not likely to succeed, he said during the debate on the state 2012 budget.

Dissolve ‘category A and B system’ in sports

Because of the system, many national juniors missed the chance to participate in international level events because of financial problem.

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC Youth has called for a revamp of the “category system” in Malaysian sports, saying that the millions spent on ferrying “officials and observers” to international sporting events should be channelled instead towards supporting more sportsmen.

According to its information chief S Subramaniam, Malaysian sportsmen were divided into two categories – category A and category B.

Category A sportsmen’s participation in international events was paid for by the government while those who fell into category B paid their own way.

“We should understand that because of the category system many national juniors missed the chance to participate in international level events because of financial problem.”

“Our Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has allocated millions of money to sport development.

“But, sad to say, many associations spent more on administration than on development of sport.

“We believe it is time the National Sport Council and Olympic Council of Malaysia dissolve the category systems in sports and treat all sportsmen representing the country fairly,” he said, adding that the surprise gold medal win by the national 4 x 400metres quartet in the ongoing South East Asia (SEA) Games was a strong message to both the sport councils to reconsider the category system.

More observers than sportsmen

In the SEA Games in Indonesia, Subramaniam said the bulk of the contingent’s budget had gone towards funding non-players.

“For example, Malaysia spent RM2.2 million for 261 officials, 59 VIPs, 279 observers and 355 sportsmen for the SEA games.

“The rest of the 253 were category B sportsmen who spent their own money to prove themselves.

“What kind of system is this?” he asked.

Subramaniam also pointed out that the Malaysian Amateur Athletics Union (MAAU) had an absurd ratio of more than one observer per government-funded athlete.

“MAAU took 45 observers where the total track and field athletes are 16 under category A.

“Eighteen other athletes in category B financed their own participation. The ratio of observers to fully financed athletes is absurd.

“This means more than one observer for every athlete… it’s too much,” said Subramaniam, who also raised concern over the future of Malaysian athletics.

He said that although athletes under the MAAU won six gold medals, none of them were new faces.

No new faces

Malaysia’s six gold medals in the track and field events came from Noraseela Khalid (400m hurdles), Lo Choon Sieng (20km walk), Lee Hup Wei (high jump), Tan Song Hwa (hammer), Roslinda Samsu (pole vault) and the 4x400m relay team men.

“Despite MAAU achieving its target, it is a clear that MAAU has failed to cultivate new gold- winning athletes.

“The victories in the SEA Games came from the old faces,” he told FMT.

He recalled that Malaysia was once champions in the track and field events not only in the SEA Games but also in Asia, but today other countries such as Thailand and Indonesia have overtaken Malaysia.

He said that part of the blame rested with the poor administration of the MAAU.

He urged the Youth and Sports Ministry to set up a special task force to probe into MAAU’s structure and operation system.

“We believe that the inefficiency of MAAU is one major cause of Malaysian athletes’ performance declining in the international arena,” Subramaniam said, adding that MIC Youth was not the only group that was critical of MAAU.

He said many parties as well as athletes had complained about the system within MAAU.

The latest rant came from national track and field athlete Noraseela Khalid.

On Wednesday, Noraseela reportedly slammed MAAU for neglecting the welfare of its athletes.

She lambasted the MAAU for bringing home the Malaysian 4x400m men’s quartet of S Kannathasan, P Vuvaraj, Schzuan Ahmad Rosely and Mohd Yunus La Salleh even before the medal presentation ceremony.

The quartet were the surprise winners of a gold medal in the event which was held on Monday. The medal presentation ceremony was scheduled for the next day.

Poor excuse

Responding to Noraseela’s angst, MAAU deputy president Karim Ibrahim told her not to be a “poodle” of others who were trying to destroy the union.

Karim said the MAAU did not have the power to reschedule the medal presentation ceremony, which was the prerogative of the organising committee and neither could it delay the quartet’s flight home as the flights were fully booked out of Palembang at the time.

But Subramaniam described Karim’s statement as a “poor excuse”.

‘It’s not impossible to reschedule their return after the medal presentation. What is wrong paying extra money for accommodation and flight for our golden boys?” he asked.

Suspected militants held under ISA

The Sun
by Charles Ramendran

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 17, 2011): Despite it being in its last months of existence before it is abolished in March next year, the Internal Security Act (ISA) was invoked again on 13 suspected members of a militant group in Sabah on Monday.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said today, following investigations and intelligence gathering over several months, police learnt that the suspects were planning to revive militancy in Sabah.

He said in a brief statement that the probe led to the arrest of seven Malaysians and six foreigners between Monday and Wednesday.

He said the suspects are being held and investigated under Section 73 (1) of the ISA which allows detention up to 60 days without a arrest warrant for activities which could affect the security of the country.

Ismail said if the activities of the group can threaten or affect national security if it is not thwarted.

Although it was not disclosed by police, it is believed that the foreign suspects detained are Indonesians and Filipinos.

Low BN attendance at Selangor State Assembly

Quite a number of BN state assembly members have been missing from the Selangor State Assembly in recent days.

Photograph: Hannah Yeoh, yesterday

Selangor state assembly member Hannah Yeoh (Subang Jaya) tweeted yesterday that not a single BN Adun was in the House as at 2.32pm.
I contacted a Selangor state exco member to find out if BN attendance was a problem. He said about five or six BN Aduns (out of the 20 BN Aduns, all from Umno) are usually present. Some of them do not stay for long, just saying what they have to say before leaving, he added.
In contrast, he said nearly all (“99%”) of the 36 PR Aduns have been attending proceedings.

Slavery: A 21st Century Evil - Bridal slaves

Refer Syria's leaders to International Criminal Court

Notre Dame, Indiana (CNN) -- The crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Syria has resulted in at least 3,500 deaths. The United Nations Security Council should immediately request that all charges of crimes against humanity in Syria be referred to the International Criminal Court.

If the claims of gross misconduct by the Arab League and many national governments are correct, then something definitive would finally be done. And if the accusations prove to be wrong, as the Syrian government claims, then the court would confirm that.

The Security Council needs to act because the court lacks jurisdiction to investigate on its own, since Syria has refused to join the court. But with Security Council authorization, the legal door opens for a full-fledged investigation that could reach President Bashar al-Assad himself and, if warranted, indict those accused of responsibility for mass murder.

Russian and Chinese officials, who feel they were taken advantage of by NATO countries when they expanded the Security Council authorization of a no-fly zone for civilian protection in Libya into a military effort to overthrow Moammar Gadhafi's government, have resisted taking strong action against Syria. To encourage them to support a council referral of atrocities to the court, a U.N. resolution could explicitly take international military action against Syria off the table. This would also reassure members of the Arab League who oppose external military intervention even though some want Assad to resign.

To obtain that reassurance, the Arab League simultaneously could ask the Security Council to refer alleged Syrian crimes to the court, while also underscoring its disapproval of the Syrian government's violation of its agreement with the Arab League to stop atrocities.

An investigation by the international court could produce many benefits. It might deter heinous crimes, because Syrian officials would know that the world is now watching and ready to take legal action. If indictments resulted from the investigations, they would discredit any Syrian officials who refused to stand trial, even if arrests of indictees could not be made in the immediate future.

If Assad were indicted, this would add strength to the claim of those arguing that he should step down. Indictments would encourage and empower democratic forces within Syria, while also helping to keep protesters nonviolent, thereby discouraging the kind of civil war that occurred in Libya.

A Security Council referral might even put pressure on Damascus to accept a proposal being advanced by some in the Arab League to deploy 400 to 500 observers throughout Syria from a coalition of 16 Arab human rights organizations. Of course, Assad might refuse to allow them into Syria, fearing that they might find evidence useful for prosecutions. However, if he refused the Arab League offer to observe what is going on, that refusal would undermine his claim that officials are doing nothing illegal.

Finally, a swift Security Council referral would place the killings of several thousand people and the question of wrongful conduct precisely where they should be: in a legal framework where the conduct of officials and others is judged against well-established international laws that few dispute. Such a move, in tandem with European Union economic sanctions already taken to freeze the assets of 74 Syrians and an expanding oil and possibly arms embargo, would reduce the likelihood of violence among Syrians themselves, discourage external military intervention and enable the council to honor its charter obligation to take responsibility for preventing armed conflict.

An indictment could even produce a humanitarian consequence for an accused official. This is suggested by events surrounding Gadhafi's son Saif al-Islam Gadhafi, whom the court indicted because of suspected abuses of civilians in the Libyan revolution. He and any accused Syrian officials might prefer going to The Hague to face their legal fate rather than run the risks of a more violent destiny closer to home.

Kissing teenagers wreak havoc in shopping mall

For illustrative purpose only (Getty Images)

A teenager and his girl friend caused furor at a crowded Kuwaiti shopping mall when they kissed each other and walked around hugging each other.

Ignoring rebukes from scores of male and female shoppers, the couple then sat at a coffee shop inside the mall and continued their amorous scene, prompting the mall’s security men to intervene and kick them out.

“The two still did not give up…they went out of the mall and resumed hugging…people had to call the police to the area,” the Arabic language daily Alwatan said. “When the police arrived, the two ended their obscene performance, smashed through the surrounding crowd and ran away.”

Bantu usahawan RM 100 juta, India Muslim tersepit

School aid suggestive of vote-buying

Opposition MPs query ministry directive for BN reps to be present during the distribution of funds to schools.

PETALING JAYA: A recent Education Ministry directive for BN parliamentarians and assemblymen to be present at the distribution of schooling assistance to parents has raised eyebrows in the opposition camp.

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak had announced in the 2012 Budget that all primary and secondary students nationwide would receive RM100 by the end of this month.

The funds would be deposited into the Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) accounts of the schools and subsequently handed out to the students or their parents.

Last Sunday however, the ministry issued a circular requesting all BN representatives to be present during the distributions to act as a “touchpoint” between the government and the people.

PKR’s Subang MP, Sivarasa Rasiah, said that the one-off payment in itself is suggestive of vote-buying and that the presence of politicians appeared as an attempt to seal that connection between the “gift” and the intended vote.

“If this allocation was made a permanent benefit and the right of poorer familes, then these questions wouldn’t arise,” he said. “And this is the difference between the BN and Pakatan budget. Our aid programmes are continuous.”

“My other problem with this aid is that it is part of a budget that hasn’t yet been approved in its entirety which makes the distribution of funds inappropriate at this point.”

Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar, meanwhile, observed a contradiction between this new directive and an earlier one in in January barring all politicians from entering school compounds.

‘Education should be above politics’

She also noted that BN parties appear to be dominating government schools in the country and this isn’t welcome by all Malaysians.

“Look, while I appreciate the government fulfilling its promises to the people, you also have to look at the procedures involved,” she said. “It goes beyond the issue of vote buying and into clouding the governance of education.”

“It isn’t about whether this will affect my rice bowl as a politician but about the fact that a responsible government should prioritise education above politics.”

Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong added that the directive appeared to be part of a last- minute campaign before an election spurred by the belief that the gesture would garner votes.

“There is no need for their presence,” he said. “It won’t make a difference because it’s not about improving the system. What is needed is a genuine open policy on the country’s future.

“Instead of just being a touchpoint, there should be open engagement with parents. In this situation, it is not enough to literally stand there and be counted.”

According to Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng, a Taiping school board chairman had recently given the government a tongue lashing over politicians entering school grounds.

“He said that politicians don’t belong on a holistic campus and I fully support his stand,” he said. “Let the aid be distributed by the principals without any political presence or involvement.”

Hasan Ali: Muslims being converted by solar-powered talking bible

Hasan said Jais research shows Christian were spreading their faith through free classes and counselling. — File pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 17 — Evangelical Christians are using high-tech devices such as solar-powered talking bibles to proselytize to Malay Muslims in Selangor, state lawmaker Datuk Hasan Ali said today.


Hasan, who is in charge of the state’s Islamic affairs portfolio, said the state’s religious authority (Jais) had discovered that Christian missionaries were now spreading their gospel through technologically-advanced means apart from setting up welfare groups providing cash and other financial aid to single mothers and the destitute.

He added that Jais’s research showed Christian evangelists were spreading their faith to young Muslim students in free tuition classes and counselling sessions, besides distributing Christian pamphlets in public places, homes, universities and places that were ostensibly called “community centres” to carry out their evangelical work.

The website claims the device’s batteries can be recharged using solar power.

The ex-PAS state commissioner disclosed this in a written reply to a question from Umno-Sungai Burong assemblyman Datuk Mohd Shamsudin Lias.


According to a website called Book of Joe, the palm-sized radio-like device contains all the books in the New and Old Testaments and is fitted with batteries that will run for almost 10 hours before needing to be recharged, whether by the sun, a light bulb or a nine-volt AC adapter. It costs only US$99.95 (RM310).

 This latest disclosure, after a controversial August 3 raid by Selangor Islamic authorities on the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) in Petaling Jaya, could trigger another Christian-Muslim conflict.

Christian leaders have consistently denied claims that they are attempting to convert Muslims, but relations between the two creeds with roots in the Middle East continue to smoulder in multi-religious, multi-cultural Malaysia where the religion of the federation is Islam as stated in the Federal Constitution.

Hasan said Jais is working to counter Christian proselytism of Muslims by holding sessions to clarify Islamic doctrine and its laws.

The lawmaker said Jais is also seeking to strengthen the enforcement of the Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Amongst Muslims) Enactment 1988 as well as the Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment 1995.

NFC beat target, says Shahrizat’s husband

Shahrizat’s husband and children operate the RM250 million NFC project. — File pic

GEMAS, Nov 17 — The controversial national cattle farming project went beyond its set target, chairman Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Salleh Ismail said today, disputing a federal audit describing the scheme as being “in a mess”.

“In fact, [National Feedlot Corporation (NFC)] has raised 8,016 head of cattle in 2010, surpassing its target of 8,000 head of cattle. We are importing cattle from Australia and we have to feed them for between four and six months.

“We do not slaughter them soon after arrival,” Mohamad Salleh, husband to Cabinet Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil, was reported saying in a Bernama Online report today.

Today was the first time Mohamad had spoken up on the brewing scandal that began after the RM250 million federally-funded project made it into the pages of the Auditor-General’s Report for 2010.

The report released last month had criticised the NFC, pointing out that it was now “in a mess”. It further said production in 2010 was only 3,289 head of cattle or 41.1 per cent of the target set.

Mohamad’s figures today echoed Agriculture Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar’s interpretation of the project’s objectives

Noh previously informed the Auditor-General “the total number of cattle brought into the farm was 8,016 between 2008 and 2010.”

“Of that total, 5,742 were slaughtered up to November 2010. Therefore, the target of 8,000 cattle by 2010 was met. It (the NFC project) is a success,” Noh told Parliament on October 31.

The project operated by Mohamad and his two children ran into further controversy when PKR revealed that RM9.8 million from government loans to the corporation was used to buy a luxury condominium unit in Bangsar.

During a press conference today, Shahrizat’s husband disputed PKR’s numbers and said the project had purchased not one but two units of the condominium, adding that these had cost over RM6 million each.

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin earlier defended the condominium purchase as an investment when the project found itself with excess liquidity after the government ran out of funds to develop satellite cattle farms.

Mohamad today called the decision to purchase the two condo units “a good business decision” that reportedly yielded a claimed RM900,000 in rental and developer rebates during the first year.

Despite clamour for the project to be investigated for irregularities, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has passed the case to the police by saying the matter should be probed under the Penal Code.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar today said, however, that he has yet to receive anything on the matter from the MACC.

MIC faces ‘cremation’ in Port Dickson

MIC will have to deal with the issue of two 'forgotten' crematoriums if it is to move ahead in Port Dickson.

PORT DICKSON: The two “forgotten” crematorium projects in Negri Sembilan, which received government aid of RM270,000 in the 1990s, is set to haunt MIC, which is aiming for a comeback here in the 13th general election.

Apparently the crematoriums never got past the “artist’s impression” stage and the money is still unaccounted for.

Just over two decades ago, one of the choice locations between Port Dickson and Lukut was home to the district’s sole Hindu and Sikh crematoriums.

Then the state government divided the 10-acre plot of land along Jalan Seremban and separately allocated portions to the Hindu, Sikh, Catholic and Baha’i communities.

The Hindus and Sikhs received 55 percent of the land to build a crematorium each while the Catholics and Baha’i were given 30 percent and 15 percent respectively for their burial sites.

But the land turned out to be too swampy for a burial ground hence only the two crematoriums were eventually built there.

Both belonged to the respective Hindu and Sikh temples located in Port Dickson town.
When the mid-1990s rolled in, an MIC division leader proposed that the crematoriums be upgraded with gas cremators.

He also sought the state government’s approval to acquire the original plot of land and rebuild the new crematoriums elsewhere.

“The hidden agenda behind this proposal involved the commercial development of that prime land,” said Port Dickson PKR assemblyman, M Ravi.

Rusty sheds

He, however, asked that FMT withold the MIC leader’s identity at this point.

“The state government approved the project on condition that both temple committees agreed to it and that an alternative plot of land is identified for the new crematoriums,” Ravi said.

“The MIC leader then brought in a developer to survey the land and soon after that an artist’s impression of the new crematoriums was displayed at both temples.”

Pleased with the sketch, the temple committee chairmen and the devotees gave the project their blessings.

The crematoriums were subsequently demolished and a groundbreaking ceremony was held at the new site in Jalan Sua Betong.

Today over 200 shoplots stand in Jalan Seremban while in Jalan Sua Betong a rusty structure and a signboard bearing the crematorium’s name, hint at a forgotten project.

Ravi described it as “nothing more than a cowshed”.
And that is only the Hindu crematorium. Aside from the artist’s impression, there is nothing to indicate plans for the construction of a Sikh temple.

“During the groundbreaking ceremony, the MIC leader announced that the state government had contributed RM270,000 for the construction of the new crematoriums.

“But the current temple committees insist there is no record of these funds,” Ravi said.

According to Ravi, the then temple presidents did not question the disappearance of the RM27,000 nor did they protest the reneged promise of the new crematoriums, because the temples were helmed by MIC members themselves.

Jordan: Man cuts sister throat to cleanse family honour

(ANSAmed) - AMMAN, NOVEMBER 16 - A man from the southern city of Tafilah killed his sister in public by slitting her throat for being involved in a romantic relation, police sources said on Wednesday.

The 18 year old man attacked his sister in the main bus station of the town, before being arrested, said the sources.

Eye witnesses said medics arrived when the girl was making her last breath as investigation continued to determine other culprits in the brutal attack.

The killer told police he wanted to kill his sister to cleanse the family honour after the victim admitted involvement with a man who wanted to marry her, said the police sources.

The death brings number of women killed in the name of honour to nearly 15 since the start of the year, say officials.

The government promised to adopt an iron fist policy with such cases following campaigns from human rights groups.

But activists say strict social habits make it difficult to eradicate such phenomena.

Killers are often handed a sentence between six months to one year for the murder, say activists.

Cash belonging to robbery suspects goes missing

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 17 — Cash belonging to two of the men charged with robbing money changers at KL International Airport (KLIA) in September has gone missing from the Selangor police headquarters.
In a statement released last night, Selangor police said RM11,700 in cash and a wallet were reported missing on Tuesday evening.

File photo of ringgit notes. — Picture courtesy of mybursa.wordpress

The cash is not part of the US$300,000 that was seized in relation to the robbery. Three Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) claimed trial last month for robbery and abetting a civilian in robbing three money changers of RM930,000 at KLIA in September.
The three officers, aged between 20 and 35, hold the ranks of acting assistant commissioner, senior assistant superintendent and assistant superintendent. The civilian, who had impersonated an MACC officer during the robbery, is still at large.
They allegedly robbed the money changers inside the satellite building at KLIA on September 15.
The trio were arrested two days later after they were picked out by the victim during an identification parade.
It was earlier reported that the money changers were at the airport intending to board a flight to Singapore when the robbery took place.
The three are understood to have been carrying foreign currencies amounting to about RM2 million, which they had declared to Customs.

Koh out of the 13th GE

The prime minister has accepted my decision, says the Gerakan president, and promises more dramatic events to unfold.
UPDATED

KUALA LUMPUR: Gerakan president, Koh Tsu Koon, today announced that he will not be contesting any parliamentary or state seat in the upcoming 13th general election.

“This is a personal decision,” he told the media during a press conference at the Gerakan headquarters this morning.

“But it has been discussed several times within the Central Working Committee and the Central Committee. I have already informed prime minister Najib Tun Razak who has accepted and respected my decision.”

Koh clarified that he would retain his other positions as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Gerakan president and Penang BN chairman. He however added that his presidency post would be up for discussion after the general election.

“I have also made a decision on my Penang post which I will convey and further discuss with the prime minister,” Koh said.

“As for my ministerial post I look at it as an opportunity and responsibility to serve the people of Malaysia but I don’t cling on to this post for my own personal sake.

“But this is also the perogative of the prime minister,” he said.

The former Penang chief minister also waved off calls from supporters to battle it out with current Penang chief minister, Lim Guan Eng, for the Bagan seat as “unnecessary”.

When asked whether he would be seen as bowing out without a fight, Koh shot back, “I have fought seven elections and most of them very tough fights.”

“So go back to history and read about what happened in 1982, 1986, 1990 and 1995. I’m also the only person who has fought (Ipoh Timur MP) Lim Kit Siang twice – in 1986 and 1995.”

Koh said that his non-participating in the general election would allow him to focus on party strategy, strenghtening party machinery, deciding on the candidate line-up and coordinating publicity.

New agenda for Gerakan

He then unveiled the party’s new agenda, “Gerak Bersama Rakyat” (Move With The People), which will be implemented within a month.

The agenda, based on Gerakan’s ideology and track record and the 1Malaysia concept, is being formulated by a special taskforce led by deputy president, Chang Ko Youn.

“Gerakan’s transformation and renewal will now shift into high gear,” he said. “And I am leading by example and taking the first step toward this renewal by not participating in the general election.”

“The shift also means the start of the leadership renewel where our second echolons will be given more opportunities to play a bigger role.”

He however declined to name these young leaders and said that their identities would become apparent over the next few months as they began “walking the talk”.

“People will know that Gerakan is in high gear because there has already been an increasing tempo of activities from Kedah to Sabah,” Koh stated.

“And we have been taking stands on issues like electoral reforms, the Internal Securities Act (ISA) and the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA).”

Drama to continue

Koh also dismissed reports in a mainstream daily that has recently been attacking Gerakan as a “party full of problems”.

He reminded the media that every political party has its problems and pointedly said that if he chose to comment on other major parties he would have a lot more to say.

Koh further disputed any expected changes in party leadership positions ahead of the general election and emphasised that all leadership posts within Gerakan are elected ones.

“We are different from other major component parties where the state chairman is appointed by the president,” he said. “All our state chairmen are elected.”

Asked if his pulling out of the general election is the end or pinnacle of his political career, Koh laughed and replied, “Wait for more dramatic events to unfold.”

Konvoi ‘Titian Kasih ke Memali’

Tragedi berdarah Memali memperlihatkan kekejaman kerajaan Malaysia menyerang kedudukan Ustaz Ibrahim Libya di Memali, Baling, Kedah.

PETALING JAYA: Tragedi Memali, peristiwa berdarah dan menyayat hati yang terjadi pada 19 November 1985, akan dikenang semula menerusi penganjuran konvoi ‘Titian Kasih ke Memali’ oleh Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM).

Konvoi yang diterajui sendiri oleh Ketua Penyelaras SAMM Badrul Hisham Shaharin @ CheguBard, akan bermula dari Seremban pada malam hari Jumaat, 18 November ini dan singgah di Pulau Pinang untuk berkumpul dengan komrad SAMM dari utara sebelum meneruskan perjalanan ke Memali.

Penyelaras SAMM Segmentasi Anak Muda, Yasir Sheikh Abdul Rahman, dalam satu kenyataan media hari ini berkata, konvoi ini dianjurkan bagi memperingati tragedi berdarah Memali yang memperlihatkan kekejaman kerajaan Malaysia menyerang kedudukan Ustaz Ibrahim Libya di Memali, Baling, Kedah.

“Kesudahannya, 14 pejuang Islam termasuk Ibrahim Libya telah syahid di medan demi mempertahankan Islam dan berpuluh yang lain telah ditahan serta dipenjarakan.

“Status mereka sebagai syahid disahkan oleh ahli Majlis Fatwa Kerajaan Negeri Kedah, Tuan Guru Haji Yahya Junid dan Ustaz Azahari Abd Razak. Tetapi pihak kerajaan telah menuduh kematian pejuang-pejuang Islam ini adalah ‘bughah’, iaitu penderhaka kepada pemerintah,” katanya.

Kebenaran disorok

Menurut Yasir, tragedi Memali adalah sejarah hitam yang disorokkan kebenarannya. Pejuang-pejuang Islam yang gugur syahid ekoran mempertahankan hak mereka yang mahu di tangkap oleh Kerajaan Malaysia yang dipimpin oleh Umno-Barisan Nasional, telah dituduh dengan pelbagai label supaya pembunuhan ini dihalalkan.

Tegas beliau, sudahlah mereka dibunuh dengan kejam, Ibrahim Libya dan pengikutnya dituduh pula sebagai penjenayah, mengamal ajaran sesat, pelampau, komunis, bughah dan sebagainya. Tuduhan-tuduhan ini kekal bersama sejarah dan seterusnya memberi kesan yang amat besar terhadap waris-waris as-syahid.

Bagi SAMM katanya, sejarah ini harus diperbetul dan maruah semua waris perlu dikembalikan. Selama 26 tahun lamanya waris Memali menanggung keperitan hidup, dicela dan dihina. Tidak keterlaluan untuk fail sejarah ini dibuka semula dan dikaji oleh pengamal sejarah yang ahli.

Beliau menegaskan, jika as-syahid yang terdiri daripada penegak agama Allah di bumi Memali ini sebenarnya tidak bersalah, maka SAMM berjanji untuk pastikan sejarah ini kembali diubah lantas waris wajib diberi penghormatan serta pampasan yang setimpal.

“Atas faktor mencari kebenaran, SAMM sendiri akan meredah belantara untuk menemui saki-baki beberapa waris dalam program konvoi ‘Titian Kasih ke Memali’.

Yasir memberitahu konvoi akan menghabiskan sepanjang hari Sabtu di Memali, salah satu rumah waris juga akan dipilih untuk diadakan bacaan Yasin dan SAMM akan turut bersama dalam program PAS pada hari yang sama sempena ulangtahun memperingati peristiwa Memali.

“Aktiviti konvoi membawa anak muda mengenali sejarah merupakan satu tuntutan demi melihat kekejaman yang dilakukan oleh sang penguasa penerus legasi penjajah. Dari pengamatan sejarah kejam ini akan membawa anak muda SAMM mencipta sejarah!,” ujar beliau.

‘Clandestine secret society’ operating govt businesses

Was Isa Samad appointed chairman so that PM Najib can have a 'trusted person to oversee' Felda's RM7 billion cookie jar?
COMMENT

A bigger rat has been assigned to look after Kumpulan Permodalan Felda’s (KPF) RM7 billion ringgit kitty. And that rat is Isa Samad.

Now why would anyone appoint Isa, whose track record of managing assets is suspect, as guardian to such a loot?

The answer – it’s the PM’s wish.

It is Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s wish that Isa Samad, a close comrade in arms, be installed as chairman of KPF and ‘oversee’ the RM7 billion that it has.

Let’s discuss the PM’s wishes. It is an interesting subject in itself.

Remember Omar (Mustapha) Ong, an Oxford graduate and Eisenhower fellow from the 4th floor (of PM’s Department)? Let me jog your memory.

According to a 2009 report, Omar is the co-founder of his seven-year-old management and strategic consulting firm, which many have likened to the Malaysian version of McKinsey & Co.

Najib decided to appoint him as an independent, non-executive director to the Petronas Board.

Contradictions and hypocrisy

The appointment reportedly drew much flak from then Petronas board members including former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Pro-Umno bloggers aligned to Mahathir also put up a spirited objection to Ong being given a seat on the Petronas Board.

These very same people who objected to Najib’s wishes over Ong are now supporting putting up Isa as chairman of KPF.

Why? Because it’s the wish of the PM. Very pious indeed. But see the contradiction and hypocrisy?

The PM also wished for Ong: but his first wish was objected to vehemently while his wish to have Isa was warmly supported.

So, what this actually reflects is that the PM’s wishes isn’t relevant at all.

What is relevant is whether the person assigned gets the approval of the shadowy approval committee comprising of some pro-Umno bloggers. They didn’t approve of Ong but they endorsed Isa.

We can’t operate government business through some clandestine secret society.

Unlawful appointment of Isa

Isa’s position as chairman of KPF is objected on account of several reasons.

The refusal of some people in accepting the coup d’état has prompted them to make a police report.

The appointment of Isa goes against the by-laws of KPF. KPF is subjected to its by-laws and rulings and Najib is also subjected to the law.

According to KPF regulations, nine of the committee members on the Felda Board must be elected by delegates at its general assembly.

The Felda Board then appoints three additional members subject to confirmation in the general assembly of delegates.

The three appointed members of the committee must either be a Felda settler or children of settlers, Felda employee, wife or their children. They also must have been a member of KPFB for at least 10 years.

Isa does not qualify

In addition, the three appointed to the board must also members of either the Felda settlers cooperative or the Felda employee’s cooperative.

Here too there is an additional clause, the appointed candidate must have been a cooperative member for a least two years. The rules, one can see for oneself is stringent.

Clearly by the terms of the bylaws and rulings governing cooperatives in Felda, Isa is disqualified.

Having said this, Isa’s track record of managing assets also does not justify his appointment as chairman of KPF.

When he was MB for Negeri Sembilan, large tracts of leasehold land were given to certain non-bumi corporate figures and converted into freehold land.

The state economic development corporation of which he was chairman also didn’t fare well at all.

This must be a new breakthrough in management science – the party that has fumbled is tasked to manage a bigger business.

The writer is a former Umno state assemblyman and a FMT columnist. This is an excerpt from his sakmongkolak47 blog.

Ini Pilihanraya Terakhir Najib Selaku Perdana Menteri

'Review laws on ethical issues'

by HANIS MAKETAB KUALA LUMPUR

Call to regulate practice of organ transplant, abortion and in-vitro fertilisation

Parliament should review laws surrounding complex ethical issues such as organ transplantation, termination of pregnancies and regulation of in-vitro fertilisation,  Raja Muda of Perak Raja Nazrin Shah said yesterday.

He said local healthcare and legal practitioners believed a review of current laws was necessary.

In light of cases in some countries where trade in organs was rampant, it would be important to outline rules in order to regulate the practice, he said at a conference on the conflicts and controversies in medicine, ethics and law organised by the Medico-Legal Society of Malaysia.

Raja Nazrin said Malaysian law imposed criminal punishment under the Penal Code on doctors and patients who terminated pregnancies other than for certain prescribed reasons such as to save the mother's life.

"Doctors and patients are then forced to circumvent the law."  

On the practice of in-vitro fertilisation, he said there was no legislation regulating it, which had led to countless viable embryos being disposed of each day.

"By itself, law is not equipped to resolve medicine's difficult moral issues.

"However, moral conscience can also be the precursor to the development of legal rules for social order."

Raja Nazrin said laws pertaining to patient confidentiality must maintain a balance between individual interest in information privacy and public interest in information disclosure.

"Legal boundaries are often ill-defined and sometimes completely undefined due to challenges brought about by scientific advancement."  

In many countries, including Malaysia, conditions such as HIV and other infectious diseases continue to pose problems for healthcare practitioners who must find the middle ground between competing rights.

Raja Nazrin said some countries, like the United Kingdom, had developed extensive formal guidelines to address such issues of competing rights.

"There has never been a more appropriate time for the medical and legal fraternities to engage with policy-makers and the community to keep ethical and legal standards up-to-date," he said.

He hoped practicable solutions could be found during the conference to resolve current issues involving medicine, ethics and law.

The two-day conference, which began yesterday, features 18 speakers from the medical and legal professions.

The topics cover issues such as "HIV controversies in healthcare", "Termination of pregnancy: how practical is the law due today?" and "Organ transplants and its ethical and legal complications -- tackling difficult issues".

Best UPSR Results In Four Years, But Fewer Candidates Score Straight As

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 17 (Bernama) -- The overall achievement of this year's Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) candidates is the best in four years although the number of straight A scorers dropped slightly from last year's, it was announced here Thursday.

Director-General of Education Datuk Seri Abdul Ghafar Mahmud, in announcing the analysis of the 2011 UPSR results, said 55.45 per cent of the candidates obtained at least Grade C this year, up from the 54.38 per cent last year.

A total of 46,012 of this year's 485,160 candidates scored straight A's, he said, adding that this was a 0.54 per cent drop to 9.48 per cent from the 10.02 per cent last year.

"This year, the overall achievement of the 2011 UPSR candidates has improved and is the best in four years in accordance with the National Average Grade," he told a news conference at the Education Ministry here.

Abdul Ghafar said candidates with the minimum achievement, of a D or E grade, also dropped, by 0.51 per cent, from 3.39 per cent last year to 2.88 per cent this year.

Tsu Koon backs out of GE

Koh Tsu Koon has announced that he will not be contesting in the coming general election.
Instead he says he will reportedly devote his time to strategise and strengthen the party as well as decide the line-up of candidates.
No real surprise there. Perhaps the reason is to improve Gerakan’s prospects in Penang – though that is debatable whether his decision will have any effect on the party’s chances.
The question is, will he remain a ‘back-door’ cabinet minister after the polls now that he has opted out of the general election.
Tsu Koon has a lot to answer for and explain regarding PGCC, the Batu Kawan land deals, the Kampung Buah Pala land sale, the Tanjong Tokong land reclamation, the Jelutong Expressway-land reclamation swap deal, the near bankruptcy of the MPSP, etc.

Syrian deserters strike military target

Qatari Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabr al-Thani, right, speaks to Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi during an emergency ministerial meeting of the Arab League on November 12.

(CNN) -- A fledgling force of Syrian military deserters said it struck an important government security complex on the outskirts of the capital overnight, a bold strike reflecting the resolve and confidence of the regime's opposition.

The assault came ahead of an Arab League meeting Wednesday to reaffirm a decision to suspend Syria's membership, a decision the group made over the weekend after President Bashar al-Assad's government failed to abide by a proposal to end a brutal crackdown on protesters.

Also Wednesday, France recalled its ambassador to Syria, the French Foreign Ministry said. The move followed attacks on French missions in Syria.

The defector group, called the Free Syrian Army, said it attacked an air intelligence base in Harasta and planted "powerful explosions inside and around the compound that shook its foundations."

Andrew Tabler, an expert on Syria at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said air intelligence has been deeply involved in the eight-month-long crackdown by the Syrian government against protesters, a grinding civil conflict that the United Nations says has left more than 3,500 people dead.

Tabler said the strike reflects the growing sophistication of the Free Syrian Army, which has brigades across the country and has been in existence since the summer.

"It opens up a new era of the conflict," he said, adding that the development represents "a bad direction" for the country. "Until now, most of the protests have been peaceful."

The Free Syrian Army said it "carried out special operations in various areas in Damascus in order to spoil the plan that the regime is preparing against our people and our homeland."

The regime should "take note" that the deserter force "is capable of striking them in any place and at any time we want," the group said.

Activists said the deserter army used rocket-propelled grenades and the intelligence complex was damaged. Activists also reported damage at the complex in Harasta, an eastern suburb of the capital, Damascus.

Free Syrian Army Lt. Abdullah al Odah, speaking to CNN in Istanbul, Turkey, called the late-night operation brief.

He said 20 defectors armed with rocket-propelled grenades and Kalashnikov rifles participated and that it involved people from inside as well as outside the security branch. He didn't know whether security forces suffered casualties but he said no rebels were hurt.

He called air intelligence "one most terrifying secret service departments in Syria" and said such security entities will be targeted by defectors.

"This branch is responsible for many of the crimes against Syrian people and political prisoners," al Odah said. "We will announce the whole story to the world in the correct time."

It was one of five actions reported by the opposition force, which has recently emerged as an important factor in the opposition movement as more and more soldiers have left the Syrian army.

The opposition force also reported clashes with personnel loyal to al-Assad in several areas. They include Qaboun and Arbeen, Damascus neighborhoods, and Saqba, a suburb.

There was also fierce fighting in Douma, a city in the Syrian countryside.

"A clash between the Free Syrian Army and Assad's criminal gangs and his mobsters (the shabiha) in Douma, our Free Syrian military caused the Assad's gangs a lesson that they will never forget and heavy losses at the roundabout in the Douma municipality," the army said. The shabiha are pro-government militias.

Tabler said the Free Syrian Army consists of soldiers who've left their posts instead of obeying orders to fire on protesters. They've also had active operations in and around Homs, Idlib and other areas recently, he said.

Opposition groups like the Free Syrian Army have been calling on the international community to help protect protesters. They have urged the United Nations to impose a no-fly zone, as it did in the Libyan conflict, and a naval blockade. Army leaders have said such policies could allow them to establish a base of operations to launch a campaign to bring down al-Assad's regime.

The group surfaced when seven military officers, believed to be original members of the Free Syrian Army, announced their defection in a video posted on YouTube in July. The group's leaders, who had been exiled to Turkey, say they're directing a guerrilla war effort against the al-Assad regime, which acknowledges an increasing number of deadly attacks on its soldiers, including a bombing of a Syrian army tank near Daraa recently.

Col. Riad al-Assad, a 30-year veteran of the Syrian air force, claims to lead a force in Syrian cities of some 10,000 mainly low-ranking soldiers, a number impossible to verify. But the opposition fighters are believed to have little firepower -- planting bombs and carrying out hit and run attacks -- and they're a small force in comparison with Syria's military, which numbers in the hundreds of thousands.

The group has a Facebook page, which calls on other soldiers to join it.

The Arab League, meeting in Rabat, Morocco, said al-Assad didn't stick by his pledge to release detainees, withdraw armed elements from populated areas, and allow unfettered access to the nation by journalists and Arab League monitors.

The league has also called for unspecified sanctions against Syria and called on member states to withdraw their ambassadors from Damascus, a decision that will be up to each nation.

The Syrian Arab News Agency, a state-run outlet, quoted a government source as saying that "Syria decided not to participate" in Rabat, where there was a ministerial meeting of the Arab League council and an Arab-Turkish cooperation meeting.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told the Arab-Turkish group that the Arab League's move to suspend Syria's membership was "a responsible and well-timed step that put forth the gravity of the situation."

He said Syria hadn't fulfilled commitments to the league and the Turks to rein in the instability. A former ally of Syria, Turkey has threatened to cut off power supplies if Syria does not change course. Turkey's Energy Ministry said it has suspended negotiations with Syria over joint oil exploration.

"The Syrian administration should read the message of the Arab League correctly, and by ending the violence it is inflicting on its people open up the way for the inevitable process of democratic transformation. It is not possible for any administration to win a struggle against its own people. It is not possible for an administration based on collective punishment and everyday killing people on the streets to be successful," Davutoglu said.

"The Syrian administration must know that public opinion in neither the Arab world nor the world at large can bear these heart-wrenching images forever. Time is working against the Syrian regime. All of the credit and the helping hands that have been extended to the Syrian regime to date have been wasted," he added.

The final communique Tuesday from the Arab-Turkish forum "emphasized the necessity of halting the bloodshed and violence against Syrian citizens, and the importance of taking urgent measures to assure the safety of civilians. The ministers stressed the importance of the stability and unity of Syria and the need for the resolution of the crisis without any foreign intervention."

The Arab ministers also "expressed their appreciation to Turkey for providing temporary protection on its territories for Syrian citizens who fled to Turkey."

Mohammed al-Ikhsafi, Morocco's ambassador to Syria, told CNN a demonstration occurred in front of his country's embassy in Damascus on Wednesday.

"There was some improper behavior in front of the embassy. The protesters threw tomatoes and rocks at the embassy and they brought down the Moroccan flag and raised the Syrian flag instead," al-Ikhsafi said. "I asked them to send in a delegation so I can listen to their demands and what they were protesting against. I explained to them Morocco's stance in the Arab League and then they left. The demonstration is over now. No one was physically attacked or injured." Morocco's Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks on its embassy, the country's official news agency reported.

The United Arab Emirates denounced an attack on its embassy and said it holds the Syrian government responsible for the embassy employees' safety. A Western diplomat in Damascus told CNN in an e-mail that windows were broken at the UAE Embassy.

On Saturday, pro-government protesters attacked Arab and Turkish entities in Damascus, Aleppo and Latakia. The Turks have demanded compensation for damage to their buildings and they have evacuated families of diplomats and some nonessential personnel. On Monday, Syria's state news agency reported that Syria's foreign minister publicly apologized for the embassy attacks.

And Jordan's King Abdullah said this week that a person in al-Assad's position would step down, a statement observers interpreted as a call for the Syrian president to do just that.

For its part, the Syrian government freed 1,180 detainees Tuesday as part of the Arab League peace plan.

But opposition groups said the gesture was too little, too late.

The death toll keeps mounting, they said, with at least 81 killed in clashes Monday -- making it one of the deadliest days of the uprising.

The number of civilians killed Wednesday was 20 -- 11 in Homs, 7 in Idlib, and 1 in each Daraa and Damascus suburbs -- said the Local Coordination Committee of Syria, a coalition of activists.

CNN is not able to independently verify claims of fighting and casualties because the Syrian government has restricted international media access to the country.

CNN's Joe Sterling, Ivan Watson and Saad Abedine contributed to this report

Sibling rivalries: Three men butcher and bury sister in courtyard

Police unearths the woman’s body after a servant told them she was buried under the marble floor.

BAHAWALPUR:  Three men were arrested on charges of having murdered their sister on Tuesday.

According to police officials, Patafi Colony Sardar Garah residents Abdul Sattar, Shakeel Ahmed and Mohammad Saleem allegedly butchered their sister Shameem and then buried her body in their court yard. Police officials said that a servant who worked at the house tipped them off and they arrived at the scene to investigate on Tuesday morning.
“He told us that he had been forced to help them dig the grave and then cover the courtyard with marble,” investigation officer Hazoor Buksh said. “We broke apart the marble in their courtyard and found the corpse. The woman had been mutilated and the body had been decapitated,” he said.
A neighbour, Irfan, told police officials that the accused suspected Shamim of having relations with another resident of the village. “They had been arguing about the incident for days. We heard them accuse her for several days and they had loud fights but eventually it all stopped,” he said. “On Monday night I went to visit Shamim to see if she was okay but Saleem told me that she had gone to see her aunt in Gujranwala,” Batool Bibi told police.
“They accused her of having an affair and told her that they would kill her and the man she was seeing. Saleem said that he had seen them walking together in the village and that she had dishonoured the family,” a servant at the house told the police.
“They took pains to cover up the body. They buried her in their own courtyard but covered the entire surface with marble. We would never have thought to look here if we hadn’t been told about it,” Rukanpur investigation officer Hazoor Buksh told reporters that police had filed an FIR under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code and had sent the body for an autopsy.
“The girl was brutally tortured and killed with an axe. They decapitated the body and then buried her,” said a DHQ Hospital doctor.
“We are conducting DNA tests and so far all the evidence points to the three brothers,” Buksh said. “The three men have been taken into custody but we are waiting for the full details of the MLC report to be released,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 16^th, 2011.

Hudud: The Aceh Experience

Covert attempt to convert Christian pre-schoolers?

Christian parents in rural Sarawak are uncomfortable listening to the pre-school children reciting Islamic prayers at home.

KUCHING: Parents in Sarawak are concerned about the subtle attempts at imparting Islamic teachings and practices to children in pre-schools in the rural areas.

Debating the 2012 budget in the current Sarawak Legislative Assembly sitting, Ba Kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian said there was a ‘very real problem’ because parents were complaining that their children come home from school reciting Islamic prayers.

“Many rural areas are predominantly Christian, and there is a very real problem of subtle attempts at imparting Islamic teachings and practices in pre-schools.

“There are reports from parents of school children that their children come home from school and recite the Islamic ways of praying at home.

“From my own constituency of Ba’Kelalan, I have personally received reports of such incidents that happened to children from two families,” said Bian, who is also Sarawak PKR chief.

According to news reports, the Kemas director-general Puhat Mat Nayan said that as at 2010, Kemas had established 539 new pre-school classes and will open another 2,000 new ones.

Last year, Kemas opened 150 kindergartens in the state and for this year, they have set up 300 more to increase the accessibility to early childhood education.

Ensure fair teachings

Bian said that the people are concerned that these pre-schools are staffed by teachers from outside the local community and worst if they come from Peninsular Malaysia, the majority of whom are Muslims.

“Added to this concern is the news that Kemas schools will be taking on the Permata syllabus, as announced in Sabah in July this year by National Permata programme patron Rosmah Mansor.

“I was informed that one of the subjects in the Permata curriculum is Islamic teachings in class.
“Can we be guaranteed that all non-Muslim children be exempted from these classes or lessons?

“What are the steps taken by the state government to ensure that teachers of different faiths do not impart or teach their beliefs to the children of different faiths or beliefs in these Tadika or Pra-Sekolah in the state?” asked Bian.

Bian said to ensure fair teachings in Kemas, teachers from the local communities should be recruited.
“I propose that local teachers from the local community be recruited to teach in these Tadika or pra-sekolah to avoid any conflict of religious beliefs.

“Secondly, I propose that allocations should be made to NGOs and religious organisations to start or support their own tadika or pre-schools to reflect our support of imparting knowledge to all notwithstanding their racial or religious backgrounds,” Bian said.

Re-direct Permata funds

On the teaching of mother tongue language, Bian asked the government to allocate an official budget every year for the teaching of languages of all the different races in Sarawak from pre-school to Primary Six level.

“The loss of our people’s mother tongue is a serious threat and the precursor to the loss of our culture and identity.

“The preservation of our languages must be given priority or our people will slowly lose their unique and distinct cultures.

“With the common incidences of inter-marriage between different races in Sarawak, this request needs immediate implementation, “said Bian.

He suggested that funds allocated to Kemas or Permata be used instead to train teachers to teach in their local languages or dialects.

[main photo from Kemas website]

10 Islamic activists arrested under ISA in Tawau

The 10, arrested on Monday, are either PAS members or supporters, including respected religious teachers.

TAWAU: Ten religious teachers and Islamic activists were arrested here under the Internal Security Act (ISA) by a team of police officers from federal police headquarters Bukit Aman.

The counter-terrorism operation by the Special Assignment Team was led by DSP Azman Omar. The police gave no information on the arrests.

The families of the detainees were informed on Tuesday that their relatives were being detained under the ISA which allows for detention without trial. They can be kept incommunicado for 60 days, after which the Home Minister can detain them for two years.

According to sources, those arrested were all PAS members or supporters, including respected religious teachers in the Tawau district.

Sabah PAS commissioner Mohd Aminuddin Aling questioned the arrests which he said were made without warrants, notice or any prior information. He also complained that the police operation was conducted in front of wives and children.

He said the police should “clarify the real situation so the news of the arrests will not be misinterpreted and raise negative assumption of those detained”.

He said the police were heavily armed and rough. They also seized several laptops and cash.

Mohd Aminuddin said the police operation was all the more shocking as Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak had just announced in September that the ISA would be scrapped.

“People are shocked by the ISA detention,” he said.

“The cruel and inhuman act has caused chaos in the families of the detainees,” he said. He demanded the 10 to be immediately released without conditions or be charged in court.

Tawau police chief Ibrahim Chin declined to comment but the local media noted that there was a heavy police presence along the road to the Tawau airport in the Apas area where the arrests were made.

According to sources, the arrests could be for any number of reasons, including for terrorism threats in Sabah.

Bersih heroes’ plea to the King: Don’t dissolve Parliament now

Aunty Bersih and Rosni Malan, two unlikely heroes of Bersih 2.0 rally, want electoral reforms to take place first before Parliament is dissolved.

KUALA LUMPUR: Two unlikely ‘heroes’ of the July Bersih 2.0 rally, Annie Ooi Siew Lan and Rosni Malan have pleaded with the king not to dissolve Parliament until electoral reforms have taken place.

Rosni’s husband, Baharuddin Ahmad, died from heart complications during the rally. Ooi, nicknamed “Aunty Bersih” was seen being sprayed with chemical-laced water cannons and tear gas during the rally.

They are asking the king, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, to use his discretion to not consent to Parliament’s dissolution anytime soon.

Speaking on their behalf, their lawyer M Visvanathan said: “What we’re trying to achieve is to put enough pressure on the powers-that-be, especially the Yang Dipertuan-Agong, to invoke his discretion. He does have the discretion, it should be exercised in this case.”

“It is not a demand…(We ask) that the Agong use his discretion not to dissolve Parliament.”

Visvanathan added that he was confident that the Agong was not going to allow Parliament to be dissolved without electoral reforms being put into place first.

Petition launched

During the press conference, an online petition (www.petisyenrakyat.tk) calling for free and fair elections was also announced.

Citing Article 40(2)(b) of the Federal Constitution, the petition said that the king had absolute discretion to withhold consent to a request to dissolve Parliament.

Rosni said that the petition would “strengthen the respectability and the position of the Agong”.

Adding that it was her family who came up with the idea for such a petition, she said the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on electoral reforms needed to finish its work.

This work, she added, included recommendations that would be approved by Parliament in a future sitting.

Ooi meanwhile said all eight demands of Bersih 2.0 must be fulfilled before the election is called.

“The power given to the king under the constitution to refuse to consent to the dissolution of Parliament, if so requested, is a power to be exercised for the well-being of the rakyat,” she said.

Visvanathan however evaded queries about the group’s possible link to the Bersih 2.0 coalition, headed by Ambiga Sreenevasan.

“Let’s just say we are Malaysians doing this for Malaysians,” he said.

Indelible ink: Constitutional amendment not needed

Amending the election regulations, says PSC chairman Maximus Ongkili, will allow the EC to implement it.

KUALA LUMPUR: An amendment to the election regulations will be sufficient to implement the use of indelible ink on voters, said the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on electoral reforms.

According to PSC chairman Maxmimus Ongkili, Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail revealed this when clarifying his earlier stand that the move would require a constitutional amendment.

Speaking to reporters in Parliament, he said: “Gani explained that it can be done both ways.”

Ongkili added that the AG’s letter to the PSC and Election Commission two weeks ago was vague but the AG conveyed his views on the issue at the committee meeting this morning.

“We are satisfied with his explanation,” he said, adding that Gani had been requested to submit another letter by Monday and the PSC would make a decision after this.

The AG, however, declined to comment, beyond saying that it was a “good meeting”.

The EC mooted the usage of indelible ink for the 2008 general election, after purchasing it for RM2.4 million from India, but ditched the plan at the eleventh hour citing security concerns.

The opposition and election watchdogs, such as Bersih 2.0, believe that using the ink would curb electoral fraud.

Automatic registration

Meanwhile, Ongkili said today’s meeting also discussed the procedure for automatic registration of

voters.

On this, he added, the AG opined that it would require constitutional amendments.

The automatic registeration of voters who reach the age of 21 was among the eight demands of Bersih 2.0, whose massive street protest in July led to the government setting up the PSC.

The PSC is scheduled to hold its next hearing on Nov 25 and 26 at Kompleks Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

It completed its two-day public hearing in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 11 and 12.

300 Orang Asli bantah depan SUK NS

"Kami juga kesal dengan kenyataan Menteri Besar yang mengatakan masyarakat Orang Asli di Negeri Sembilan adalah setinggan," kata jurucakap Ezuli Langkap.

SEREMBAN: Lebih 300 Orang Asli dari seluruh Negeri Sembilan hari ini menyuarakan bantahan selama tiga jam di depan bangunan Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri (SUK) di sini berhubung Dasar Baru Pemilikan Tanah Orang Asli.

Sejurus selepas itu, mereka menyerahkan memorandum kepada Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan bagi membantah cadangan kerajaan negeri untuk melaksanakan dasar baru itu.

Jurucakap ‘Jaringan Kampung-Kampung Orang Asli Negeri Sembilan’ (JKKOANS), Ezuli Langkap berkata pihaknya membantah cadangan itu dengan sekeras-kerasnya sepertimana dilaporkan akhbar Utusan Malaysia 22 September lalu.

“Kami juga kesal dengan kenyataan Menteri Besar yang mengatakan masyarakat Orang Asli di Negeri Sembilan adalah setinggan.

“Setiap keputusan yang dibuat tanpa merujuk dan berbincang dengan kami. Beliau langsung tidak sensitif kepada masyarakat kami.

Sebaliknya beliau telah memperlekehkan masyarakat kami yang merupakan masyarakat asal Negeri Sembilan dan Malaysia”, kata Ezuli.

Tanah adat

Mengikut Ezuli, pelaksanaan Dasar Baru Pemilikan Tanah Orang Asli nanti akan menyebabkan mereka kehilangan hak turun-temurun ke atas tanah adat mereka.

“Semua tanah adat kami akan diambil alih kerajaan. Seterusnya kerajaan akan beri dua ekar tanah yang akan dimajukan samada oleh Felcra atau Risda.

“Selepas itu kami tak perlu lakukan apa-apa dan bayaran sebanyak RM1,500.00 dalam bentuk saham lot akan diberikan setiap bulan.

“Kami membantah langkah ini kerana dengan ini kami akan kehilangan hak ke atas tanah adat resam kami yang kami usahakan sejak zaman nenek moyang kami.

“Malah kami mampu mencari pendapatan melebihi dari apa yang ditawarkan oleh kerajaan negeri. Contohnya ketika ini ramai di antara kami menoreh getah, menjual petai dan akar kayu,” jelas Ezuli.

Ezuli mendesak kerajaan negeri agar membatalkan dasar pemberimilikan tanah yang dicadangkan oleh kerajaan pusat.

Beliau menggesa supaya keseluruhan wilayah tanah adat mereka diiktiraf mengikut Artikel 26 dalam Undang-Undang Deklarasi Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (UNDRIP) berkenaan dengan hak Orang Asal.

Free-for-all for the corrupt in M’sia

Badawi and Muhyiddin are saying anyone who wants to be corrupt just has to siphon out everything using the family or friend’s names and they are not involved and cannot be blamed or prosecuted.
By Jackson Ng, Retired journalist
INVESTORS and the world, be forewarned. A new and deadly strain of “mad cow” disease has mutated in Malaysia. The outbreak of the “virus” (aka as corrupton) is cancerous and will demolish nations.
Yes. That is what is happening to Malaysia now over the RM250 million National Feedlot Centre (NFC) financial debacle.
The Barisan Nasional (BN) government – led by both the prime minister and his deputy - has endorsed and legalised corruption by defending corrupt practices and the blatant abuse of public funds.
The alleged siphoning-out of RM83 million from the NFC coffers into firms controlled by the family of Wanita Umno chief and minister Shahrizat Jalil is so corruptly clear but because she is the ruling elite, action against her is being avoided.
The funds were allocated to NFC for a project to produce affordable beef to Malaysians.
Instead, the NFC funds were siphoned off to pay for a super-plush RM10 million condo in Bangsar and an RM800,000 overseas trip for the Umno Senator’s family.
Is it that difficult for the government and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to differentiate cows, trips and condominiums?
A host of Umno men leaders have since rushed to defend Shahrizat including Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin, Agriculture Minister Noh Omar and Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamalauddin.
Khairy even went so far as to justify the purchase of the condo as a short-term investment so as to enable NFC to reap higher yields.
Not only is his attempt to justify the multi-million-ringgit condo buy insensible, it is outrageously irresponsible and nothing short of abuse of public funds.
Public funds are allocated for specific projects. In NFC’s case, the money is for breeding cows for beef to boost supply for Malaysians. To use the money for any other purpose is clearly unacceptable and untrustworthy by those given specific projects.
If Khairy’s justification for buying a condo is accepted by the BN government, then Malaysia’s corrupt practices have taken a new low.
It signals a free-for-all for the corrupt as any minister, politician or Malaysian, with access to public funds, can use the nation’s wealth for anything they wish. Sharizat’s family would have set the precedent and the MACC will not be able to act on any corrupt practice, irrespective of the political divide.
Malaysians. Don’t take my or anyone’s word for it. Judge for yourself, with conscience, the following bullshit:
* Khairy’s father in law and ex-premier Abdullah Badawi - and Muhyiddin Yassin have publicly insisted there was no reason for Shahrizat to step down; and
* “Ask the individual concerned. What’s it got to do with Shahrizat? It’s her husband … Shahrizat’s not involved, so don’t ask her. If Shahrizat were the CEO then sure [you can ask her] but right now she’s not involved and it is very unfair to label her as involved," Badawi had told reporters. Both Badawi and Muhyiddin seem to be trying to separate Shahrizat from the business dealings of her husband and children, reasoning that the scandal was not Shahrizat’s doing since the one directly involved are her husband and children.
* Badawi and Muhyiddin are saying anyone who wants to be corrupt just has to siphon out everything using the family or friend’s names and they are not involved and cannot be blamed or prosecuted; and
* Is corruption through proxies okay? and
* Is it above board for Shahrizat, being a minister, and her family members to secure a multi-million-ringgit government contract?
Malaysia, under the BN rule, is on course to economic destruction, faster than initially anticipated.
No sane investor will want to invest in a country with a government that does not respect the law, or has separate laws – one for the ruling elite and another for those out of the corridors of power.
That is why the likes of Robert Quok gave up on Malaysia and took his money to China. Today, he is investing US$10 billion into oil palm and palm oil activities in Indonesia.